A battle in Shadows

Chapter 14: A Battle in Shadows

Ethan's heart pounded as the Concord soldier leveled his weapon at Selene. The alley felt smaller, suffocating, as tension mounted.

Selene darted forward with precision, her dagger aimed at the soldier's wrist. He sidestepped smoothly, his weapon firing a pulse of energy that barely missed her shoulder. The alley lit up with the blast, illuminating Selene's determined expression.

Ethan stood frozen for a moment, gripping the Codex tightly. He could feel its power humming, urging him to act.

"Focus," the whisper echoed in his mind. "Let it guide you."

With a deep breath, Ethan raised the artifact, summoning a shield of light to deflect the soldier's next attack. The energy blast ricocheted off the shield, shattering a nearby wall.

The soldier turned his attention to Ethan, his voice cold. "You're a fool to think you can control that thing. Hand it over, and I might let you live."

"Not a chance," Ethan replied, stepping forward.

Selene's Precision

Selene seized the opportunity, moving like a shadow. She slid behind the soldier, her dagger slicing through the straps of his weapon harness. The weapon clattered to the ground, and the soldier spun to face her, drawing a blade from his hip.

"Stay sharp, kid!" Selene called to Ethan. "There's more where he came from!"

As if on cue, two more figures appeared at the end of the alley. Their armor bore the same Concord insignia, and they moved with synchronized precision.

Ethan felt a surge of panic. The Codex pulsed brighter, its energy swirling in his hands. He focused on the nearest soldier, projecting a wave of force that sent them staggering.

But his inexperience showed. The energy was wild, uncontrolled, and it drained him quickly.

"Don't overdo it!" Selene shouted, blocking an attack from the first soldier. "Pace yourself, or you'll burn out!"

Ethan gritted his teeth, nodding. He shifted his focus, using the Codex to create a barrier between Selene and the second wave of attackers.

Reinforcements Arrive

A shout echoed from the far end of the alley. Ethan turned to see Kaden and Aria sprinting toward them, weapons drawn.

"Took you long enough!" Selene barked, her tone both relieved and annoyed.

"Nice to see you too," Kaden replied, firing a precise shot that disarmed one of the new arrivals.

Aria flanked the second attacker, her agility on full display as she dodged their strikes and retaliated with calculated blows.

The battle turned into a chaotic dance, each member of the group working in unison. Ethan found his rhythm, using the Codex to support his allies with shields and bursts of energy.

The Concord soldiers, though well-trained, were quickly overwhelmed by the combined efforts of the team. One by one, they fell, retreating into the shadows when it became clear they were outmatched.

The last soldier glared at Ethan before disappearing into the darkness. "This isn't over," he warned.

A Fragile Alliance

As the dust settled, Selene wiped her blade clean and sheathed it. She turned to the group, her expression unreadable.

"You brought reinforcements," she said to Ethan. "Smart move."

Ethan shook his head. "I didn't. They just showed up."

Kaden stepped forward, his eyes narrowing at Selene. "We followed Ethan. Lucky we did, or you'd both be dead."

Selene smirked. "I had it under control."

Aria rolled her eyes. "Sure you did. What were you even doing out here?"

"I was showing him something," Selene replied. "Something you don't know about the Codex."

Kaden frowned. "And you couldn't tell us first?"

Selene crossed her arms. "Because you wouldn't have believed me. The Codex is more than just an artifact. It's a beacon."

"A beacon?" Ethan echoed, feeling a chill run down his spine.

Selene nodded. "It's not just drawing the Concord. Something else is coming. Something bigger. And if we don't prepare, we're all dead."

The Mark of Betrayal

The group returned to the warehouse, tension thick in the air. Ethan's mind raced with Selene's words. If the Codex was truly a beacon, what was it summoning?

Kaden cornered Selene as they entered. "If you know so much, start talking. What are we up against?"

Selene hesitated, glancing at Ethan. "I can't say for sure. But I've seen the signs before. The Concord isn't just a collection of power-hungry fools. They're afraid of something. They've been preparing for years—building weapons, experimenting on people. Whatever they're afraid of, it's coming, and the Codex is at the center of it."

Kaden's jaw tightened. "Then why betray them? Why go rogue?"

Selene's expression darkened. "Because they were willing to sacrifice everything—everyone—to stop it. Including me."

The room fell silent. Aria shifted uncomfortably, her gaze darting to the door.

Ethan noticed her unease but said nothing. His trust in her had already begun to crack after what he'd overheard the night before.

Foreshadowing the Unknown

That night, Ethan sat alone with the Codex, its light casting eerie shadows on the walls. Selene's words echoed in his mind: It's a beacon.

"Beacon for what?" he whispered.

The Codex pulsed faintly, as if responding to his question.

Another vision consumed him—a vast, endless void filled with swirling darkness. In the center, a massive, hulking figure emerged, its form cloaked in shadows. It turned toward Ethan, its eyes glowing with malevolence.

The vision ended abruptly, leaving Ethan gasping for breath.

"What are you trying to tell me?" he demanded, his voice trembling.

The Codex offered no answer, its light dimming once more.

Ethan clenched his fists, determination hardening his resolve. Whatever was coming, he would face it head-on.

But as he looked toward the sleeping forms of Kaden, Selene, and Aria, a gnawing doubt crept in.

One of them will betray you, the whisper from the Codex said. Beware.

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