The huge shadow creature slashed out with its long, splayed-out limbs. Its glowing red eyes pulsed menacingly as it towered over the group.

Adrian took charge, and his fiery chains snapped through the air like a viper. Each swing burned through the darkness and stopped the creature's advance for a moment.

"Hera, now!" Adrian shouted.

The Goddess of Pride responded instantly, summoning another radiant golden spear. She threw it accurately, aiming for the creature's core. The spear pierced through the writhing mass, causing the red light within to flicker.

But it wasn't enough.

"It's still regenerating!" Ava yelled, her staff glowing as she created a protective shield around Adrian and Eris. "We need to disrupt its connection to the ground!"

Eris grinned darkly. "On it." She lunged forward, her emerald daggers gleaming as she aimed for the creature's limbs. Each slash severed tendrils of shadow, forcing the creature to retract.

Abyss moved with terrifying speed, her violet sword slicing through another limb. "Keep it distracted!" she called out. "It's buying us time."

Medea's black flames erupted, engulfing the creature in a whirlwind of fire. The shadow construct roared in pain, its form twisting and convulsing as it struggled to reform. "Adrian!" she barked. "Go for the core again!"

Adrian didn't hesitate.

His chains lashed out, anchoring onto the creature's torso as he pulled himself upward.

With a battle cry, he drove his golden-flamed sword straight into the pulsating core. The red light dimmed, but the creature retaliated, swiping at him with a massive claw.

"Not so fast!" Lilith's whip coiled around the claw, yanking it back just enough for Adrian to dodge. "You're not hurting my husband that easily."

The creature shrieked as Hestia, uncharacteristically alert, summoned a wave of radiant blue fire. "About time I joined the fun," she muttered, her usually sleepy demeanor replaced with surprising intensity.

The hearth-like flames enveloped the creature's base, cutting off its ability to regenerate.

"Hestia, keep that up!" Adrian ordered. "Everyone else, hit the core now!"

The group came together in perfect harmony. Hera's golden spear pierced through the creature's chest once more, while Abyss drove her sword deep into its side.

Eris's daggers followed, each strike glowing with disruptive emerald energy. Medea's flames surged upward, fusing with Hestia's radiant fire to create a blazing vortex.

Adrian channeled all his strength into his fiery chains, wrapping them tightly around the core. With a powerful yank, he pulled the pulsing mass free from the creature's body. The construct let out a deafening roar, its limbs flailing wildly before collapsing in on itself.

The shadow dissolved into wisps of black smoke, the oppressive energy dissipating with it. The glowing core flickered one last time before disintegrating in Adrian's hands.

"It's over," he breathed, his shoulders sagging with exhaustion.

The goddesses regrouped, their weapons still at the ready as they surveyed the now-quiet battlefield.

"Well," Eris said, twirling one of her daggers. "That was fun. Let's never do it again."

Hestia flopped onto a nearby rock, yawning loudly. "Agreed. That was way too much effort for one day."

"Not bad for a team of misfits," Lilith teased, poking Adrian lightly in the ribs. "Admit it, husband—you're impressed."

Adrian managed a faint smile. "Impressed you didn't accidentally kill each other, maybe."

Hera, still poised and regal despite the battle, brushed a stray golden strand from her face. "Let's not linger here. That creature wasn't a random attack. It was sent."

Abyss nodded, her sword resting against her shoulder. "Agreed. This place isn't safe anymore."

"Then we move," Adrian said firmly. "There's another spot I noticed the other day when we rode on Solis—a waterfall near the cliffs. It's secluded and defensible."

"Waterfalls?" Lilith smirked. "Romantic. Planning something, Adrian?"

He ignored her quip. "We'll set up there. It'll give us time to recover and plan our next move."

The walk to the waterfall was more peaceful than normal, with the aftermath of the fight weighing on everyone. As they got closer, they heard the water rushing, and the mist felt refreshing on their skin. The waterfall flowed down the cliff, and its clear pool mirrored the sunlight.

"This will do," Adrian said, dropping his gear beside the pool.

Ava leaned on her staff, gazing at the water. "It's peaceful. Almost too peaceful."

Hera stood at the edge of the pool, her piercing blue eyes scanning the area. "It won't last. The Shadow Court knows where we are. They'll send something worse next time."

"Then we'll be ready," Adrian replied, his voice steely with determination.

As the group began to settle in, the atmosphere grew lighter. Lilith splashed water at Eris, who retaliated with a flick of her dagger, sending a tiny ripple of emerald energy across the pool.

Hestia reclined against a boulder, already half-asleep. Medea sat cross-legged by the edge, sharpening her dagger.

Adrian stood apart from the group, his gaze fixed on the waterfall. His thoughts churned with plans, strategies, and lingering doubts.

"Planning your next heroic speech, Champion?" Hera's voice broke through his reverie.

Adrian glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Something like that."

Before Hera could reply, a sudden noise came from the shadows. The group tensed, weapons ready in an instant.

From the treeline, a figure emerged.

Cloaked in dark robes, their face obscured, they raised a hand in a gesture of peace. "I mean no harm," the stranger said calmly. "But you've drawn too much attention to yourselves. The Shadow Court is watching."

Adrian's grip tightened on his sword. "Who are you?"

The figure stepped closer, their hood falling back to reveal a face etched with sharp, otherworldly features. Their eyes glowed faintly, like embers in the dark. "A friend. Or an enemy, depending on how you answer my next question."

"And what's that?" Adrian asked steadily.

The figure's glowing eyes bore into his. "Are you prepared to face the truth about the Shadow Court—and yourself?"

The group exchanged uneasy glances, the sound of the waterfall suddenly seeming distant and far away.

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