The woods was filled with the sounds of crickets chirping and the faint hoots of owls, a pretty big different to the tension building in Raven's head.
He was hanging out at the edge of their group by the Old Cypress Tree, its gnarled branches stretching out weirdly in the fading light.
The Southern Imperial Fortress loomed ahead, its black stone walls rising high against the darkening sky.
Guards moved back and forth along the walls in a steady pattern, their torch lights casting moving shadows on the fortress's grim face.
"Everyone gather round," Adrian said firmly, spreading a map across a fallen tree trunk.
"We need to locate Kaelin before we can move forward. Raven," he said, turning to fix him with a serious look, "I need you to scout the fortress tonight."
Raven's muscles tightened. There was something about Adrian's request that raised alarms in his mind. "That's too dangerous," he replied firmly, crossing his arms.
"The place is swarming with Imperial patrols. One wrong-move, and we're toast. We're better off working together and using everyone's strengths."
Lyra stepped up next to him, a calm presence. Her earth art user. "He's right," she said, her voice steady. "Let's stick to the original plan."
Raven caught a flash of frustration on Adrian's face – quick but noticeable.
He'd been paying close attention to Adrian, noticing the cryptic talks, the precise map analysis, and the secretive glints in his eyes. Something wasn't quite right.
"Time's not on our side," Adrian insisted, tracing the fortress's outline on the map with his fingers. "Kaelin's execution is set for dawn. We need to pinpoint where they've got him held."
Finn, the lock-picking pro, chimed in from his spot as he fiddled with his tools.
"I could shut down the security systems from the western wall; it's the least guarded, according to these maps."
Lena readied an arrow, testing her bowstring. "I will cover him from that ridge," she added, pointing to an elevated spot overlooking the fortress. "I'd have a clear shot at any guards who might see him."
Mira stepped forward, the scar on her cheek glinting in the dim light. "Why are we changing the plan all of a sudden?"
She placed her hand on her sword's hilt, knuckles tight with tension. "We agreed on going in together. Now you want to split us up?"
While Kyros silently observed them.
Raven couldn't help but notice Adrian's jaw tighten a bit. There was something about his composure that seemed rehearsed, like he was following some secret script.
"Alright," Adrian relented, though his tone didn't sound very agreeable. "We'll stick with the original plan. Two teams, coordinated entry."
He started mapping out positions, but Raven noticed his hands shaking slightly – something that hadn't happened in any of their previous planning.
"I need to check the supplies," Adrian declared suddenly, straightening up. "We move in an hour." He turned and disappeared into the shadows of the forest.
Raven shared a quick look with Lyra. "Keep everyone here," he whispered. "I'm going after him."
"Be careful," she replied quietly, her eyes showing she was worried. "Something's off."
Moving quietly through the underbrush, Raven activated his Blood Sense ability.
That familiar tingle spread through his head as he picked up the life forces around him – small critters scuttling through trees, birds tucked into branches, but oddly... nothing where Adrian should be.
The low chatter nearby caught his ear. Raven ducked behind a sturdy oak tree, trying hard to catch the conversation.
"…The Order's trials were never really about saving Kaelin." Adrian's voice sounded different this time—chillier, more confident. "They're all going to die, but Raven's the crucial piece."
Raven's heart raced in his chest. He shifted a bit for a better look but stepped on a twig, snapping it loudly.
"You can come out now, Raven." Adrian's voice was suddenly right behind him.
Raven whipped around, surprised to see Adrian standing there, somehow having snuck up on him without triggering his Blood Sense. Only someone with serious skills could pull that off.
"How long have you been pulling our legs?" Raven shot back, hand instinctively moving toward his runed dagger.
Adrian smirked, that calculating look on his face. "Lucien Wealth is arriving tomorrow."
That name hit Raven like a punch. Lucien Wealth—the untouchable hero, the guy known for single-handedly taking down an S-ranked demon.
Before Raven could wrap his head around this news, a new figure emerged from the shadows. A woman with pale blonde hair and unnaturally golden eyes stepped forward, exuding power like a force field.
"Nice to finally meet you, Raven," she said, her voice smooth like honey but chilling. "I've been looking forward to this moment."
Adrian positioned himself next to the blonde, dropping any pretense of leadership. "You should've stayed in the dark, Raven. It would've been easier."
"What about Kaelin?" Raven shot back, his mind racing through ways to escape. "We were on a rescue mission—"
The blonde woman's laughter sliced through the air. "Oh, sweet boy. Kaelin was executed three days ago. This was never a rescue." Her golden eyes seemed to glow even brighter. "We needed to test what you can do with blood magic."
Raven felt a chill run through him. He reached for his dagger, but Adrian was quicker. With a swift motion, Adrian activated his gravity arts, forcing Raven to the ground as he struggled against the crushing weight.
"The Third Guard has plans for you," the woman said, stepping closer. "Your predecessor showed promise before he... well, you know. But you—" she touched his face, her fingers freezing cold, "—you've exceeded all expectations."
Raven fought against the immense pressure of Adrian's gravity arts, his panic igniting his blood magic. Blood Chain activated instinctively, sending red tendrils bursting from his arms, but they were quickly shoved back against the ground.
"Nice try," the woman purred, easily dodging the blood chain. "But it's all in vain."
"The others," Raven gasped, still straining against the weight. "They didn't do anything wrong!"
Adrian's cold laughter echoed around them. "They served their role—motivation for you, just pieces in our game. The Order never leaves loose ends."
Suddenly, distant shouts broke the tension—screams and the sound of steel clashing where Raven had left his friends.
"Right on cue," the blonde said with a smile. "Your pals are meeting their fates as we speak."
Rage and desperation surged through Raven. His Blood Sense expanded, feeling the life forces of his friends flickering out back at the camp. Lyra, Finn, Lena—their signals were dimming.
"Why?" he ground out, pushing back against the crushing weight with renewed effort.
"Because, Raven," the woman pulled a curved dagger from her robes, "we needed to break you down before we could build you back up. The Third Guard demands complete loyalty, and nothing breeds loyalty like having everything ripped away from you."
She drove the dagger into his chest with practiced ease. A wave of pain flow through Raven; it was nothing like a regular wound—it felt like ice coursing through his veins, freezing his blood magic and paralyzing his powers.
"Hey there, welcome back to life," the woman murmured as Raven's sight started to blur. "Don't worry, enjoy your sleep."
While Raven fought against the icy sensation flowing through his veins, the air around them suddenly thickened with an intense energy.
Shadows gathered like storm clouds. Even Estra's bright yellow eyes seemed less bright now. Dark waves filled the space, glowing with purple light at the edges.
Suddenly, a woman stepped through this rift, and her presence made the forest seem to pause.
She moved with flowing grace, each step leaving behind shadows that twisted as if alive. The temperature plummeted, frost forming on the nearby leaves.
Adrian tensed, his grip on his weapon tightening as his gravity abilities flickered with his clear frustration. "Shadow Queen," he said, his voice steady despite the tension. "What brings you here? This wasn't in our plans."
The Shadow Queen brushed past him like he was just another tree. She was focused entirely on Estra, her dark eyes shining with a hint of pride.
"My dear Estra," she said with a playful tone, "you're really honing your skills at pulling out their potential." She gestured to the blood pooling around Raven, where tendrils of shadow wrapped around the red liquid. "But maybe a little more finesse next time?"
Estra stood a bit taller at the compliment, her golden eyes lighting up. "The Third Guard's needs—"
"The Third Guard," the Shadow Queen interjected smoothly, "has a significance that goes beyond what they realize."
She knelt beside Raven, her shadowy fingers brushing through his blood. "Just like this one will fulfill our goals."
As Raven's vision continued to fade, he caught a glimpse of Adrian's face, which flickered with hidden fear. The authoritative man from moments ago now looked almost vulnerable.
"Alright then," the Shadow Queen's voice dripped with dark promise as shadows began to encircle Raven, "is he ready."
The last thing Raven noticed was Adrian taking a hesitant step back and Estra leaning forward with excitement before the shadows completely enveloped him.