Lyra, Raven, and the city mages searched the city frantically for Kaelara and Lirien. They scoured every alleyway, marketplace, and hidden corner, but there was no sign of them.
Just when they were about to give up hope, Lyra remembered the underground tunnels that ran beneath the city. She had heard rumors that some people used them to escape from the city's watchful eyes.
"We need to check the tunnels," she said to Raven and the mages.
They made their way to the city's eastern wall, where a small entrance to the tunnels was hidden behind a waterfall. Lyra led the way, her heart pounding with every creaking step.
As they descended into the darkness, Lyra's eyes adjusted slowly to the dim light. The air was damp and musty, and the sound of dripping water echoed off the walls.
Suddenly, Lyra heard a faint whispering in her ear. "Help... help us..."
She spun around, but there was no one there. The whisper seemed to come from all around her, echoing off the walls.
Raven grabbed her arm. "What's wrong?"
Lyra pointed. "Did you hear that? It sounds like... Kaelara and Lirien."
The mages nodded, their faces set with determination. "Let's follow the sound," one of them said.
As they followed the whispering, they stumbled upon a hidden chamber deep in the tunnels. And there, bound and gagged, were Kaelara and Lirien.
Nyx stood over them, her eyes blazing with malevolence. "You fools," she spat. "You think you can stop me? I will crush you all."