The forest was a cacophony of crashing stones and distant roars as the ancient temple behind them collapsed. Dust and debris billowed outward, clouding the moonlight and leaving the group disoriented. Cassian tightened his grip on Aurora, her body growing limp against his chest as the Lunar Key pulsed faintly in her grasp. "Aurora, stay with me," Cassian urged, his voice laced with worry.

Aurora's eyelids fluttered, her breaths shallow as the Pact's energy flickered around her. "I can... feel it," she murmured weakly, her hand instinctively moving to her abdomen. "The Key... it's connected to the Pact. To the baby." "We'll figure it out later," Cassian said firmly, scanning the darkened forest for any sign of their team. "First, we get you to safety."

The ground beneath them was slick with fallen leaves and mud, forcing Cassian to tread carefully as he carried her. Anica's distant shouts cut through the chaos, drawing him toward a faint glimmer of light. "Over here!" Anica called, waving their glowing staff to signal the others.

Cassian pushed through the underbrush, his muscles burning as he cradled Aurora closer. Anica rushed to meet them, their golden eyes narrowing as they assessed the situation.

"She's burning through her connection to the Pact too quickly," Anica said, their tone clipped. "If she doesn't stabilize it, she could lose control entirely."noveldrama

Aurora stirred at the sound of Anica's voice, her grip tightening on the Lunar Key. "The Key... it's a part of the Pact," she said faintly. "It's pulling me closer to it."

"We'll stabilize you when we reach the camp," Anica said, though their expression betrayed their concern. "But we need to move now."

The trio trudged onward, the forest growing unnervingly quiet. Cassian's sharp senses picked up on the change immediately, his body tensing.

"Something's wrong," he muttered, his golden eyes scanning the shadows.

Before Anica could respond, a low growl reverberated through the air, followed by the slow encroachment of a dark mist. It slithered between the trees, unnaturally cold and cloying.

"The Lycan King's vanguard," Anica hissed, raising their staff defensively.

Shapes began to emerge from the mist-hulking shadow beasts with glowing red eyes, their snarls echoing through the forest. Cassian set Aurora down carefully, placing her against a tree before drawing his blade. "Stay with her," he barked at Anica, stepping forward to meet the advancing creatures.

The first beast lunged, its claws aiming for Cassian's throat. He sidestepped deftly, his blade flashing as it cut through the creature's shadowy form. Another beast charged, but Anica intercepted it with a burst of light, momentarily dispersing the mist. Aurora's vision blurred as she watched the fight unfold. The Lunar Key vibrated in her hands, its energy resonating with the faint pulse of the Pact. She clenched it tighter, forcing herself to sit up.

"No," she whispered, her voice trembling. "We can't let them stop us here."

Drawing on the last reserves of her strength, Aurora raised the Lunar Key, its light cutting through the mist like a beacon. The shadow beasts recoiled, their forms disintegrating as the Key's energy surged outward.

Cassian turned to her, his expression a mix of awe and relief. "Aurora, you did it."

She slumped back against the tree, the light from the Key dimming once more. "Not yet," she murmured. "We're not safe yet."

The group pressed on through the forest, the mist retreating but leaving behind an eerie stillness. As they neared the edge of the woods, a faint howl echoed in the distance-a chilling reminder that the Lycan King's forces were far from defeated.

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