The clearing was still, save for the crackling remains of the magic that had swept through the air. The trees stood tall once again, though their trunks were scorched and split, their leaves flickering like ghosts in the wind. The druids, all but one, lay scattered on the ground, their bodies broken, their lives snuffed out by the overwhelming force of Lila's power.
Lucian stood beside her, his eyes sweeping the area with a sharp, calculating gaze. The battle had left its mark on him too—his clothes torn, his face streaked with blood, but his expression was as hard as ever, focused and distant.
Lila couldn't bring herself to look at the bodies. She had done this. She had killed them.
The serpent's magic churned inside her, hot and restless, and she felt a pang of guilt. But there was something else—a thrill. The power had felt so natural, so intoxicating. The way it surged within her, answering her every command, it was impossible to deny the allure of it. She couldn't help but wonder: What else could I do with this power?
Lucian turned toward her, his expression softening just a fraction, though his gaze remained as intense as ever. "You need to be careful," he said, his voice low. "The serpent's magic doesn't come without consequences."
Lila met his eyes, her breath shaky. "I know." She clenched her fists, feeling the power ripple beneath her skin. "But… I can control it. I have to."
He studied her for a long moment, as if weighing his next words carefully. "Control is one thing. Mastery is another."
Lila frowned. "What do you mean?"
"The serpent's power isn't just a tool. It's a living thing," Lucian said, his tone serious. "It feeds on its host, and over time, it becomes harder and harder to control. It craves destruction, chaos, and when it doesn't get what it wants…"
"...it turns on you," Lila finished, her voice quiet.
Lucian nodded. "Exactly. You might think you can keep it in check, but the more you use it, the more it will demand from you. You'll start to feel it—its hunger. And when that happens, you won't be able to stop it."
Lila swallowed, feeling a chill creep up her spine. The serpent inside her was growing, evolving with every use, and she could feel its insatiable thirst for power, its restless energy stirring within her. But she couldn't afford to think about that right now. She had to keep moving forward.
"We need to keep moving," she said, pushing the fear aside. "There's still one left."
Lucian glanced over at the last remaining druid—the woman who had first confronted them. She was still unconscious, though her chest rose and fell steadily. Lucian stepped forward, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his blade, eyes cold.
"She's not dead?" Lila asked.
"No," Lucian replied, his gaze fixed on the druid. "But she will be if she gets in our way again."
Lila didn't answer. She wasn't sure how she felt about killing someone who had already been defeated, but the druid had chosen to fight. She had to pay the price for that choice. Still, part of her recoiled at the thought of it.
As if sensing her hesitation, Lucian turned to her. "You don't have to kill her, Lila. But if she's a threat, we'll end it quickly."
Lila hesitated. She looked at the druid, seeing the marks of power on her—ancient tattoos that glowed faintly, signs of magic older than anything Lila had ever encountered. But the serpent's voice whispered in her mind, urging her to strike. She wasn't sure if it was her own desire for vengeance or the magic that had taken root in her, but she felt a surge of anger.
"Do it," the serpent whispered, its voice smooth and commanding. "She will only return stronger."
The voice, the power, it was so easy to listen to. So tempting. But something in Lila's chest tightened. Not yet, she thought. Not like this.
"We leave her for now," Lila said, her voice firm, though her hands still shook. "We can't afford to be distracted. She's not worth the cost."
Lucian studied her for a long moment, as if trying to read her thoughts. Finally, he nodded. "Your call." He stepped forward, his movements swift and efficient as he bound the druid's wrists and ankles, ensuring she wouldn't be able to escape when she woke.
Once they were finished, Lucian turned to Lila. "We move out. We have to reach the next safe house before nightfall."
Lila nodded, but she couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time. The world was changing, and she was at the center of it. The serpent's power had marked her, and she wasn't sure if that meant salvation or damnation.
But there was no turning back now.
The journey to the next safe house was long, the landscape unfamiliar and harsh. The further they went, the more Lila felt the weight of the serpent's influence. It wasn't just the magic—it was everything. She could feel the presence of something dark and ancient just beneath the surface, pressing against her mind, her thoughts. It whispered to her constantly, urging her to embrace it fully.
At night, the dreams came again. Visions of destruction, of cities burning, of entire kingdoms crumbling beneath the serpent's power. She saw herself standing at the heart of it, surrounded by flames, her hands stained with blood. And then, at the center of the flames, Lucian's face—twisted in agony, his eyes accusing her.
Lila woke with a start, her heart racing. The dreams were becoming more vivid, more real. She could almost taste the destruction, feel it in her bones.
Lucian was still asleep beside her, his back turned, unaware of the torment she was experiencing. She swallowed, trying to steady her breath. The power was changing her. And the price of wielding it was becoming clearer every day.
When the sun rose the next morning, they continued their journey in silence.
Lila could feel the weight of the serpent's magic growing inside her, and with each step she took, she wondered: How long before it consumes me?