Chapter 17: Chapter 16: Hunted Shadows
The morning mist clung to the air as the group emerged from the sanctuary. The faint glow of dawn struggled to pierce through the dense canopy above, casting everything in a muted, ethereal light. Their breaths formed small clouds, blending with the mist as they prepared to move.
Lorian led the way, his movements cautious but purposeful. Fenrir lingered at the back, his eyes scanning the shadows for signs of pursuit. Alina found herself sandwiched between Selene and Ariel, their quiet presence a source of comfort. Despite Kael's cryptic warnings, they had no choice but to press on.
"We should stick to the riverbank," Ariel suggested, her wings fluttering nervously. "The water will mask our scent."
Fenrir scoffed but didn't argue. The tension from the sanctuary's warnings lingered, weighing on them like an invisible force. Even Selene seemed more subdued than usual, her sharp tongue replaced by wary glances at their surroundings.
The journey was slow and quiet. The forest around them seemed alive, every rustling leaf and snapping twig amplified in the oppressive silence. Alina couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting to see Kael's crimson eyes glinting from the shadows.
"Stop," Lorian said suddenly, raising a hand. The group froze, their hands instinctively reaching for their weapons.
"What is it?" Selene whispered, her voice low.
Lorian didn't answer immediately. He crouched, his eyes scanning the ground. Alina moved closer, peering over his shoulder. At first, she didn't see anything unusual. Then she noticed it: faint tracks in the soft earth, almost imperceptible but undeniably there.
"Someone's been here," Lorian said, his voice grim. "Recently."
Fenrir growled low in his throat. "Coven?"
"Maybe," Lorian said, standing. "Or worse."
The group pressed on, their movements quicker but more cautious. Every shadow seemed to hold a threat, every sound a potential ambush. Alina gripped the hilt of her dagger tightly, her palms slick with sweat. She hated feeling this way—helpless, vulnerable. But she forced herself to keep moving. For the group. For the Orb.
As they neared the riverbank, the tension only grew. The sound of rushing water was both a comfort and a warning, its volume masking potential threats. Lorian motioned for them to halt and gestured toward a cluster of rocks.
"Take cover," he said. "We need to assess the area."
The group obeyed, crouching behind the rocks. Lorian and Fenrir crept forward, their movements silent. Alina watched them disappear into the mist, her heart pounding.
"Do you think it's the Coven?" she whispered to Ariel.
"Could be," Ariel replied, her voice barely audible. "Or it could be something worse."
"What's worse than the Coven?" Alina asked, her voice trembling.
Ariel didn't answer.
Minutes passed like hours. The forest remained eerily quiet, the only sound the distant rush of the river. Alina's grip on her dagger tightened. She hated waiting, the uncertainty gnawing at her nerves. Just as she was about to ask Ariel again, a sharp whistle pierced the air.
"Move!" Lorian's voice rang out, urgent and commanding.
The group sprang into action, their training taking over. They bolted from their hiding spots, weapons drawn. Alina's heart raced as she followed Selene and Ariel toward the riverbank. Behind them, the forest erupted into chaos.
Figures emerged from the shadows, their movements swift and predatory. Alina caught a glimpse of them as she ran—cloaked in black, their faces obscured. The Coven.
"Keep moving!" Lorian shouted, his sword flashing as he parried an attack.
Fenrir let out a feral snarl, throwing himself at their pursuers with wild abandon. Alina stumbled but kept running, the adrenaline coursing through her veins propelling her forward. She didn't dare look back.
The river came into view, its rushing waters a beacon of hope. Ariel grabbed Alina's arm, pulling her toward the bank.
"Get across!" Ariel yelled, her wings unfurling as she prepared to take flight.
"What about the others?" Alina shouted, panic gripping her.
"They'll catch up! Go!"
Alina hesitated but obeyed, her feet splashing into the icy water. The current was stronger than she expected, threatening to pull her under. She gasped, struggling to maintain her footing as she waded across. Behind her, the sounds of battle grew louder.
Lorian and Selene were holding their ground, their movements precise and coordinated. Fenrir was a whirlwind of claws and fury, his feral strength unmatched. But the Coven's numbers were overwhelming. For every foe they struck down, another took their place.
Alina reached the far bank, collapsing onto the grass. She turned, her chest heaving, and saw Ariel hovering above the battlefield, her magic raining down in bursts of light. But it wasn't enough. The Coven was closing in.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, moving with inhuman speed. Kael. His crimson eyes glinted as he joined the fray, his movements a blur. He fought with ruthless efficiency, his blade cutting through the Coven like a scythe through wheat.
Alina's breath caught. She couldn't deny the relief she felt at his arrival, even if she didn't trust him. He was their ally, at least for now.
With Kael's help, the tide began to turn. The Coven faltered, their attacks losing cohesion. Lorian seized the opportunity, rallying the group.
"Fall back!" he shouted. "To the river!"
One by one, they broke away from the fight, retreating toward the water. Ariel swooped down, grabbing Fenrir by the arm and dragging him to safety. Selene and Lorian followed, their weapons at the ready. Kael was the last to cross, his crimson eyes meeting Alina's briefly before he turned back to face the forest.
"They'll be back," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "We need to keep moving."
The group didn't argue. Exhausted and battered, they stumbled away from the river, the weight of their narrow escape heavy on their shoulders. Alina glanced back one last time, her gaze lingering on the forest.
For a moment, she thought she saw something—an eerie glow among the trees, watching them. But when she blinked, it was gone.
"Come on," Ariel said, pulling her forward. "We can't stop now."
Alina nodded, forcing her legs to move. The journey ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: the Coven wouldn't stop until they had the Orb.
And neither would Kael.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Michael_The_Entity
Michael_The_Entity I wonder what Kael is thinking (＠_＠;)
Until next time ^-^)7
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