Chapter 195 PIPER 1/6 Trajans capture had cast weak and sad emotions over all of us .


    The usually firm andposed Aurora didnt know what to do either as she moved about in the weak light of the war room in Broken Ridge , hands shaking uncontrobly holding tightly at the pearl pendant .


    I stood by the door , silently watching her .


    The pack was growing loud murmurs of doubt about her decisions , whispers about questioning her judgment .


    My blood boiled , but not now .


    It wasnt relevant now .


    Warricks voice cut through my thoughts .


    Piper , he said , no sarcasm in his tone for once .


    I turned to him , raising an eyebrow .


    What do you want , Warrick ? I , I think I can help , he stammered , so uncertain .


    I crossed my arms .


    Help ? Like you helpedst time ? He mped his jaw tight , forging ahead .


    Ive heard stories .


    Theres this part of the forest nobody dares tread .


    Chapter 195 2/6 Something is there , a relic , ancient , perilous but it can give us a fighting chance against the Nameless .


    Stories ? I echoed , utterly incredulous .


    Rumors , alright ? But when in Rome , right ? he replied , his tone .


    rising ever so slightly .


    I watched him closely .


    For once , his eyes shone with a sign r of sincerity ; for once , he wasnt hiding behind smiles .


    Alright , I said after some time .


    But if this is one of your ploys , I will be the one to kill you .


    He nodded then , a little resolution settling over his face .


    Deal .


    Lets go .


    The trees were thick , the air thick with silence .


    Warrick led the way , his steps were kinda sure for one navigating a ce hed said hed never been to .


    How do you even know where were going ? I asked , my voice low .


    I dont , he said .


    But the stories always mentioned this part of the forest .


    The trees are supposed to look different .


    I rolled my eyes but continued to follow him deeper into the underbrush .


    And , amazingly , the further in we walked , the more the forest seemed to change .


    Trees stretched up taller , their trunks Chapter 195 twisting unnatural as if they were caught in screams .


    3/6 Comforting , I muttered , the top of my dagger clutched tightly in my hand .


    Warrick didnt say a word .


    He just stared straight ahead .


    The closer we drew , the stranger the sounds became : faint whispering that seemed toe from all directions at once .


    I froze , my head jerking toward the sound .


    Do you hear that ? He nodded .


    Just zone it out .


    Keep walking .


    Easy for him to say .


    The whispers grew louder , more insistent like they were trying to lure us off the path .


    My steps faltered , my mind clouded with fragmented images .


    Piper ! Warricks voice snapped me back into reality .


    He clutched my arm with firm fingers .


    Dont listen to them .


    I nodded , still shaking the fogginess of the moments before .


    Lets keep going .


    After what felt like hours , we came into a clearing .


    There in the middle of it stood some sort of decaying stone ash and on its surface , etched upon it , were symbols that glowed faintly in the moonlight .


    This must be it , Warrick whispered reverently .


    Chapter 195 The floor around the pedestal was covered in intricate designs line after line , each joining another in a maze like fashion .


    Warrick dropped to a crouch and looked at them .


    Theyre a code , he said , furrowing his brow .


    Can you figure it out ? I asked .


    Give me a moment , he said , tracing the lines with his finger .


    5/6 We tried to understand the patterns together , with every symbol a different direction a wrong step in who knew what .


    LEFT , I said , pointing to the next one .


    NO , ITS RIGHT , Warrick said .


    I gave him my best ring look .


    Are you sure ? I asked him .


    Trust me , he replied , and stepped .


    The symbol lit up , and we exhaled .


    After an eternity , we gained the pedestal ; Warrick reached for the relic and I looked at his hand .


    Wait , I said , pointing to the inscription written into the base .


    What does that say ? He peered hard at the ancient text , working his lips as if trying to talk the trantion out .


    It is a warning , he finally said .


    Something to do with a curse .


    .


    Of course theres a curse , I muttered .


    What does it do ? Chapter 195 6/6 I dont know , Warrick admitted , his hand moving over the relic .


    But we dont have a choice .


    This might be our only chance to weaken the Nameless .


    I hesitated , my gaze moving between him and the artifact .


    The air around it felt thick , tingling with weird energy .


    Piper , Warrick said , his voice very serious , we need this Whatever the curse is , we can sort it outter .


    I clenched my fists .


    My mind was racing .


    With the relic , we had a good chance of winning against the Nameless , but if the curse was too powerful .


    Warricks hand hovered over the relic , his fingers shaking while he reached for it .


    Are you sure about this ? I whispered .


    He looked at me , his face moody .


    No.


    But we dont have a choice .


    Write yourment