Fated Triad: Shadows of the Forbidden Moon

Graham's POVAll text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

As we gingerly negotiated the twisting passageways, the weight of the relic in my backpack felt more than normal. Our flight from the warehouse had been hurried, and the near collision with Claire left me tense. Expecting to see her or another council agent coming in on us, I kept staring over my shoulder.

"Ariel, are you alright?" Trying to keep my voice calm, I asked. She had been very silent since we left, and I sensed her fear.

Ariel nodded, through her eyes revealed her anxiety. "I'm alright. Just overpowered. I never could have imagined this degree of intensity.

We are all feeling that way, I remarked, trying to reassure them. But we have to keep concentrating. Both the relics are vital and our next action is equally important.

Arriving in a modest, unremarkable safe home we had booked as a temporary hiding place, On the outskirts of town, this was a simple building with nothing about it to imply significance. We would use it to reorganize, make our future plans, and ideally prevent any additional near calls.

Inside Elijah was already looking for any evidence of monitoring. Although he concentrated fiercely, I could sense weariness on his face. We were all running on adrenaline and anxiety, and the earlier confrontation had left us empty. "Everything seems clear," Elijah replied in a raspy voice. For right now.

Marcus, who had been very silent, sank down on an old couch heavily. Though he appeared exhausted like the rest of us, he also seemed profoundly disturbed. His voice almost above a whisper, he replied, "We need to talk about what happened". "Claire's attack means the council is more desperate than we thought."

I nodded, reached for the relic, and set it on the table. The thing was a complex, ancient piece of jewelry whose intended use and potency are yet mostly unknown to us. "This is their wish. Why, though, is it so crucial?

Rising closer, Ariel concentrated her eyes on the relic. "The relic connects to an old prophecy. The council has to be convinced that it contains the secret to their ambitions. We must ascertain precisely what it performs and how best it matches their plan.

Marcus let out a big sigh. Though obviously more is involved, the prophecy was meant to be a myth. I ought to have understood the council would be more involved.

I looked around at my crew; everyone of us clearly agitated and fatigued. "We have to locate a secure area for artifact research. We also have to determine whether anyone else among us are traitors.

Ariel's eyes got bigger. "Traversers: You suppose someone else might be collaborating with the council?

"It's possible," I replied. "Based on our most recent events, they seem to be internally knowledgeable. Ignoring the possibility is not something we can afford.

Clearly tired, Elijah massaged his temples. "We ought to relax a bit. If all we are operating on is empty, we cannot think well.

We grudgingly agreed. Though sleep was tricky, each of us spent some time unwinding. Thoughts of treachery, the prophecy, and the approaching council threat tore through my head. The sense that something horrible was about to happen persisted.

One loud bang startled me up in the middle of the night. My heart hammered as I grabbed for my pistol, rapidly orienting myself. Not alone; Marcus, Ariel, and Elijah were already up, their expressions reflecting alarm. "What was that??" With tremor in her voice, Ariel asked.

"I'm not sure," I said, headed toward the noise's origin. "But we should check it out."

We checked every room in the home warily. The noise had originated from the now-open rear door. I discovered that the lock had been changed.

Marcus muttered, his face white: "Someone's been here." "We have to leave right now."

I heard footsteps outside as we hurried to compile our belongings. Clearly, we were not alone. We had to get off fast.

We slid out the rear door into the shadowy alley. The stinging, frigid night air added to our eagerness for escape. We moved quickly, seeking to go undetectable.

Our route brought us to Marcus's secret subterranean bunker used in an emergency. Though it was cramped, it offered a brief haven.

Once within, we at last had time to catch our breath. The environment was tight and the low light created spooky shadows on the walls. Everyone's eyes revealed a fear, and it reflected my own discomfort. "We have to find out who is behind this," Elijah stated, his voice resolutely. We also have to do it fast.

"Agree," I replied. Still, we also have to give the relic top priority. We cannot let it pass to the council.

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Marcus appeared troubled. "I have been considering the prophecy. Someone in our ranks might have been underlying our efforts.

Ariel's eyes opened wider. "You believe someone has been collaborating inside the council?"

Marcus responded, "We cannot overlook this possibility." "We must find any possible hazards and eliminate them.

Footfall outside the bunker echoed as we started talking about our next moves. Realizing we might once more be compromised, my heart raced.

"Elijah, check the security system," I added, speaking urgently. "We have to know whether they have located us."

Elijah moved fast to the control panel, fingers speeding over the keys. As he perused the statistics, his countenance got increasingly troubled.

His voice strained, he added, "There's a breach." "They're getting nearer."

Our response has to be quick. Marcus and Ariel got ready to defend the bunker, while I looked over the relic and tried to put its importance together. The stakes had never been higher; the pressure was building. "Everyone, get ready," I urged. We have to be ready for anything.

I sensed the strain in the air as the footfall got louder. Our situation was growing more hopeless as the council's representatives closed in.

The bunker echoed with a great crash, and the door flew open. Figures wearing dark clothes rushed in, masks covering their faces. They were obviously equipped for a battle and armed.

Take shelter! I yelled and pulled my rifle.

We battled valiantly, straying from our ground. The fight was fierce, and it was abundantly evident that the council agents were very skilled. Knowing that failing was not an option, my heart pounded as I battled to stay up.

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I watched Ariel fighting beside me, her face set, among the anarchy. Marcus and Elijah were fighting for themselves; we were holding our own.

Then I saw among the attackers a familiar face. Leading the charge was Claire, the woman who had earlier challenged me. Her eyes locked with mine and she opened a chilly smile.

"I knew you couldn't hide for very long," she said. You are running out of time.

I tightened my teeth, my fear and rage boiling out. We're not giving up.

The war raged on, and the bunker echoed with combat. Our greatest efforts notwithstanding revealed that the council's army was overpowering.

Claire was walking toward the relic, her eyes shining with will as the battle peaked. No matter the price, I had to stop her.

Desperate in the end, I sprint at Claire and tackle her to the ground. We battled valiantly, our struggle a haze of action and feeling. Though I knew I had to guard it, the relic was still within reach.

I wriggled the relic from Claire's hold with a last surge of power. She wrinkled at me, her eyes ablaze with resentment and frustration.

"This isn't over," she growled. The council will locate you and seize what is theirs.

Claire and the surviving agents withdrew with that, leaving us beaten but alive. For now, we were secure; but, the fight had worn us.

The truth of our circumstances struck strongly as we reassembled and evaluated the damage. Our fight is far from finished; the council was unrelenting. Though its actual importance remained a secret, the relic was still in our hands. Glancing around at my staff, their expressions tired yet determined. Though the threat was far from gone, we had survived another onslaught. We had to be alert and work to expose the truth about the council's intentions and the relic. The stakes were never higher, and the fight was just starting. The uncertainty and suspense developed with every instant that passed. Our struggle against the council was getting more dangerous, and if we were to have any hope for success we had to keep one step ahead.

Looking at the relic, I felt a fresh will to pursue. We would find the truth, defend what mattered, and battle the evil that might have consumed us.