Eternity In Shadows

The battlefield fell eerily quiet as Arthur's shadowy form melted into the distance, leaving only the faint scent of sulfur and scorched earth behind. The oppressive heat of his flames faded, but the tension in the air remained palpable. Taylor staggered, her legs buckling under the weight of her efforts.

Ethan caught her before she could collapse, his frosty aura cooling her overheated skin. "Easy now," he murmured, his usually stern voice softening.

Alex sauntered over, his singed coat hanging from one shoulder. Despite his nonchalant demeanor, his sharp gaze scanned Taylor with concern. "Not bad, kid," he said, crouching to meet her eyes. "But you're not allowed to die on my watch. That's an order."

Taylor managed a weak smile, though her voice was hoarse. "Didn't plan to."

Liam, his wolf form dissipating, folded his arms and looked to the horizon where Arthur had vanished. "He'll be back," he said darkly. "And next time, he won't underestimate us."

Ethan straightened, his icy armor glinting under the faint moonlight. "Which means we need to be ready. This wasn't a victory—it was a warning."

Taylor pulled away from Ethan, her strength slowly returning. "We need to go after him. Finish this before he has time to recover."

"No." Ethan's tone was firm, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers. "You've pushed yourself to the limit. If you burn out now, there won't be a next fight."

Taylor clenched her fists, frustration boiling beneath her exhaustion. "But—"

"He's right," Liam interrupted, his deep voice leaving no room for argument. "Arthur is wounded, but so are we. Charging in half-dead is suicide."

Alex rose to his feet, brushing soot from his hands. "As much as I hate agreeing with these two, they're not wrong. Besides," he added with a sly grin, "Arthur isn't the only problem. His lieutenants may be gone, but there's more where they came from."

Ethan nodded, his expression grim. "We need to regroup, gather our resources, and strengthen our defenses. Arthur's next move will be bigger, and he'll come for Taylor first."

Taylor's defiance faltered, replaced by a flicker of fear. She looked down at her trembling hands, the weight of their words sinking in. "So, what do we do now?"

Liam turned to Alex, his golden eyes narrowing. "You've got contacts in the underworld. Can you dig up anything on Arthur's plans?"

Alex smirked. "What do you think I've been doing while you two were playing babysitter?" He patted a pocket in his coat, pulling out a small, rune-inscribed crystal. "This little beauty here? It's a tracker. I planted it on one of Arthur's lieutenants before turning them into ash. Should give us a lead."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, his frosty demeanor thawing slightly. "Impressive. For once."

Alex gave an exaggerated bow. "I live to serve."

Taylor's gaze hardened as she looked between them. "Then let's follow it. I won't just sit and wait for him to strike again."

Ethan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're as stubborn as ever."

"She's right, though," Liam said quietly, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "If we wait too long, Arthur will gather strength. We need to hit him before he's ready."

Alex tossed the crystal to Ethan, his grin fading into something more serious. "Then it's settled. Let's hunt."

---

Far away, in the depths of his lair, Arthur stood before a massive obsidian altar. The remnants of his flames flickered around him, casting his shadow in sharp, jagged angles. He clenched a fist, the faint glow of Taylor's storm energy lingering on his charred skin.

"So," a voice hissed from the darkness, smooth and serpentine. "The girl is stronger than we anticipated."

Arthur's eyes glinted red as he turned to face the figure that emerged from the shadows—a tall, hooded being whose form seemed to ripple like liquid smoke. "Stronger, yes. But raw. Untrained. She will fall."

The figure chuckled, a sound that sent shivers through the cavern. "Do not underestimate her again, Demon King. The prophecy has chosen her for a reason."

Arthur's flames flared, his anger barely contained. "The prophecy is a lie," he growled. "I will twist her power to my will, and the world will bow to me."

The hooded figure tilted its head, amused. "Then let us see if your resolve matches her spirit. The girl has allies, Arthur. Do not forget that. Together, they may prove your undoing."

Arthur's lips curled into a dark smile. "Then I'll make them watch as I break her. One by one, they'll fall."

The figure said nothing more, retreating into the shadows as Arthur turned back to the altar. He placed a hand on its surface, the black flames surging around him once more.

"Let the storm come," he whispered, his voice dripping with malice. "I will be ready."