The man in the dark robes took a slow step forward, his posture eerily calm despite the blade in Kael's hand. His silver emblem—a serpent devouring its own tail—caught the sunlight, gleaming like a warning.
Alina swallowed hard, instincts screaming at her to run, but she stood her ground. Whoever this man was, he knew about the star, the map, and the danger that surrounded them.
Kael, however, showed no hesitation. His grip on his sword remained firm. "You didn't answer my question," he said, voice cold. "Who are you?"
The man chuckled softly, as if amused. "Names are irrelevant. What matters is that you've trespassed into something far greater than you understand." His gaze flickered to Alina. "And you, astronomer, should have heeded the warning."
Alina's hands tightened around the parchment. "If this knowledge is so dangerous, why do *you* seek it?"
The man's smile didn't falter. "Because knowledge is power. And power, when placed in the wrong hands, can change the course of fate."
Kael's sword inched higher. "Then I assume you're here to take it from us."
The robed man exhaled as if disappointed. "I was hoping you'd surrender it willingly."
In a blur of motion, he lifted his hand.
A sudden force slammed into Kael, sending him stumbling backward. Alina gasped, instinctively clutching the parchment to her chest. The air around them crackled with an unseen energy—just like when the hooded woman had appeared the night before.
Kael recovered quickly, rolling to his feet and raising his sword again. But Alina saw the flicker of unease in his eyes. He had been caught off guard.
The man lowered his hand. "There are forces at work here beyond your comprehension," he said, his voice unnervingly even. "Turn back now, and you may yet escape what's coming."
Alina's pulse raced. The last warning had come with an ultimatum. Now, they were being given a final chance to walk away.
But she knew, deep down, that she couldn't.
She glanced at Kael. He gave a barely perceptible nod.
Their answer was clear.
The robed man sighed, almost pitying. "So be it."
With a flick of his wrist, the ground beneath them trembled. Kael reacted instantly, lunging forward with his sword. The man barely moved—only sidestepping at the last moment with an unnatural grace.
Alina took a step back, heart pounding. She wasn't a fighter. She had no weapon, no way to defend herself. But she couldn't just stand there and do nothing.
Her eyes darted to their surroundings. They were near the forest's edge, and if they could just break free of the clearing—
A sudden gust of wind sent dust flying through the air. Kael attacked again, his movements swift and calculated, but the robed man evaded each strike effortlessly.
Then, with another flick of his hand, Kael was sent flying backward once more.
Alina felt terror claw at her chest. She had to act.
Summoning every ounce of courage, she turned and ran.
The parchment—whatever it was—had to be protected. If she couldn't fight, she could at least keep it out of their enemy's hands.
Behind her, Kael's voice rang out. "Alina, *go!*"
She didn't look back.
She didn't have to.
Because she already knew—the man would come after her next.
---