The air was thick with tension as they made their way back through the forest. The adrenaline from their narrow escape hadn’t fully worn off, and Aiden found himself glancing over his shoulder more than once, expecting to see another Harbinger lurking in the shadows.

Selene led the group in silence, her expression hard to read, but Aiden could sense the urgency in her movements. Whatever knowledge the Codex held, it was clear that their journey had just taken a darker turn.

They reached the clearing near the edge of the forest by sunset. The golden light filtering through the trees did little to ease the weight in Aiden’s chest. Lila stopped and crouched near a small stream, splashing water on her face, while Elias leaned against a tree, catching his breath.

“We should camp here,” Selene said, scanning the area. “We’ll need to be well-rested before we can decipher the Codex.”

Aiden nodded absently, his mind still spinning. He could feel the energy of the Codex thrumming faintly in his hands, the ancient knowledge inside calling to him. But there was something else—something unsettling—that had been gnawing at him since the encounter with the Harbinger.

“What exactly are the Harbingers?” Aiden asked as he lowered himself to the ground, the Codex resting beside him. “They don’t just seem like ordinary monsters.”

Selene hesitated, her gaze darkening. She settled down near the fire Elias had started, her silver hair glinting in the dying light. “They’re not monsters in the traditional sense,” she said, her voice quiet. “The Harbingers are something much worse. They’re ancient beings—warriors of the gods, once trusted to enforce their will across the mortal realm.”

Lila glanced up from her spot by the stream, clearly intrigued. “Enforce their will? Like, executioners?”

“Something like that,” Selene replied. “But they weren’t always like this. In the time of the gods, they were created to protect the balance of power. They were loyal to the gods’ orders, but over time, they became twisted by that very power. Now, they’re hunters—tracking down demigods, those with power like Aiden’s.”

Aiden swallowed hard. “So they’re hunting me because of my father’s bloodline.”

Selene nodded. “Yes, and because you’re a threat. You’re one of the few left with the ability to stand against them. They won’t stop until they either control you... or destroy you.”

The words hit Aiden like a punch to the gut. He had always known there was something dangerous about the powers he had inherited, but hearing it put so bluntly made it feel all the more real.

Elias, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. “So what’s the plan? We’ve got the Codex, but how do we use it to stop them?”

Selene’s eyes flicked to the ancient book beside Aiden. “The Codex contains the secrets of the gods—knowledge of their weaknesses, their true intentions. If we can unlock its full potential, we may be able to find a way to sever the connection the Harbingers have with the gods.”

“Sever the connection?” Aiden repeated. “You mean... cut them off from their power?”

“Exactly,” Selene said. “But the Codex isn’t easy to read. It’s written in a language older than even I know. We’ll need time to decode it, and the Harbingers won’t wait. They’ll keep coming.”

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Lila finished cleaning her blades and leaned back against a tree. “So we’re racing against the clock. Great.”

Aiden stared into the flames, feeling the weight of the Codex once more. The gods had created the Harbingers to keep their power in check, but now those same forces were threatening to tear the world apart. And he was caught in the middle.

The fire crackled, and for a moment, everything was quiet. The only sound was the soft rustling of the wind through the trees, a brief respite from the chaos they had faced. But that peace didn’t last.

A low growl echoed from the treeline, sending a chill down Aiden’s spine. He shot to his feet, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword.

“Everyone, stay alert,” Selene hissed, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the forest.

Lila and Elias were already on their feet, weapons drawn. The growl grew louder, more menacing, as shadows shifted just beyond the firelight.

“What now?” Lila muttered, her eyes darting from side to side.

The underbrush parted, and from the darkness, a creature emerged—a wolf, but unlike any wolf Aiden had ever seen. Its fur was black as night, its eyes glowing an eerie, unnatural green. And behind it, more shapes materialized, each one moving silently through the trees.

“Aetherwolves,” Selene whispered, her voice tense. “They’re drawn to magic.”

Aiden’s heart raced. He had read about Aetherwolves in old stories—beasts that roamed the edges of the mortal realm, feeding on the energy of those who possessed divine blood. They were rare, dangerous, and now they were surrounding them.

The pack moved closer, their growls reverberating through the clearing. Aiden’s hand tightened on his sword, electricity sparking at his fingertips. He had faced danger before, but something about these creatures sent a wave of unease through him.

“Stay close to the fire,” Selene instructed, raising her hand as a shimmering barrier of light appeared around them. “It won’t hold them off for long, but it should buy us some time.”

One of the wolves darted forward, testing the barrier. Its body slammed against the magical shield, but the force sent it stumbling back with a yelp. The others circled cautiously, their eyes locked on Aiden.

“They want the Codex,” Elias said, gripping his sword. “They can sense its power.”

Aiden gritted his teeth. “Then we don’t let them have it.”

With a sudden, sharp howl, the pack leader charged again, its claws raking against the barrier. This time, the shield flickered, cracks forming along its shimmering surface. The wolves sensed the weakness and pressed forward, their snarls growing louder.

“Get ready!” Selene warned.

The barrier shattered.

All at once, the Aetherwolves lunged, their glowing eyes filled with hunger. Aiden didn’t hesitate—he swung his sword, a bolt of lightning following the arc of the blade as it struck the first wolf. The creature yelped and collapsed, but the others were undeterred, their jaws snapping as they lunged at the group.

Elias fought back with his shield and sword, deflecting the wolves’ vicious bites, while Lila moved like a blur, her daggers flashing in the firelight as she took down one wolf after another.

Selene chanted under her breath, weaving spells of light that sent blasts of energy through the pack, but even with all their efforts, the wolves kept coming.

Aiden could feel his strength waning. The lightning in his veins burned hot, but his control was slipping. The energy of the Codex, the ancient power, was overwhelming. He couldn’t let it get the best of him—not now.

As the last of the Aetherwolves charged at him, Aiden focused all his remaining power into a single, blinding strike. Lightning exploded from his hand, lighting up the night as it tore through the creature. With a final, echoing howl, the wolf disintegrated into nothing but smoke.

The clearing fell silent.

Panting heavily, Aiden lowered his sword, his hands trembling. Around him, the others stood victorious, though equally exhausted.

“That was... too close,” Lila muttered, wiping sweat from her brow.

Selene’s expression was grim as she surveyed the remains of the pack. “The closer we get to the truth, the more dangerous it becomes.”

Aiden nodded, still catching his breath. “Then we can’t afford to stop now.”

As they prepared to make camp for the night, Aiden’s thoughts lingered on the Codex and the truth it held. The Harbingers, the Aetherwolves, the gods—they were all connected somehow, and he had a sinking feeling that whatever they uncovered next would be even more dangerous than what they had already faced.

But one thing was clear: there was no turning back.