Elena's POV
The morning came quicker than Elena expected. Before the sun had fully risen, Caleb was already preparing for their journey. His movements were swift and efficient, his focus unwavering. She watched him silently from the corner of the room, trying to process everything that had happened the day before.
The vision of the woman at the obelisk replayed in her mind, vivid and haunting. Who was she, and what was her connection to Elena? The idea of visiting the elder both intrigued and terrified her. What if he held the answers she desperately sought? What if those answers were more than she could handle?
"You're quiet," Caleb said, breaking the silence. He glanced at her over his shoulder, his piercing eyes softer in the morning light.
"Just thinking," she replied, pulling her jacket tighter around her. "About the elder. Do you really think he'll help us?"
Caleb hesitated, his hands pausing mid-motion as he tightened the straps on his pack. "I don't know. He's… complicated. But he knows things. If anyone has answers, it's him."
"That's comforting," Elena said, half-smiling.
He smirked faintly. "We'll make it work. We don't have a choice."
---
The Journey Begins
The forest was quieter than usual as they began their journey. The thick canopy above them allowed only fragmented beams of sunlight to break through, casting long shadows across the mossy ground.
Caleb led the way, his sharp gaze scanning their surroundings. Elena followed close behind, clutching the vial of wolf's bane he'd given her earlier. Despite his reassurances, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them.
"How far is the elder's place?" she asked after what felt like hours of walking.
"Two days' journey," Caleb replied. "If we move quickly."
"Two days?" She groaned. "I thought he was far, but not that far."
"He doesn't like visitors," Caleb explained. "He chose a remote location on purpose. It's part of his charm."
Elena raised an eyebrow. "Charm? Sounds more like paranoia."
Caleb chuckled. "You're not wrong."
---
A Night in the Wild
By nightfall, they found a small clearing to set up camp. Caleb built a fire while Elena gathered supplies from her bag. Despite the fire's warmth, the night felt colder than usual, the air heavy with an unspoken tension.
"You should sleep," Caleb said as they finished their meal.
"What about you?" she asked, wrapping her arms around herself.
"I'll keep watch."
She frowned. "You can't keep doing that. You need rest too."
"I'll be fine," he assured her, but the exhaustion in his eyes told a different story.
Elena hesitated, then reached for his hand. "Caleb, we're in this together. You don't have to carry all of it alone."
He looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded. "Alright. We'll take turns."
---
A Warning in the Dark
Elena woke in the middle of the night to the sound of rustling leaves. She sat up quickly, her heart pounding. The fire had burned low, casting flickering shadows across the trees.
"Caleb?" she whispered.
"I'm here," his voice came from the edge of the clearing.
She got to her feet and walked over to him. He was standing perfectly still, his gaze fixed on something in the distance.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
"Something's out there," he said, his tone low and tense.
Elena followed his gaze but saw nothing but darkness. "Are you sure?"
"I can feel it," he said. "Stay close to the fire."
Before she could respond, a low growl echoed through the forest. Her blood ran cold as she instinctively reached for the vial in her pocket.
"Rogues?" she asked, her voice shaking.
"Possibly," Caleb said, stepping in front of her. "Or worse."
"What's worse than rogues?"
"Let's hope we don't find out."
---
The Elder's Guardians
The rest of the night passed without incident, but neither of them slept. By the time the sun rose, they were already back on the trail, their pace quicker than before.
As they neared the elder's territory, the forest grew denser, the trees taller and more imposing. A sense of unease settled over Elena, and she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
"We're close," Caleb said, his voice breaking the silence.
"How do you know?"
"You'll see."
Moments later, they stepped into a small clearing, and Elena froze. Standing in their path were two massive wolves, their eyes glowing a deep amber. They growled low, their hackles raised as they watched the intruders.
"Caleb…" Elena whispered, her grip tightening on the vial in her pocket.
"Stay calm," he said, holding out a hand to stop her from moving.
The wolves took a step forward, their growls growing louder. Caleb shifted slightly, positioning himself between Elena and the animals.
"We're here to see the elder," he said firmly, his voice steady.
The wolves didn't move, their gazes flicking between him and Elena.
"Let us pass," Caleb said, his tone commanding.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, one of the wolves let out a sharp bark and turned, disappearing into the trees. The other followed, leaving the path clear.
"What was that?" Elena asked, her heart racing.
"Guardians," Caleb said simply. "They protect the elder's territory."
"Couldn't he just put up a fence?" she muttered, earning a faint smirk from Caleb.
---
The Elder's Home
They reached the elder's home by midday. It was a small, weathered cabin nestled among the trees, almost invisible against the forest.
Caleb approached the door and knocked once.
After a long moment, the door creaked open, revealing an old man with sharp, piercing eyes and a long, silver beard. He studied them in silence, his gaze lingering on Elena.
"You've brought her," he said finally, his voice rough but steady.
Elena frowned. "You were expecting me?"
The elder smiled faintly. "I've been expecting you for a long time, child. Come in. We have much to discuss."