Elena's POV
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the cabin's windows, casting long, golden streaks across the wooden floor. Elena sat at the edge of the bed, staring at the worn map Caleb had unrolled across the table the night before. It depicted Blackwood Hollow and its surrounding areas, but her eyes were fixed on a specific spot—a faded marker labeled The Obelisk.
"We should leave soon," Caleb said from the doorway, his voice breaking her train of thought.
He was already dressed, his expression focused but grim. The tension from the previous night hadn't faded, and she could still feel its weight pressing on her shoulders.
"What are we hoping to find there?" she asked, though part of her was afraid of the answer.
"Clarity," he replied, crossing the room to stand beside her. "The obelisk has been here longer than anyone remembers. If there's any truth to the legends, it might hold the answers we're looking for."
Elena nodded, steeling herself. She couldn't afford to be afraid—not when her life was tangled in a web of secrets and danger.
---
The journey to the obelisk took them deeper into the forest than she'd ever been. The trees grew denser, their twisted branches forming a canopy that blocked out much of the sunlight. Caleb led the way, his movements fluid and confident, while Elena followed close behind, clutching her jacket against the cool morning air.
"Have you been here before?" she asked, trying to distract herself from the eerie silence.
"Once," Caleb said without turning around. "A long time ago. My father brought me here when I was young, told me stories about its power."
"Did he believe them?"
Caleb hesitated. "I don't know. But he said the obelisk is connected to the Hollow's past—its magic, its curse. He always warned me to stay away."
Elena frowned. "Then why are we going now?"
"Because avoiding it hasn't solved anything," he said, glancing back at her. "And if you really are tied to it, we need to understand why."
---
After what felt like hours of walking, they reached a clearing. The obelisk stood at its center, a towering structure of black stone etched with faint, glowing runes. It was both beautiful and foreboding, radiating an energy that made the hair on Elena's arms stand on end.
She approached it cautiously, her heart pounding. The closer she got, the stronger the pull she felt—an almost magnetic force drawing her toward the stone.
"What do you feel?" Caleb asked, watching her intently.
"I don't know," she admitted, reaching out a hand. "It's like... it's calling to me."
Her fingertips brushed the surface, and the world seemed to shift. The air grew heavy, the runes flaring with a bright, silver light. Images flooded her mind—flashes of people, places, and events she couldn't understand.
A woman's voice echoed in her head, soft but urgent: The key unlocks the path. Beware the shadows that seek to claim it.
"Elena!" Caleb's voice snapped her back to reality.
She stumbled backward, her hand falling away from the obelisk. Caleb was at her side in an instant, steadying her.
"What happened?" he demanded.
"I... I don't know," she said, her voice trembling. "I saw things—images, words. It said something about a key and shadows."
Caleb's expression darkened. "The rogues."
---
Caleb's POV
Seeing Elena's reaction to the obelisk solidified Caleb's fears. She wasn't just connected to the legend—she was at the center of it. The glowing runes, the voice she described... It was more than coincidence.
"We need to leave," he said firmly, glancing around the clearing. The forest felt different now, as if it were holding its breath.
"Why?" Elena asked, still dazed.
"Because we're not alone."
His senses were on high alert, picking up the faint scent of wolves. Not friendly ones.
"Elena, stay behind me," he said, his voice low.
A growl echoed through the trees, followed by the sound of branches snapping. Caleb's eyes shifted to gold as he prepared to shift, his instincts screaming danger.
Three wolves emerged from the shadows, their eyes glowing with malice. Rogues.
"Well, well," one of them sneered, shifting into his human form. He was tall and scarred, his smile twisted with cruelty. "Look who we have here. The golden boy and his precious human."
Caleb growled, stepping protectively in front of Elena. "Leave now, and I might let you live."
The rogue laughed. "Oh, we're not here to fight. Not yet. We just wanted to see the girl for ourselves."
"Then you've seen her," Caleb snapped. "Now go."
The rogue's eyes flicked to Elena, and his smile widened. "You can't protect her forever, Caleb. Darian will have her, one way or another."
Rage boiled inside Caleb, but he forced himself to stay calm. The rogues weren't here for a fight—they were here to taunt him, to test his resolve.
"You're trespassing," he said coldly. "Leave now, or I'll make you regret it."
The rogue held his gaze for a moment, then signaled to the others. "Fine. But this isn't over."
As they disappeared into the trees, Caleb exhaled slowly, his muscles still tense.
---
Elena's POV
Elena watched the rogues retreat, her heart pounding in her chest. Their words echoed in her mind: Darian will have her.
"Who is Darian?" she asked, turning to Caleb.
He hesitated, his expression guarded. "He's the leader of the rogues. And he's dangerous."
"Why does he want me?"
"Because of what you are," Caleb said, his voice heavy. "You're more than just a mortal, Elena. The obelisk confirmed it."
"But I don't even know what I am!" she cried, frustration bubbling to the surface.
Caleb placed a hand on her shoulder, his golden eyes softening. "We'll figure it out. Together. But for now, we need to focus on keeping you safe."
---
Back at the cabin, Elena couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out. The rogues knew where she was, and Darian wasn't going to stop until he got what he wanted.
But as she sat by the fire, staring into the flames, a new determination filled her. She wasn't going to let them control her fate.
She glanced at Caleb, who was sharpening a blade by the window. "What's our next move?"
He looked up, his expression unreadable. "We train. If Darian wants a fight, we'll be ready."
---