The academy's corridors were empty, the halls draped in an uneasy silence that hung thick in the air. Valen and Lian moved quietly, guided only by faint torchlight. Their breaths were steady but shallow, every step carefully measured as they neared the hidden entrance to the Black Vow's stronghold.
Lian stopped at an inconspicuous stone panel on the wall, his fingers tracing an ancient rune. "This is it," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's an old entrance, reserved for high-ranking members."
Valen nodded, his gaze sharp as he took in the wards etched into the wall. The wards were a complex weave of runes and magic, meant to prevent unauthorized access. They pulsed faintly with an ancient energy, warning against intrusion.
"Careful," Lian cautioned, stepping back slightly. "The wards are layered with shadow magic. One wrong move and they'll alert every agent within a hundred meters."
