~Kaida Orion POV~
I manage a weak smile. "Together?"
He kisses my forehead. "Together."
The chamber glimmers softly, old power settled. Keeper's presence feels gone…but not gone.
We start to leave. Biat pauses, touching the scroll remnants.
Lupus frowns. "Yes?"
Biat stands, face pale. "Another passage here… hidden."
He kneels and traces lines on wall, behind runes, a hidden door cracks open with soft click.
My pulse returns.
I swallow hard. "What lies beyond?"
No one answers, then behind me, the hidden door widens into darkness…
Our footsteps echo in the hidden corridor, damp and narrow. Torchlight flickers against the stone walls, revealing ancient glyphs and broken frescoes. I walk between Lupus and Councilor Biat, heart pounding with anticipation, and dread.
Lupus presses a hand to my back. "Stay close."
I swallow. "Yes."
Biat examines the walls. "This chamber was sealed ages ago. Most believed nothing lay beyond."
I whisper: "Then why open now?"
