The Omega Mated To The Four

I had sat with Elijah for what felt like hours, watching over him as he slept-his battered body finally succumbing to exhaustion. His labored breathing and the gentle rise and fall of his chest were the only reminders that he was still with us. After I'd finished my vigil, I turned to walk back to my sleeping bag when I saw Alex sitting upright in his sleeping bag, his eyes distant and troubled. The silence between us was palpable for a long moment before he finally spoke in a low, hesitant tone.

"Can't sleep?" he asked, his voice rough from the cold night.

I managed a tired smile and nodded. "Yeah... I can't. My mind just won't shut off.”

Alex's eyes searched mine, as if seeking some reassurance or understanding. "I hope you don't think I'm being heartless," he began cautiously, "because, you know, I wanted us to leave him behind."

My heart clenched at his words. The memory of Elijah's betrayal-how he'd hurt us all-hung over us like a dark cloud. But even as I recalled the wounds of that betrayal, I couldn't bring myself to abandon the man I'd once loved, the man who now lay so broken and defenseless. I met Alex's gaze steadily and shook my head.

"No," I said softly. "I understand how you feel, Alex. Believe me, I do. Elijah hurt us all, and I know you're hurting too. You have unanswered questions and seeing him again made tge pain we all felt fresh. But I can't just let him die out there. We made a promise to ourselves and to each other-that we'd stick together, no matter how dark it gets."

He sighed, the weight of our shared past evident in the creases on his face. "I just don't want to see you sad, Stormi."

Without a word, I rose from my sleeping bag and stepped over to him. I pulled him into a gentle, reassuring hug before placing a soft kiss on his lips, I got into the sleeping bag with him and the warmth of that moment was enough to lull us into a light sleep, and eventually, exhaustion claimed us both.

tied back, and his face was more defined-sharp angles, piercing eyes filled with purpose. I couldn't quite tell if I was chasing him or if he was leading me somewhere, but there was an undeniable urgency in his steps. His features were familiar yet transformed by time; he was older now helonger was

us shifted and deepened, its ancient trees arching overhead like silent sentinels. The air was alive with whispers, and soon, a soft, musical voice began to weave through the rustling leaves-a voice reciting a riddle that i'd

from the ancient Willow's

a cavern's shadow

moonlit lake,

ripples, where

night, statues

in the

ancient forest, the

path to follow, a destiny

the mountaintop ruins where stars align, Chapter

a gateway

these riddles, a

Moonlit Nexus, where