I Have the Sacred Sword?

Alexia returned to where her group had moved away. The darkness of the forest barely allowed distinguishing the silhouettes, but the bonfire they had lit offered a point of reference.

Seeing her approach, Leo immediately stood up.

"How did everything go?" Leo asked, visibly worried as he approached her.

"It went well," Alexia replied, sketching a small smile that barely illuminated her tired face.

Without thinking, Leo hugged her.

"I'm glad you're okay," Leo whispered, without letting go.

Alexia nodded, still in the embrace.

"It was the best option we had," Alexia responded relaxed. "Just don't forget what I've done today. The search continues," Alexia whispered in his ear.

When they finally separated, Isuke, who had been observing from a distance, also approached.

"Did you sign the contract?"

"Yes, everything is arranged now," Alexia replied, giving Isuke a look, who nodded, with some guilt. "Well, now that everything is in order, we have to prepare for what's coming. There's still work to be done."

Isuke, with a tired expression, was about to say something when Alexia interrupted him.

"What do you think? Who among us should we have rest first?"

Isuke looked around, considering the group members.

"I think it would be good for Camila to rest, she's exhausted. Although..."

"Camila?" Alexia asked, noticing that the girl wasn't among them.

"Yes, she stayed by the bonfire," Isuke explained. "It seems she didn't want to move too far away."

Alexia frowned, worried.

"I'll go look for her."

Alexia quickly headed towards where she had left the bonfire. Upon arrival, she found Camila sitting in a corner, with her gaze fixed on the ground.

"Camila," Alexia said, approaching calmly. "Is everything okay? We were looking for you."

Camila looked up and her face looked quite tired.

"Yes, I'm fine. I just needed a moment to think..."

"I understand," Alexia replied. "But we need you to join the group so you can rest properly. The work isn't over yet."

Camila nodded slowly, getting up with effort.

"Sure, I'll go right now."

"Perfect," Alexia replied. "You and Leo will rest together, since in case of an emergency, you're the most important in our group."

Camila nodded again and headed to her assigned place next to Leo. Both began to settle in a secluded corner, seeking some comfort on the hard, cold ground as they prepared to rest.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group organized their resting areas around the bonfire.

Although the atmosphere was still tense due to the recent dispute over the lands, they all collaborated to establish small places to sleep.

Conversations were minimal and faces reflected the fatigue that was increasingly accumulating in their bodies.

Aiden, who had been exploring the area on his own, returned to the camp. Seeing how the situation had developed and the new agreement, he approached Alexia with a thoughtful expression.

"Alexia," Aiden began.

'Here we go...', Alexia thought with annoyance.

"I'm not completely convinced about all this, but I see that my group is accepting the situation. I don't want there to be misunderstandings. I hope there are no hard feelings for what they did."

Alexia, hearing his words, pretended to smile.

"That's how business is, just make sure you fulfill your part."

Aiden nodded, feeling a bit relieved by Alexia's response, but still something didn't quite add up for him.

Isuke, Alexia, Aiden, and Marta stayed awake, organizing shifts to watch the area while the others slept.

Night was falling and the calm of the camp seemed deceptive.

Marta, who had been fascinated by the glow of the leaves of nearby trees, watched absorbed as the green lights danced with the night breeze. However, her attention was suddenly caught by an unusual movement among the leaves.

Her eyes fixed on a flicker of movement: snakes that glowed with the same scarlet color as the tree leaves. They were moving with an unsettling speed towards the camp.

The subtle glow of the snakes made them almost invisible to the naked eye, but Marta, with her sharpened attention, could detect them.

"Alexia! Aiden! Isuke!" Marta shouted. "There are snakes moving towards us! They glow like the leaves!"

Alexia, hearing the warning, stood up immediately. Isuke and Aiden also became alert, with concern reflected on their faces.

"Where are they?" Alexia asked.

Marta pointed towards the area where she had seen the movement.

"There, among the trees. There are many!"

Isuke approached the location indicated by Marta, scrutinizing the darkness with his ability to detect movements.

"They're advancing quickly. We have to act before they get too close."

Aiden, preparing for any possible confrontation, drew his weapon while Alexia did the same.