The Trap

*(Lena's Point of View)*

The air in the cave was heavy, filled with the damp scent of earth and the tension of the unknown. While the villagers prepared the trap, my heart beat with the urgency of finding Kael. Every noise outside made me jump, anxiety growing with each passing moment. What if the cultists were already on their way? What if Kael was in danger?

“We need something that draws their attention,” I said, trying to stay focused. “Something that pulls them away from us and gives us a chance to strike when they’re vulnerable.”

One of the villagers, a gray-haired man named Martim, looked at me with determination. “I can build some bonfires. Fire always attracts attention.”

“Great idea,” I agreed. “If we light them on higher ground, we’ll have a good view of what’s happening. And we might see Kael if he’s nearby.”

As Martim and the others got to work, my mind kept drifting back to Thorne. What was he planning? Why had he put me in this situation? The betrayal of someone I once considered an ally weighed on me like an anchor.

After some time, the bonfires were lit, and smoke rose into the sky, visible from far away. With the flames flickering around us, a spark of hope began to reignite inside me. “Let’s hide behind the rocks. When the cultists arrive, we need to act fast.”

The villagers moved silently, and we found a strategic position where we could observe the clearing and the fires. Time crawled by, each second filled with anticipation.

Suddenly, a distant sound reached my ears. A murmur, faint but growing closer. The air felt heavy with the promise of something imminent. “They’re coming,” I whispered, my heart racing.

The cultists emerged at the edge of the clearing, a line of hooded figures with their faces hidden in shadow. Their movements were deliberate, filled with a grim sense of purpose. One of them raised a hand, and the atmosphere shifted, as if the forest itself held its breath.

“They might find us here,” one of the villagers murmured, his face pale in the firelight.

The cult leader, a man in a dark robe who had confronted me before, stood at the front, radiating an unsettling power. “The chosen one is near,” he declared, his voice echoing in the clearing. “We will find her and complete the ritual.”

A chill ran down my spine. They truly believed I was the key to their plans. The urgency to protect Kael and stop them intensified within me. If they captured me, everything would be lost.

“Now,” I whispered to the villagers, keeping my voice steady. “Wait for my signal.”

The cultists spread out, searching the clearing for any sign of us. Panic churned inside me. I had to act quickly. I couldn’t let them find us.

“Kael,” I whispered softly, hoping he was close. The thought of him nearby gave me strength.

With a swift motion, I signaled to the villagers. “Get ready!” I focused my energy, and a surge of power coursed through me. The light within me flared, illuminating the cave for a brief moment.

Using the light, I created a distraction—an explosion of energy where the cultists had gathered. A bright flash blinded them, spreading confusion among their ranks.

“Now, go!” I shouted, and the villagers sprang into action, charging at the disoriented cultists.

The fight broke out, and I rushed forward, my powers forming a protective shield around me. Adrenaline surged through my veins, fueling every step. I needed to find Kael, and nothing could stop me.

The battle raged on, the cultists’ dark energy clashing with the villagers’ determination. But together, we were a force against the darkness threatening to consume us.

Amid the chaos, I spotted a familiar figure approaching. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized Kael, his expression focused as he fought off one of the cultists. A spark of hope ignited within me. I wasn’t alone.

“Lena!” he called out, and at the sound of my name, a smile tugged at his lips. But before I could reach him, a shadow loomed behind him—a cultist sneaking up silently.

“Kael, watch out!” I shouted, but it was too late. He didn’t have time to react.

The energy around us hummed, and a wave of fear and anger surged through me. I couldn’t let him get hurt. Summoning all my strength, I projected a barrier of light between Kael and the cultist, knocking the attacker off balance.

Kael glanced at me, his eyes glowing with gratitude. “Are you okay?” he asked, but there was no time to answer. The battle was far from over.

The cultists began to regroup, fury burning in their eyes. We had to act fast. “We need to defeat them before they can call for reinforcements,” I told Kael. “Are you ready to fight?”