The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting golden light over the campsite. The Guardians were beginning to stir, each one going through their routines. The forest was alive with the sound of chirping birds and rustling leaves, but Zane Maddock barely noticed.
He stood a little apart from the group, his pocket watch dangling loosely in his hand. The gears that once hummed with his power were now silent, its purpose reduced to a keepsake rather than a source of strength. Zane had discovered during the last battle that he no longer needed the watch to control his abilities.
It should've been a relief, but it wasn't.
"You're just standing there again," Leo called from the fire, where he was attempting to cook breakfast. "You know, the broody loner thing is cool and all, but you might want to switch it up. Try smiling."
Zane ignored him, his fingers brushing over the worn metal of the watch. Ever since he'd stopped needing it, something had changed. His powers felt... different. Stronger. Less bound by the rules he'd grown used to.
"Zane?" Jasmine's voice broke through his thoughts.
He glanced up, startled to find her standing nearby. She was holding two cups of coffee, offering one to him with a shy smile. "You looked like you could use this."
For a moment, Zane just stared at her. The sunlight caught the golden streaks in her dark hair, her eyes soft and kind in a way that made his chest tighten.
"Thanks," he said quietly, taking the cup.
Bridges Being Built
Jasmine sat down on a nearby log, gesturing for Zane to join her. He hesitated but eventually lowered himself onto the other end, keeping some distance between them.
"You've been quiet lately," she said after a moment. "Quieter than usual, I mean."
Zane took a sip of his coffee, the warmth spreading through him. "Just... thinking."
"About?"
"Everything," he admitted. "The mission. My powers. This watch." He held it up briefly before tucking it into his pocket. "It's different now."
Jasmine tilted her head, curious. "Different how?"
"I don't need it anymore," Zane said, his tone laced with uncertainty. "The watch was my anchor. Without it, I feel... untethered."
Jasmine frowned thoughtfully. "Maybe that's not a bad thing. Anchors are useful, but they can also hold you back."
Her words hung in the air, and Zane found himself turning them over in his mind. She had a way of making him see things differently, of cutting through the noise in his head.
"Maybe," he said finally, his lips curving into the faintest hint of a smile.
Jasmine's eyes widened in mock shock. "Did you just smile? Alert the media!"
He snorted softly, shaking his head. "Don't get used to it."
A New Mission
Bruce and Skye approached the pair, maps in hand.
"Alright, team," Bruce said, his voice all business. "We've got a lead on another artifact. It's buried somewhere in the Crystal Caverns."
"Caverns, huh?" Leo said, sauntering over. "Sounds like a good excuse to test out my new lava boots."
"You don't have lava boots," Skye pointed out.
"Yet," Leo shot back with a grin.
Zane stood, slipping his watch into his pocket. "Let's go, then."
As they packed up camp, Zane found himself gravitating toward Jasmine. He didn't know why, but there was something grounding about her presence.
Daydreams and Distractions
The hike to the Crystal Caverns was long, the forest growing denser as they went. Zane took up the rear of the group, his eyes scanning for any signs of danger. But his mind wasn't entirely on the task.
Instead, it wandered back to Jasmine. Her soft pink lips, her sea-green eyes, her golden blonde hair, her-.
"Zane?" Jasmine's voice pulled him back to reality.
He blinked, realizing she had fallen back to walk beside him. "What?"
"I asked if you thought we were getting close," she said, her brow furrowed. "You were kind of zoned out."
"I'm fine," he said quickly, his cheeks warming.
Jasmine smiled, clearly unconvinced. "If you say so."
A Challenge Ahead
When they finally reached the entrance to the Crystal Caverns, the sight took their breath away. Massive crystalline structures jutted from the ground and walls, glowing faintly in the dim light.
"This place is incredible," Skye said, her voice filled with awe.
"Yeah, but it's also dangerous," Bruce said, pointing to jagged shards scattered on the ground. "We need to be careful."
As they ventured deeper into the caverns, the air grew colder, the light from the crystals casting eerie shadows. The team moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing in the vast space.
Zane stayed close to Jasmine, his instincts on high alert. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he knew one thing for certain—he wouldn't let anything happen to her.
