"What was that?" Ava asked, her staff glowing faintly.

The group halted, their eyes scanning the darkness. The growl came again, closer this time, followed by the sound of something large moving through the trees.

Adrian drew his sword, the fiery chains igniting at his back. "Stay together," he ordered.

"Okay, this is getting old," Lilith said, getting into position with the others.

The growl turned into a roar, and from the shadows emerged a massive beast, its eyes glowing red and its body covered in thick, matted fur. It towered over them, its claws glinting in the moonlight.

"Well," Medea said dryly, her black flames flaring to life. "So much for a quiet night."

Adrian tightened his grip on his sword, his heart pounding. "Here we go again."

The massive beast roared, its glowing red eyes fixed on the group. Adrian watched the beast move, his fiery chains igniting with a menacing hiss. The goddesses fanned out, each falling into a fighting stance.

"This thing reeks of Shadow Court magic," Medea muttered, her black flames flaring. "It's no coincidence."

"I hate coincidences," Eris growled, her emerald daggers gleaming as she circled to the side. "Let's finish this quickly."

Adrian stepped forward, his voice steady. "Keep it contained. Lilith, Abyss—focus on the legs. Medea, Ava—target its head. Hestia, Selene—support. Hera, with me on the core."

The beast lunged before he could finish, its massive claws slashing through the air. Adrian rolled to the side, barely avoiding the swipe as the ground splintered beneath the creature's strength.

Lilith's whip cracked out, wrapping around one of its legs. "Gotcha," she purred, yanking hard. The beast stumbled, but Abyss darted forward, her violet blade slicing cleanly through the tendon. It roared in pain, its movements faltering.

Medea hurled a blazing orb of black fire at its head, the explosion briefly staggering the creature. Ava followed up with a golden light from her staff, aiming to blind it, but the beast retaliated with a deafening roar, sending a shockwave that forced everyone to scatter.

Adrian charged in, his chains lashing at its torso. "Hera, now!" he shouted.

Hera summoned her radiant spear and hurled it with precision. The weapon struck true, embedding itself deep into the beast's chest. It howled, the red light in its eyes flickering.

Hestia yawned, summoning a barrier of blue fire to shield Adrian as he went for the finishing blow.

With a fierce battle cry, Adrian drove his flaming sword into the creature's core. The beast let out one final, anguished roar before collapsing into a smoldering heap. Silence fell over the clearing, broken only by the group's heavy breathing.

"That was... unpleasant," Hestia said, flopping onto a nearby rock. "Can we nap now?"

"No," Adrian said, wiping sweat from his brow. "We're not done yet."

**************

The group pressed on, leaving the village behind. The morning sun had barely begun to rise when a young boy emerged from the brush ahead, clutching a folded piece of parchment.

"Are you Adrian?" the boy asked, his voice trembling.

Adrian stepped forward cautiously. "Who's asking?"

The boy held out the parchment. "The Queen of Zarpha sent this for you. She said it's urgent."

"Queen Alannah?" Adrian took the letter, his brow furrowing as he scanned its contents. Truly, it contained the seal of the House of Zarpha. The Queen claimed she was in a nearby barracks, overseeing defenses against the Shadow Court, and requested Adrian's immediate presence.

"I never knew the Queen was the kind of person to leave the palace."

"It could be a trap," Medea chimed in.

"Or it could be real," Ava countered. "If Zarpha falls, we lose everything."

Adrian folded the letter, his jaw tightening. "We're going."

**************

The barracks loomed ahead, located at the border of a thick forest. Soldiers milled about, their faces grim as they prepared for an inevitable confrontation. Adrian approached cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

The Queen's banner flew high above the entrance, but something felt... off. The atmosphere felt uneasy, and the soldiers appeared very anxious, their eyes moving around nervously.

"I don't like this," Eris muttered, her dagger flipping idly in her hand.

"Stay alert," Adrian warned.

Adrian stepped forward, his gaze sweeping the tense barracks. Soldiers paused mid-task to glance in their direction, suspicion lingering in their expressions.

The goddesses stayed close, their postures casual yet ready. Hera's sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, while Medea's fingers hovered near her dark flames, anticipation thrumming in the air.

A burly man in officer's garb approached, his expression wary. "Can I help you?"

"Adrian. I'm here to see Queen Alannah," Adrian said firmly, holding up the parchment. "She sent for me."

The man's face brightened. "Lord Adrian, welcome. Unfortunately, Her Majesty and the commander went scouting earlier. They should return soon. You're welcome to wait inside."

Adrian exchanged a quick glance with Hera, who frowned, her regal demeanor turning icy. "What direction were they scouting? We can meet them halfway," Adrian offered.

The man shook his head. "No need for that. They'll be back shortly. It's safer if you stay here. Let me receive you properly. You alone though, Lord Adrian," he added the last part almost immediately.

Adrian's eyes narrowed. "Receive me? Her Majesty knows I'm traveling with company. She won't mind if they come with me."

The man's jaw tightened. "My orders were clear. I was instructed to receive you, Champion. You alone."

Medea's black flames flickered faintly at her fingertips as she muttered, "That's convenient."

Adrian ignored her, focusing on the man. "I don't travel alone anymore. If the Queen sent for me, she knows who I am with."

"Orders are orders," the man said with a tone of finality. His hand lingered near the hilt of his sword. "Your companions will need to remain outside."

Adrian's eyes scanned the man's face and then shifted to the rest of the barracks.

Soldiers moved with a clear sense of intent, stealing quick looks in their direction. There were no signs of royal emissaries or the bustle of preparations one might expect from a Queen's entourage.

Without warning, Adrian drew his sword. The fiery chains ignited behind him, coiling out like serpents. The seven goddesses and Selene followed suit instantly.

The man's composure slipped for a fraction of a second before he barked out, "On alert!" Around them, soldiers scrambled to respond, their movements clumsy but coordinated.

Within moments, the group was surrounded by armed men, weapons drawn and ready.

Adrian held his sword directed at the man, his voice calm yet threatening. "Tell me... there's no Queen here, is there?"

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