The Bigshot's Superstar Wife - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: The Markings

Mors was on it in an instant, meeting the creature’s attack with his own strength.

His sword clashed against the leader’s, sparks flying as the force of the strike pushed them both back.

But the leader wasn’t done, it twisted mid-air and slashed at Mors, narrowly missing his chest.

Athena didn’t hesitate. She rushed forward, using the momentary distraction to her advantage.

With a battle cry, she drove Arthivian deep into the leader’s side, her sword glowing with dark energy as it pierced through the creature’s flesh.

The leader let out a chilling scream, the force of the blow sending it spiraling into the ground. But it wasn’t defeated yet.

With a final, defiant roar, the creature’s body shimmered, and before Athena could react, it exploded into a cloud of black smoke, vanishing from sight.

Silence fell over the battlefield, the echo of the creature’s scream lingering in the air. Athena and Mors stood tense, their eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement.

Athena let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding, wiping the sweat from her brow. “Is it over?”

Mors stood still, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the area. “Not yet. There’s something off about this. We haven’t seen the last of it.”

Athena frowned, her heart still racing from the intensity of the battle. “What do you mean?”

“There’s something… bigger. The way the leader fought, controlled, intelligent, and this is just the beginning. We’re not facing a random outbreak of infected creatures. Something is orchestrating this.”

Athena’s grip on Arthivian tightened. “Then let’s find it. We need to end this, once and for all.”

They both knew it wouldn’t be easy. But the fight wasn’t over yet. And this time, the stakes were higher than ever.

–

Athena and Mors slept late at night.

But in the middle of the night, Athena awakened only to find Mors gone beside her.

Athena remained perfectly still in the tent, her breathing slow and deliberate, masking her awakened state.

Her sharp ears picked up the low murmur of voices outside, carried faintly by the cool night breeze.

She slipped out of the bedroll, careful not to make a sound, and crept to the tent’s entrance.

The faint light of the moon pierced through the thick clouds, casting an eerie glow on the landscape.

Mors’s silhouette stood near the edge of the camp, his posture commanding yet tense, as though the weight of the unfolding situation bore heavily on him.

Athena caught snippets of the conversation, the voice of Mors low and steady but laced with authority.

“Find the remaining participants quickly,” he instructed, his words measured. “They must not be left scattered and vulnerable. The infected are becoming smarter and more coordinated.”

A pause followed, filled with the subtle rustling of leaves and the faint shuffle of the shadow guards moving to follow his orders.

Mors continued, his voice dropping further, forcing Athena to strain to hear.

“Investigate the marks. Each horde leader we’ve encountered bore the same insignia. If any of the participants carry it, they must be quarantined immediately. Report back to me before dawn.”

Athena’s heart skipped a beat.

The marks again?

She recalled the peculiar emblem etched onto the Zerg-puppet Daphne and the leader of the horde they recently fought.

The connection was undeniable, but Mors’s determination to dig deeper piqued her curiosity even more.

Why had he hidden this from her? Was he trying to shield her, or was there more to it?

One of the guards stepped forward, his shadowy figure nearly blending into the darkness. “And if we find someone with the mark, Your Highness?”

Mors’s reply was firm, his tone brooking no argument.

“Detain them. But do not harm them unless there’s no choice. The marks aren’t random, they’re linked to the core entity controlling this virus. We need to uncover the connection before the situation escalates.”

Athena’s brow furrowed.

Core entity?

The pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together, but the picture they painted was still unclear. She couldn’t help but feel a gnawing unease at the implications.

The guards dispersed silently, melting into the shadows as though they were never there.

Mors remained standing for a moment longer, his gaze sweeping the forest before he turned back toward the tent.

Athena quickly slipped back to her place, her mind racing with questions.

When Mors reentered the tent, his movements were quiet but deliberate. He settled beside her, his breathing steady, yet Athena could sense the weight of his thoughts.

She feigned sleep, her body relaxed as though she hadn’t been privy to the secret meeting.

Lying there in the dark, Athena’s mind churned. The marks, the horde leaders, the core entity… What aren’t you telling me, Mors?

Sleep would not come easily for her that night.

The sun rose sluggishly, its weak light barely breaking through the heavy clouds, casting the forest in a muted gray hue.

The air was thick with dampness, and the ground was littered with the aftermath of their countless battles.

Mors approached Athena, who was inspecting her sword near the campfire embers. His face was grave but tinged with a sense of resolve.

“The military has arrived,” he informed her, his tone steady. “They’re close to our location. They’ve already recovered several participants, but…”

He hesitated, his gaze flickering briefly before he continued.

“Several of them didn’t make it. They weren’t infected, though. They died from natural calamities, Zerg attacks, or wounds left untreated.”

Athena’s grip on her sword tightened, her jaw setting as she absorbed the news. She knew this show was a test of survival, but the cost was higher than anyone could have anticipated.

“What about Daphne’s sister? Crizelda?” she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

Mors shook his head. “Still missing. The military has found no trace of her. They’re sweeping the forest now, but I have my doubts she’ll be found alive… if at all.”

Athena met his gaze, her eyes narrowing. “Do you think she’s connected to the marks and the infected horde leaders?”

Mors didn’t answer immediately, his silence heavy with unspoken thoughts. “It’s possible,” he finally said.

“But we won’t get answers until we return to Sinalta. The scientists there are equipped to study what we’ve found, and perhaps uncover the root of all this.”