Before they could retreat, the ground beneath them shifted, a low rumble echoing through the forest. Shadow beasts erupted from the darkness, their glowing eyes fixed on the group as they lunged. "Hold the line!" Nathan shouted, his blade flashing as he intercepted the first attack.

Aurora and Cassian moved in sync, their strikes cutting through the creatures with precision. Anica hurled bursts of light at the beasts, their movements quick and deliberate as they kept the group from being overwhelmed. But the beasts kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless.

Aurora gritted her teeth, the bond's energy surging within her as she channeled it into her blade. The golden light cut through the shadowy forms, dispersing them into mist.

"We're getting surrounded!" Cassian called, his voice strained.

Anica cursed under their breath. "We need to get out of here. Now."

Aurora's heart pounded as she scanned the battlefield. The Lycan King was nowhere to be seen, but his presence was unmistakable, his power pressing against her like a physical force.

"This isn't just a trap," she said, her voice shaking. "He's testing me."

Cassian turned to her, his eyes narrowing. "What do you mean?"noveldrama

Aurora's gaze fixed on the shadows swirling around them. "He's pushing the bond. He wants me to overextend."

Nathan grunted as he drove back a beast, his blade cutting through its chest. "Then don't give him the chance."

Aurora hesitated, the bond's warmth growing hotter with each passing moment. She could feel the power surging within her, begging to be unleashed.

"Aurora," Cassian said, his voice steady but firm. "We fight smart. Not desperate."

The group pushed forward, cutting a path through the shadow beasts as they fought their way out of the clearing. The oppressive energy began to fade as they put distance between themselves and the fissure site, but the tension lingered. When they finally reached a safe distance, Aurora collapsed against a tree, her chest heaving.

"That wasn't a fight," Anica said, their tone grim. "It was a message."

Cassian nodded, his expression dark. "He knows we're coming for him. And he's ready."

Aurora's hands tightened into fists, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "Then we hit him harder."

Anica raised an eyebrow. "And how do you propose we do that?"

Aurora's eyes glowed faintly as she stood, her voice steady despite the fear in her chest. "We go straight to the source. We end this."