"So," Adrian said, breaking the lingering silence, "what's next? And where's Selene?"

Hera arched an elegant brow. "Selene? Who is Selene?"

Adrian leaned back slightly, folding his arms. Before he replied, Medeacanswered Hera's question. "She's a priestess who joined us during our journey. She is quiet, reserved, and timid. Honestly, I doubt you two would get along."

Lilith smirked, her crimson eyes glinting. "Oh, on the contrary. Opposites attract, don't they? Hera, the queen of pride. Selene, on the other hand, is humble and sweet. If Hera lets down her pride a bit, they will definitely get along.

"That doesn't answer my question, ladies," Adrian said in a sharp tone. "Where is she?"

"I'm here, Lord Adrian."

Everyone turned as Selene's soft voice came from behind them.

Emerging from the shadow of a nearby cave, she walked gracefully toward the group. Her silver hair shimmered in the firelight, and her modest robes fluttered slightly in the mountain breeze.

Adrian studied her for a moment before asking, "Where've you been?"

"I was training," she replied quietly. Her silver eyes flickered with determination as she added, "I needed to be stronger, in case you needed me."

"Perfect timing," Medea cut in. "Now that we are all here, what's the plan, Adrian?"

Adrian gestured for everyone to gather closer. "Let's go over what we know so far."

The group moved toward the fire, settling into a loose circle. The air grew tense as they awaited Adrian's words, their individual quirks momentarily subdued.

Hestia leaned close to Adrian, resting her chin on her palm. "This better be good. I was enjoying the rest."

"Can we focus?" Adrian said, his voice firm.

The banter ceased immediately, and the goddesses nodded.

"Thanks," Adrian continued, his voice steady but carrying a hint of sorrow. "Now, we know the Shadow Court hired the assassins who commissioned the Draegonians to destroy my kingdom, Meridia."

He paused, his jaw tightening as memories of Meridia flashed through his mind. For a moment, his voice faltered, but he quickly masked it.

Lilith, seated beside him, placed a hand on his thigh. Her touch was gentle, her thumb brushing back and forth in a comforting gesture. She didn't say anything, but her silent support spoke volumes.

Adrian cleared his throat and pressed on. "We know they've taken over several trade routes and villages. They're aware of the temples I've been freeing you from—don't ask me how, but they know. And they know me. Personally. They want me dead. Badly. And no. I don't know why either."

Medea leaned forward, twirling a dagger made from her black fire idly. "And they're building an army," she said flatly. "A big one. But we don't know how big, or where they're based."

Adrian nodded. "Exactly. They're holding a meeting somewhere to accelerate their plans. A meeting that's strictly by invitation."

Abyss tilted her head, her voice calm but sharp. "So what's the play? Crash their little gathering?"

"I suggest we return to Zarpha," Adrian said. "We need allies, and we know next to nothing about the Shadow Court's movements or their full strength. From Zarpha, we can communicate with Zack to see if he has any new development."

Medea scoffed, her dark flames flickering faintly at her fingertips. "Or we could crash the meeting and kill them all. Problem solved."

"How big is their army?" Hestia asked lazily from her spot by the fire. She didn't even lift her head, her marine-blue eyes half-lidded.

A heavy silence followed.

"No idea," Adrian admitted.

"Then rushing in is definitely not a good choice," Hestia said with a yawn. "Think about it. Even if we took out a few key players, they'd retaliate with forces we're not ready for."

"I believe Hestia has a point," Selene said softly, her voice steady despite the quiet room.

Eris snorted. "Or she's just stalling to get out of doing anything."

"I'd rather stall than lead us all to a messy death," Hestia retorted, her voice unusually sharp. "You want to fight them blind? Be my guest."

Adrian raised a hand, cutting through the brewing argument. "Enough. Hestia's right. We don't know enough, and rushing in blind isn't going to help anyone."

Ava frowned, tapping her staff thoughtfully. "Then what do we do? Hide? Wait?"

"Not hide," Adrian said firmly. "We train. Here."

"Here?" Lilith asked, glancing around at the jagged peaks and open skies. "In the middle of nowhere?"

Adrian nodded. "The mountains give us space, quiet, and time to prepare. I need to be stronger, faster. And I need to understand your powers better. If we return to Zarpha now, we'll just be playing defense without a real plan."

Lilith crossed her arms, her crimson eyes narrowing. "You realize staying here cuts us off from the rest of the world, right? No news. No intel. Nothing."

"That's a risk I'm willing to take," Adrian replied. "Because going back without a plan is just as dangerous."

For a moment, no one spoke.

The flickering fire cast long shadows on the group, their expressions ranging from doubt to grudging acceptance.

Finally, Abyss broke the silence. "If it makes us stronger, I'm in."

Lilith shrugged, a teasing smile on her lips. "Fine. But only if you promise to let me 'train' you personally."

Eris rolled her eyes. "Of course you'd make it weird."

Hestia stretched, her tone light. "As long as it doesn't involve too much running, I'll survive."

Selene looked at Adrian, her silver eyes calm. "If you believe this is the right path, then I'll follow."

Hera, who had been quiet until now, stepped forward, her regal presence commanding attention. "Training here is a wise decision. Strength without strategy is meaningless. And Adrian…" She met his gaze, her blue eyes gleaming. "You'll need both if you're to lead us into battle."

Adrian nodded, determination hardening his features. "Then it's settled. We stay here and prepare."

The goddesses exchanged glances, their bickering set aside for now. Despite their differences, a sense of unity began to take shape.

Adrian looked at the fire, his jaw tightening. "We'll make this count. The Shadow Court isn't going to wait, and neither will we."

They all nodded in agreement. No one spoke a word for a while until Lilith broke the silence. "So tell me, what did our Majesty ask as a signature for her contract?"

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