Serena's heartbeat thundered in her ears as she stared at the figure now standing before her with their hood lowered. The stranger's face was sharp, with angular features and piercing eyes that seemed to hold more knowledge than Serena was comfortable with. For a moment, the entire forest seemed to hold its breath, waiting for what would happen next.
Rebecca remained poised, her knife still raised, ready to strike if needed. Serena could feel the tension in the air thickening with every second of silence. This stranger, whoever they were, claimed to know about the Lumen Corvus, but trusting them could be a fatal mistake.
Serena's eyes narrowed as she finally broke the silence. "Start talking. How do you know about the Lumen Corvus? And why were you following us?"
The stranger, clearly aware that every movement was being watched closely, took a cautious step back, lowering their blade to the ground in what appeared to be a show of good faith. "My name is Alaric," they said calmly. "I've been tracking the Lumen Corvus for a long time, and I know exactly how dangerous it is. I'm here to help you destroy it."
Serena exchanged a quick glance with Rebecca, trying to gauge her reaction. They had barely escaped one enemy who wanted the artifact for themselves. Now, another mysterious figure appeared, claiming they wanted to destroy it? It was too convenient.
"Help us destroy it?" Rebecca scoffed, her voice dripping with suspicion. "Why should we believe you're any different from the others? We've heard this story before."
Alaric's expression remained calm, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—frustration, perhaps. "I understand your hesitation. But I'm not with the Covenant or the Seekers. My motives are different. The Lumen Corvus isn't just a tool of power; it's a curse, a gateway that, if opened, will bring chaos to this world. That's why it has to be destroyed."
Serena took a step forward, lowering her knife slightly but still keeping her guard up. "How do you know so much about the artifact? No one we've encountered so far seems to know the full story."
Alaric paused for a moment, his eyes flickering with an internal struggle before he spoke. "I was once part of an ancient order tasked with guarding knowledge of the most dangerous artifacts in existence. The Lumen Corvus was the darkest of them all. My people spent centuries trying to keep it out of the wrong hands, but over time, we became scattered and fragmented. Now, only a few of us remain. I've been searching for the artifact ever since, to stop anyone from using its power."
Serena's instincts told her that Alaric wasn't lying, at least not entirely. There was something in his voice, a weariness, that suggested he wasn't here for selfish gain. But that didn't mean she was ready to trust him.
"You say you're here to help destroy it," Serena said slowly. "But we've been looking for a way to do that for a while, and no one seems to know how. Why should we believe you know the answer?"
Alaric's gaze met hers, steady and unwavering. "Because I've seen what happens when people try to destroy it without understanding its true nature. The Lumen Corvus can't simply be shattered or burned. It's tied to another realm, to forces beyond our world. To destroy it, you need something just as ancient, just as powerful."
Rebecca, still gripping her knife, snorted. "And I suppose you just happen to have that 'something' lying around?"
Alaric shook his head. "No, but I know where to find it. There's a weapon, an artifact that was forged long ago to counter the power of the Lumen Corvus. It's been lost for centuries, but I've tracked its location. If we can get to it, we'll have a chance."
Serena's mind raced. It all sounded too fantastical, too convenient. But there was something about the way Alaric spoke, the certainty in his words, that gave her pause. Could it be true? Could there really be another artifact out there, something capable of neutralizing the Lumen Corvus?
She exchanged another glance with Rebecca. Her friend's expression was skeptical, but there was a flicker of curiosity there too. They had been running for so long, searching for answers with nothing to show for it. If Alaric was telling the truth, this might be their only chance to finally end the nightmare.
But the risk… the risk of trusting him was enormous.
"What's your endgame?" Serena asked, her voice sharp. "What do you get out of this? If you're not after the Lumen Corvus's power, then why are you so determined to destroy it?"
Alaric's eyes darkened, and for a moment, a shadow of something deeper crossed his face. "I've seen what happens when artifacts like this are left unchecked," he said, his voice quieter now. "I've seen worlds destroyed, lives torn apart. The Lumen Corvus is more than just a tool of power. It's a bridge, a link to something far worse. If it's opened, if its power is fully unleashed, it could bring ruin to everything. I'm not doing this for glory or gain—I'm doing it because someone has to stop it."
The sincerity in his voice was undeniable. Serena could feel the weight of his words, the truth behind them. But still, trust was something hard-earned, especially now.
Serena lowered her knife fully, though her posture remained tense. "Let's say we believe you. Where is this weapon? How far do we have to go?"
Alaric seemed to relax slightly at her response, though he remained cautious. "It's hidden in a temple far to the east, deep in the mountains. The path there is treacherous, and the temple itself is heavily guarded. But if we can reach it, we'll have the means to destroy the Lumen Corvus once and for all."
Rebecca finally spoke, her tone still skeptical but with a hint of acceptance. "And you're just willing to risk your life to help us get there? Why not take the artifact for yourself and be done with it?"
Alaric met her gaze evenly. "Because I know what happens when people try to control the Lumen Corvus. No one can. Not even me."
Serena's mind raced, weighing the risks and the potential gains. They were running out of time, and every moment they spent hesitating could bring more danger to their doorstep. If Alaric was lying, they would deal with him when the time came. But if he was telling the truth… this might be the only chance they had to end the threat once and for all.
"Alright," Serena said finally, her voice steady. "We'll work together. But make no mistake, Alaric—if you try to double-cross us, you won't live long enough to regret it."
Alaric nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of her words. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
Rebecca stepped forward, her eyes still sharp with suspicion. "So, what's the first step?"
Alaric looked out toward the distant mountains, his face hardening with resolve. "We head east. The temple is hidden in the depths of a valley surrounded by cliffs. But we need to move fast. Others will be coming for the Lumen Corvus, and they won't stop until they have it."
Serena tightened her grip on the strap of her pack, feeling the weight of the artifact inside. "Then let's go," she said, her voice steady. "The sooner we destroy this thing, the better."
With that, they set off into the forest, the path ahead uncertain but clear.
For the first time in a long while, Serena felt the faintest glimmer of hope.
But as they moved deeper into the shadows of the trees, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking straight into a trap.