That night, Gabriel followed Varek through the city's darkened streets, the faint glow of the moon casting eerie shadows against the decaying buildings. They made their way to the outskirts of the city, where the crumbling roads gave way to overgrown forests and wild terrain. As they moved farther from civilization, the air grew thick with tension, and Gabriel could feel the presence of something dark—something watching them.
"The Fallen know you're here," Varek murmured, glancing over his shoulder. "We don't have much time before they catch up. Elantris is in the mountains, but we'll need to avoid their patrols."
Gabriel nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade. His mind raced. The Fallen had already begun their hunt, and he was their target. The only thing standing between him and annihilation was a ragtag alliance with a man who had his own agenda. But Gabriel wasn't in a position to question. He had to move forward, or everything he knew and loved would be lost.
As they journeyed deeper into the wilderness, Gabriel could feel the eyes of the world—of the Fallen—on him. They would stop at nothing to ensure his failure. But for the first time since he had awakened his power, Gabriel felt a sense of purpose. His mission was clear.
He would find Elantris, and he would claim the Gods' power—no matter the cost.
Chapter 5: Into the Unknown (Continued)
The path to Elantris was no ordinary journey. The forests that surrounded the city were thick with ancient trees, their roots twisting in tangled masses that made travel difficult. Every step Gabriel took seemed to echo with the weight of the world. His senses were on high alert, feeling the oppressive silence of the wilderness around him. Varek led the way, his steps sure and quick, but Gabriel couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
The wind rustled through the trees, and Gabriel felt an uncomfortable pressure building in the air—something was wrong. His hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, his eyes scanning the darkness.
"They're close," Varek muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "The Fallen… they've already begun to track us."
Gabriel's heart raced. He had known this moment would come, but the reality of it was different. The Fallen were not just enemies; they were embodiments of destruction, chaos itself. His brother Lucifer was leading them, and Gabriel couldn't afford to underestimate their power.
The forest seemed to shift around them, shadows stretching unnaturally. The deeper they ventured, the more Gabriel felt the weight of the atmosphere press against him. He wasn't sure if it was the Fallen's influence or something else entirely.
Suddenly, Varek halted, his body tensing. "We need to move fast. We've crossed into their territory."
Gabriel's grip tightened on his sword as they moved swiftly through the trees. The air felt thick with magic, and the faint sound of distant whispers seemed to hang on the wind. Then, a flash of movement—a figure darted between the trees, too fast for Gabriel to catch.
"Did you see that?" Gabriel whispered.
Varek nodded grimly. "A scout. One of the Fallen. They know we're here."
Without another word, they increased their pace. The sounds of pursuit grew louder, as though the very forest was alive with the intent to hunt them down. But Gabriel was no ordinary prey. The power of Gabriel, the Angel of Judgment, surged through him, and the earth beneath his feet seemed to respond to his call.
Suddenly, a chilling laugh echoed through the trees, deep and mocking.
"Gabriel..." the voice whispered, unmistakable and venomous. "You think you can outrun me? You think you can escape your fate?"
Gabriel's heart skipped a beat. It was Lucifer. His brother's voice, though distant, sent a cold shiver through Gabriel's spine.
"You've always been weak, Gabriel. You were never meant to be anything more than a pawn."
Gabriel gritted his teeth, refusing to respond. He could feel his power rising, a force he hadn't fully embraced until now. But he knew this wasn't just about strength. It was about survival.
"We need to get to the mountains," Gabriel said through clenched teeth, focusing on his path. "If we don't, we'll be trapped here."
Varek didn't reply, but his eyes held a look of understanding. They pushed on, their bodies moving as one, drawing closer to the unknown destination that might be their salvation.