Late into the night, Medea slipped quietly from her room, careful not to wake Selene. She had waited for Adrian to come back, but the muffled sounds coming from one of the nearby rooms had been enough to tell her that he was… occupied.

Knowing how strong Abyss's feelings for Adrian were, she couldn't blame her. Still, sitting alone in the room, doing nothing, didn't suit her at all.

"Selene, go ahead and rest," she said softly to the priestess. "I'm heading out to train a bit."

Selene, already dozing, gave a sleepy nod and rolled over as Medea closed the door behind her.

Outside, the village was quiet, and a mist had settled over the fields. Medea made her way to a patch of trees just beyond the inn, where the darkness was thick and the air held a comforting chill.

Here, she could focus without anyone watching.

She found a sturdy clearing and, closing her eyes, raised her hands. Shadows gathered around her fingers, coiling like smoke as her focus deepened.

Dark flames began to spark to life, flickering and stretching as they took shape into something far larger—a roaring dark fire engulfed her fists and extended into the space before her.

With a strong swing of her arms, she sent the energy forward, slicing through a line of trees that splintered and fell with satisfying cracks.

Over and over, she repeated the moves, each swing sending a rush of energy into the trees, cutting and scorching them. The clearing was filled with the scent of burning wood, and her flames created trails of smoke and ash behind them.

Finally, breathless and feeling the burn of power pulsing through her, Medea lowered her hands, admiring the damage. She'd leveled the area, the dark flames having left charred remnants in place of the tall trees.

Satisfied, she took a steadying breath and began her walk back to the inn, a slight smirk on her face.

As she approached, she could see the glow of lanterns in the windows. Quietly, she slipped back into the building, intending to head straight for her room, but something felt off.

Moving with caution, Medea made her way down the hall, past the dimly lit bar, when she saw them: five cloaked figures moving quietly, shadowy and stealthy. T

hey were clearly searching the rooms—checking each one, slowly getting closer to her sisters. Medea's eyes narrowed as she recognized the dark sigils stitched onto their cloaks.

The Shadow Court.

She barely had time to process it before instinct kicked in, and she took cover, watching them from a hidden corner.

They were nearly to the room where Ava and Lilith were sleeping. She knew she had to act quickly before they could reach it. Without waiting another second, she charged forward, her own dark fire lighting up the hallway with an ominous glow.

Her first target didn't even have a chance to turn around. Her blade plunged through his back, and he crumpled to the ground, blood staining the wooden floor as she pulled her weapon free. The remaining assassins whirled, eyes flashing with alarm as they drew their own weapons.

"What, didn't expect a greeting?" she taunted, holding her blade out in challenge.

One of the assassins lunged toward her, his sword aimed for her neck, but Medea sidestepped, countering with a powerful arc of dark fire that scorched his arm. He fell back, clutching the burned skin, and she seized the opening, delivering a swift blow to his chest that sent him sprawling.

Just as she finished, the door to the room burst open, and Lilith, Ava, and Abyss rushed out, their weapons ready.

"Thanks for waiting, Medea," Lilith said with a grin, barely pausing before she launched herself at the nearest assassin, a wicked glint in her eyes.

Ava was close behind, throwing a dagger that landed squarely in another assassin's chest, dropping him instantly.

Abyss, sword in hand, joined Medea in taking on the remaining two. "Didn't expect company tonight, did you?" Abyss sneered, her voice cold as she drove her sword forward with deadly precision.

As the fight raged, one of the assassins managed to break away, sprinting down the hall toward Adrian's room.

"He's going for Adrian!" Medea shouted. "Abyss, go!"

Without hesitation, Abyss dashed after him, her speed unmatched as she closed the distance in moments. Just as he reached Adrian's door, Abyss slammed her blade into his back, sending him to the floor with a muffled groan.

She pulled her weapon free, leaving his body sprawled outside Adrian's room.

Inside, Adrian was already awake, his instincts quickly sensing the danger. As the door flew open, he reached for his weapon, prepared to strike, but saw Abyss kick the assassin's body aside. Her blade dripped blood as she stared fiercely at the dead assassin.

"Thought you might need a little help," Abyss said, her voice dark with satisfaction as she stepped over the body.

"Perfect timing as usual," Adrian replied, stepping forward as Selene, shaken but unhurt, took her place at his side. "What's going on?"

"Just a few uninvited guests," Abyss replied with a smirk, nodding toward the downed assassin. "Seems the Shadow Court wanted to pay us a visit."

They hurried back down the hall to join the others, who were finishing off the last of the intruders. Lilith's blade dripped with blood, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction, while Ava calmly wiped her daggers on her cloak.

Medea looked at Adrian with a serious expression. "These were only scouts. The Shadow Court is getting closer. They'll send more."

Adrian's gaze hardened, his mind already racing with the implications. "If they're this bold, we're running out of time."

Ava sheathed her daggers, her gaze steady. "We should leave by dawn. If they've tracked us here, it's only a matter of time before they send reinforcements."

Adrian gave a firm nod, glancing at each of them. "Agreed. Get whatever you need. We're moving out at first light."

An unexpected, slow clap echoed in the hallway, sending a chill through the air and making everyone instinctively tense up.

Their weapons ready, the goddesses turned toward the source, and there, partially shrouded in shadow, stood a tall man with a cold smile and dark eyes gleaming with malice.

"Well, well," he began in a deep and mocking voice. "I must say, I'm impressed. I've heard tales of your… talents. It's something else to see them firsthand."

The goddesses exchanged wary glances, hands reaching for their weapons as they assessed the threat. Adrian's arm went up in a subtle gesture, signaling them to hold off. He stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he took in the man's appearance.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" Adrian asked with a tense voice.

The stranger smirked, folding his arms casually. "Who I am is no longer of consequence. What I want? I'd say that's rather obvious. You're biting off more than you can chew, Adrian. You're a threat. And all threats to the Shadow Court…" He paused, leaning forward slightly, his eyes glinting with dark amusement. "...must be eliminated."

Adrian let out a short laugh, feeling the familiar surge of Medea's power rising within him, crackling beneath his skin.

"If I'm such a threat," he replied smoothly, "maybe you could save everyone the trouble and just tell me where to go so I can face the Shadow Court myself. I'd gladly surrender to them—meet them head-on."

The man's smirk vanished, replaced by an expression of cold disdain. "That won't be necessary. My orders are to kill you here and now."

"Shame," Adrian said, voice dripping with mock disappointment. "Because killing me… well, that's not exactly possible. Not with these four watching over me."

The man's eyes darkened, a cruel gleam filling them as he lifted a hand. "And what happens when they're not watching?" he sneered.

A chilling red light began to form between his hands, spiraling and pulsing as he muttered words under his breath, casting a spell.

Ava reacted immediately, her dagger flashing as she threw it straight at him, but the weapon hit an invisible barrier, bouncing off and clattering to the ground.

"Protective barrier," Medea muttered. "Noted. What's the plan, Adrian?"

The man's cruel smile widened as the energy swirled around him, dark and bloody red, and began to take form. The shadows in the room twisted and expanded, congealing into monstrous shapes that stepped forward with glowing eyes and vicious fangs.

"Summoner," Lilith whispered.

He was a summoner, conjuring beasts from the dark magic that lingered in the air.

Adrian's jaw tightened. He could feel the power radiating off the creatures—these weren't simple phantoms. The Shadow Court's influence had clearly grown.

"It's clear he knows more than most of the Court's goons we've been facing off," Adrian said, drawing his sword. "But for now… we fight. Keep his focus on me," he added, eyes locking onto the stranger's. "We'll deal with the monsters first, then go for him."

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