Chapter 64: The Warning from the Moon
Tessa emerged from the temple, her face pale as the silvery glow of the moon bathed the surroundings in a soft light. The Moon Goddess's message echoed in her mind—warriors, agents of destruction, were approaching from the east. She didn't know who or what they were, but their arrival spelled devastation.
Her steps quickened as she spotted Adrian, his figure standing still at the edge of the hideout. He was staring off into the distance, his back tense, as though he could sense something approaching, too. The sight of him made her pause. He seemed distant, yet present, as though waiting for her.
As if sensing her presence, Adrian turned to face her, his eyes immediately locking onto hers. There was a momentary flicker in his gaze—a softening, a tug at something deeper—but just as quickly, his expression hardened again. He stepped toward her, his hand slightly raising as though to reach out, but then, like always, he stopped short, holding himself back.
"Tessa," he said softly, his voice carrying both concern and restraint. "What's wrong?"
Tessa hesitated for a moment, the weight of the Moon Goddess's warning pressing down on her. The urge to close the space between them was strong, but the urgency of the situation forced her focus.
"I need your help, Adrian," she began, her voice more controlled than she felt. She glanced around before taking a deep breath, meeting his gaze directly. "The Moon Goddess gave me a warning. Something's coming. A group of warriors from the east... they're bringing destruction with them."
Adrian's eyes sharpened with understanding, though his stance remained calm. "Do you know who they are?" he asked, his voice low but firm.
Tessa shook her head. "No. I only know that their power is enough to tear through anything in their path. I'm worried they'll head to Riverdale and harm innocent people if they don't find us first."
Adrian's jaw clenched, his expression shifting from concern to resolve. "What's the plan?"
Tessa glanced up at him, grateful for his steady presence. "We can't take everyone with us. We need to move quickly, and only the best should come. You, Nymff, Ecdy, Nyala, and Abdel. We'll keep the others safe by leaving them behind."
For a moment, Adrian said nothing. His eyes searched hers, as though trying to understand the depths of what she was asking. Then he nodded slowly, his voice firm but laced with something tender. "You know I'll follow you anywhere, Tessa. Wherever you need me."
Tessa smiled faintly, a flicker of warmth in her chest at his words. "Thank you, Adrian. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Adrian's lips twitched into a soft smile, the moment between them suspended like a delicate thread, both aware of what wasn't being said. But just as quickly, the urgency of their situation pulled them back to reality.
"We'll tell the others," Tessa said, breaking the silence. "We need to leave soon."
---
As they moved to gather the rest of the group, the tension in the air was palpable.
On the other side, Nymff was watching Ecdy with her usual amused smirk as he struggled to carry several supplies at once.
"Need help there, champ?" Nymff teased, raising an eyebrow at him. "Because it seems to me that this is tougher on you than it looks?"
Ecdy flushed, nearly dropping the load in his arms. "I've got it... I swear."
Nymff chuckled, stepping over to relieve him of some of the burden. "Relax, Ecdy. You can be the muscle; I'll handle the brains."
With a wordless, appreciative glance, Ecdy then decided to work on tent ropes, and then clumsily, he got himself entangled.
"Ecdy, if I didn't know better, I'd say those ropes have a personal vendetta against you," Nymff quipped, raising an eyebrow. "Maybe I should step in and save you. Again."
Ecdy flushed, fumbling with the tangled ropes. "It's... uh... fine. I've got it under control," he muttered, clearly embarrassed.
Nymff hopped down and quickly untangled him with ease, her fingers deftly working the knots. "There. All set," she said, her teasing tone laced with streaks of amusement, "You owe me one, as usual."
Ecdy smiled weakly, scratching the back of his neck. "Thanks, Nymff. I'll get better at this. Eventually."
As Tessa and Adrian appeared in their line of sight, Nymff moved back to leaning casually on a tree, tossing a small stone in her hand. She had noticed Tessa's tense conversation with Adrian and couldn't help but smirk as the two approached. "Looks like you two have something cooking," she teased, her sharp eyes flicking between them.
Adrian rolled his eyes but smirked back. "Something like that."
There was a faint sadness in Nymff's eyes when she saw Adrian walking close with Tessa, something she quickly masked behind her usual wit, but Adrian, approaching closely, caught the flicker of emotion before she could hide it.
Their eyes met briefly, and Nymff shot him a playful smile, though there was a hint of something more in her gaze.
"Hey, Adrian," she said lightly, stepping closer to him. "You're not thinking of leaving us out of the action, are you?"
Adrian smiled, though his eyes flicked to Tessa, as if to check on her before responding. "You? I couldn't leave you behind even if I tried."
Nymff rolled her eyes, though the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her playful front. "Just don't go getting all heroic on us. I'd hate to lose my favorite sparring partner."
"I'll try my best," Adrian replied with a grin, though his tone was softer than usual.
As the group prepared, Tessa's gaze swept over them, her heart heavy with the weight of what was to come. These were her closest allies, and the thought of leading them into danger made her chest tighten. But she knew there was no other choice.
When everyone had gathered, Tessa spoke, her voice steady but laced with urgency. "We need to move quickly. There are warriors coming from the east—powerful ones. I don't know exactly what they are, but the Moon Goddess warned me of their destruction. We can't let them reach Riverdale."
Nymff's playful smirk faded at Tessa's words. "So, we're talking end-of-the-world level bad, huh?"
Tessa nodded gravely. "We're heading out soon. I'm only bringing those of us who are the best equipped for this. The rest of you will stay behind and hold the fort."
Nymff glanced at Adrian again, her expression more serious than usual. "Well, guess I'd better sharpen my knives. Don't want to be caught off guard."
Adrian gave her a reassuring smile, though there was a flicker of concern in his eyes. "Stay close to me, Nymff. We'll keep each other out of trouble."
Nymff's smirk returned, though there was a flicker of sadness in her eyes as she looked between Adrian and Tessa. "You'd better. I'd hate to lose the only people who can keep up with me."
Adrian chuckled, though he noticed the hint of something deeper in Nymff's tone. He didn't press it, though. Now wasn't the time.
As the group began to gather their things, preparing for what lay ahead, Nymff lingered near Adrian, her teasing tone replaced by a quiet seriousness. "You know," she said softly, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, "if things get too rough out there, I'll be right behind you. Might even save your life."
Adrian gave her a half-smile, his voice just as soft. "I'll keep that in mind."
---
Tessa, watching the exchange from a distance, felt a strange twist in her chest. She shook it off quickly—there was no time for distractions. They had a mission to complete, and the lives of countless innocents depended on them.
---
With the group ready, Tessa took one last look at the temple, feeling the Moon Goddess's presence still lingering around her. She knew the path ahead was fraught with danger, but with Adrian, Nymff, and the others by her side, she felt a glimmer of hope. Together, they would face whatever destruction awaited them.