The dense forest was alive with the faint hum of insects and the rustle of leaves underfoot. The group moved cautiously, their footsteps muted by the carpet of moss. The moon hung low in the sky, its silvery light barely penetrating the thick canopy above. The Orb of Vitalis, carried securely in Lorian's pack, emitted a faint glow that illuminated their path.
Alina's thoughts raced as she replayed the battle in the cabin. The burst of energy that had erupted from her was unlike anything she had ever experienced. What did it mean? She glanced down at her hands, half-expecting them to start glowing again.
"Something on your mind?" Ariel asked, her voice soft as she floated beside Alina.
Alina hesitated before answering. "Back in the cabin… something happened. I think—I think I used magic."
Ariel's eyes widened slightly. "Magic? But humans don't—"
"I know," Alina interrupted. "That's why I'm confused."
Ariel fell silent, her delicate wings shimmering faintly in the dim light. "Maybe it's the Orb," she suggested after a moment. "It's powerful, and you've been near it for a while now."
"Maybe," Alina said, though doubt gnawed at her. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it.
Ahead, Lorian raised a hand, signaling for the group to stop. Fenrir sniffed the air, his ears twitching.
"What is it?" Ariel whispered.
"We're being followed," Lorian said grimly. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his sharp eyes scanning the trees.
Fenrir growled lowly. "I smell blood. Fresh."
Alina's heart raced as she glanced over her shoulder, the shadows between the trees seeming to shift and writhe. "Could it be the Wraiths again?"
"No," Fenrir said. "Something else. Something alive."
The group huddled together, weapons drawn. Ariel created a faint barrier around them, its golden light flickering as if uncertain of its own strength.
The silence was oppressive. Every creak of the trees and rustle of leaves made Alina jump. Suddenly, a figure stepped out from the shadows—a woman with crimson eyes and hair as dark as the night. Her movements were fluid, almost hypnotic, as she approached.
"Relax," the woman said, her voice smooth as silk. "If I wanted to harm you, I wouldn't have announced myself."
"Who are you?" Lorian demanded, his sword gleaming in the moonlight.
The woman smiled, revealing sharp, pearly fangs. "My name is Selene. I'm a… curious observer."
"Another Vampire," Fenrir growled, his claws extending.
Selene raised a hand. "I'm not with the Coven, if that's what you're worried about. In fact, I've been keeping an eye on them as well."
"And why should we trust you?" Ariel asked, her wings fluttering in agitation.
Selene's smile widened. "You shouldn't. But consider this: if I were your enemy, I wouldn't be standing here unarmed."
Lorian lowered his sword slightly but kept his stance defensive. "What do you want?"
"To help," Selene said simply. "You're being hunted by forces far greater than you realize. If you continue on your current path, you'll be walking into a trap."
The group exchanged uneasy glances. Alina studied Selene, searching for any sign of deceit. The Vampire's crimson eyes met hers, and for a moment, Alina felt a strange sense of familiarity, as if she had seen Selene before.
"Why should we believe you?" Alina asked. "You could be leading us into a trap yourself."
Selene tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "A valid concern. But consider this: I know things about the Orb that you don't. Things that could save your lives."
Lorian's grip on his sword tightened. "What kind of things?"
Selene's smile faded, her expression turning serious. "The Orb is more than just a relic. It's a key—a key to a power that could reshape the world. The Coven doesn't just want it for its magic. They want to use it to break the barriers between worlds entirely."
The weight of her words settled over the group like a heavy fog. Alina felt a chill run down her spine. "Break the barriers? What does that mean?"
"It means chaos," Selene said. "Creatures from other realms, beings far more dangerous than anything you've encountered, would flood into this world. The balance would be shattered."
"And you expect us to believe you're trying to stop that?" Fenrir asked, his tone dripping with skepticism.
Selene met his gaze unflinchingly. "Believe what you want. My motives are my own. But if you want to survive, you'll need my help."
Lorian hesitated, his expression unreadable. Finally, he sheathed his sword. "We'll hear you out. But if you betray us, you won't live to regret it."
Selene's smile returned, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Fair enough."
The group resumed their journey, Selene now walking alongside them. Alina kept her distance, still unsure of the Vampire's true intentions. She couldn't deny, however, that Selene's knowledge of the Orb intrigued her.
As they walked, Selene explained more about the Coven's plans. According to her, the Orb was one of several artifacts created during the Night of Union, each tied to the barriers between realms. If the Coven gathered all the artifacts, they could tear open the fabric of reality itself.
"Why would they want to do that?" Ariel asked, her voice trembling.
"Power," Selene said simply. "The kind of power that makes empires fall and gods tremble."
The group reached a small stream and stopped to rest. Selene perched on a rock, her crimson eyes scanning the forest. Alina sat beside Ariel, her thoughts heavy.
"Do you think we can trust her?" she whispered.
Ariel hesitated before answering. "I don't know. But we don't have many options."
Alina nodded, her gaze drifting to Selene. The Vampire was an enigma, her motives and allegiance unclear. But Alina couldn't shake the feeling that Selene knew more about her—about her strange connection to the Orb—than she was letting on.
As the group prepared to move on, Selene approached Alina. "A word, if you don't mind."
Alina tensed but nodded, following Selene a short distance away from the others. The Vampire studied her for a moment before speaking.
"There's something different about you," Selene said. "Something… familiar."
"What do you mean?" Alina asked, her heart pounding.
Selene's crimson eyes seemed to pierce into her soul. "I'm not sure yet. But I intend to find out."
The group continued on their journey, the weight of Selene's revelations pressing down on them. In the shadows, unseen by all, a pair of dark, malevolent eyes watched their every move.