The figure loomed before them, shrouded in darkness, its fiery eyes locked on Aiden. The temperature in the chamber seemed to plummet as the air crackled with unseen energy.

“Aiden Blackwood,” the voice growled again, low and menacing. “You’ve gone too far.”

Selene’s hand shot out, summoning a sphere of light that pushed the shadows back, revealing the Harbinger in full. Its body was twisted and unnatural, covered in dark armor that seemed to shift and ripple with every movement. In its hand, it gripped a long spear, the tip glowing with a sickly green light.

“We need to move!” Selene shouted, pulling Aiden toward the exit.

But the Harbinger was faster than any of them expected. In a blur of movement, it lunged, spear aimed straight for Aiden’s chest. Instinctively, Aiden raised his hand, and a bolt of lightning crackled from his palm, deflecting the blow just in time. The clash sent a shockwave through the room, rattling the walls.

Elias and Lila sprang into action. Lila hurled one of her throwing knives, aiming for the creature’s throat, while Elias raised his shield, preparing for a counterattack. But the Harbinger was relentless, twisting out of the way of the knife and bringing its spear down with deadly precision. Elias barely managed to block the strike, but the force of the blow sent him stumbling back.

Aiden’s pulse raced as he summoned another wave of electricity, but the Harbinger seemed unfazed. The creature was too fast, dodging each attack with unnatural grace. It moved with a single-minded purpose, its focus entirely on Aiden.

“This isn’t working!” Aiden shouted, frustration rising.

Selene’s eyes darted around the chamber, scanning for an advantage. “We need to lure it out—away from the Codex!”

Lila spun another dagger between her fingers, her eyes narrowing. “Leave that to me.”

Without waiting for a response, she darted forward, her small frame moving swiftly through the shadows. She aimed another knife at the Harbinger, this time aiming for its side. The creature snarled and turned its attention toward her, just as she wanted.

“Now!” Lila yelled.

Aiden didn’t need to be told twice. He seized the opportunity, focusing all his energy on the creature. Lightning surged from his hands, arcing through the air in a blinding flash. This time, the bolt hit its mark, striking the Harbinger square in the chest. The creature roared in pain as the electricity coursed through its body, but it wasn’t enough to bring it down.

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The Harbinger’s spear glowed ominously, and with a guttural growl, it raised the weapon high, preparing for a devastating strike. But before it could bring the spear down, the temple itself seemed to respond. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the walls shuddered as ancient glyphs flared to life, glowing with a strange, otherworldly light.

“What’s happening?” Elias shouted over the rumbling.

Selene’s eyes widened in realization. “The temple is reacting to the Harbinger! It’s triggering a defense mechanism!”

Aiden barely had time to process her words before the chamber was flooded with a surge of raw energy. The walls began to shift, stone grinding against stone as massive pillars slid into place, cutting the Harbinger off from the rest of the group. The creature roared in fury, but it was trapped behind the ancient barriers.

“We need to go!” Selene urged, already moving toward the exit. “This whole place is about to collapse!”

Aiden and the others sprinted after her, the Codex clutched tightly in Aiden’s arms. The temple’s walls groaned under the strain, and chunks of stone began to fall from the ceiling as they raced down the corridor. The ground shook violently, and the air was thick with dust and debris, making it hard to see or breathe.

They burst through the temple’s entrance just as the entire structure began to collapse behind them. The ground gave way with a deafening roar, and a massive cloud of dust billowed into the air. Aiden stumbled forward, coughing, as he turned to watch the temple crumble into ruins.

“Is everyone okay?” Lila asked, her voice breathless.

Elias nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. “Yeah, but that was too close.”

Selene’s eyes were focused on the pile of rubble, her expression grim. “The Harbinger won’t be trapped forever. We’ve bought ourselves some time, but not much.”

Aiden’s heart was still racing, but the weight of the Codex in his arms reminded him of the magnitude of what they had just retrieved. “What now?” he asked, glancing at Selene.

She took a deep breath, her eyes meeting his. “Now, we prepare. The knowledge in that Codex will tell us what we need to know about the gods’ plans and the Harbingers. But it’s only the beginning, Aiden. This war is far from over.”

Aiden looked down at the Codex, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. The visions he had seen in the temple still swirled in his mind, and the power within him felt more unstable than ever.

“Then let’s get ready,” he said, his voice firm. “Because I’m not hiding anymore.”

The group gathered their belongings and began the trek back through the forest, but Aiden’s thoughts were already racing ahead. The Harbingers wouldn’t stop until they had what they wanted. The gods’ influence was growing stronger, and his powers were still unpredictable.

But for the first time, Aiden felt a spark of confidence. He had allies by his side, and together, they had just taken a step closer to unraveling the mystery behind the gods’ return.

As they disappeared into the trees, the ruins of the ancient temple lay silent, but somewhere in the shadows, the Harbingers waited, biding their time.