The keeper of time

Chapter 23: A Test of Strength

As dawn broke, the forest seemed to come alive. The birds began their morning song, and the golden light filtered through the dense canopy, casting everything in a warm, otherworldly glow. Anaya blinked her eyes open and stretched, groaning slightly as her muscles protested. She glanced around, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings, but the events of the previous night quickly came flooding back.

The fire had died down, and Aryan was still on watch, standing at the edge of the camp with his back to her. Arjun, who had taken the second watch, was already packing up their gear. The tension from the night before still hung in the air, thick and suffocating, but Anaya couldn't deny the small spark of anticipation that flickered in her chest. They were about to face something bigger than themselves, and though it scared her, it also excited her.

She couldn't shake the feeling that this journey—this mission—was changing her. For the first time in years, she felt alive. Her pulse quickened at the thought of what lay ahead.

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty," Aryan's voice interrupted her thoughts. He turned to her with a lopsided grin, that familiar teasing gleam in his eyes. "Had a nice rest while we did all the work?"

Anaya shot him a glare, though she couldn't help the slight smile that tugged at her lips. "I didn't see you fighting to stay awake either."

Aryan chuckled, his gaze lingering on her just a moment too long before he turned away. "Fair point."

Arjun, clearly in no mood for their usual banter, snapped the strap on his pack with a little too much force. "We should move. We're too exposed here."

Anaya could feel the tension between the two men, but she was too focused on the day ahead to let it bother her. They had a long trek before reaching their next checkpoint—a ruined temple deep within the forest, rumored to hold the key to unlocking the next stage of their journey. And while the idea of ancient ruins thrilled her, it was the unknown dangers that lurked ahead that set her nerves on edge.

They packed up quickly, setting off down a narrow trail that wound through the dense trees. The forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or distant cry of a bird. The air was thick with humidity, making each step feel like a slog through water. Anaya wiped the sweat from her brow, glancing over at Aryan, who seemed unfazed by the heat. His tall frame moved with an effortless grace, every muscle taut and alert.

"Doesn't this bother you?" she asked, struggling to keep up with his long strides.

Aryan glanced down at her, that infuriating smirk returning. "What, the heat? Or the fact that you're slowing us down?"

She glared at him, though a hint of a smile tugged at her lips. "Both."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "You'll get used to it. Besides, you're not the worst travel companion I've had."

Anaya raised an eyebrow. "That's supposed to be a compliment?"

"Take it however you want, princess," Aryan replied with a wink.

Anaya rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small flutter in her chest. His presence was infuriating, but at the same time, it was... grounding. Aryan was a constant in the chaos, always confident, always in control. But beneath that bravado, Anaya sensed something deeper—something he kept carefully hidden behind his teasing smiles and sarcastic remarks.

They continued walking in silence for a while, the forest growing denser around them. Anaya could feel the weight of history pressing down on her, the ancient trees towering overhead like silent sentinels. She imagined the people who had once walked this path, centuries ago, and wondered if they had felt the same sense of awe and trepidation that she did now.