The Bigshot's Superstar Wife - Chapter 189

Chapter 189: Take a Break
The survivors scrambled, grabbing torches and makeshift weapons. They struck at the fire-sensitive plants, sending embers flying.

The moment the first flames erupted, the creature let out a deafening screech, recoiling violently as the fire spread. It was afraid.

Athena didn’t hesitate. She grabbed a burning branch and charged, swinging it toward the monster.

The flames licked at its skin, and this time, it didn’t heal. It stumbled back, its hollow eyes filled with something almost like terror.

Xavier joined her, hurling another burning log at its feet. The creature howled, its body convulsing as the fire consumed it.

Then, with one final, anguished shriek, it collapsed, writhing as the flames devoured its flesh. Within moments, there was nothing left but smoldering ash.

The silence that followed was deafening. The survivors stood frozen, staring at the remains. Then, one by one, they let out ragged breaths, the weight of what had just happened settling over them.

Athena clenched her fists, staring at the scorched earth where the creature had fallen. It wasn’t just some mindless monster. It had been something else. Something worse.

Xavier stepped beside her, his expression unreadable. “This isn’t over,” he murmured.

She knew he was right. They had survived, but the fight was far from finished. The horrors of this world were only just beginning.

The aftermath of the battle left the survivors drained, their limbs heavy with exhaustion.

The acrid scent of burnt flesh and scorched earth lingered in the air, mixing with the dampness of the forest.

Athena exhaled slowly, the tension in her body uncoiling ever so slightly. The monster was dead, reduced to nothing but ashes, but its memory clung to her mind like a parasite.

Even in death, it left an imprint. A warning. Xavier looked over the group, his gaze sharp despite the exhaustion in his features.

“We need to move,” he said, though his voice lacked its usual force. The battle had taken its toll on him, too. “Find a safe place for the night. Somewhere defensible.”

The survivors murmured their agreement, their movements sluggish but determined. Athena took one last glance at the charred remains before turning away and falling in step with Xavier.

The group trudged forward, weaving through the gnarled trees, their boots crunching over brittle leaves and twigs.

The deeper they went, the quieter it became. The trees, once brimming with hostile life, seemed to acknowledge their victory, retreating into eerie stillness.

Finally, after what felt like hours, they stumbled upon a cave nestled against the rocky cliffs. It was deep enough to provide shelter but not so cavernous that they couldn’t defend it.

More importantly, there were no signs of danger, no strange growths, no unnatural sounds. Just the damp scent of earth and stone.

Xavier inspected the entrance, his fingers brushing against the cool rock. “This will do,” he murmured. “At least for tonight.”

Athena nodded, her shoulders aching as she stepped inside. The darkness swallowed her momentarily before her eyes adjusted to the dim light filtering through the cracks in the ceiling.

It was spacious enough for all of them, and there was a small natural spring in the corner, its water glistening in the faint moonlight. It was more than they could have asked for.

The survivors collapsed onto the ground, some lying flat on their backs, others leaning against the rocky walls.

A few murmured quiet prayers of gratitude, while others simply stared into space, their eyes vacant with exhaustion.

Athena let out a slow breath and sat down near the entrance, stretching her sore legs. Her body screamed for rest, but her mind refused to quiet.

She glanced at Xavier, who was checking his weapons with methodical precision. Even now, he didn’t let his guard down.

“You should rest,” she told him.

He chuckled, shaking his head. “And let you take the first watch? I don’t think so.”

She rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. Instead, she leaned her head back against the rock, closing her eyes for a moment.

The silence was comforting, a stark contrast to the chaos they had endured. Someone started a small fire near the entrance, the flickering light casting long shadows on the walls.

The warmth seeped into Athena’s skin, easing the chill that had settled in her bones. For the first time in what felt like forever, they could finally breathe.

One of the survivors, an older man named Riel, pulled out a small ration of dried food and passed it around.

It wasn’t much, but no one complained. They ate in silence, their minds too heavy with fatigue to make conversation.

Athena took a small bite, her stomach knotting at the bland taste. Food was food, but after seeing the horrors of the world, every meal felt like a fleeting luxury.

Xavier sat beside her, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp as he scanned the entrance. “We need to be careful,” he murmured. “That thing we killed… it wasn’t the only one of its kind.”

Athena swallowed her bite, the weight of his words pressing down on her. “I know,” she admitted. “But for now… let’s just rest.”

For once, he didn’t argue. Instead, he leaned back against the rock, his eyes flickering toward the fire. The shadows danced across his features, softening the usual sharpness in his expression.

The warmth of the fire, the quiet murmurs of the others, and the rhythmic dripping of the water, it was enough to lull Athena into something close to peace.

For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to relax. Sleep claimed her swiftly, pulling her into the depths of much-needed rest.

Hours passed. The fire crackled softly, its glow dimming as the embers slowly burned out. The cave remained still, untouched by the horrors of the outside world.

Athena stirred, her mind sluggish as she surfaced from the depths of sleep. For a moment, she forgot where she was, her body too used to the feeling of unease.

But then she heard the steady breathing of the survivors around her, the soft sound of the water dripping, and reality settled in.

She sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. The soreness in her muscles had dulled, replaced by a lingering stiffness.

She glanced around the cave, noting that most of the survivors were still asleep. Except for Xavier.