The journey away from the Emerald Grove was marked by a tense silence. The group trudged through the dense forest, the Orb of Vitalis still glowing faintly in Lorian's hands. Alina couldn't help but glance at it every so often, feeling an inexplicable pull toward its light. The Vampire's words echoed in her mind: You're more than you seem.
"Do you think he'll come after us again?" she asked, breaking the silence.
"Without a doubt," Lorian said curtly. "The Dark Coven doesn't give up easily."
"They'll likely send more than just him next time," Ariel added, her wings fluttering nervously.
Fenrir growled lowly. "Let them come. I'll tear them apart."
Alina forced a small smile, but her unease remained. The forest felt alive, its towering trees seeming to whisper secrets as the wind rustled their leaves. She kept close to Ariel, who floated beside her, offering some comfort with her calm presence.
As the group pressed on, they came upon a clearing. A small, abandoned cabin sat at its center, its roof partially caved in and ivy crawling up its walls. Lorian stopped and scanned the area.
"We'll rest here," he said. "It's too dangerous to travel at night."
Fenrir sniffed the air, his nose twitching. "No scent of danger. For now."
The group approached the cabin cautiously. The interior was sparse but provided enough space for them to sit and rest. Alina found a spot by the fireplace, brushing away cobwebs before settling down. Ariel lit a small flame with her magic, casting a warm glow over the room.
As they prepared to rest, Lorian pulled out a map and spread it on the floor. "We need to decide our next move," he said. "The Orb must be taken to the Sanctum of Aetherium. It's the only place where it can be secured."
"That's across the Crimson Peaks," Ariel said, frowning. "A dangerous path."
Lorian nodded. "But necessary. The Coven will only grow more relentless."
Alina studied the map, her eyes tracing the path Lorian indicated. The Sanctum seemed impossibly far away. "How long will it take to get there?"
"Two weeks, if we're fast," Lorian replied. "Three if we run into trouble."
"And we will run into trouble," Fenrir muttered, his claws tapping against the wooden floor.
The group lapsed into silence again, the weight of their task pressing down on them. Alina leaned back against the wall, her thoughts racing. She thought of her life before this—how simple and mundane it had been. Now, she was caught in a web of magic and danger, and she didn't know if she was ready for what lay ahead.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden noise outside. Everyone froze, their hands moving to their weapons. Fenrir was the first to rise, his ears perked as he listened intently.
"Stay here," Lorian ordered. He and Fenrir moved toward the door, their movements silent and calculated.
Alina clutched her dagger tightly, her heart pounding as she watched them disappear into the darkness. Ariel hovered closer, her light dimmed to avoid attracting attention.
Minutes felt like hours as they waited. Finally, Lorian and Fenrir returned, their expressions grim.
"Tracks," Fenrir said. "Several of them. Someone's been watching us."
"Could it be the Vampire?" Alina asked.
"Possibly," Lorian said. "But these tracks don't match his. It's someone else."
The tension in the room grew thicker. Ariel created a barrier around the cabin, her magic forming a shimmering dome of protection.
"We'll take turns keeping watch," Lorian said. "No one goes outside alone."
As the group settled in for the night, Alina found herself unable to sleep. She stared at the Orb, its glow pulsing gently in the darkness. She couldn't shake the feeling that it was more than just a relic. The warmth it radiated felt almost… alive.
"Can't sleep?" Ariel's soft voice broke the silence.
Alina turned to see the Fairy perched beside her, her delicate wings folded neatly. "No," she admitted. "There's too much on my mind."
Ariel nodded. "I understand. This isn't an easy journey, especially for someone like you."
"Someone like me?" Alina asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ariel smiled faintly. "A human. You're not used to this world, to its dangers. Yet you've adapted quickly. That's admirable."
Alina felt a flush of pride at Ariel's words but also a pang of doubt. "I don't feel very strong," she said. "I feel like I'm barely keeping up."
"Strength isn't always about power," Ariel said gently. "Sometimes, it's about perseverance. And you've shown plenty of that."
Their conversation was cut short by a sudden burst of magic. The barrier around the cabin flared, cracks forming as something attacked it from the outside. The group scrambled to their feet, weapons drawn.
"Get ready!" Lorian shouted.
The door burst open, and figures flooded into the room—shadowy, humanoid creatures with glowing red eyes. Their movements were unnatural, jerky and swift. Alina's blood ran cold as she recognized them from stories she'd heard: Wraiths, servants of the Dark Coven.
Fenrir roared, launching himself at the nearest Wraith. His claws tore through it, but the creature dissolved into shadow and reformed behind him. Ariel unleashed a blast of light, scattering several of the creatures, but more poured in.
"Protect the Orb!" Lorian yelled, swinging his sword with precision.
Alina's heart pounded as she dodged a Wraith's attack, her dagger slipping from her hand. She scrambled to retrieve it, but the creature lunged at her. A sudden burst of energy erupted from her, throwing the Wraith back. She stared at her hands in shock, a faint glow emanating from them.
"What was that?" she whispered, but there was no time to dwell on it. She grabbed her dagger and joined the fight.
The battle was chaotic, the small cabin barely able to contain the clash of magic and steel. One by one, the group managed to drive the Wraiths back, but the strain was evident. Ariel's wings drooped, and Fenrir's movements grew sluggish.
Finally, the last Wraith dissolved, leaving the cabin eerily quiet once more. The group stood panting, their weapons still drawn.
"They're testing us," Lorian said, his voice grim. "The Coven knows we have the Orb. They won't stop until they get it."
"We need to move," Ariel said weakly. "The barrier won't hold against another attack."
As the group hastily left the cabin, the Orb glowes brighter than before. Unseen by them, a pair of red eyes watches from the shadows, a sinister smile playing on the Vampire's lips.