Chapter 8 Shadows of the Past

The cave was quiet, the only sounds the distant echoes of wind scraping against the jagged rocks outside and the occasional rustle as Chloe continued to tend to Bella. Finn sat against the cold stone wall, his head leaning back as he tried to block out the pounding rhythm of his pulse. His eyes were fixed on Bella, who lay motionless on the makeshift bed Chloe had fashioned out of their gear. She was pale, almost too still, and Finn couldn't shake the feeling that the Void Shard was slowly, insidiously, draining her life away.

Chloe worked silently, her brow furrowed as she checked Bella's vitals again. She had been quiet for hours now, only speaking when necessary. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on her too, but her professionalism never wavered.

"You're sure she's going to pull through, right?" Finn asked, his voice rough from lack of sleep.

Chloe didn't immediately respond, her focus still entirely on Bella. When she did speak, her voice was low, hesitant. "I don't know, Finn. The Shard... it's not just a power source. It's a parasite. It attaches itself, and if you're not strong enough, it consumes you. I've seen it happen."

Finn's stomach twisted. "She's strong enough."

Chloe met his eyes, her expression softening for a moment. "Maybe. But we're running out of time."

The words hung in the air between them like a heavy weight. Finn's hands clenched into fists as frustration and fear threatened to overwhelm him. He couldn't lose her. Not after everything they'd been through. He had to believe that she could make it.

"Just give her time," Chloe said, turning back to her work. "We need to keep her calm. Any stress could push her over the edge."

Finn nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure how they were supposed to keep her calm when the whole world felt like it was crumbling around them.

He stood and began pacing the small confines of the cave, his footsteps echoing off the stone. His mind raced as he thought about their next move. They couldn't stay here forever. The Strynx queen was down, but they had no idea how many more were out there, and if the queen wasn't dead, they would need to keep moving.

He turned abruptly, his gaze locking onto Tramez, who was seated near the entrance, watching the darkened horizon. The ex-soldier's sharp eyes never left the distance. He had been quiet ever since the battle, but Finn could see that the man was always alert, always calculating.

"What's the status on the surrounding area?" Finn asked, his voice a little sharper than he intended.

Tramez didn't flinch. "Still nothing. But that won't last. We've been in these caves too long. The Strynx will be drawn to the explosion, and they'll pick up our scent soon enough."

Finn's jaw tightened. He had expected as much. They couldn't afford to wait any longer.

"We need to get Bella out of here," Finn said, his mind made up. He walked over to Bella's side, his fingers brushing her cold skin. Her pulse was weak, but still steady. "We take her somewhere safer, somewhere we can hold up until she's stable."

Chloe looked up from her work, her eyes narrowed in thought. "We don't know if moving her is a good idea. She's in a fragile state. Any sudden movements could-"

"She's not going to get better lying here," Finn interjected, the urgency in his voice impossible to ignore. "If we stay here, we're just waiting for the Strynx to finish what they started. We have to find shelter. We move, and we move now."

Tramez slowly rose to his feet, clearly not thrilled by the idea of venturing out again so soon. "And where do you propose we go?"

Finn didn't hesitate. "There's an old abandoned facility nearby. It used to be a research station. If it's still standing, it's our best shot at surviving this."

Chloe stood up, wiping her hands on her pants. "You're assuming the place is still intact, and even if it is, you're asking us to move Bella through open terrain. That's not a small risk."

"I'm not asking," Finn snapped, his voice sharp. "I'm telling you. Bella's condition is deteriorating. We don't have time to argue."

For a moment, the three of them stood in tense silence. Finn's heart raced as he felt the weight of the decision settle on his shoulders. This wasn't just about them anymore. It was about Bella-her life-and he wasn't about to lose her.

Finally, Chloe spoke. "Fine. But we'll need to move fast, and we'll need to be careful. The Strynx aren't the only danger out there."

Finn nodded, relief washing over him. "Get her ready."

The journey out of the cave was brutal. The rocky terrain was unforgiving, and the sun had set, leaving them in near darkness with only the faint glow of the twin moons overhead to guide them. Finn and Chloe took turns carrying Bella, her frail form barely responsive in their arms. Tramez led the way, his eyes constantly scanning the horizon for any signs of movement.

They moved quickly, covering as much ground as they could before the Strynx could catch their scent. Every so often, Finn would glance at Bella, worried that she wasn't getting better, that they were pushing her too far. But they had no other choice. If they stayed here, they would be sitting ducks.

After several hours of grueling travel, they reached the outskirts of the old research facility. It was a crumbling structure, its once-pristine walls now covered in vines and debris. The entrance was partially collapsed, but there was still a narrow gap they could squeeze through.

"Stay close," Tramez muttered as they approached the entrance. "This place might not be empty."

Finn didn't need to be told. He felt the weight of the situation pressing down on him, and the thought of what might be waiting inside kept him on edge. They crept inside, moving cautiously through the dark, abandoned halls. The air was thick with dust and the smell of decay, but at least they were safe for the moment.

They found a relatively intact room near the back of the building. It was small, but it had a functional bed and a few old medical supplies strewn about. Chloe immediately set to work, setting up a space for Bella to rest and administering what little medicine she could find.

Finn paced restlessly, keeping watch by the door. Every creak of the building, every gust of wind, sent his nerves into overdrive. The Strynx could still be out there. He couldn't afford to let his guard down. Not now.

"Finn," Chloe said quietly, breaking his concentration. "She's stable for now, but the Shard's grip on her is stronger than I thought. We need to get more supplies, and we need a plan."

Finn turned to her, his eyes sharp. "We'll get what we need. We'll take whatever the facility has left. But the priority is keeping Bella alive."

"I know," Chloe replied softly. "But there's something else, Finn. Something I think you need to hear."

Finn looked at her, his brow furrowing. "What is it?"

Chloe hesitated, her expression a mix of concern and something else-something she wasn't saying. "This... this Shard? It's not just a weapon. It's connected to something bigger. There's a reason it's been so unstable, so dangerous. And I don't think we've even scratched the surface of what it can do."

Finn's chest tightened. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying," Chloe said, voice low, "there's a reason the Strynx are after it. And it's not just because of its power. They know something we don't. We might have unleashed something far worse than we realize."

Finn stared at her, the weight of her words sinking in. "What are we dealing with here?"

"I don't know," Chloe admitted. "But I plan on finding out. And I think we need to figure it out before the Strynx figure it out for us."