Rae van Daleon – The Roots of the Storm
by Lea von Löwenstein
Chapter 17: A Solo Mission
The group sat in their hidden chamber, the weight of their earlier discussion pressing heavily on them. The dim light cast long shadows on the stone walls, their breaths the only sound in the stillness. Rae’s voice broke the silence, calm but resolute.
“I’ll go alone,” she said.
The others looked at her in shock. Celestine’s eyes narrowed, Tyren froze mid-tinker with his cogitator, and Marcus folded his arms, his expression unreadable. Soren, sitting on the edge of a crate, looked like he might fall over.
“What did you just say?” Celestine’s voice was sharp, her words cutting through the tension like a blade.
Rae met her gaze without flinching. “Tomorrow night. I’ll go into the lower levels alone. No action, no risks. Just scouting the area.”
Tyren let out a short, nervous laugh. “That’s insane, Rae. You’re seriously thinking about going down there alone? After everything we’ve talked about?”
“I am,” Rae replied evenly. “It’s the only way to minimize risk. A group of us moving together would draw too much attention. One person can move quieter, faster.”
“That’s suicide,” Celestine snapped, stepping closer. “If something happens to you down there, we won’t even know. How can you expect us to let you do this?”
“I don’t need permission,” Rae said firmly. “This isn’t about letting me. It’s about what’s necessary.”
The Debate
Marcus spoke up, his voice steady but low. “You think this is the best way? Going alone?”
“It’s not about what’s best,” Rae said. “It’s about what’s possible. If I can map out the area, identify patrol patterns, and see what’s really down there, we’ll have a real plan. Right now, we’re flying blind.”
“And if you don’t come back?” Soren’s voice was barely above a whisper, but his words hung in the air.
Rae turned to him, her expression softening slightly. “I will come back. This isn’t a fight. It’s just a reconnaissance mission. I’ll go in, gather what I can, and get out.”
Celestine shook her head, pacing. “This is reckless. You’re asking us to sit here and wait while you put yourself at risk. Do you even understand what you’re asking?”
“I do,” Rae said, her voice quiet but firm. “And I wouldn’t ask it if I didn’t believe it was the right move.”
Tyren threw up his hands. “There’s got to be another way. Let me hack into more logs, find something useful. Give me more time—”
“We don’t have time,” Rae interrupted. “Talia’s been gone for days. Whatever’s down there won’t wait for us to feel ready. If we’re going to do this, we need answers. And we need them now.”
The Decision
Marcus sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “You’re not going to change your mind, are you?”
“No,” Rae said simply.
Celestine stopped pacing, her fists clenched. “Fine. But you’d better make it back. If you don’t…” Her voice trailed off, but the unspoken threat was clear.
Tyren muttered something under his breath, then looked up at Rae. “If you’re going, take this.” He handed her a small device from his cogitator. “It’s a signal beacon. If something goes wrong, trigger it. It’ll alert us.”
Rae took it, her fingers curling around the cold metal. “Thank you.”
Soren looked like he wanted to say something, but he stayed silent, his hands gripping his knees.
Preparation
That night, Rae went over her plan meticulously. She would wait until the final bell, then slip out while the others stayed behind to cover for her. She packed lightly—a small blade, a flashlight, a map of the upper levels, and Tyren’s beacon. Every detail had to be perfect.
As she checked her gear one last time, Celestine approached her. “You know this is a mistake,” she said quietly.
“It’s a calculated risk,” Rae replied, not looking up. “And it’s one I have to take.”
Celestine’s jaw tightened. “Just… don’t be a hero, Rae. If things go south, get out. No hesitation.”
Rae nodded. “I will.”
The Night Begins
When the final bell rang, signaling lights out, Rae waited until the sounds of footsteps and voices faded. She slipped into the corridor, her movements silent as a shadow. The cold stone beneath her feet was familiar, but the air felt heavier tonight, as though the Scola itself was holding its breath.
She reached the entrance to the maintenance tunnels and paused, her heart pounding in her chest. Tyren’s beacon was tucked safely in her pocket, a small reassurance against the unknown. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the rusted panel aside and stepped into the darkness.
The air inside the tunnel was colder, sharper. The faint hum of machinery echoed around her, and the shadows seemed to press closer with every step. Rae moved carefully, her senses on high alert. Every sound, every flicker of light, could be a sign—or a warning.
She followed Tyren’s map, marking key points in her mind: narrow passages, potential hiding spots, signs of recent activity. Her flashlight cut through the darkness, revealing rusted pipes and faded markings on the walls. It was a labyrinth, and she knew she had only scratched the surface.
The First Signs
As Rae moved deeper, she spotted something unusual. A section of the wall had been recently disturbed—scratches and faint scorch marks marred the surface. Nearby, a small piece of fabric was caught on a jagged edge. She crouched down, examining it closely. It was dark green, the same shade as the novices’ uniforms.
Talia.
Rae’s pulse quickened. She stuffed the fabric into her pocket and pressed on, her steps growing more cautious. The air grew colder, and the hum of machinery seemed to shift, as though something deeper was stirring.
Then she heard it—a faint, rhythmic sound, like footsteps. She froze, her breath catching. The sound was distant, but it was coming closer. Rae pressed herself against the wall, her hand gripping the small blade at her side.
The footsteps passed, heavy and deliberate, accompanied by the faint whir of a servitor. She held her breath, waiting until the sound faded before moving again. Her heart pounded, but she forced herself to stay calm. This was why she was here—to learn, to observe.
The Return
Rae retraced her steps carefully, marking the path back to the surface. When she finally emerged into the corridor, the cold air felt almost welcoming. She slid the panel shut behind her and made her way back to the chamber, her movements just as silent as before.
When she stepped inside, the others were waiting. Celestine crossed her arms, Tyren looked relieved, and Marcus’s face was unreadable. Soren let out a small sigh of relief.
“Well?” Celestine demanded.
Rae pulled the piece of fabric from her pocket and held it up. “Talia was down there,” she said. “And she didn’t go willingly.”
The room fell silent, the weight of her words sinking in. Rae met each of their gazes, her voice steady.
“We need to move fast. Whatever’s down there, it’s not just a danger to her—it’s a danger to all of us.”
