The following morning, the group set out on their way to the next temple. It was almost quiet during the first half of the journey; just minor and low conversations were being thrown here and there.

Soon, Adrian declared a few minutes break from the scorching sun above.

And that appeared to be exactly what Eris had been hoping for, and she seemed to enjoy it as the instigator she always is.

Perched atop a rock as they prepared to continue moving, she tossed a shiny apple up and down in her hand, her sly grin lighting up her face.

"Tell me, Lilith," Eris began, her tone dripping with mock innocence. "Do you ever get bored with the whole 'queen of temptation' routine? It must be exhausting to always perform, don't you think?"

Lilith stopped mid-step, her crimson lips curling into a sharp smile as her molten red eyes flicked to Eris. "Perform?" she purred, a dangerous edge to her voice. "Oh, darling, I don't perform. I simply am. Perhaps you'd understand if you weren't so preoccupied with your juvenile pranks."

"Juvenile?" Eris's grin widened as she bit into the apple, the crunch echoing in the tense silence. "Please. You're just upset because Adrian doesn't look at you the way he looks at me."

Lilith's eyes flashed dangerously, but before she could respond, Selene intervened, her calm demeanor easing the tension in the air.

"Lady Eris," Selene said calmly, "perhaps it's best if we focus on the task at hand. The Shadow Court doesn't wait for petty squabbles."

"Petty?" Eris feigned offense, clutching her chest dramatically. "You wound me, priestess."

"Good," Medea snapped, brushing past them both. "Maybe it'll keep you quiet for once."

Adrian sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Can we just not for one day? I'm already considering returning you to your temple and come back to get you when we have your remaining sisters," he muttered to Eris, though there was no real heat in his words.

Eris only winked at him, tossing the apple core over her shoulder. "Oh, come now, Adrian. You'd miss me if I weren't here."

The day dragged on with Eris's antics keeping everyone on edge.

She delighted in subtle jabs, whispered taunts, and the occasional illusion spell that sent the group into disarray before she dissolved into laughter.

By the time they set up camp that evening, even Ava, normally insatiable and cheerful, seemed worn out.

As the group sat around the fire, sharing a tense meal, Eris disappeared into the shadows. Adrian glanced around suspiciously, already dreading whatever scheme she was undoubtedly concocting.

"I don't like it when she's quiet," Abyss muttered, her violet eyes darting around. She sat unnervingly close to Adrian, her hands gripping his arm possessively.

"None of us do," Medea replied dryly, her axe resting by her side.

Before Adrian could respond, a loud crack echoed through the camp, followed by a sudden explosion of feathers raining down from above. The group jumped to their feet as a net fell from the trees, narrowly missing Medea.

Eris's laugh rang out as she stepped into the firelight, clutching her sides in amusement.

"You should've seen your faces!" she gasped, doubling over. "Priceless!"

"Eris!" Adrian barked, his patience snapping. "Enough!"

Her laughter faltered as she looked at him, her grin fading. For a moment, something vulnerable flickered in her eyes before she masked it with a smirk.

"Oh, relax, Adrian. It was just a little fun."

"Your fun nearly got Medea killed," he said sharply. "If you can't take this seriously, you shouldn't be here."

Eris's expression darkened, and without another word, she turned and vanished into the forest.

Adrian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'll go talk to her," he muttered, ignoring the disapproving looks from the others.

"Don't let her manipulate you," Abyss warned. "She's dangerous."

"I know what I'm doing," Adrian replied curtly before following Eris into the shadows.

He found her sitting by a small stream, her knees drawn to her chest. She didn't look up as he approached, but the tension in her shoulders told him she was aware of his presence.

"Eris," he began in a softer voice now, "what's going on with you?"

She glanced at him, her emerald eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "What do you care?" she snapped. "I'm just the annoying goddess of envy, remember? Always causing trouble."

Adrian crouched beside her, his gaze steady. "You're more than that, and you know it."

For a moment, she said nothing, her fingers trailing through the water.

When she finally spoke, her voice was quieter, more vulnerable. "It's just… easier this way. To keep everyone at arm's length. If they hate me, at least I'm in control of it."

Adrian's heart softened as he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You don't have to do that with me," he said.

Her eyes met his, and for once, there was no mischief in her gaze, only raw emotion. Slowly, she leaned forward, her lips brushing against his in a tentative kiss.

The kiss deepened, her usual chaos giving way to a surprising tenderness that caught Adrian off guard. Her hands tangled in his hair as she pulled him closer, her body pressing against his.

For a moment, the world around them disappeared, leaving only the two of them and the unspoken connection they shared.

When they finally broke apart, Eris rested her forehead against his, a small smile playing on her lips. "You're not so bad, you know," she murmured.

"Neither are you," he replied softly.

But as they returned to camp, the warmth of their moment quickly cooled under Abyss's piercing gaze. She sat by the fire, her posture tense, her eyes burning with barely concealed jealousy.

"You were gone a while," she said, her voice dripping with accusation.

"Eris needed some air," Adrian replied evenly, refusing to rise to the bait.

Abyss stood, her movements fluid and predatory as she approached him. "You spend a lot of time worrying about her," she said, her voice low. "Maybe too much."

Adrian held her gaze, unflinching. "She's part of the team. Just like you."

Her lips curled into a bitter smile. "Don't insult me by pretending it's the same. I've been here for you before her, Adrian. I've fought for you, bled for you. What has she done besides cause trouble?"

Before Adrian could respond, Eris stepped forward, her chin held high. "If you have something to say, Abyss, say it."

The tension crackled between them, the firelight casting flickering shadows on their faces. Adrian stepped between them.

"Enough," he said firmly. "We don't have time for this. The Shadow Court is out there, and if we don't work together, none of us are making it out alive."

Abyss's eyes softened slightly as she looked at him, but her glare at Eris remained sharp.

"This isn't over," she muttered before stalking off into the darkness.

Eris smirked, her confidence returning. "Well, that was fun."

Adrian shot her a warning look. "Don't push it, Eris."

"Who, me?" she replied innocently, though the gleam in her eyes suggested otherwise.

As the camp settled down for the night, Adrian couldn't shake the feeling that the conflicts within their group were far from resolved.

But for now, at least, they had survived another day.

***********

The following day, the group walked slowly through the thick forest, where the heavy trees blocked a lot of the sunlight. A strange hush had settled over the woods, the usual rustling of wildlife replaced by an eerie silence.

Adrian kept his hand on his blade, his sharp gaze scanning the surroundings.

Something about the atmosphere felt wrong.

"Stay sharp," he warned in a firm voice. "The Shadow Court is close. I can feel it."

"Oh, how astute," Eris quipped, twirling a dagger between her fingers with theatrical flair. "Do you also feel the part where they're probably watching us right now?"

Adrian's scowl deepened, but before he could reply, a sudden whistling sound sliced through the air.

The group barely had time to react as an arrow struck the ground a few paces ahead of them, its tip glowing with an ominous, shifting light. A split second later, the glow erupted outward, rippling like water across the terrain.

The forest shifted unnaturally, trees melting into swirling patterns and colors, paths twisting and distorting before their eyes. The air became heavy with a weird, uncomfortable feeling.

A jumble of quiet voices filled the air around them, confusing and teasing.

"An illusion!" Lilith shouted, her hand reaching out to draw out her sword. "Stay together! Don't—"

Her voice cut off abruptly, and Adrian spun to find her gone, along with Selene, Eris, and Abyss. Medea cursed loudly as she gripped her weapon, her eyes darting around in search of the others.

"What just happened?" Adrian asked as his eyes scanned the forest, which seemed to warp, shifting with every passing second.

Paths that had been clear moments before now seemed to coil into themselves, while the trees stretched unnaturally high, their gnarled branches intertwining in a grotesque canopy.

Medea adjusted her grip on her sword. "It's an illusion," she muttered grimly. "A powerful one. The Shadow Court must have lured us into a trap."

"Where are the others?" Ava's voice came from just behind them, unusually quiet. Her golden eyes darted nervously as her hands held tightly to her purse. "They were right here a moment ago."

"Damn it," Adrian muttered under his breath, his hand resting on Medea's shoulder as Ava stepped closer to them, her face looking pale but determined. "We're split. Stay close to me. The others can handle themselves, but we need to find them before the Shadow Court strikes again."

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