Chapter 97 - Can he see us?

Altan's eyes glisten in the low light of the hallway as he stands motionless for a brief moment, letting the heavy air settle around him. The dimly lit corridor feels suffocating, its darkness broken only by the faint amber glow coming from small recessed lights above. They cast long, eerie shadows that stretch across the floor, making the walls seem as though they're closing in on him. The walls, lined with something similar to polished wood panels, are etched with faint designs—barely visible, like a forgotten language or olden kol-nic. Some of the panels are chipped at the edges, the varnish peeling off in places, giving the air a faint scent of aged wood and neglect.