"Adrian, we've got a problem."

The sharp urgency in Lilith's voice made Adrian look up from the maps spread out across his desk. Her crimson eyes were intense with a rare seriousness in her tone.

"What is it?" he asked, already standing.

"Scouts just came in," Lilith said. "The Shadow Court's making their move."

That was all Adrian needed to hear. He grabbed his sword and fiery chains, his expression hardening. "Where?"

************

The scene outside the council chamber was buzzing with tension as Adrian and Lilith made their way to the strategy room. Ava and Hera were already there, standing over the large oak table covered in maps and hastily scribbled reports.

Medea didn't waste time. "The scouts report a Shadow Court force setting up camp near the eastern ravine," she said, gesturing to a marked spot on the map. "They're small, only about fifty soldiers, but their positioning is strategic. If they hold that area, they cut off Zarpha's main trade route."

"They're testing us," Adrian said sharply. "They want to see how we'll respond."

Ava frowned, her staff glowing faintly. "We can't let them get comfortable. If we let them think we're weak—"

"They'll dig in," Hera finished, leaning against the far wall, her golden aura radiating off of her. "And then we'll have more than fifty to deal with."

Adrian's mind raced. They couldn't ignore this. "We're going," he said decisively. "We'll wipe them out before they can report back."

Medea nodded. "It has to be fast and efficient. We hit them, destroy their morale, and leave nothing for the Shadow Court to analyze."

Lilith smirked, her whip snapping faintly in her hand. "I like the sound of that."

************

As the sun began to set, Adrian guided the group towards the ravine. The scent of pine filled the air, and the dense forest hid their movements.

When they arrived at the edge of the cliff that overlooked the enemy camp, Adrian crouched down and signaled for the others to stop.

Below, the Shadow Court soldiers moved carefully, their black armor shining softly in the fading light. Tents were arranged in a defensive formation, with watchtowers hastily constructed at key points.

"They're disciplined," Hera murmured, her sharp eyes taking in every detail. "But not invincible."

"Looks like fifty, just like the scout said," Adrian said, his gaze fixed on a figure standing at the center of the camp. Cloaked in dark robes, they exuded an aura of authority. "Their leader. Take them out, and the rest will crumble."

"I can slip down and handle them quietly," Abyss offered, her violet blade gleaming faintly.

"No," Adrian said firmly. "We're sending a message. They need to know Zarpha won't hesitate to fight."

Medea grinned, her black flames sparking in her hands. "Then let's make it loud."

**********

The attack began with a roar of fire and light. Adrian's fiery chains lashed out, smashing through the nearest watchtower. It toppled with a deafening crash, scattering the soldiers below.

Hera led the charge, her golden spear shining like the sun. She struck with accuracy, her actions graceful but lethal. A Shadow Court soldier lunged at her, but she spun her spear with a twist, disarming him before delivering a swift blow that sent him sprawling.

Lilith darted through the chaos, her whip snapping with a crack that echoed through the ravine. She coiled it around the legs of one soldier, yanking him off his feet. "Careful," she purred, stepping over him. "You might hurt yourself."

Ava stood at the rear, her staff raised high as golden shields formed around the group. "Incoming!" she shouted, deflecting a barrage of arrows aimed at their flank. The arrows shattered harmlessly against her shields, raining splinters to the ground.

Medea was a force of destruction, her black flames spreading like wildfire through the enemy ranks. A cluster of soldiers rushed her, but she hurled an orb of dark fire into their midst, the explosion sending them flying. "Too easy," she muttered, her crimson eyes glowing with satisfaction.

Abyss moved silently, her blade flashing as she dispatched enemies with lethal precision. One soldier managed to get behind her, but before he could strike, her blade was already at his throat. "Amateur," she whispered coldly, cutting him down without a second glance.

Adrian fought at the center, his fiery chains lashing out in precise arcs.

One soldier charged him, blade raised, but Adrian ducked low, his chains snapping upward to knock the weapon from his hands. A quick follow-up strike sent the man sprawling to the ground.

The cloaked figure at the center of the camp finally moved, raising their hands as tendrils of shadow erupted from the ground. The dark energy lashed out like living whips, forcing Adrian and the others to scatter.

"Shields!" Adrian shouted.

Ava reacted instantly, her golden shield expanding to cover the group. The tendrils slammed into the barrier, the impact sending shockwaves through the air. Ava gritted her teeth, holding the shield steady. "This one's strong," she muttered.

Medea stepped forward, her black flames flaring. "Let's see how they handle this." She hurled a concentrated blast of fire at the figure, but the shadows surged upward, absorbing the attack.

"He's good," Hera said, her spear at the ready. "But not invincible."

Adrian's chains lashed out, wrapping around the tendrils and pulling them apart. He charged forward, his blade igniting with golden fire. "Cover me!" he shouted.

Hera and Lilith moved in tandem, Hera's spear slicing through the shadows while Lilith's whip wrapped around the figure's arm. The leader let out a hiss, his focus breaking for a moment.

"That's your opening!" Hera called.

Adrian lunged, his chains wrapping around the figure's legs and yanking them to the ground. Abyss appeared at his side, her blade aimed for the figure's heart. The leader deflected the strike with a shield of shadow, but the movement was sluggish as his strength waned.

Lilith's whip snapped again, coiling around the figure's other arm. "Hold still," she growled, tightening the whip. "You're done."

With a final thrust, Adrian's blade pierced the figure's defenses, the golden fire consuming the shadows. The leader let out a scream as the energy overwhelmed them, his body collapsing into ash.

The remaining Shadow Court soldiers, seeing their leader fall, broke ranks and fled into the forest. The camp fell silent, save for the crackle of dying flames.

Adrian stood in the center of the carnage, his chest heaving. The goddesses regrouped around him, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and triumph.

"Good work," Adrian said, his voice steady despite his fatigue. "They didn't stand a chance."

Lilith smirked, coiling her whip. "That was fun. Let's hope their next wave is just as pathetic."

"This wasn't their main force," Hera said, her tone serious. "This was a probe. They wanted to see how we'd respond."

Adrian nodded, his gaze distant. "And now they know."

Medea crossed her arms, her black flames flickering faintly. "Let them come. We'll be ready."

Lilith, lounging against a fallen tree, coiled her whip back onto her hip. "Of course," she drawled, her crimson eyes glinting mischievously. "Speaking of ready, I suggest we stay here tonight. If those cowards decide to grow a spine and return, we'll be waiting."

Adrian looked to Hera, who was cleaning the blood from her golden spear. "It's a solid idea," she admitted. "This place is defensible, and it gives us a chance to regroup."

"Plus," Ava chimed in, twirling her staff, "it's not every day we get to camp under the stars after thrashing some shadowy miscreants. Could be fun."

Adrian sighed, his exhaustion catching up to him. "Alright, we'll stay. But everyone stays alert. We don't know if reinforcements are on the way."

Medea grinned, conjuring a small orb of flame in her hand. "Let them come. I've got plenty more to give."

The group moved efficiently, clearing the remnants of the enemy camp and salvaging what they could. Abyss disappeared into the woods, scouting the perimeter, while Ava and Hestia gathered wood for a fire.

Lilith lounged nearby, tossing rocks at a helmet she had propped against a tree. Medea wandered off to inspect the tents, her black flames casting eerie shadows as she worked.

Adrian found himself alone with Hera as they prepared a central space for the fire. She handed him a bundle of supplies, her golden hair catching the last light of the setting sun.

"You handled the battle well," she said, her tone even but carrying a hint of warmth. "Solis would approve."

Adrian smirked. "High praise, coming from her." He glanced at Hera. "And you? Do I meet your expectations?"

Hera raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're improving. But don't get comfortable—I expect more."

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Of course you do."

The fire crackled brightly as night fell over the camp. Shadows danced on the trees surrounding them, the stars glittering above like shards of ice. The goddesses sat around the fire in various states of relaxation.

Ava passed around a loaf of bread she had swiped from the Shadow Court's supplies, her amber eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Say what you will about the Shadow Court," she said, breaking off a piece, "but their taste in provisions isn't bad. Might even be worth something at the market."

Lilith snorted, rolling her eyes. "Only you could think about profit right now."

Ava grinned, unbothered. "What can I say? It's my nature."

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