The clearing was thick with tension as Alex stood across from the mysterious woman, his mind racing with questions and doubts. Her revelation about the relics, the balance between worlds, and the ancient order hunting him had left him more uncertain than ever. He didn't trust her—not fully—but the truth was undeniable: he needed help. And she was the first person to offer it without immediately trying to kill him.
"Closer than I think?" Alex echoed, narrowing his eyes at the woman. "What do you mean? The next relic is on the map—far from here."
The woman's smile was calm but carried an air of knowing. "The map is only a guide. The relics are connected by forces that go beyond physical distance. They shift, react to those who seek them, sometimes bringing the danger closer, sometimes hiding deeper. The next one is near, and it's far more dangerous than the last."
Alex frowned, gripping the map tighter. The relics could shift? That explained why each time he reached one, it felt like it was waiting for him, almost pulling him toward it. But if the next relic was closer, that meant his enemies were, too.
He glanced at the woman. "You still haven't told me who you are."
Her gaze met his, steady and unreadable. "Names mean little in this world, but if it gives you comfort, you can call me Selene." Her tone was casual, as though they were discussing something trivial. "I've been following your progress, watching you unlock the power of the Forgotten. You're stronger than I expected, but you're also alone. That won't work if you want to survive."
Alex's suspicion deepened, but there was something about the way she spoke—confident, controlled—that kept him from dismissing her outright. "Why help me?" he asked, crossing his arms. "What do you get out of this?"
Selene's expression softened slightly. "I already told you. There's more at stake here than you realize. The order that hunts you—they're relentless. If they succeed in gathering all the relics, they'll use the power of the Forgotten for their own purposes. It will destroy the balance between worlds, and when that happens, everything we know will collapse."
Alex's chest tightened. She was repeating what she had already said, but the weight of her words hung heavy in the air. The balance between worlds. His mind flashed back to the vision he'd seen when he activated the monolith—the towering figures, the swirling darkness. He didn't fully understand what the balance meant, but it was clear that the relics were part of something much larger than him.
"And what's your role in all this?" Alex asked, his voice low. "Are you part of this order? Another secret group?"
Selene hesitated for the first time, her eyes flickering with a brief hint of something—regret, perhaps, or uncertainty. "I was part of them once," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "The order. But I left when I realized what they were planning to do with the relics. Their leader… he's obsessed with controlling the Forgotten's power. He believes it's the key to reshaping the world, and he'll stop at nothing to claim it."
Alex's heart pounded in his chest. A rogue member of the very order that hunted him. Could she be trusted, or was this another ploy to manipulate him?
"And why should I believe you?" he asked, his voice hard. "For all I know, you could be leading me into a trap."
Selene's eyes softened, and for a moment, the hard edge of her demeanor melted away. "You don't have to believe me," she said quietly. "But you've seen what they're capable of. You've felt the power of the relics. If you don't stop them, no one will. And if you go on alone, you won't survive long enough to learn the truth."
Her words hit Alex like a punch to the gut. She wasn't wrong. The enemies he had faced so far were only growing stronger, and the more he unlocked the Forgotten's power, the more dangerous this journey became. If Selene could help him, if she had inside knowledge of the order and their plans, then he couldn't afford to turn her away.
Alex let out a slow breath, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Fine," he said, though his voice was still laced with caution. "We work together—for now. But if I find out you're lying to me—"
"I'm not," Selene interrupted gently. "And believe me, you'll need me before this is over."
She stepped closer, her gaze unwavering. "The next relic is hidden deep within the Greystone Mountains, not far from here. It's guarded—heavily. The order knows it's close, and they'll be moving in soon. If we don't get there first, everything you've fought for will be lost."
Alex's heart sank. The Greystone Mountains were a dangerous place, even without enemies chasing him. The terrain was harsh, and the stories of creatures lurking in the caves were enough to keep most travelers away. But if the relic was there, he had no choice.
"How do you know all this?" Alex asked, still wary of Selene's apparent knowledge.
"I know more than you think," she replied, her tone cryptic. "The relics speak to those who listen."
Before Alex could press her for more answers, the system chimed softly in his mind, its cold voice cutting through the conversation.
New Quest Activated: Race to the Relic.
Objective: Reach the Greystone Mountains and secure the next relic before the order.
Reward: Ability Upgrade (Ethereal Vision, Shadow Step).
Alex tensed, the weight of the quest settling on his shoulders. The system was pushing him forward, always dangling new rewards, new abilities, but the real prize wasn't power—it was survival.
"We need to move," Selene said, her voice firm. "The order won't wait. We have to reach the mountains before they do."
Alex nodded, his mind spinning with questions he didn't have time to ask. He still didn't trust Selene completely, but for now, their goals aligned. The relic was the priority, and if she could help him reach it before the order, then he was willing to take the risk.
Without another word, Alex folded the map and tucked it into his pocket. The moon was high in the sky, casting pale light over the forest, but he knew they couldn't afford to wait until daylight. The order was moving, and every second they lost brought them closer to the next relic.
Selene led the way, her movements swift and sure. She seemed to know the terrain well, navigating the dense forest with ease. Alex followed closely behind, his senses on high alert. The night was quiet, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something—someone—was watching them. The shadows seemed to shift with every step they took, as though the darkness itself was alive.
"Stay close," Selene whispered, her voice barely audible over the soft crunch of leaves beneath their feet. "The Greystone Mountains aren't far, but the path is treacherous. There are… things in these woods that don't like visitors."
Alex didn't respond, but he felt a chill run down his spine. He had already encountered creatures that defied explanation, and he had no desire to meet any more. His hand hovered near the hilt of his dagger, ready to draw it at the first sign of danger.
They moved in silence for what felt like hours, the terrain growing steeper as the forest gave way to rocky foothills. The looming shadow of the Greystone Mountains appeared on the horizon, their jagged peaks cutting into the night sky like black daggers.
As they reached the base of the mountains, Selene stopped, her eyes scanning the darkness ahead. "We're close," she murmured. "But so are
they."
Alex's pulse quickened. The race for the relic had begun.