Chapter 53: Unseen Forces Stirring

The first rays of dawn filtered through the canopy of trees, casting soft light on the trio huddled beneath their makeshift shelter. Luke stirred first, his muscles aching from the hard ground, but his mind sharper than it had been the night before. His dreams had been haunted by images of the dark energy, the creature that had possessed Raven, and the cryptic words that echoed in his ears. The world was broken, and it was coming to cleanse it.

Raven lay curled up next to him, her face peaceful in sleep but her brow furrowed as if her dreams were far from restful. Ava sat nearby, keeping watch. She hadn't slept much, her eyes scanning the treeline for any sign of movement, any hint that the darkness was not done with them yet. She had always been the vigilant one, but now there was a new intensity to her, a constant readiness to spring into action at any moment.

Luke sat up slowly, careful not to wake Raven. "Anything?" he asked quietly, his voice rough from sleep.