The morning air was crisp, the sun a faint glow behind the gray clouds, as Selene and her companions gathered at the edge of a thick forest. Galen stood close, his eyes scanning the perimeter, while Dante leaned against a tree, his gaze distant. Lucian was the last to join them, his presence cold and unyielding.

Selene had felt a strange unease since their last battle with the cabal’s forces. Her instincts screamed that something—or someone—was watching them. But every time she turned to catch a glimpse of whatever it was, she found only shadows.

“The Fae should’ve been here by now,” Lucian murmured. “They’re usually too prideful to remain hidden.”

Dante snorted. “Or he's waiting for us to make the first move.”

“Rhydian mentioned he’d contact us soon,” Selene said, tightening the strap of her weapon holster. “We don’t have time to sit around and wait for his convenience.”

Galen’s jaw clenched, his wolf instincts still wary. “We’re deep in their territory. If they’re watching, they’ve already decided whether we’re a threat.”

“I wouldn’t put it past them to test our patience,” Dante added with a wicked grin. “Fae are known for their games.”

Before anyone could respond, a figure stepped from the trees, his arrival so silent that none of them had sensed him. Rhydian Stormborn emerged from the shadows of the forest, his ethereal silver hair catching the faint sunlight, his violet eyes cold but assessing.

“Selene,” Rhydian greeted, inclining his head ever so slightly. “It seems you’ve stirred up more trouble than even I anticipated.”

Selene crossed her arms, her stance defiant. “what took you so long?.”

“There seems to be more problems than we thought,” Rhydian said, ignoring the jab. He stepped closer, the air around him vibrating with an otherworldly energy that made even Lucian uneasy. “The cabal, they’ve called for reinforcements.”

Selene’s heart sank. Reinforcements? They were barely managing to survive the relentless attacks so far. More enemies meant more danger for everyone."

“Why should we trust you?” Galen asked, stepping forward, his amber eyes locked on Rhydian’s. “You fae are known for your trickery. What’s stopping you from betraying us?”

“I have no loyalty to the cabal,” Rhydian said evenly. “But I won’t pretend that my interests align entirely with yours either.” He paused, his gaze settling on Selene. “but unfortunately prophecy binds us together, Selene. You and I.”

Selene narrowed her eyes with a light scoff. “And that's what each one of you claims.”

Rhydian’s gaze softened for a fleeting moment. “If the cabal succeeds, it won’t just be your world that falls, but mine as well.”

“What do you suggest we do?” Lucian’s voice broke through the silence, cold but measured.

“We need to strike first,” Rhydian said. “The cabal is gathering forces near the Dark Hollow, a fae stronghold that’s been overtaken by dark magic with the help of some Fae that turned to the dark side. If we can destroy their base of operations, we might buy ourselves some time.”

“Dark Hollow?” Dante’s expression shifted, his usual humor replaced by a rare moment of seriousness. “You want us to walk into a dark fae deathtrap?”

“It’s a risk,” Rhydian admitted. “But it’s our best chance or do you have a better idea?”

Selene looked between them, weighing her options. Trust was a fragile thing, especially in the supernatural world, and while Rhydian had proven useful before, she was always in doubt of his true motives.

But what other choice did they have?

“I’m in,” Selene said finally, her voice firm. “We take the fight to them.”

Galen stepped forward, his presence a reassuring force beside her. “If you’re going, I’m going.”

Dante shrugged, a wicked grin returning to his face. “Well, this should be fun.”

Lucian said nothing, but the cold look in his eyes made his stance clear.

Rhydian nodded. “Then we leave at first light but first we need to gather everything we can about the bloodstone”

Selene's eyes lit up, "I know just the place"

Galen shot her a rather deadly look "it can't be what I'm thinking"

"Yes it is, or are you too scared to face a couple of Eleanor witches?"

................

The night was still, a heavy silence filled the air around them as Selene and the others approached the Eleanor border. Despite their powerful abilities, each of them felt an undeniable nervousness . The world seemed darker here, the stars dimmer, and the forest more alive than it had any right to be. The realm was notorious for its unpredictability and its inhabitants' trickery, but it was also a place where they could gather the knowledge they needed to understand the Bloodstone.

Selene strode at the front, her senses heightened as her eyes scanned the environment for any signs of danger. She could feel Lucian’s presence near her, Behind them, Dante, Rhydian and Galen followed, all equally quiet, though for very different reasons.

The witches were expecting them. Selene knew this the moment they crossed the boundary between realms. The shift was subtle but noticeable, like a slight change in air pressure that made her feel lighter and yet more vulnerable all at once.

“Stay close,” Lucian murmured as they entered the heart of the Eleanor woods. His hand briefly brushed against hers.

“We’re being watched,” Galen said, his voice low as his sharp wolf senses picked up what the others couldn’t.

Dante scoffed, his eyes scanning the trees with disdain. “Of course we are. The witches never let anyone cross their borders without knowing. The question is whether they’ll greet us with hospitality or knives.”

As if in response to his words, a figure emerged from the shadows of the trees. Tall and regal, with silver hair that flowed down his back and eyes that glowed with an ethereal light, the witch prince stepped forward, his lips curved into a cold smile.

“Welcome to our lands, Selene,” he said, his voice melodic and yet edged with danger. “We have been waiting for you.”

Selene stepped forward, meeting the prince’s gaze with confidence. “We come seeking knowledge, not conflict.”

The prince’s smile widened, though it did little to put her at ease. “Knowledge always comes with a price.”

Selene’s heart skipped a beat as the prince’s eyes seemed to pierce through her, his gaze shifting briefly to Lucian, then Dante, and finally Galen. “And I see you have brought quite the entourage. The vampire prince, the demon lord, the alpha wolf and even a Far warrior. Quite the assembly. But the question is, do you know what it is you seek, or are you simply wandering in the dark?”

Selene straightened her back, meeting his gaze. “I seek the truth about the Bloodstone.”

At her words, the prince’s smile faded, replaced by something far more serious, far more dangerous. “The Bloodstone is not something to be trifled with, child of the Veilborn. It is an object of immense power, and power like that comes with a heavy toll.”

“We understand the risks,” Lucian interjected, his tone firm. “But we need answers.”

The prince’s eyes flickered with amusement as he regarded Lucian. “Do you, vampire prince? Do you understand the depths of what you are asking for?”

Before Lucian could respond, the prince’s gaze returned to Selene. “The Bloodstone’s origins are connected with us witches. It was forged with the blood of our ancestors, and its power is both a blessing and a curse. If you wish to know more, you must prove yourselves worthy.”

“And how do we do that?” Galen asked, his voice low and dangerous.

The prince’s smile returned. “By surviving.” With a wave of his hand, the forest around them came alive. The trees shifted, their branches twisting to form a massive labyrinth. The ground beneath their feet rumbled as the forest seemed to grow, the path ahead of them disappearing into the darkness.

“Enter the labyrinth,” the prince said, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “If you make it to the center, we will speak of the Bloodstone. But beware, the labyrinth does not take kindly to trespassers.”

Before Selene could protest, the prince vanished, his laughter echoing through the trees. The forest around them settled into an eerie stillness.

“This is a trap,” Dante muttered, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the twisting maze before them.

“Perhaps,” Lucian replied, “but we don’t have a choice. If we want answers, we have to play their game.”