Chapter 4 4

Exposing the Past

"I believed you to be deceased!" As Lily looked at the person entering the cabin, her voice wavered. Her heart raced and her eyes widened in shock.

The person, shrouded in shadow, approached the dim glow of the fire. The voice said, "It's evident that you've missed me," with a hint of trepidation mixed with relief. Even though Lily hadn't heard the voice in years, it was one she knew all too well.

Adrian shifted between Lily and the newcomer, tensing up his body and narrowing his gaze. "What are you doing here, and who are you?" His posture was guarded, his speech tinged with distrust.

A recognizable face emerged as the figure lifted the hood of their cloak. It was Lily's elder sister Evelyn, whom she had assumed had disappeared years before. Evelyn's once-bright eyes were now darkened by secrets, and her auburn hair flowed in loose curls about her shoulders.

"Evelyn?" Lily's voice broke as her feelings ran through her. "How, why"

With a tired but determined gaze, Evelyn raised a hand. "I'm running out of time to go over everything. I need your assistance since we are in danger."

Adrian looked from the two sisters to each other. Surprises are not appropriate at this time. "What is happening?"

Evelyn had a flurry of eagerness in her eyes. "Morgana isn't operating by herself. I've been being followed by another interested faction. Before it's too late, I have to get Lily out of here."

A mixture of terror and bewilderment hammered in Lily's heart. "Why? What is their desire for me?"

With remorse, Evelyn's gaze softened. "It's not simple. However, Adrian's relic is linked to a prophecy that concerns you."

Adrian moved forward, speaking firmly. "Which prophecy? And why does Morgana find Lily and this treasure so fascinating?"

With a tinge of desperation, Evelyn met Adrian's eyes while inhaling deeply. "The prophecy describes a chosen one who will use the artifact's power to either save or destroy. Morgana thinks Lily has the secret to seizing that power for herself."

With Evelyn's remarks hanging thick in the air, the room became quiet. Lily had a shiver down her spine as the implications raced through her head. Her eyes begged as she turned to face Adrian. "How do we proceed?"

Adrian clenched his teeth, weighing their alternatives. "We must first leave this place and locate a secure location. Morgana won't give up until she achieves her goals."

The door of the cottage creaked open once again as Adrian started to retrieve their belongings. A blast of chilly air entered, and the entryway became obscured by the shadow of an additional person. This time, the person was shrouded in darkness, and something was unnerving about them.

Evelyn had a pallid face. "They have located us. There is not much time left."

Adrian took swift action, snatching Lily's hand and dragging her in the direction of the rear exit. "We have to move right now!"

The night air stung their skin as they crept out of the cabin. With the wind rustling through the leaves, the ancient trees in the dark and ominous forest outside seemed to be whispering secrets. Lily's sister's unexpected return added another level of complication to their predicament, leaving her thoughts a flurry of anxiety and bewilderment.

Adrian led them with a purposeful gait as they navigated the woodland, his senses keenly aware of every noise and movement. Evelyn remained near Lily, her presence at once reassuring and pressing.

With a quiet, frantic voice, Adrian stated, "We need to find shelter." There's a secret cave close by that should provide us with temporary safety."

With every shadow appearing frightening due to the darkness, the woodland appeared to shut in on them. With every stride, Lily felt her heartbeat speed and her sense of being pursued intensify.

They arrived at the cave, which had a wide, gloomy opening concealed by dense vegetation. Adrian's expression tightened as he motioned for them to come in. "Be quiet and stay close."

The air within the cave was chilly and moist. There were strange shadows on the walls from their candles' fluctuating light. With her mind still spinning from the disclosures and the abrupt turn of events, Lily sat against the chilly stone.

Beside her, Evelyn knelt, her face displaying a mix of worry and resolve. "I realize this is a lot to handle, Lily. However, time is running short."

Lily spoke in a scarcely audible whisper. "What took place with you? Why did you vanish?"

When Evelyn glanced at her sister, her eyes were troubled. "I tried to keep you safe. There are more powerful forces at work than you can now comprehend. There are other threats beyond Morgana's organization. Someone else exists who is far more dangerous."

Adrian broke off, sounding frenzied. "We must concentrate on what comes next. We're going to be sought for by Morgana and her allies. We need a strategy."

With a firm gaze, Evelyn nodded. "We must locate the artifact's missing components. Although they are dispersed, they are our sole hope of putting an end to Morgana."

The sound of footfall reverberated through the cave from a distance as they resumed their chat. When Lily realized they may not be alone, her heart skipped a beat. The sound of footsteps increased, and someone appeared out of the shadows.

The young man had piercing eyes and keen features. "Adrian," he uttered in a low, urgent voice. "I have been trying to find you."

Adrian's gaze grew strained. "Elias. Why are you in this place?"

Elias moved into the light, his face grave. "I've come to warn you. To find you, Morgana has dispatched her most vicious enforcer. Cedric will do everything it takes to obtain the relic."

Fear knotted Lily's stomach. "Cedric? Is that the person who pursued us at the cabin?"

Elias gave a nod. "He is harsh and unrelenting. There's no knowing what he could do if he discovers us."

Adrian's face became stern. "Then, we must act swiftly. Before it's too late, we'll utilize the knowledge Evelyn has to locate the relic and stop Morgana."

There was a noticeable sense of anxiety in the air as they were ready to exit the cave. The risk was getting closer, and the stakes had increased. Their dangerous voyage took on new dimensions with Elias's presence and the disclosure of Cedric's pursuit.

With their resolve unwavering, they headed back into the forest's darkness, bearing a heavy burden of their objective. With their resolute footsteps resounding through the night and the promise of more trials and discoveries to come, the chapter came to a close.