The stronghold's labyrinthine corridors stretched ahead, silent and foreboding. The faint hum of magic pulsed through the air, a constant reminder of the Council's meticulous control. Taryn and Lucien moved in tandem, their steps light and deliberate as they pressed deeper into the heart of the outpost.
They had left the records chamber behind, but Taryn's mind still lingered on the weight of the letters hidden within her cloak. Every step forward felt heavier, the shadows around them deeper. The walls seemed to close in, the glow of runes casting a cold, otherworldly light.
Lucien's voice broke the silence, barely a whisper. "There's more here. We haven't hit the core yet."
Taryn nodded, her hand brushing against the hilt of her blade. "There'll be a central archive. Something more secure."
