The clearing was still, the fire’s warmth slowly fading as Harris and Liam disappeared into the forest. But Harris knew Varian wouldn’t let things end that easily. The moment of peace was deceptive, like the brief silence before a storm. He felt it in his bones, in the chill that settled in his chest as they moved further away from the camp. Something was about to break.

“Hold it right there,” Varian’s voice cut through the silence, smooth and commanding. Harris came to a stop, Liam halting beside him, his eyes wide and anxious. They turned to see Varian standing at the edge of the clearing, the firelight casting eerie shadows over his face. He held up a hand, and Harris felt the artifact pulse cold against his chest in response.

“You really thought you could just walk away, Harris?” Varian stepped forward, his grin sharp, his eyes glinting with something dark. “You can’t turn your back on power. Not when it’s right in your hands.”

Harris sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “You know, Varian, for someone who claims to be a master manipulator, you really are predictable. I was hoping you’d give me at least a few hours to mull things over before trying to stab me in the back.”

Varian chuckled, his voice dripping with condescension. “Oh, Harris, always the comedian. This isn’t a joke. You have something I want. And I’m not above taking it.” He lifted his other hand, and the air around them seemed to hum with energy. The artifact under Harris’s coat vibrated, and he could feel the darkness in it responding, the whispers growing louder.

Liam took a step closer to Harris, his voice low. “Harris, we need to get out of here. He’s not going to stop.”

“I know, kid,” Harris muttered, eyes fixed on Varian. The pull of the Obsidian Eye was strong, almost unbearable, urging him to tap into its power. But he knew where that path led. He’d walked it before, and it had cost him everything. He wasn’t about to make that mistake again.

Varian raised his hand higher, and Harris felt a sharp pain in his chest as if the artifact were trying to tear itself free from his pocket. He grimaced, taking a step back, his fingers brushing over the crystal's surface. The temptation was almost overwhelming—the promise of power, the ability to end this here and now, to be the one in control. He could crush Varian, and stop him from ever threatening Greenhollow or Liam again.

“Harris, don’t,” Liam said, his voice tight with fear. He grabbed Harris’s arm, pulling him back. “You don’t need it. We can find another way.”

Varian laughed, the sound echoing through the clearing. “Another way? There is no other way, boy. Power is the only thing that matters. And Harris knows it. He’s always known it.”

Harris clenched his jaw, his hand tightening around the Obsidian Eye. The whispers were louder now, urging him to act, to seize control. He could feel the power thrumming beneath his fingers, a dark, seductive energy that promised everything he had once craved. But then he looked at Liam, saw the fear in his eyes, the hope that Harris would be better, that he wouldn’t fall back into his old ways.

“You know what, Varian?” Harris said, his voice low, his eyes narrowing. “You’re right. Power is tempting. It’s easy. But easy doesn’t mean right.” He pulled the artifact from his pocket, holding it up. Varian’s eyes widened, his grin faltering for the first time.

“You think you can control it?” Varian sneered, his voice wavering. “You’re not strong enough.”

“Maybe not,” Harris said, his voice steady. “But I don’t need to be. Because I’m not alone.” He glanced at Liam, a small smile tugging at his lips. “And I’ve got something you don’t—a reason to be better.”

Before Varian could react, Harris closed his eyes, focusing on the cold weight of the Obsidian Eye. He could feel the darkness within it, the power that Varian so desperately craved. And then, with every ounce of willpower he had, he pushed it away. The artifact shuddered in his hand, the whispers turning into a roar, but Harris held on, his mind focused on one thought: protecting those he cared about.

The Obsidian Eye flared with light, a burst of energy that sent Varian stumbling backward, his eyes wide with shock. The darkness that had filled the clearing seemed to recede, the air growing lighter, the whispers fading into silence. Harris opened his eyes, breathing heavily, the artifact now dull and lifeless in his hand.

Varian staggered, his expression one of disbelief and fury. “You fool,” he spat, his voice trembling. “Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?”

Harris shrugged, slipping the now inert artifact back into his coat. “Yeah. I made a choice. One I can live with.”

Varian’s eyes narrowed, and he lunged forward, his hand reaching for Harris. But Harris was ready. With a swift motion, he stepped aside, grabbing Varian’s arm and twisting it behind his back. Varian cried out in pain, struggling, but Harris held him firmly.

“This ends now, Varian,” Harris said, his voice cold. “I’m done playing your games.”

Varian snarled, trying to break free, but Harris tightened his grip, his eyes hard. “You want power? Go find it somewhere else. But you’re not getting it from me.”

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With a final shove, Harris released Varian, sending him sprawling to the ground. Varian glared up at him, his eyes filled with hatred. “You’ll regret this, Harris. One day, you’ll see that power is the only way to survive.”

Harris shook his head, turning away. “Maybe. But I’d rather take my chances without it.” He looked at Liam, nodding towards the forest. “Come on, kid. Let’s get out of here.”

Liam hesitated for a moment, then nodded, his eyes filled with a mix of relief and admiration. They turned and walked away, leaving Varian behind, his threats echoing in the distance. The forest closed in around them, the darkness deep and impenetrable, but Harris felt lighter as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

“You really did it,” Liam said after a while, his voice filled with awe. “You said no.”

Harris glanced at him, a tired smile on his face. “Yeah. I guess I did.” He patted his coat, feeling the cold weight of the Obsidian Eye. “But this isn’t over, kid. Not by a long shot. We’ve still got a long way to go.”

Liam nodded, his eyes serious. “One step at a time?”

Harris chuckled, his gaze drifting to the darkened path ahead. “One step at a time.” The forest seemed less imposing now, the shadows less threatening. And for the first time in a long time, Harris felt like he was on the right path—even if it was a hard one.

The wind rustled through the leaves, creating a low whisper that filled the silence between them. Harris kept his gaze forward, the forest path winding before them, barely visible in the dim light. Each step was deliberate, the crunch of dried leaves underfoot the only sound apart from their steady breathing. The tension that had hung over them like a shroud was slowly dissipating, though the weight of the Obsidian Eye remained, a reminder of the choice Harris had made.

Liam walked beside him, glancing over his shoulder every now and then, his eyes betraying the lingering fear that Varian might follow. Harris could see the worry etched into the young man's face, and he reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Liam's shoulder. “He won't come after us,” Harris said, his voice soft but confident. “Not right now, at least. He knows better than to push his luck tonight.”

Liam gave a hesitant nod, but the unease in his expression remained. “You really think he’ll just let it go?”

Harris sighed, his brow furrowing as he considered the question. “No, probably not. Varian isn’t the type to give up that easily. He’s going to keep looking for power wherever he can find it. But we’re not going to let him win. Not while I’ve got anything to say about it.” He paused, glancing at Liam with a smirk. “Besides, I’ve got you to keep me in check, don’t I?”

Liam managed a small smile, his shoulders relaxing just a fraction. “Yeah, I guess you do. Someone’s got to make sure you don’t go back to your old ways.”

“Exactly,” Harris said, his tone lightening. “Think of it as your full-time job—keeping me from turning into a power-hungry maniac. It’s a tough gig, but someone’s got to do it.”

They walked in silence for a while longer, the forest around them growing denser, the darkness thickening as the canopy overhead blocked out what little moonlight there was. The path became rougher, the undergrowth thicker, and Harris found himself having to concentrate more on where he was stepping. The forest was alive with nocturnal sounds—the rustle of small creatures in the underbrush, the distant hoot of an owl, and the creak of branches swaying in the breeze. It was almost peaceful, in a way.

“Do you think we’ll ever be able to just… rest?” Liam asked suddenly, his voice breaking the quiet. “Like, really rest. No more running, no more fighting, no more looking over our shoulders?”

Harris glanced at him, his expression softening. He could see the exhaustion in Liam’s eyes, the weariness that came from too many sleepless nights and too many battles fought. He wished he could promise the kid that everything would be okay, that they’d find a place where they could finally be at peace. But Harris knew better than to make promises he couldn’t keep.

“I don’t know, kid,” he said honestly. “Maybe one day. But until then, we’ve just got to keep moving forward. One step at a time, remember?”

Liam nodded, though his gaze was distant, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. “Yeah. One step at a time.”

They continued on, the path winding deeper into the forest, the trees pressing in around them like silent sentinels. Harris could feel the weight of the Obsidian Eye against his chest, a constant reminder of what he had given up—and what he still had to fight for. The artifact was silent now, its power dormant, but Harris knew it wasn’t gone. It was still there, waiting, and the temptation it represented would never truly disappear.

But for now, he had made his choice. He had chosen to walk away from power, to fight for something greater than himself. And as long as Liam was by his side, as long as there were people worth protecting, Harris knew he could keep making that choice, no matter how difficult it was.

The forest began to thin, the trees giving way to a small clearing bathed in faint moonlight. Harris paused at the edge, his eyes scanning the area, his senses on high alert. It was quiet—too quiet, almost—but there was no sign of danger, no sign that Varian had followed. He took a deep breath, the cool night air filling his lungs, and stepped forward, motioning for Liam to follow.

They made their way to the center of the clearing, where a fallen log provided a makeshift seat. Harris sank down onto it, his muscles aching from the tension of the confrontation. Liam sat beside him, his gaze fixed on the ground, his expression thoughtful.

“Do you ever wonder if it’s all worth it?” Liam asked after a moment, his voice barely above a whisper. “All the fighting, all the running… do you ever wonder if we’re actually making a difference?”

Harris was silent for a long time, his eyes on the sky above, the stars barely visible through the canopy. He thought about everything they had been through, all the battles they had fought, all the sacrifices they had made. It was hard to know if any of it truly mattered if they were actually changing anything. But then he looked at Liam, at the determination in his eyes, the strength that had grown in him since they had first met.

“Yeah,” Harris said finally, his voice quiet but firm. “I think it’s worth it. Because as long as we keep fighting, as long as we keep trying to be better, we’re making a difference. Even if it’s just a small one.”

Liam looked at him, a faint smile on his lips. “You really believe that?”

Harris nodded, his gaze unwavering. “I do. And as long as you believe it too, we’ll be okay.”

They sat in silence for a while longer, the night air cool against their skin, the forest around them alive with the sounds of the night. And for the first time in a long time, Harris felt a glimmer of hope—fragile, but real. One step at a time, they would keep moving forward. And maybe, just maybe, they would find a way to finally rest.