The next few days passed in a blur. They traveled by night, resting only when absolutely necessary, and kept a swift pace as they made their way toward the next village. The air was thick with the tension of their mission, and though the group had grown—now with Jareth among them—Aleron could feel the weight of their journey growing heavier. The Void was never far from their thoughts, and they could sense its presence in the very wind that whispered through the trees, in the way the shadows seemed to stretch and creep at the edges of their vision.
Aleron tried not to dwell on the fear that gnawed at him. It was becoming more difficult, though. Every time they encountered a village or settlement, there was a palpable sense of unease, a lingering tension that hinted at the darkness creeping across the land. People were beginning to whisper of the Void's approach, but most seemed too frightened or too resigned to take action. It was as though the world had already begun to accept the inevitable.
Seraphina remained an unshakable presence, focused and determined. Dorian was quieter than usual, his calculating eyes scanning the horizon as if waiting for some unseen danger to emerge. Jareth, however, seemed troubled. He was often lost in thought, his gaze distant, as though he were wrestling with something deep inside.
Aleron tried to talk to him during their travels, but Jareth's responses were curt, and there was always an air of something unspoken hanging between them. Still, Aleron couldn't help but admire the man's quiet strength. There was a weight to him—an unspoken knowledge—that made him seem older, wiser, and far more experienced than Aleron had expected.
They were approaching the next village when Seraphina stopped suddenly, holding up a hand to signal for silence. The rest of the group froze, their eyes narrowing as they searched the surrounding trees.
"What is it?" Aleron asked in a whisper.
Seraphina didn't answer immediately. Her eyes scanned the forest around them, and for a moment, Aleron thought she might be imagining things. But then, a low rustling came from the underbrush, followed by the unmistakable sound of a bowstring being drawn taut.
Before anyone could react, a figure emerged from the trees, a bow aimed directly at Seraphina's chest. Aleron's hand went to his sword, but he didn't draw it—yet.
"Stay where you are," the figure said, his voice low but commanding. "I don't want any trouble."
The man was tall, with dark hair that fell in loose waves around his face, and his eyes were a piercing green that seemed to miss nothing. He wore dark, weathered armor, and his posture was stiff, alert. A hunter. But there was something about him that didn't quite fit with the image of a typical outlaw. His stance was measured, as though he was used to dealing with threats without ever fully losing control.
Seraphina, however, was unfazed. Her eyes met the archer's coolly, and there was a flicker of recognition in her gaze.
"You're far from your hunting grounds, Aidan," she said, her voice calm but firm.
The archer's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't lower his bow. "Seraphina," he said, as if tasting the name. "I should've known it was you. Always causing trouble."
"Trouble?" Seraphina's lips twitched into a small, knowing smile. "I'm simply looking for allies."
The man didn't seem to appreciate the joke. He stepped forward, his bow still aimed, but there was a weariness in his movements, as though he'd seen too much of the world's darker side.
"I don't have time for games," Aidan said, his voice hardening. "I'm not interested in joining some crusade against the Void. The world's already lost."
Aleron felt a surge of frustration, but he held his tongue. This man didn't know what they were up against—not truly. How could he, when so many others were already falling to the Void's influence?
Seraphina's expression hardened, but she stepped forward with surprising ease, disarming the tension with a calm, almost imperceptible gesture. "You've been hiding for far too long, Aidan. The Void's already knocking on your doorstep. You can't ignore it forever."
Aidan's eyes flickered for a moment, a shadow of something fleeting passing through them. But the moment was brief, and he quickly regained his composure.
"And what makes you think you're the one to stop it?" he asked, his voice low but tinged with a challenge.
Seraphina's gaze never wavered. "Because I know how to fight it. And you—" She glanced at the rest of the group. "You're not alone in this anymore."
Aidan's eyes shifted from Seraphina to Aleron and the others, measuring them, sizing them up. His gaze lingered on Aleron for a moment longer, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. The tension in the air was palpable, and Aleron could feel his heartbeat quicken, his hand still resting on the hilt of his sword.
"You're all fools if you think you can win," Aidan finally said, his voice steady but with a hint of resignation. "But if you're going to throw your lives away, then at least let me help you do it right."
The bow dropped to Aidan's side, his fingers loosening their grip on the string. His eyes never left Seraphina's as if they shared some unspoken understanding. Aleron could feel the strange mixture of distrust and reluctant respect that passed between them.
"So you'll help us?" Seraphina asked, her voice softer now, but no less determined.
Aidan shrugged, though there was a hint of something more in his expression—something that spoke of a long history with Seraphina. "For now," he said, the words still heavy with a sense of caution. "But make no mistake, Seraphina, I won't be part of any grand crusade. I'm not interested in being some pawn in a game that's already been lost."
Seraphina didn't respond immediately, but her expression softened ever so slightly. She nodded once, sharply. "That's all I'm asking."
Aleron wasn't sure what to make of Aidan, this lone hunter who had suddenly inserted himself into their plans. But as they set off once more, with Aidan now in tow, he couldn't help but feel that there was more to this encounter than met the eye.
The Void was drawing closer, and the world seemed to be divided—between those who fought and those who had already given up. But Aleron wasn't ready to give up. Not yet. Not while there was still hope.