The Feast of Fears

The Stranger

The woman approached them with a confident stride, her eyes never leaving theirs. Ava and Jameson exchanged a wary glance, unsure of what to make of her.

"Can I help you?" Jameson asked, his voice firm but polite.

The woman smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I think I can help you," she said. "My name is Maya. And I've been sent to warn you about Ethan."

Ava's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Maya's smile grew wider. "Ethan is not what he seems," she said. "He's using you to get to the artifact, and he'll stop at nothing to get it."

Jameson's jaw clenched. "What artifact?"

Maya's expression turned serious. "You're looking for the Amulet of Light," she said. "It's an ancient relic with incredible power. But Ethan will use it for evil purposes if he gets his hands on it."

Ava felt a shiver run down her spine. "Why should we believe you?" she asked.

Maya pulled out a small device from her jacket pocket and held it up. Ava saw a holographic image of the symbol they had seen on the wall earlier.

"This is a tracking device," Maya explained. "Ethan has been using it to track your movements. And I think he's getting close to finding what he's looking for."

Jameson's eyes narrowed. "What do you want from us?"

Maya's expression turned grim. "I want your help," she said. "I've been searching for the Amulet of Light for years, and I know where it is. But I need your expertise to get to it before Ethan does."

Ava hesitated, unsure if they should trust this mysterious woman. But something about Maya's determination and conviction made her feel like they were on the same side.

"What do you say?" Maya asked, her eyes locked onto theirs.