The Midnight Key

They left at dawn.

The forest was silent as they traveled, the morning mist curling around their feet like ghosts. Shadows stretched long, the trees whispering with unseen voices.

Rene felt it—the weight of something unseen watching them, waiting.

Rena remained still in her arms, unnervingly silent for a child.

She hadn't spoken since last night.

Not even when they started their journey to the Forgotten Ruins.

Lucien led the way. His golden eyes remained sharp, constantly scanning the area. His usual smirk was gone, replaced by a hard, unreadable expression.

Nyra walked beside him, fingers twitching toward her blade every few minutes, as if she could sense something as well.

Adrian and Adriel flanked Rene, their cold silver eyes focused ahead. Though their expressions were unreadable, their magic pulsed—an icy aura, ready to strike at the first sign of danger.

They were protective.

Rene knew it wasn't just because of her.

It was because of Rena.

The journey to the Forgotten Ruins was not an easy one.

The terrain was unforgiving—twisting paths, jagged cliffs, an unnatural coldness that grew thicker the closer they got.

After hours of silence, Nyra finally spoke.

"We should rest."

Lucien didn't look at her. "We don't have time."

Nyra narrowed her eyes. "We've been walking all day. If something attacks, we'll be too exhausted to fight properly."

Lucien clenched his jaw but said nothing.

Rene, despite the exhaustion tugging at her limbs, nodded. "Nyra's right. We should rest. Even if it's just for a little while."

Lucien exhaled sharply. "Fine."

They found shelter under a rocky outcrop, hidden from view.

Adrian and Adriel immediately set up a protective barrier, their silver light merging with the frost in the air.

Lucien, still tense, sat on a nearby rock, his golden gaze scanning the area.

Nyra stretched out, rolling her shoulders. "You've been quiet," she said, glancing at Rene.

Rene hesitated. "I've been thinking."

Nyra arched a brow. "That's dangerous."

A small smirk tugged at Rene's lips. "Shut up."

Nyra chuckled before sobering. "About what?"

Rene looked down at Rena. The baby was curled against her, breathing softly.

"She hasn't spoken since last night."

Nyra frowned. "You think something's wrong?"

Rene shook her head. "Not wrong. Just… different."

Lucien, from his spot, finally spoke. "She's processing."

Rene looked at him. "Processing?"

Lucien's golden gaze met hers.

"She's waking up."

A cold shiver ran down Rene's spine.

"She's a baby," she whispered.

Lucien's expression darkened. "She was."

Silence.

Rene swallowed hard.

Before she could respond, Rena stirred.

The baby's silver eyes snapped open.

Everyone froze.

Rena blinked, looking around the camp. Her gaze landed on Rene first, then Nyra, then Lucien.

Then—

She spoke.

"She's waiting for us."

Rene's heart pounded.

"Who?" she whispered.

Rena tilted her head. "Selene."

Lucien cursed under his breath.

Nyra tensed. "Where?"

Rena's small fingers curled around Rene's cloak.

"In the place where time forgot."

Lucien stood up instantly. "We need to move."

"But we just—" Nyra began, but Lucien cut her off.

"If she's expecting us, then so are they."

Rene didn't need to ask who he meant.

The ones who had sealed Rena away.

The ones who whispered in the dark.

The ones who didn't want them to reach Selene.

Adrian and Adriel silently dismantled the barrier, their silver light flickering.

Rena, small and fragile in Rene's arms, exhaled softly.

And the wind howled—

As if something was waiting.

Something hungry.

Something that did not want them to arrive alive.

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