Chapter 23: A Fragile Alliance

Elias and Aric crouched behind the dense undergrowth, watching the clearing where Kael's group had gathered. 

The rogue practitioners moved with a sense of purpose, their whispered conversations and careful preparations indicating they were planning to face the Aberration. A faint glow from Veil-infused sigils illuminated their haphazard campsite, casting long shadows that flickered like uneasy specters.

"They're preparing for something," Elias murmured.

Aric's expression was tight. "No doubt about it. But the question is, why? They're outmatched, and they know it."

"They're intent on acting," Elias said thoughtfully, his gaze following Kael as she handed instructions to her group. "If they're serious, we can't just sit back and watch them charge into disaster."

Aric huffed, reluctant but unable to argue. "Fine. Let's see what they're up to."

Elias and Aric emerged from the shadows of the dense undergrowth, their presence immediately drawing the attention of the rogue practitioners gathered in the clearing. 

Conversations ceased as every eye turned toward the newcomers. Kael, the leader of the group, narrowed her eyes, her hand instinctively drifting to the hilt of her weapon.

"I told you someone was watching us," muttered one of the rogues.

Kael raised a hand to silence them. "Who are you?" she asked sharply, though her gaze lingered on Aric, recognition flashing in her eyes.

"We're not here to fight," Elias said, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "But we need to talk. We know you're planning to face the Aberration."

Kael's eyes darkened. "And if we are?"

Aric stepped forward, his tone cutting. "Then you're fools. You're not equipped for this. That thing isn't just some stray Veilshard—it's an Aberration. Do you even understand what you're walking into?"

Kael's posture stiffened, and a ripple of unease passed through her group. "We're not amateurs," she said coldly. "We know what we're doing."

"Do you?" Aric shot back. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're marching to your deaths. And for what? The artifact it'll leave behind when it dies?"

Kael's expression hardened, her hand tightening around her weapon. "Watch your tongue," she said, her voice low and dangerous.

Elias stepped between them, holding up a hand to calm the escalating tension. "Aric, let's keep this civil," he said before turning to Kael. "We're not here to accuse you of anything. We just want to understand why you're taking this risk."

Kael hesitated, her jaw tight as if weighing her words. "Someone has to stop it," she said finally.

Aric scoffed. "Don't give me that noble martyr act. If you cared about stopping it, you'd have reported it to the Covenant instead of skulking out here. You're not heroes—you're opportunists."

Kael took a step forward, her voice trembling with restrained fury. "You don't know anything about us. Don't pretend you do."

Something in her tone gave Elias pause. Her words were sharp, but there was an edge of raw emotion beneath them—pain, perhaps, or guilt.

"Enough," Elias said firmly, stepping closer to Aric. "We need to work together if we're going to deal with this. Aric, what are our chances if we cooperate?"

Aric crossed his arms, clearly reluctant. "They're slim," he said bluntly. "Their group isn't trained for something like this. But… with proper coordination, it's not impossible."

Kael's expression softened slightly, though her posture remained defensive. "We're not as helpless as you think," she said.

Aric turned to her, his eyes narrowing. "If we're doing this, it's on my terms," he said. "Otherwise, I'll have no problem calling in the Lantern Guards and letting them clean up the mess—including you and your little band of rogues."

Gasps rippled through the group, and several rogues instinctively reached for their weapons. Kael raised a hand to stop them, her jaw tightening. "Is that a threat?"

"It's a reality check," Aric said. "We're not your enemies, but if you make yourselves a liability, we'll deal with you like one."

Kael glared at him, her body taut with barely restrained anger. "You don't get to dictate terms to me," she said through gritted teeth.

"Actually, I do," Aric countered. "You have no idea what you're dealing with, but I do. If you want my help, you'll follow my lead. If not, good luck. You'll need it."

Elias placed a calming hand on Aric's shoulder, his voice steady. "Let's not make this harder than it needs to be. Kael, we're offering a partnership. If you're serious about stopping the Aberration, let's do it together. But we need to know we can trust you."

Kael's gaze flickered to Elias, her expression conflicted. After a long pause, she exhaled sharply and nodded. "Fine. But don't think for a second that we're taking orders from you."

Aric smirked faintly. "We'll see."

---

The two groups gathered around a makeshift map etched into the dirt. Kael gestured to the western edge of the forest, where her scouts had last seen the Aberration.

"It's been circling the edge of the forest, avoiding the deeper sections," she said. "It's smart—smarter than most we've seen."

"That's because it's not fully corrupted," Aric said. "It still has enough of its original mind to act strategically. But that also makes it more dangerous."

Kael shot him a glance but said nothing.

"We need a plan," Elias said, trying to steer the conversation away from the lingering tension. "Aric, what's our best approach?"

Aric knelt by the map, his expression thoughtful. "We'll need to set a trap. The rogues will be the main force since they're more experienced with combat. I'll focus on support—monitoring its movements and setting wards to contain its Despair Aura. Elias, you'll stay on the perimeter and use your monocle to spot weaknesses or unusual behavior."

Kael frowned. "And what about me?"

"You lead your people," Aric said. "Keep it distracted long enough for us to identify a weak point. If we can restrict its movements, we might have a shot at taking it down."

Kael nodded reluctantly. "What about collateral damage? This forest is already unstable."

"I'll do what I can to minimize it," Aric said. "But there are no guarantees. This isn't going to be clean."

The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of one of Kael's scouts, breathless and wide-eyed. "It's here," she said, pointing toward the western treeline. "It's moving fast."

Everyone tensed. Kael turned to her group, issuing sharp commands. "Move out. Stay in formation, and don't engage until I give the signal."

Elias and Aric exchanged a glance before following the rogues into the shadowed trees.

The air grew heavier as they approached the reported location, the oppressive weight of Veil energy pressing down on them. Shadows seemed to ripple unnaturally, and faint whispers echoed through the trees, growing louder with every step.

"It's close," Aric muttered, his eyes scanning the darkness.

Elias adjusted his monocle, the lens revealing faint trails of corrupted energy weaving through the forest. "Northwest," he said quietly.

Kael signaled for her group to fan out, their movements tense but controlled.

Aric knelt and placed his hands on the ground, activating his Spirit Communion ability. A faint glow surrounded his hands as he murmured in Arcaenic, his voice low and melodic.

"It's circling us," he said after a moment. "Testing us. It's… angry."

Kael's grip on her weapon tightened. "Let it come. We're ready."

Elias wasn't so sure. Through his monocle, he caught a glimpse of the Aberration's semi-corporeal form weaving through the trees, its glowing cracks pulsing with erratic energy.

"It's not just angry," he said. "It's hunting."

The group fell silent, their tension palpable as they waited for the creature to make its move. In the shadows, the Aberration's glowing eyes burned like twin beacons.