The following days went by quickly, filled with stress and their daily activities. By day, the goddesses worked hand in hand to fend off threats and protect Adrian from any danger.

But by night, the same goddesses turned rivals, vying for his attention in subtle—and not-so-subtle—ways.

Adrian did his best to maintain order among them, though their bickering felt as exhausting as any battle. They camped under starry skies when no villages were nearby and sought shelter in small, quiet inns whenever they crossed a town.

But even in the rare comfort of an inn, the atmosphere was still intense, with each goddess making her presence known in her own way.

Hestia, for instance, took every opportunity to commandeer the warmest seat by the fire or the most comfortable bedding, while Abyss seemed to hover protectively near Adrian, her violet eyes never straying far from him.

Lilith, always playful, turned her charm on Adrian whenever she could, while Eris's jealousy flared at every perceived slight. Even Selene, in her quiet, shy manner, kept close, though she avoided the others' squabbles entirely.

By the time they reached the rocky terrain leading to their next destination, Adrian was more than ready for a reprieve from their antics.

At last, they stood at the edge of a rugged mountain range, the map guiding them toward their final destination: the temple of Hera, Goddess of Pride.

The path twisted and climbed, leading toward the jagged peaks above. The temple itself was visible in the distance, perched at the summit like a crown of gold.

"We're close," Adrian said, his gaze fixed on the shining structure far above. "Just a bit farther."

Hestia groaned, dragging her feet as they traversed the uneven ground. "You've been saying that for days," she muttered. "If I'd known this was going to be such a trial, I'd have stayed behind in my temple and waited for you to come back to get me. Like… I'm not built for all this… climbing."

Lilith shot her a smirk. "What you're built for is questionable."

"That's if you were built for anything in the first place," Eris chipped in.

"Watch it," Hestia said lazily, not bothering to look at her.

Adrian sighed. "The sooner we get there, the sooner we can rest. Let's keep moving."

The group pressed on, the terrain becoming increasingly treacherous. Loose rocks slid underfoot, and the air grew thinner as they ascended.

When they reached a flat outcrop near the base of the final ascent, Adrian called for a brief rest. The group settled down, their breath misting in the cooler air.

The golden light of the temple bathed the peaks above in an ethereal glow, casting long shadows over the valley below.

Medea stood beside Adrian, her eyes scanning the horizon. "It's beautiful," she said in a neutral tone. "But something feels… off."

Adrian glanced at her, frowning. "What do you mean?"

"The mountain feels too quiet," Medea replied. "Like it's holding its breath."

Lilith, reclining against a boulder, chuckled. "You're always so suspicious of everything, Medea. Can't we enjoy the view for five minutes without expecting an ambush?"

Ava crouched nearby, her golden eyes scanning the rocky slope. "She's not wrong. It wouldn't be the first time the Shadow Court tracked us to a temple."

"Let them try," Abyss said coldly, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "I'm ready for them."

Eris, twirling one of her emerald daggers, smirked. "That's the spirit. A little bloodshed would liven things up."

Adrian shook his head, trying to focus.

The climb ahead would be difficult, and the group's bickering wasn't helping. He looked to Selene, who sat apart from the others, sharpening her dagger. Her silver eyes met his briefly before flicking back to her weapon.

"How are you holding up?" Adrian asked her.

"I'm fine," Selene said softly in a steady voice. She hesitated before adding, "Thank you for protecting me earlier."

Adrian nodded, offering a faint smile. "We look out for each other. That's how we'll get through this."

Hestia, lounging nearby with her head resting on her arms, sighed dramatically. "All this talk of teamwork is making me tired. Can we get moving before I fall asleep?"

"Wouldn't want you missing your nap," Lilith quipped.

Hestia waved her off, a lazy smile on her lips. "You know what? When it's time for us to get going, come wake me up."

With that, she walked towards a rock away from the sun where she could rest.

"That won't be necessary, Hestia," Medea called her back. "We're leaving already."

As they prepared to continue, the unease Medea had mentioned began to settle over Adrian as well. The mountain seemed unnaturally still, the wind whispering faintly through the rocks but carrying no other sound.

He paused, his fiery chains flickering faintly at his back as he scanned the cliffs above. Shadows danced along the rocks, but there was no sign of movement.

Medea stepped closer, her voice low. "Do you feel it?"

Adrian nodded. "Something's wrong."

"Think it's an ambush?" Lilith asked, her whip already uncoiling in her hand.

"I'd bet on it," Eris said with a sharp grin on her lips

Ava raised her staff, her golden eyes narrowing as she focused on the shadows. "If they're here, they're hiding well."

Hestia yawned, sitting up slightly. "Why does it always have to be an ambush? Can't we just have one quiet climb to a temple?"

Adrian ignored her, his senses on high alert. The goddesses around him tensed, their weapons ready as they scanned the terrain.

Then he saw it—a glint of steel in the distance, barely visible against the rocky backdrop. It disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, but it was enough.

"We're not alone," Adrian said quietly, his voice cutting through the silence.

The group froze, their eyes turning toward the shadows.

The quiet of the mountain was broken by the soft noise of moving rocks, hinting at the presence of unseen enemies.

From the ridges above, figures in cloaks started to appear, moving smoothly.

The Shadow Court had found them.

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