Chapter 3

                                                                    The Undiscovered Way

Only the odd creak of wood or the rustle of wind against the deteriorating structures could break the stillness of the destroyed marketplace. Zara couldn't get rid of the sense of urgency that was eating away at her, even if the atmosphere was heavy with the weight of the past. They had no time to relax. Not at all.

In actuality, she was unsure of her next course of action. She had intended to go to the Imperial archives, where the weapon was supposedly kept, but the ruins were much more perilous than this location. There seemed to be darkness around every step taken in that direction. However, they were propelled ahead by the allure of something hidden beneath the ashes—the promise of power.

From his place on the floor, Kael murmured in a raspy voice as he stirred behind her. "We must get out of here before it becomes dark. The risk increases with the length of time we are here.

Zara looked at him, trying to gauge his condition with narrowed eyes. His complexion continued to appear pale, and the incision on his side was leaking blood slowly and steadily, which alarmed her more than she wanted to acknowledge. There was fire in the man's eyes, though, and Zara could use it. Assuming he lived long enough.

She replied, a bit annoyed, "Do you really think I don't know that?" However, where should we go? Kael, we are at the end of our alternatives. There is a death trap in every way.

The ferocity of her remarks didn't make him wince; he kept his eyes fixed on her. "We must move to the city's north side. I am aware of a passageway that leads beneath the former Imperial complex. The majority of those who scavenged the ruins never discovered it since it is hidden.

Zara raised a doubtful eyebrow. "Hidden? And you think I'll trust you?

With a faint frown on his face, Kael nodded. "I'm not requesting your confidence. I would like you to accompany me.

Zara hesitated, the weight of her thoughts crushing down on her as her palm rested on the knife by her side. She was wise enough to avoid blind leads. However, she was unable to disregard the weight of Kael's words. She wondered whether the passage was the secret to unlocking whatever was hidden beneath the ashes of the Empire because of the way he described it.

Zara exhaled after a lengthy quiet. "All right. But I'll leave you here to rot if this turns out to be a trap, Kael.

Something resembling a half-smile flickered across his lips. "Comprehensive."

She walked towards the entrance, avoiding him, only stopping when her fingers touched the chilly metal of a partially collapsed frame. The odour of smoke and dust, the remains of a former world, was borne by the wind. Kael was attempting to repair this world. Zara was not interested in bringing that world back to life.

Zara's voice was firm as she said, "Let's go."

They returned to the ruins after leaving the marketplace's protection. Zara was vigilant, watching the horizon for any activity, even if the trail was still free of attackers. As they went, her boots kicked up dust, and the sound of stone crumbling in the distance filled the air.

The monuments to an Empire that had claimed dominance over all were now reduced to ruins, as they walked through the skeletal remains of what had once been a grand square. Despite the looming weight of history, Zara made herself concentrate. If they were to discover the secret route Kael mentioned, they had to act fast.

Zara's hand automatically moved to the little pack by her side as they got closer to the square's northern edge, inspecting the goods they had scrounged from the marketplace. Just enough water, a knife, and some dried meat scraps to last a few more days, but not much else.

Long shadows were spreading across the ruins as the sun started to set. Even though he was moving more slowly now and seemed to be exerting more effort with each stride, Kael was still walking by her side. Zara looked at him, her eyes darting from his wound to the road ahead. Time was not on their side.

Zara murmured softly, without glancing at him, "I don't think you're going to last very long, Kael." "A lot of blood is being lost by you."

He didn't respond right away, and Zara briefly believed he might not respond at all. Then his voice came, steady but quiet.

Zara didn't quite trust the quiet assurance with which he said, "I've been worse off." "I can continue. However, we must act quickly. The risk increases with the amount of time we wait.

Zara remained silent. Weakness could be fatal in this world, as she had long since learnt. Although Kael's fortitude was amazing, it wouldn't matter if he passed out before they got to safety. The thought of leaving him, however, made her feel something. There was still something about him that felt... genuine in spite of everything—the Empire, the treachery, his ancestry. And that was risky.

When they came to a little alleyway between two partially fallen buildings, Kael motioned for her to stop with his hand.

His voice was low as he said, "Here." "This wall is behind the passage."

Zara looked warily at the crumbling stone as her eyes darted over it. "A secret passageway in the centre of the ruin?" She gave a headshake. "You think I'll believe you?"

Kael shot back, "I don't care if you believe me." "It is present. I've experienced it previously.

Zara took a while to reply. With her hands following the rough edges of the wall, she took a step forward. Feeling for any change, any indication that the passage was genuine, she rubbed her palm against the chilly stone. She felt something give under her fingertips as a chilly blast of wind passed through the lane. The stone started to move with a faint click and then a gentle grinding noise.

Zara took a step back and saw a narrow, black tunnel emerge from a tiny hole in the wall. The air that came from inside was stale, like the grave of a lost world, and the path was just large enough for them to pass through.

"Well," Zara mumbled to herself, "I'll be damned."

Though it was more of a wince than anything approaching amusement, Kael smiled. "Told you."

Zara entered the pitch-black tunnel without saying another word, her senses keenly aware of every sound and movement. The air smelt faintly of mud and mildew, and the walls were scratchy against her skin. The path appeared to wind down, getting smaller as they went deeper into the ground.

"Is the Imperial compound located here?" Zara enquired, her voice resonating a little in the small room.

"Yes," Kael said in a tight tone. Somewhere under the palace's ruins. The secrets—everything the Empire wished to conceal—were stored there. Down there is the weapon.

Zara's fingers clenched around her knife's handle. She wasn't sure whether she could trust Kael, but she was certain that they had to get to the weapon first if it was real and had the potential to transform the world.

Zara stopped, her breath seizing in her throat as a sharp noise reverberated down the tunnel. She listened intently for anything that would reveal where they were. However, nothing was present. Only the whispering of the gentle, unsettling wind and the sound of their feet.

Kael took a step towards her, his shadow in the night. "We must move quickly. By now, they will be searching for us.

Zara nodded and began to move more quickly. As they descended deeper into the earth, the air thickened, and the temperature dropped. Zara felt a persistent unease, sensing they were being watched by someone or something.

However, she continued to press forward and go forward. Though Zara had experienced worse, the blackness ahead was all-consuming. Here, she was immune to the past.

And something awaited in the centre of the ruins. Something strong.