The group left the cottage, abandoning it to the chill and lack of basic comforts. After gathering what few supplies they could find, they piled back into Dan's car and headed toward the city.
As they drove, Dan flicked on the radio, only to catch the news: "Just in—Elias Ward, the mysterious swordsman from the viral video, has reportedly been neutralized along with his co-conspirators. Federal Task Force officials suggest Elias and his brother, Markus Ward, were involved in ritualistic occultism…"
Dan quickly shut off the radio, his expression slipping into a smirk. "Guess we're ghosts now," he quipped, casting a sly look at Naomi. "Long live cover-ups."
Naomi rolled her eyes, though there was a hint of gratitude in her gaze. Dan's humor, however poorly timed, was one of the only things keeping them steady. For now, it was enough.
In the backseat, Elias sat between Ava and Lucius, his hands running over the bundled shards of the broken sword. With its hum silenced, a peculiar emptiness lingered in its place. He stared at the cloth-wrapped fragments as if waiting for answers they could no longer provide.
Ava squeezed his hand, her touch firmer than usual. Beneath her calm expression, there was an edge of worry. She glanced at Elias, her lips pressing together as though she were debating whether to speak her mind.
Dan clapped his hands, shattering the silence. "Alright! While the world rejoices in our 'deaths,' let's talk plans." He turned to glance at Elias through the rearview mirror. "Because, my man, I've got 'em."
Elias raised an eyebrow. "You have plans?"
Dan wiggled his eyebrows. "Please. I'm the guy with all the plans." His smirk faded, replaced by a more thoughtful expression. "Listen, I haven't been idle these past weeks. I've scoured every corner of the internet for info on Celestial Requiem and our notes on the Aetherians. I'm basically a walking library of supernatural nerdery now."
"Useful," Naomi muttered. "So what's your master plan, oh grand librarian?"
Dan grinned. "Patience, m'lady. All will be revealed in time." He adopted a mock-serious tone. "Step one: find a secure shelter."
Elias chuckled. "We've already got Lucius as our mystery man. Do we really need a second?"
Dan shrugged, unbothered, while Naomi glanced at Lucius, who observed them all with a faint smile. There was a warmth to his amusement, as if watching them like this gave him more joy than he would admit.
Naomi cleared her throat, directing her attention to Lucius. "Lucius, would The Company be a safe place for us to lay low?"
Lucius nodded. "It's currently accepting refugees." He tilted his head, as if he'd anticipated her question. "Are you considering it as a base?"
"Yes," she replied, though a trace of hesitation lingered.
Lucius's smile softened. "Miss Faraday, simply ask. I've told you—I am your ally."
Naomi released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Lucius, could we use The Company as our base?"
"Certainly," he said, his tone light. "But first, I believe Elias has another priority."
Ava's brows knit with concern as she turned to Elias. "Eli?"
Elias met her gaze, his voice low but unwavering. "I need to meet Azazel."
Ava's face tightened, his words sinking in. "Are you sure?"
He nodded, a small, tired smile breaking through. "He's kept me on his strings for too long. It's time to show him I'm no one's puppet."
For a heartbeat, something opened between them—not through grand declarations, but a quiet, unspoken trust. Ava let out a sigh, her shoulders easing. "Alright. We're with you."
Elias's hands tightened around the bundled sword shards. He knew the only path forward was through Azazel—through the mess of truths and threats that had bound his brother to the demon. No more hiding. No more hesitation.
He took out his phone, the gravity of his choice hanging over him. The message was simple, direct.
We need to talk. Name the place.
He hesitated only briefly before pressing send, the screen flashing as the message was sent.