The corridor twisted and turned like a labyrinth, each step deeper into the palace pulling the trio into an oppressive silence. The once grand hallways were now a hollow shell of their former glory. The walls were cracked, their paint peeling like old skin, and the faint flicker of torches cast ghostly shadows that danced across the jagged edges.
"I hate this place," Star muttered, his voice low but sharp. His hand lingered near the hilt of his weapon, his eyes darting to every corner. "It feels like it's suffocating us on purpose."
"Focus," Skolo snapped, though his tone lacked its usual firmness. His claws flexed as he scanned the path ahead. "We can't let this place get to us."
Amon walked ahead of them, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. His mind raced, the uneasy silence feeding into the growing knot in his stomach. Something felt wrong—more than wrong. They've been here. They're leading us somewhere. But why?
"We've been walking for too long," Star continued, his frustration evident. "How big is this damn place?"
"Too big," Skolo replied curtly. "But we're getting closer. The signs are everywhere." He gestured at the deeper scratches on the floor and the faint bloodstains that marked the way forward.
"Closer to what?" Star hissed. "An ambush? A trap? What if they're—"
"Enough!" Amon barked, his voice echoing in the empty corridor. Both Star and Skolo froze, surprised by the outburst. Amon rarely raised his voice, but the tension of the situation was breaking through his composure. "I don't care what it is. We're not stopping until we find them. Until we find her."
Skolo's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, 'find her'? Amon, what aren't you telling us?"
Amon stopped in his tracks, his back to the others. For a long moment, he didn't speak, the weight of his secret pressing heavily on his shoulders. Then, in a voice that trembled with guilt and urgency, he said, "I didn't want to tell you before, but... I noticed Anna wasn't among the people at the sanctuary. I've had this fear, this horrible feeling, that she's been taken. But I couldn't say anything."
Star's jaw tightened, his voice rising with disbelief. "What? And you just kept that to yourself? How could you—"
"Because I couldn't risk you both losing your focus!" Amon shot back, turning to face them. His eyes were wild, his frustration and fear spilling over. "If I told you, you'd be distracted, reckless. I needed you to stay sharp. But I've been holding onto this fear the entire time... and now it's eating me alive."
Star clenched his fists, trembling with anger. "So that's why you've been acting strange. You kept this from us while pretending everything was fine?"
"This isn't the time for blame," Skolo said firmly, stepping between them. His tone was measured, but there was an edge to it. "We know now. Let's focus on finding her. We can argue later if we need to."
A tense silence fell over the trio before Amon gave a sharp nod. Without another word, they pressed on, the air around them feeling heavier with every step.
The corridor eventually opened into an enormous chamber. Their breath caught at the sight of the crown room. The space was grand yet oppressive, its vaulted ceilings looming above like the ribcage of a giant beast. A gilded throne sat at the far end, gleaming eerily in the dim light.
But none of them focused on the throne.
Anna was there, slumped on the cold stone floor, her hands bound tightly behind her back. Blood stained her once-clean clothing, and her face was pale, bruised, and streaked with tears. She looked barely conscious, her head lolling to the side.
"Anna!" Star's voice broke, filled with anguish. He sprinted toward her, but Amon grabbed his arm, stopping him.
"Wait," Amon hissed, his eyes darting around the room. "Something's wrong."
"What could be more wrong than this?" Star snapped, trying to pull free.
Amon ignored him, his mind racing. Why isn't anyone guarding her? Why is she just... here? His stomach churned as he took a cautious step forward. "Anna," he whispered, his voice trembling.
Her head lifted weakly, her gaze meeting his. The faint recognition in her eyes was like a dagger to his heart. Amon's mind flooded with memories: her laughter, her kindness, the way she'd looked at him with hope despite the world they lived in.
Suddenly, the doors behind them slammed shut with a deafening boom.
The trio spun around, their weapons drawn, as a cold, mocking laugh echoed through the chamber. From the shadows, Valen emerged, flanked by a dozen enforcers, their armor gleaming ominously in the dim torchlight.
"Did you really think you could just waltz into my palace unnoticed?" Valen's voice dripped with malice, his icy gaze fixed on Amon.
Skolo growled, his hands flexing into fists. "Let her go, Valen."
Valen smirked, ignoring him. "Oh, Amon," he continued, his tone almost mocking. "I knew you'd come. You couldn't resist, could you? It's almost... predictable."
Amon stepped forward, his katana drawn, his entire body trembling with rage. "If you've hurt her—"
"If?" Valen interrupted, his grin widening. "You should be asking how much."
Star let out a furious roar, but Amon stopped him again, his voice low and firm. "Not yet."
The tension in the room was suffocating. Valen's enforcers spread out, surrounding the trio and blocking every exit.
As the torches flickered, Amon's gaze returned to Anna, lying broken on the floor. His blood boiled, but his heart ached. This wasn't just about revenge anymore. It was about saving her—no matter the cost.
And for the first time, Amon wasn't sure they were going to make it out alive.