Adrian frowned, his sharp eyes narrowing at the map's contents. "It's more than a map," he said slowly. "It's… a guide. And it's not just like the one Kaleb made for us that shows our current location on the map. It details every place we've been, every decision we've made."

Medea raised an eyebrow, her gaze shifting from Adrian to the map.

Lilith hummed thoughtfully, tilting her head to the side. Her lips curved into a knowing smile. "Interesting."

Ava, who had been tending to Selene, joined them, her golden eyes wide with alarm. "They've been tracking us this closely?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"Seems like it," Medea said grimly, her expression darkening. "Which means they'll keep coming."

Adrian folded the map carefully and tucked it into his belt. "Not if we find them first," he said firmly. "But then, the other temples are still our utmost priority."

He turned back to Saria, who was slumped on the ground, her breathing shallow but steady. "You're going to tell us everything about the Shadow Court," he said, his tone cold. "And then, you're going to help us destroy it."

Saria let out a weak, bitter laugh. "You really think you can destroy them?" she rasped. "You don't understand what you're up against."

Adrian's fiery chains tightened slightly around her, the heat making her wince. "Then help me understand," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Or your suffering will be far from over."

His fiery chains loosened slightly around Saria, but his expression remained cold and unrelenting. "Speak," he ordered. "What else do you know?"

Saria coughed weakly, wincing as the heat from the chains licked at her skin. "The Shadow Court isn't done with you," she rasped, her voice barely audible. "They've sent word. The map you just took—it's mass-produced. Copies are in the hands of dozens, maybe hundreds. Mercenaries, bounty hunters, assassins. They won't stop until you're gone."

Adrian's jaw clenched as he exchanged a tense glance with Medea, who stepped closer, her black flame-drenched sword hanging ominously at her side. "So they're spreading our location to anyone willing to take a contract," Medea said grimly. "Clever. Keeps us constantly looking over our shoulders."

"Too clever," Lilith interjected with a sharp tone, her crimson eyes narrowing as she sauntered toward Saria. "So what's the plan, fearless leader?" Her whip uncoiled from her hip with a menacing snap. "Because if it were up to me, I'd suggest finishing her off right here and now. She's a liability."

Saria smirked weakly, blood staining her teeth. "Go ahead," she said in a defiant tone despite her battered state. "End it. It's not like you'll make it much farther anyway."

Lilith raised her whip, but Medea's hand shot out, stopping her mid-swing. "No," Medea said firmly. "You want to kill someone? Go finish off the other one." She gestured to Roxie's unconscious form nearby. "This one's mine."

Lilith sneered but stepped back reluctantly, coiling her whip around her wrist. "Fine. But don't let her waste too much of our time. We've got bigger problems."

Adrian's gaze flicked between the two women before he turned to the group. "Gather up," he commanded. "We need to plan our next steps."

As the group assembled, Adrian knelt briefly beside Ava, who was still tending to Selene. Her breathing was steadier now, and her wounds were healing, but she was still unconscious.

He ran a hand over his face, exhaustion tugging at him, but his resolve didn't waver.

"We need to move," he began, addressing the others. "The Shadow Court knows too much, and if what she's saying is true, more are already on their way."

"But Selene," Ava interjected, her golden eyes filled with concern. "She's not in any condition to travel far."

Adrian nodded grimly. "We'll go just far enough to get out of this clearing. Set up camp somewhere defensible. We'll figure out the rest after she wakes."

The group moved a short distance away, leaving the bodies of the assassins behind but taking anything useful from their supplies.

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, they had a small camp set up under the cover of thick trees. Adrian stood watch, his fiery chains coiled loosely around his arms, their faint glow illuminating the darkness.

As the stars emerged, Selene began to stir.

Lilith was the first to notice. She was sitting near the fire, sharpening her whip's metal tips when she heard a faint groan.

She turned quickly, her crimson eyes widening as Selene's fingers twitched and her eyelids fluttered open.

"Selene!" Lilith exclaimed, dropping her whip and rushing over to her.

She knelt beside the priestess and pulled her into a gentle hug, her usual sharp demeanor melting into something softer. "You're awake! How are you feeling?"

Selene blinked, her silver eyes clouded with confusion. She struggled to sit up, her body trembling from weakness. "I…" she began, her voice hoarse. "What… happened?"

"Take it easy," Lilith urged, helping her lean back against a makeshift pillow. "You've been through a lot."

Selene's breathing quickened as fragmented memories began to surface. She stiffened suddenly, her eyes darting around the camp. "Where… where am I? How did I get here?" Her hands trembled as she gripped Lilith's arm. "There was… an energy ball. It hit me. I was under attack. The one with the club…"

"Relax," Adrian's voice cut through. He stepped closer with an unreadable expression. "You're safe now."

"Safe?" Selene repeated, her voice shaking. "How? How did you find me? And where is… the guy… the one who…" She trailed off, her mind still piecing together the events.

Adrian crouched beside her, taking her hand in his. "He's dead," he said simply. "You killed him."

Selene's eyes widened, disbelief flashing across her face. "Dead?" she whispered. "I… I killed him?"

"You don't remember?" Adrian asked, watching her closely.

Selene shook her head, her silver hair falling into her eyes. "No… I…" She pressed a hand to her temple, her breathing shallow. "After we got separated, I was attacked. I tried to stay on my feet, but he hit me with that energy ball, and everything went black."

Ava, who had been hovering nearby, knelt down beside her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You don't remember anything after that?" she asked gently.

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