The night was thick with darkness, shadows crowding every corner of the narrow alleys as Amberine and Maris followed closely behind Alfred. The cobblestones beneath their feet seemed to absorb the little light from the stars above, giving the whole journey an eerie, almost dreamlike quality. Alfred moved with such purpose that it almost felt deliberate, like he was leading them through a labyrinth where only he knew the path. The route was winding, confusing, full of tight turns that left Amberine feeling disoriented. She couldn't tell if they were still heading west, or if Alfred had circled back on purpose.
Amberine exchanged a nervous glance with Maris, who returned it with an equally uncertain look. Both of them were trying to figure out what exactly they had gotten themselves into. Alfred's silent demeanor only added to their unease. The tension between them was almost palpable as the silence stretched on, broken only by the soft sound of their footsteps.
