Adrian's head snapped to the left, eyes searching for Lilith's shadowy form as her teasing voice drifted from the trees. The sunlight filtering through the branches was too bright for him to see any traces of her, but he could feel her presence.

"Catch me if you can," her sensual voice echoed again, filled with mischief.

He cursed under his breath, scanning the tree line for any movement. His muscles were still sore from the sparring session with Medea, but there was no time to dwell on it.

If Lilith was determined to make him chase her, he wasn't going to back down. Bracing himself, he made his way into the woods, feeling the soft, cool, and damp earth under his boots.

As he neared the trees, the wind picked up, rustling the leaves. A soft laugh carried by the breeze brushed past his ear. His instincts kicked in, and without thinking, he ducked just as something sharp whizzed over his head—a dagger embedded itself in the bark of a nearby tree.

Adrian straightened, a wry smile on his lips. "So that's how we're playing it, huh?"

A flash of movement caught his eye, and without hesitation, he sprinted after it. Lilith's figure moved in and out of the shadows, her form barely visible as she darted between the trees without effort.

Every time he thought he was close enough to grab her, she vanished, leaving only the sound of her soft laughter behind.

He pushed himself harder, weaving between the thick trunks, his breath quickening. The smell of pine and moss filled his lungs, the forest around him a blur as he focused solely on catching her. The thrill of the chase sent adrenaline surging through his veins.

Suddenly, Lilith reappeared in front of him, leaning casually against a tree with a coy smile on her lips. "Getting tired already?" she taunted, eyes sparkling with amusement.

Adrian skidded to a halt, breathing heavily. "Not even close," he shot back, though his muscles protested with every step. He lunged toward her, but she was gone again, vanishing into thin air as if she were made of smoke.

He was getting frustrated, but then he was also determined. This was more than a game; Lilith was testing him, pushing him to see how far he could go.

And he wasn't about to let her win so easily

Taking a deep breath, he summoned his signature weapon—the fiery chains. They coiled around him, glowing with a faint heat as they hovered around him, as if waiting for his command.

With a quick flick of his wrist, the chains shot forward, weaving through the trees in search of Lilith. Adrian moved quickly, his senses heightened as he tried to track her movements.

The forest around him seemed to close in, the thick canopy above casting long shadows across the ground. The air was cool, but the heat from his chains kept him warm as he moved through the underbrush.

He could hear the distant rustling of leaves, but Lilith was a master of slipping between the cracks, always one step ahead.

"Too slow, darling!" Lilith's voice echoed from behind a tree, but when Adrian rounded the corner, she was gone again, leaving only the faintest trace of her presence behind.

Adrian narrowed his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips. "You're not making this easy, are you?" he called out, his voice playful but determined. He pushed forward, the chains extending further, darting around the trees like serpents as he tried to flush her out.

Suddenly, one of the chains wrapped around something solid—a flicker of Lilith's dark cloak. Adrian yanked it hard, pulling her toward him. But just as her form appeared from behind a tree, it dissolved into mist, slipping through his grasp like smoke.

She reappeared a few paces away, leaning against a tree with a coy smile. "You'll have to do better than that," she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Adrian growled, the challenge firing him up.

He lunged at her, his chains lashing out in multiple directions, trying to box her in. This time, he moved faster, anticipating her tricks, but Lilith was always just a step out of reach. She twirled, ducked and weaved through his attacks like an expert, her laughter trailing behind her like a siren's call.

The chase continued, the two of them darting through the forest like predators locked in a game of cat and mouse. Adrian's heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of exertion and excitement coursing through him.

He could feel the thrill of the hunt, the tension building as he came closer and closer to catching her.

Then, just as he was about to grab her, Lilith slipped down a slope and disappeared into the brush. Adrian skidded to a stop at the edge of a ridge, looking down at the stream below.

The sound of rushing water filled the air, and the scent of damp earth and fresh water was invigorating. He spotted her standing by the riverbank, her back turned to him as if daring him to come closer.

"Come on, Adrian!" Lilith called over her shoulder, her voice lilting. "Or are you going to let me win?"

With a deep breath, Adrian jumped down the slope, landing near the river with a soft thud.

His chains coiled back around him as he stalked toward her, his eyes locked onto her like a predator eyeing its prey. But just as he reached for her, Lilith turned with a sly grin and stepped into the shallow water.

"You're going to get wet if you keep following me," she teased, wading further into the river.

Adrian hesitated for a moment, glancing down at the cool, flowing water. "You'll be the one getting wet by the time I catch up with you."

Lilith's eyes shot up in surprise as she caught the hidden meaning in his words. He was planning on getting her… wet. The thought of it was already sending tingles inn between her legs.

"You think a little water's going to stop me?" Adrian continued with a grin.

Lilith quickly composed herself and laughed. "I was hoping it might slow you down," she replied, dipping her fingers into the water and splashing it playfully in his direction.

Adrian smirked, rolling up his sleeves. "Not a chance."

With that, he stepped into the river, the cold water rushing around his legs as he advanced toward her. Lilith's eyes gleamed with mischief, and before he could react, she kicked up a wave of water, drenching him from the waist down.

Adrian spluttered, wiping the water from his face as Lilith danced away, her laughter ringing out like music. "You're going to pay for that," he called after her.

"Oh, I'm counting on it," Lilith teased, her voice carrying across the river.

With a grin, Adrian lunged toward her again, and this time, his chains wrapped around her wrist, pulling her toward him with a splash. Lilith gasped in surprise as she stumbled forward, her body colliding with his, water spraying around them in a chaotic burst.

For a moment, they stood chest to chest, both of them drenched, their breathing heavy from the chase. Lilith looked up at him, her eyes bright with laughter. "Caught me," she whispered in a soft but teasing voice.

Adrian's grip on her wrist loosened, but he didn't let go. "Told you I'd catch you," he replied in satisfaction.

Lilith smiled, her wet hair clinging to her skin as she leaned in closer, her breath warm against his ear. "The real question is… what are you going to do with me now?"

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