The echoes of the beast's final roar still reverberated through the cavern as Max straightened, the faint hum of energy from the orb tucked beneath his cloak radiating warmth against his chest. Around him, the group moved cautiously, their exhaustion apparent in every step. Lyria wiped blood from her bowstring, her expression tense, while Thram leaned heavily on his axe, his breathing labored.
Kaera's sharp green eyes locked onto Max as she approached, her voice edged with suspicion. "What's in that orb, Max?"
Max turned to her, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly. He could feel the weight of her gaze and the unspoken questions it carried. "A relic of the cult, tied to blood magic," he said evenly, keeping his voice measured. "It's potent, but we'll need time to study it."
Kaera folded her arms, clearly unsatisfied. "You're being vague. What did it do to you back there?"
Max allowed a smirk to play on his lips, tilting his head slightly. "Let's just say it's a useful tool for the battles ahead. Nothing more."
"Nothing more?" Kaera pressed, her tone sharp. "That thing practically lit you up like a beacon. Whatever it did, it's not 'nothing.'"
Thram grunted from the side, shifting his weight as he adjusted his grip on his axe. "Kaera, leave it. We're alive, aren't we? And we've got what we came for. That's what matters."
Kaera's gaze lingered on Max for a moment longer before she finally exhaled and turned away. "Fine. But we're keeping a close watch on that thing. Whatever it is, it's dangerous."
Max's smirk deepened as he watched her retreat. 'Dangerous? You have no idea.'
---
The journey back to the village was arduous. The group's steps were heavy, their movements slowed by exhaustion and injuries. The forest seemed darker than usual, its shadows stretching long and ominous in the fading light. Max kept to the rear of the group, his mind churning with thoughts.
The orb's energy was still coursing through him, subtle but undeniable. It had latched onto his bloodline, enhancing his abilities in ways he hadn't yet fully explored. But there was a price to it—a faint, almost imperceptible pull at the edges of his mind. A whisper, urging him to delve deeper into its power.
"Max?" Lyria's voice broke through his thoughts. She had slowed her pace to walk beside him, her sky-blue eyes filled with quiet concern.
"What is it?" he asked, his tone neutral.
"You've been quiet," she said softly. "More than usual. Is something wrong?"
Max glanced at her, his expression unreadable. For a moment, he considered brushing her off, but something about her gaze—earnest and unwavering—gave him pause.
"I'm fine," he said eventually. "Just thinking about what comes next."
Lyria nodded slowly, though her concern didn't fade. "You don't have to shoulder everything alone, you know. We're a team."
Max's lips twitched into a faint smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "A team, huh? That's one way to look at it."
She frowned slightly but said nothing more, falling back into step with the others. Max watched her for a moment before turning his attention back to the path ahead. 'A team is only as useful as the pieces it's made of,' he thought. 'And right now, I'm the only one playing to win.'
---
By the time they reached the village, the sun had set, and the streets were bathed in the warm glow of lanterns. The familiar scents of roasted meats and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, a stark contrast to the blood and death they had left behind in the caves.
Kaera led the group to the tavern, where the innkeeper greeted them with a wide smile. "Back in one piece, I see. Drinks on the house tonight, eh?"
Thram let out a hearty laugh, clapping the man on the back. "Now that's what I call a welcome!"
The group settled at their usual table, their weapons and gear piled in the corner. Lyria excused herself to tend to her bow, while Kaera busied herself with writing up a report of their mission. Garrick leaned back in his chair, idly spinning a dagger between his fingers, while Thram dove into his meal with gusto.
Max, however, remained quiet, his gaze distant as he toyed with the mug of ale before him. The orb's energy was still there, a steady hum beneath his skin. He could feel its potential, its promises of power, but also the danger it carried.
"Max," Kaera's voice drew him out of his thoughts. She was watching him, her green eyes sharp. "You've been brooding since we got back. What's going on in that scheming head of yours?"
He looked at her, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Scheming? You wound me, Kaera. I was just thinking about our next move."
"Our next move is resting," she said firmly. "You might act like you're invincible, but you're not. None of us are."
Max chuckled, though there was no real humor in it. "Noted."
Kaera narrowed her eyes but didn't press further. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, her gaze drifting toward the rest of the group. "We did good today. We'll debrief tomorrow. For now, let's just enjoy the fact that we're alive."
Max raised his mug in a mock toast, his smirk widening. "To being alive, then."
The others joined in, the tension in the air easing slightly as the clink of mugs echoed through the tavern. But even as laughter and conversation filled the space, Max's mind remained elsewhere. The power of the orb was a tantalizing mystery, one he intended to unravel—no matter the cost.
---
Later that night, long after the others had retired to their rooms, Max stood alone in the small courtyard behind the tavern. The moon hung low in the sky, its pale light casting long shadows across the ground. He pulled the orb from his cloak, its crimson glow illuminating his face.
"What are you?" he murmured, turning the artifact over in his hands. The whispers at the edges of his mind grew louder, urging him to delve deeper, to embrace the power it offered.
Max clenched his jaw, his crimson eyes narrowing. "Not yet," he said aloud, his voice firm. "I'll use you when I'm ready. On my terms."
He tucked the orb back into his cloak and turned toward the inn. The path ahead was uncertain, fraught with danger and deception. But Max thrived in chaos, and he had no intention of backing down now.
"The game's just getting started," he muttered, a predatory grin spreading across his face as he disappeared into the shadows.