The hum of lanterns buzzed faintly overhead, flickering shadows stretching across the walls like fingers clawing for purchase. The air was still and damp, carrying the metallic tang of rusted iron and stone long worn by time. The path back through Ragnar's underbelly twisted like veins of light and shadow, winding so much that even Kael glanced over his shoulder to check if they were being followed.
Kev led them with casual ease, his halberd resting lazily against his back, the weapon moving with every shift of his shoulders. His stride was unbothered, his boots clicking softly against stone.
"Alright," Kev said, his voice echoing lightly against the stone. "Let's head back. No point wasting more time in the dark."
"Yeah," Rowan muttered, gaze darting to the distant glint of watchful eyes from the shadows. "The ambiance was really doing it for me."
The others followed in silence. Every step felt heavier than the last, and the echoes of Juno's words clung to them like fog.
"You're useful, Amara. That's why she hasn't touched you yet."
Amara walked stiffly, her hands resting on her rifle as her fingers tapped against the frame with a slow, uneven rhythm. Her eyes were distant, focused ahead but not really looking at anything.
Kael's gaze flicked toward her, his brow tight with concern. "You alright?"
"Fine," Amara muttered, sharper than she intended.
Kael's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer before he nodded, falling back in line. He didn't press, but Elira wasn't as kind.
"Doesn't look fine," Elira said, brushing past her to walk ahead, her sabers shifting softly against her hips. "You froze up back there."
"I didn't freeze," Amara shot back, her tone colder now. "I'm walking, aren't I?"
"Walking's easy," Elira muttered. "Taking a side, now that's harder."
Amara's grip on her rifle tightened. She kept walking, but her eyes didn't leave Elira's back.
Kev let out a low whistle, spinning his halberd in a slow circle before catching it mid-spin. "You two wanna sort this out now, or should I grab popcorn?"
"Shut it, Kev," Kael muttered, his eyes flicking toward Elira. "Drop it, Elira. Now."
"Just saying," Elira shrugged, glancing back at Amara with that sharp grin of hers. "I don't blame you, Amara. Doubt's not a bad thing. It's human."
Amara didn't respond, her eyes locked forward.
"Don't twist it," Kael snapped, his voice firm as stone. "Her loyalty's not in question."
"Of course it's not," Elira said, letting her words hang just a little too long.
The silence that followed was loud. No one spoke, but the sound of their footsteps echoed louder than before, like the stone paths themselves were listening.
Then, from the side, a voice called out — rough, sharp, and too close.
"Kael's safe," it sneered, the sound bouncing off the stone walls. "He's a man. Men get to stay loyal. Women, though?" The voice clicked its tongue. "Women get watched."
A figure emerged from one of the side passages — a rebel in a tattered cloak with mismatched armor strapped to his chest. His short black hair was slick with sweat, his eyes wild but steady, locked on Amara like she was an open secret. His grin was all teeth.
"Loyalty's only tested when you're seen as a threat," the man continued, stepping into the center of the path. His hands were open at his sides, but his fingers twitched like he was ready to grab a weapon. "Kael's got nothing to worry about. Loyal to a fault, that one. Predictable. But you, Amara?" He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing. "You're starting to look real unpredictable."
Amara's heart kicked in her chest. Her steps slowed.
"Careful," Kael said, stepping up beside her, his broadsword shifting just enough to show the glint of its edge. His voice was steady, dangerous. "One more word, and I'll show you just how predictable I can be."
"Easy, big guy," the rebel said, grinning wider. "Wouldn't want Darya to hear you lost your temper over a few words."
Elira's sabers hissed halfway out of their sheaths, her eyes narrowing. "Keep talking, and I'll be sure to engrave those words on your ribs."
The rebel's grin didn't fade, but his eyes flicked to Kael's broadsword, then Elira's sabers. "Touchy, aren't they? Must be nice, being so sure you're on the right side."
"Shut your mouth," Kael muttered, his eyes locked on the man like he was already measuring where to strike first. "You won't see the next word leave it."
"Kev," Amara muttered, eyes locked on the rebel. "Do something."
Kev sighed heavily, letting his halberd swing forward. It landed with a clang against the ground as he rolled his shoulders. "Alright, that's enough," he said, his voice still laced with that usual ease but carrying a sharper weight. He stepped between the rebel and Kael, spinning his halberd once before planting it firmly at his side. "Move it, Harven. You're making a mess."
"Mess was already made, Kev," Harven replied, still grinning, though he stepped back slowly. "Just making sure everyone sees it."
"hey look,we have a philosopher over here," Kev said, leaning forward until he was inches from Harven's face. "better zip it, Before I turn you into a cautionary tale."
Harven's grin faltered. He raised his hands in mock surrender and backed away, his eyes darting between Kael, Elira, and Amara. "Alright, alright," he muttered, retreating back into the shadowed path. "Don't get yourselves killed out there, Guardians. Darya might miss you."
"Move," Kev muttered, his halberd lifting to his shoulder as he spun on his heel. "Let's go."
"Friend of yours?" Rowan asked, her smirk sharp as ever.
"Family reunion," Kev quipped, voice dry. "He's the cousin nobody invites but always shows up."
Rowan snorted.
Harven lingered at the edge of the tunnel for a heartbeat too long, his eyes still on Amara. His grin had vanished, but his stare was heavier now, like he was weighing something unseen. Then, without a word, he disappeared into the dark, his steps quieter than they should have been.
Kael was still watching the path where Harven disappeared, his grip on his broadsword firm. "I should've—"
"Yeah, you should've," Elira cut in, sliding her sabers back into place. "But you didn't."
Kael's eyes stayed on the path longer than necessary. His grip on his broadsword was firm, steady, but his jaw tightened with something unsaid. He glanced at Amara. He didn't say anything, but his eyes asked a question she couldn't answer.
"Didn't learn anything about the coins," Kieran muttered, his eyes focused ahead. "All that talk and nothing useful."
"Not everything's about coins, big guy," Rowan replied, still grinning.
"Maybe," Kieran muttered. "But we're still empty-handed."
They walked on, the quiet stretching longer this time. Their footsteps echoed, hollow but steady. Rowan fell in step next to Aiden, nudging him lightly with her elbow.
"What's your take?" she asked, her voice low.
"On what?" Aiden replied, his tone quiet but thoughtful.
"On darya," Rowan nodded toward Amara. "what do you think?"
Aiden's eyes lingered on Amara's back, watching the way her shoulders were just a little too stiff, her grip on her rifle a little too tight. He exhaled slowly, gaze sharp and knowing.
"I'm not sure yet," he said. "But there's definitely something wrong with this place…"
"Yeah," Rowan said, her grin dimming just slightly.
Back at the surface, the golden glow of Ragnar's streets was brighter than it had ever been in the underbelly, but the warmth felt hollow. They reached a quiet street near the edge of the market, its glow faint but steady.
Kael's gaze flicked toward Amara. "You gonna tell her?"
"No," Amara said without hesitation.
Elira tilted her head, eyes sharp with curiosity. "You sure about that?"
"Yeah," Amara replied, her eyes locked forward, unwavering. Her fingers tapped her rifle once, twice. "I'm sure."
Elira's eyes narrowed as if searching for cracks. She didn't find any, but she didn't look satisfied, either.
"Fine," Elira said, walking past her. "But when it all comes down on us, I wasnt here okay."
Amara glanced at Kael. He didn't say anything, but he nodded.
"Good," she muttered, adjusting her grip on her rifle. "Nobody's going down for this but me."
They didn't know it, but every step they took echoed louder than it should have...
something was listening.