Chapter 18: Descent into the Depths
The next morning dawned cool and clear, a deceptive calm masking the tension Quinn Holloway felt rising in his chest. The day had passed in a blur, with his mind occupied less by lessons and more by what awaited him beneath Meridian's surface. The old mines. Whatever lay down there had been powerful enough to cause an earthquake, and the thought of it lingered in his mind like a dark cloud.
After his final class, Quinn slipped away, heading toward the exit of the academy with his small bookbag slung over his shoulder. Inside, carefully tucked away, was the journal—the mysterious artifact that held more secrets than answers. He wasn't sure why he brought it with him today, but something about the journey to the mines made him think it might come in handy.
As he approached the gates, however, a familiar figure stepped into his path. Rhea stood with her arms crossed, her sharp silver eyes fixed on him with an intensity that stopped him in his tracks.
"Where are you going?" she asked, her voice calm but commanding.
Quinn had known this confrontation was coming. He hadn't expected to slip away unnoticed, not when Rhea was involved. She had a way of sensing when something important was happening.
"I'm going to the mines," Quinn replied honestly, deciding that hiding the truth from her would only complicate things.
Rhea's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "Why?"
"There's something happening down there," Quinn explained. "A old friend told me about it. A government official—corrupt, dangerous—he's working on something in the mines. Something powerful enough to cause the earthquake we felt yesterday. I need to find out what it is."
Rhea considered him for a long moment, her gaze unreadable. Finally, she nodded, as if coming to a decision.
"You're not going alone," she said firmly. "If this is as dangerous as you think, you'll need backup. I'm coming. And I'm bringing Anais and Jaren."
Quinn opened his mouth to protest, but Rhea's expression brooked no argument. She wasn't asking for permission; she was telling him how it was going to be. And despite himself, Quinn couldn't deny that having them along would increase his chances of success—or survival.
"Fine," he said, nodding in agreement. "But we need to move quickly. Whatever's going on down there, we don't have much time."
Rhea gave a sharp nod in return, and within minutes, she had gathered Anais and Jaren. The four of them set out from the academy, heading toward the edge of the city where the entrance to the old mines lay hidden beneath layers of urban decay.
What Quinn didn't know was that Lena, ever-watchful and intrigued by his every move, had been trailing them from the moment he left the academy grounds. She moved silently, her presence unnoticed by Quinn and the others, her gaze fixed on him with an intensity that bordered on admiration.
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The journey to the mines took them to a part of Meridian few ventured willingly. The industrial district had fallen into disuse years ago, its towering buildings now crumbling and covered in layers of grime. The streets here were eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling city center. Quinn could feel the tension among the group as they approached the mine entrance, an old, rusted gate that had long been abandoned and forgotten by most of the city's residents.
"This is it," Quinn muttered as they came to a stop in front of the gate.
Anais gave a low whistle. "I've seen some shady places before, but this… this is something else."
Jaren stepped forward, his broad shoulders tense as he surveyed the entrance. "How do we know what we're looking for down there?" he asked, his voice gruff but laced with genuine concern.
"We don't," Quinn replied. "Not yet. But if my friend was right, we'll find something soon enough."
Without wasting any more time, they pried open the gate and descended into the darkness of the mines. The air was thick and musty, carrying the scent of damp earth and decay. Their footsteps echoed through the narrow tunnels, the only light coming from the faint glow of the lanterns they had brought.
As they moved deeper into the mines, the sense of unease grew stronger. There was something wrong here, Quinn could feel it in his bones. The walls seemed to hum with an unseen energy, and every so often, the ground beneath their feet would give a slight tremble, as if warning them to turn back.
"What exactly are we expecting to find down here?" Anais asked in a low voice, her sharp eyes scanning the shadows.
"I don't know," Quinn admitted. "But whatever it is, it's powerful. And dangerous."
They continued deeper, navigating the twisting tunnels with Rhea at Quinn's side, her expression focused and unyielding. Jaren stayed behind them, acting as a silent sentinel, while Anais moved ahead, scouting the path.
The deeper they went, the more the air seemed to change. It became heavier, filled with a strange, unnatural energy that made the hairs on the back of Quinn's neck stand on end.
Suddenly, the ground gave a violent tremor, more powerful than the subtle tremors they had felt earlier. Rocks crumbled from the ceiling, crashing around them, and they were forced to stop.
"That's no natural quake," Rhea muttered, her hand on the hilt of her blade.
Quinn's mind raced. He could feel it—whatever was causing the tremors, they were getting closer. And the power behind it felt… wrong. Corrupted.
"We're close," Quinn said, his voice barely above a whisper. "We need to keep moving."
But before they could take another step, a loud crash echoed through the tunnel, followed by a low, rumbling growl. The sound sent a chill down Quinn's spine. Whatever was down here wasn't human.
As they stood in the darkness, the tunnel before them seemed to warp and shift, the very walls vibrating with energy. Something ancient and dark was stirring beneath Meridian, and they were walking straight into its lair.
Quinn tightened his grip on the strap of his bookbag, the weight of the journal inside pressing against him like a reminder of the unknown power he carried. He had a feeling that whatever was ahead, the journal might be the only thing that could help them survive.
"Let's go," he said, his voice steady despite the fear creeping up his spine.
With a final glance at each other, the group pressed forward into the heart of the mines, unaware that Lena, hidden in the shadows behind them, had followed them this far—and had no intention of turning back.