Chapter 38

The candle's flame flickered violently, casting eerie shadows across the room. Elliot's heart pounded in his chest as the weight of Adrian's words sank in.

He had spent years searching for the truth, and now that he had it, it felt heavier than he ever imagined. His family's deaths weren't an accident. They were executed—because of him.

Elliot clenched his fists. "Then tell me, Adrian. If they're coming for me, what's our next move?"

Adrian exhaled, running a hand through his tousled hair. "We have two choices: run or fight. And trust me, running won't get us far."

Elliot glanced at Evelyn, who was uncharacteristically silent. She stood near the window, her expression unreadable. When she finally spoke, her voice was calm but firm. "We don't run."

Adrian smirked slightly. "That's what I was hoping to hear." He reached into his coat and tossed a small, folded parchment onto the table. Elliot picked it up, unfolding it to reveal a map—ancient, with faded ink and cryptic symbols.

"What is this?" Elliot asked.

"A location," Adrian replied. "One of the last places our parents visited before they were killed. Whatever they were trying to protect—it's there."

Elliot studied the map. The markings pointed toward the northern highlands, deep within the Veilwood—a region shrouded in myths and rumors. Few who entered ever returned.

"This place…" Evelyn muttered, eyes narrowing. "I've heard stories. The Order avoids it. Why would your parents go there?"

Adrian shrugged. "That's what we need to find out."

Elliot felt his resolve solidify. For the first time, he wasn't just reacting—he was choosing. He looked up at Adrian. "How soon can we leave?"

Adrian grinned. "Now you're speaking my language."

But before another word could be said, a loud crash erupted from outside.

The three of them instantly tensed. Elliot instinctively reached for his dagger as Adrian pulled out a concealed blade. Evelyn moved toward the window, peering cautiously through the cracks in the wooden shutters.

"They've found us," she whispered.

Elliot's pulse quickened. In the distance, shadowy figures emerged from the mist, their movements precise and disciplined. The Order had come.

Adrian cursed under his breath. "Looks like we're skipping the planning phase."

Elliot's grip on his weapon tightened. "Then let's make sure they regret finding us."

The door shuddered as something heavy slammed against it.

There was no time left.

The battle had begun.

The door groaned under the force of the attack. Dust rained from the ceiling as another heavy impact sent tremors through the wooden structure.

Elliot's pulse raced. They had only seconds before the Order broke through.

"Out the back," Adrian hissed, already moving. "We can't fight them head-on in this space."

Elliot and Evelyn didn't need to be told twice. Adrian yanked open a trapdoor beneath the rug, revealing a narrow tunnel leading into darkness.

A deafening crash erupted behind them as the front door splintered, and armored figures poured in.

"Go!" Adrian barked, shoving Elliot forward. He dropped into the tunnel just as a crossbow bolt buried itself in the floor where he had stood.

Elliot landed hard, Evelyn right behind him. Adrian jumped down last, slamming the trapdoor shut. Above, the muffled shouts of the Order filled the cabin.

They ran. The tunnel walls closed in around them, damp and suffocating. Elliot's heart pounded in sync with their hurried footsteps. The passage sloped upward, and after what felt like an eternity, Adrian pushed open a hidden exit, leading them into the night.

The cool air hit Elliot's face like a slap. They had emerged in the dense forest behind the cabin, moonlight filtering through the trees.

Adrian turned to them. "We split up. They'll expect us to run together."

Elliot hesitated. "And where do we meet?"

Adrian tossed him a second map, hastily drawn but clear. "Veilwood. Two nights from now."

Before Elliot could argue, Adrian took off in one direction, leaving him alone with Evelyn.

Elliot turned to her. "You ready?"

She smirked. "Always."

Then, without another word, they disappeared into the darkness, the hunt beginning anew.

Elliot and Evelyn moved swiftly through the dense underbrush, their footsteps silent against the damp forest floor. The scent of wet earth and pine filled the air, mingling with the distant hoots of nocturnal birds. Moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting long shadows that danced with every step they took.

They had been running for nearly an hour, putting as much distance as possible between themselves and the Order's soldiers. But Elliot knew better than to think they were safe.

"They'll track us," Evelyn murmured, barely audible over the rustling leaves.

"I know," Elliot replied. His grip tightened around the hilt of his dagger. "We need to mislead them."

Evelyn pointed toward a shallow river ahead. "We cross there. The current will cover our scent."

Without hesitation, they waded into the freezing water. The cold seeped through their clothes, but neither complained. Survival was their only priority.

Halfway across, Evelyn tensed. "Someone's watching us."

Elliot followed her gaze. A shadow flickered in the trees on the far bank. For a second, his breath caught—but then it was gone. A trick of the moonlight? Or something else?

"Keep moving," he urged, pushing forward.

They reached the opposite bank and climbed out, soaked and shivering. Evelyn turned back, her eyes scanning the darkened woods.

"We need to get to higher ground," she said. "If they're already close, we won't outrun them forever."

Elliot nodded. They vanished into the trees, moving deeper into the unknown, with danger lurking just beyond sight.

The forest seemed to stretch endlessly, its towering trees forming a labyrinth of twisting paths and hidden dangers. Elliot and Evelyn pushed forward, their breath visible in the cool night air. Every step was measured, every sound scrutinized.

The feeling of being watched hadn't faded. If anything, it had grown stronger.

Elliot stole a glance at Evelyn. "You still sense them?"

She gave a slight nod. "They're patient. Waiting."

A sudden rustle to their left made them both freeze. Elliot instinctively reached for his dagger while Evelyn raised her hand, magic sparking faintly at her fingertips.

Silence.

Then, a whisper of movement—so fast it was nearly imperceptible.

Elliot turned just in time to see a figure drop from the trees, landing soundlessly in a crouch. A man, clad in dark, lightweight armor, his face partially obscured by a hood. His presence was unnervingly calm, like a predator that knew its prey had nowhere to run.

"You're good at running," the stranger mused, his voice smooth, almost amused. "But the game is over."

Elliot tightened his grip on his weapon. "That depends on who wins."

The man tilted his head. "Fair enough."

Then he moved.

Fast.

Too fast.

Elliot barely had time to react before the blade was swinging toward him. He dodged, the steel slicing just past his cheek. Evelyn's magic flared, sending a pulse of energy toward their attacker, but he twisted effortlessly, avoiding it as if he had expected the move.

This wasn't an ordinary pursuer.

Elliot gritted his teeth. If they wanted to survive, they'd have to fight with everything they had.