Choruslyne Fate

The dense wilderness loomed around them, the moonlight barely piercing the thick canopy of branches above. The cries of the monstrous creatures behind them echoed faintly, a reminder of the chaos they had just fled.

Lucius led the group, Harriet still unconscious in his arms. Nai staggered along, clutching her burnt arm. Yu Xuan trailed behind, fending off any lingering threats with his force whenever necessary. Elias, quiet but ever-watchful, brought up the rear, his sharp gaze scanning their surroundings.

Elias broke the silence as they came to a small clearing. "We can't keep running blindly. We need to find somewhere defensible, somewhere to regroup."

"Defensible?" Nai hissed, her voice laced with frustration. "Have you looked at us? We're barely holding together! We can't fight anything right now."

Yu Xuan collapsed against a tree, struggling to catch his breath. "She's right. If we don't stop, we'll all drop, and Harriet..." He glanced at her pale form in Lucius' arms, his voice trailing off.

Elias's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Fine. We'll rest here for a moment. But stay alert. Those things won't give up so easily."

As the group settled into an uneasy pause, Lucius' thoughts churned. He couldn't shake the image of Bram's figure amid the chaos, standing motionless, watching. Why didn't he attack?

Elias' sharp voice broke into his thoughts. "Lucius."

Lucius startled, looking up to see Elias staring at him.

"You've been quiet," Elias said, his tone measured. "If you have something to say, now's the time."

Lucius hesitated. "It's just..." He glanced at the others, their expectant faces only deepening his unease. Finally, he muttered, "I thought I saw someone back there. Bram. Watching us."

Elias' expression darkened. "Are you sure?"

"No," Lucius admitted. "But if it was him... why didn't he attack? It doesn't make sense."

The group exchanged uneasy glances.

"You're overthinking it," Nai said, though her voice lacked its usual bite. "We barely made it out alive. Let's focus on surviving before chasing ghosts."

Elias frowned but said nothing. His gaze drifted toward Harriet, as though her fragile state was all the answer they needed.

Suddenly, a faint noise—a rustle in the trees—snapped them all to attention. Elias' hand went to his weapon. "Stay sharp," he muttered.

But the noise faded, leaving only the sound of their own ragged breaths.

Lucius set Harriet down carefully against a tree, his hands trembling. "We need to keep moving," he said, though his voice wavered. "We're too exposed here."

Elias nodded, his eyes scanning the dark forest. "Let's go. Stay close."

The group pressed on, their steps heavy with exhaustion. As they vanished into the shadows, the clearing grew still—until a figure emerged from the darkness.

Bram stood silently, his face obscured by the flickering shadows. Behind him, the creatures shifted restlessly, their grotesque forms barely visible in the dim light. Bram raised a hand, and the beasts stilled.

"They'll lead me to him," Bram murmured, his voice low. "Soon enough."

From somewhere deep in the forest, a monstrous screech pierced the night, cutting through the silence like a blade. But Bram didn't flinch. He turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving only the faint, eerie echoes of his words lingering in the air.

The forest stretched endlessly before them, shrouded in a mist that clung to the ground like a ghostly veil. Every step felt heavier than the last. Lucius, drenched in sweat, shifted Harriet's weight on his back. She remained unconscious, her breaths shallow, as if even her body had surrendered to the relentless exhaustion. His legs trembled beneath him, but he gritted his teeth and pressed forward.

"Lucius, you're slowing us down," Yu Xuan muttered, walking slightly ahead with his hands clenched into fists. He didn't bother turning around, his voice edged with irritation.

"I'm carrying someone!" Lucius snapped, his voice cracking with frustration.

"Maybe if someone had actually fought back, Harriet wouldn't be in this state!" Yu Xuan stopped abruptly, spinning to face Lucius. His sharp tone cut through the oppressive silence of the forest.

Lucius froze, his breath quickening. "What are you trying to say?"

"You know exactly what I'm saying," Yu Xuan growled, stepping closer. "You're hiding something, aren't you? About what happened back there, about yourself—and now you expect us to just trust you?"

Before Lucius could answer, Nai stumbled between them, her injured arm wrapped in a makeshift bandage. "Shut up! Both of you!" she shouted, her voice raw and trembling. "If you want to fight, save it for the monsters! We've got bigger problems than your damn ego."

Yu Xuan glared at her but didn't respond. Lucius lowered his head, the weight of not just Harriet but everyone's suspicions pressing down on him. Nai shook her head and limped forward, muttering curses under her breath.

Elias, who had remained silent the entire time, walked ahead of them, his eyes scanning the misty expanse. "Keep moving. We need shelter before night falls," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Yu Xuan scoffed but followed, his jaw clenched. "Where's Zara, huh? Why wasn't she there to help us? Don't think I didn't notice you conveniently showing up at the end, Elias. What aren't you telling us?"

Elias didn't answer, his gaze fixed ahead.

"Answer me!" Yu Xuan demanded, stepping closer.

"Enough," Elias said coldly, his voice a blade cutting through Yu Xuan's accusations. "Focus on staying alive. That's all that matters now."

Before Yu Xuan could retort, Nai turned and shouted, "Both of you shut up already! I'm sick of this! If you want to argue, wait until we're somewhere safe!"

The group trudged on in strained silence until they stumbled upon a clearing. At its center stood the remnants of an old stone structure, its walls weathered and covered in moss. Vines crept along its surface, and the air around it felt colder, heavier.

"This place..." Nai muttered, squinting at the ruins.

"It'll have to do," Elias said, walking toward the entrance.

Lucius hesitated, an uneasy feeling twisting in his gut. As they stepped inside, the dim light barely illuminated the interior. Broken furniture lay scattered across the floor, and claw marks marred the stone walls.

Yu Xuan broke the silence. "Doesn't exactly scream 'safe,' does it?"

"It's better than staying out in the open," Elias replied.

As they explored, Lucius felt a sudden wave of dizziness. His vision blurred, and fragmented images began flashing through his mind.

A shadowy figure standing over him. Zara's voice, distant and echoing. Bram's smirk, his eyes glinting with something sinister.

"Lucius!" Nai's voice snapped him back to reality.

He shook his head, trying to steady himself. "I'm fine," he muttered, though his trembling hands betrayed him.

Before they could settle in, a low, guttural growl echoed through the ruins. Everyone froze.

"What was that?" Nai whispered, her voice barely audible.

The growl came again, louder this time, followed by the sound of something skittering in the shadows. Nai turned, her eyes wide. "We're not alone."

From the darkness, glowing eyes appeared—hundreds of them. The creatures emerged, their insect-like bodies glistening with a sickly sheen. Their mandibles clicked in unison, a horrifying chorus that sent chills down Lucius's spine.

"Move!" Elias ordered, his voice cutting through their fear.

As they scrambled toward the exit, Nai glanced back, her heart sinking. Standing amidst the swarm of monsters, motionless but unmistakable, was a figure she recognized.

"Bram..." she whispered.

The figure remained still, his presence commanding even the horrors around him. He watched them, his expression unreadable, as the creatures began their attack.

To be continued.