Rae van Daleon – The Roots of the Storm
by Lea von Löwenstein
Chapter 6: Hidden in the Shadows
The footsteps echoed through the dark corridor, soft but with a precision that promised no good. Rae froze for a moment, her hand still on the cold metal door. Her senses sharpened, and with a slight tilt of her head, she signaled Tyren and Celestine to remain still.
“Retreat,” she whispered, her voice barely audible in the suffocating silence.
Tyren nodded silently, deactivating his device, which fell silent immediately. Celestine pulled her shoulders in and stepped back slowly, her movements fluid like a predator in hiding.
Rae scanned the corridor with her eyes. The footsteps drew closer, and the faint light filtering through a distant crack revealed the silhouette of a lone figure. Whoever it was moved calmly and methodically—too calm to be an ordinary novice.
Rae slipped into the shadows, every movement deliberate. She knew speed would only betray them. Her steps were silent, her breathing shallow, as she guided her companions to follow her lead.
A Stealthy Escape
The path back through the hidden corridor was even darker than before. Rae led the group, her head tilted slightly to catch every sound. The goal was clear: find an alternate exit before the unknown figure caught up to them.
Behind them, the faint rustle of clothing and the soft echo of footsteps grew louder. Rae pressed herself against the wall, raising her hand to signal the others to stop. Her heart pounded, but her mind remained focused.
In the distance, she spotted a small alcove, almost concealed by a stack of old crates. Pointing toward it, she led Tyren and Celestine to the hiding spot.
The footsteps grew nearer. The stranger seemed to hesitate, pausing just outside their hiding spot. Rae flattened herself against the wall, her body motionless. The figure took a deep breath, almost as if sensing their presence.
Then, the figure turned away, footsteps receding as they moved in the opposite direction. Rae waited until the sound faded completely before giving a small nod. “Now,” she whispered.
Climbing to the Upper Levels
The return was a game of patience and skill. Rae guided them through an alternate passage, its existence known only through Tyren’s map. The air was stale, and the floor creaked faintly beneath their feet, but they moved with the precision of shadows.
When they reached the staircase leading back to the upper levels, Rae allowed herself a brief moment of relief. But the way was not yet clear. The upper corridors were frequently patrolled, especially during the late hours.
“One last hurdle,” Rae murmured, gesturing toward a long hallway faintly illuminated by strips of dim light. She knew they had to remain unseen.
Rae stepped forward first, her movements fluid and precise. Every muscle in her body was tense, every breath controlled. Celestine followed with equal care, while Tyren, though less graceful, managed to move quietly.
A beam of light swept across the hallway as a servitor passed by. Rae pressed herself against the wall, raising her hand instinctively to stop the others. The servitor hummed softly, its sensors scanning the surroundings. Rae stayed perfectly still until it finally moved on.
Safety in the Darkness
After what felt like an eternity, they reached a hidden door that led back to one of the upper, officially used corridors. Rae opened it cautiously, her eyes scanning for any signs of movement. The hallway was empty.
“Made it,” Tyren whispered as they shut the door behind them, retreating into the relative safety of the upper levels.
Rae turned to him, her expression serious. “Not yet. We don’t know who that was or if they noticed us. From now on, we leave no traces.”
Celestine nodded curtly. “We saw what we needed to see. But that was a risk we can’t afford to take again.”
“Maybe,” Rae replied, her thoughts still on what they had discovered below. The symbols, the strange energy, the ancient plans—it was more than a mystery; it was a threat. And she knew this was only the beginning.
As they disappeared into the shadows of the Scola, one thing was certain: the answers lay hidden in the depths, but the path to them would come at a price.
