The Last Veil

The room remained silent as the stranger's silver eyes swept over the group. Aeris's tension was palpable, her hand still resting on her blade. Jonar shifted uncomfortably, his usual carefree demeanor replaced with suspicion.

Aric was the first to break the silence. "Who are you?"

The stranger's lips curved into a faint smile. "Someone who can help you—if you're willing to listen."

"That doesn't answer my question," Aric said, his tone firm.

The stranger chuckled softly. "Fair enough. My name is Seris. And you are…?"

Aric hesitated. He wasn't sure if giving their names was wise, but the way Seris's gaze lingered suggested they already knew more than they let on.

"I'm Aric," he said finally. "These are my companions."

Seris nodded, their expression unreadable. "A pleasure. But as I said, this isn't the place for a conversation. Let's step outside."

Aeris stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "How about you say what you have to say here? Out in the open."

Seris's smile didn't falter, but their eyes darkened slightly. "You don't trust easily. That's good—it'll keep you alive. But trust me when I say that some ears in this room aren't as friendly as they seem."

Aric exchanged a glance with Aeris. She gave a reluctant nod, and he turned back to Seris. "Fine. We'll talk outside."

The group stepped into the cool night air, the village quiet save for the occasional bark of a distant dog. Seris led them to a secluded spot near the edge of the village, where the shadows of the forest loomed.

Aeris crossed her arms, her golden eyes fixed on Seris. "Start talking. Who are you, and what do you want with us?"

Seris leaned casually against a tree, their silver eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "You're traveling through dangerous territory. The people hunting you aren't far behind."

Aric's heart sank. "You know about them?"

"I know enough," Seris said. "And I know that if you keep moving blindly, they'll catch you. I'm offering to help."

"Why?" Kael asked, her voice sharp. "What do you gain from helping us?"

Seris's gaze shifted to Kael, their expression softening slightly. "Let's just say I have my own reasons for wanting to see them fail."

Aeris stepped closer, her hand resting on her weapon. "You expect us to trust you based on that?"

Seris sighed, their calm demeanor unwavering. "I don't expect you to trust me. But consider this: if I wanted to harm you, I could have done so already. Instead, I'm here, warning you."

Aric studied Seris carefully. There was something about them—an air of sincerity mixed with mystery. He couldn't decide whether they were friend or foe, but their warning felt genuine.

"What do you suggest?" he asked.

Seris straightened, their expression serious. "There's a safehouse not far from here. It's well-hidden, and it'll give you time to regroup and plan your next move."

Aeris frowned. "And how do we know it's not a trap?"

"You don't," Seris admitted. "But staying here isn't an option. They're coming, and they won't stop until they have what they want."

After a long and tense discussion, the group decided to follow Seris's lead. The path to the safehouse was treacherous, winding through dense forest and rocky terrain. Seris moved with ease, their steps silent and deliberate.

Jonar broke the silence, his voice low. "You're awfully good at this. You sure you're not one of them?"

Seris glanced back, their silver eyes glinting with amusement. "If I were, you wouldn't be asking that question."

Jonar muttered something under his breath, but didn't press further.

The safehouse was hidden beneath an outcropping of rock, its entrance concealed by a thick curtain of ivy. Seris pulled the ivy aside, revealing a narrow passageway.

"Welcome to your temporary refuge," Seris said, gesturing for the group to enter.

The interior was sparse but functional, with a few cots, a small table, and shelves stocked with supplies. A faint smell of damp earth lingered in the air.

Aeris inspected the space carefully, her hand never straying far from her weapon. "It's… adequate," she said grudgingly.

Seris smiled. "High praise coming from you."

Kael rolled her eyes. "Let's just hope this place is as safe as you claim."

"It is," Seris said confidently. "But you won't be staying here long. You'll need to move again soon if you want to stay ahead of them."

Aric sat down heavily on one of the cots, his mind racing. Seris's arrival had added a new layer of complexity to their journey. He didn't fully trust them, but their knowledge and guidance could be invaluable.

"What do they want?" Aric asked suddenly.

Seris turned to him, their expression unreadable. "What they always want. Power. Control. And they'll do whatever it takes to get it."

Aric's jaw tightened. He thought of the mysterious abilities he'd been hiding, the secrets he carried. If Seris was right, those hunting them wouldn't stop until they had what they sought.

As the group settled into the safehouse, Aric found himself alone with Seris. The others were resting or checking supplies, leaving the two of them in a tense silence.

"You're not telling us everything," Aric said finally.

Seris met his gaze, their silver eyes steady. "Neither are you."

Aric's breath caught. "What do you mean?"

Seris smiled faintly. "You have a secret, Aric. Something you're hiding even from your companions. I can see it in the way you hold yourself, the way you hesitate."

Aric's fists clenched. "If you know so much, then tell me—what am I hiding?"

Seris didn't answer immediately. Instead, they stepped closer, their voice dropping to a whisper. "Power. Potential. Something greater than you realize. But if you're not careful, it could destroy you."

Aric stared at them, his mind racing. How could they know? And what did they mean by "destroy"?

Before he could respond, Seris turned away. "Get some rest. You'll need it."

As Seris disappeared into the shadows of the safehouse, Aric sat alone, the weight of their words pressing down on him.