The faint glow of Mystveil's lanterns barely reached the alleys as Caelum and Lunara stepped cautiously into the narrow passage. The air was heavy with the scent of damp stone and faintly acrid smoke. Shadows clung to the walls, shifting with every flicker of distant torchlight. The rat that had led them here scurried at Caelum's side, its injured form trembling but determined.
"Here," Lunara said softly, kneeling to inspect the ground. Her sapphire eyes narrowed as she traced her fingers over the cobblestones.
"Burn marks."
Caelum crouched beside her, his crimson eyes gleaming in the low light. The blackened symbols were jagged, almost crude, but they radiated faint energy.
"Runes," he murmured, his voice low.
"Like the ones we've seen before."
"Not just runes," Lunara replied, tilting her head.
"There's blood."
