In the small market, Godan, Marta, and Jomie moved cautiously, following Marta as she led them through the narrow alleys.
"We're almost there," Marta whispered. "The inn is just down this street. We can hide there."
But their luck took a turn for the worse when they turned the corner and saw two guards standing in front of the inn, clearly stationed to keep watch.
"Stop," Godan whispered sharply, freezing in place. "They've beaten us to it."
Marta clenched her teeth. "Now what?"
Godan thought quickly. "We need another plan. They don't know where we are right now, so we have a bit of time. We need to find another place to hide for now."
"Do we have to abandon the inn?" Jomie asked, sounding desperate.
"For now, yes," Godan replied firmly.
Carefully, they retreated, slipping back into the shadows of the narrow alley, the tension in the air growing heavier. They had to quickly regroup and devise a new plan.
* * * * *
Every corner of Amexan City was now filled with the sound of announcements echoing from loudspeakers throughout the city. The voice was firm and cold—the voice of Mayor Serzad Chroc.
Even though it was late at night, the search was still being announced.
"A massive search is underway! Citizens of Amexan City, please report to the nearest guards if you see three teenagers with the following descriptions…"
The information was repeated over and over for nearly a quarter of an hour. "They are highly dangerous. Once again, protect yourselves and your families, and report immediately if you see these three teenagers."
Godan, Marta, and Jomie, who were listening to the announcement, began to feel afraid. They were being treated like high-profile criminals.
"Godan," Marta called out.
The 165cm-tall boy turned to her.
"Yes?"
"Over there," Marta pointed, "I saw a warehouse earlier. It doesn't seem to be visited often—there are lots of things piled up in front of it."
"Good job, Marta." Jomie's eyes lit up.
The shortest member of their small group felt incredibly fortunate to have Marta, who was quick-witted and had a sharp memory. Godan, on the other hand, had a natural sense of leadership and could make decisions in critical moments.
Godan gave a relieved smile and motioned for them to quietly head toward the warehouse.
The three of them hid in a warehouse at the edge of a small market, exchanging tense glances. The warehouse was filled with wooden crates and dusty old cloths, dark enough to conceal them from outside view for the time being.
* * * * *
The announcement continued to echo every few minutes, escalating the tension.
"We can't stay here," Marta whispered, watching the beam of a guard's flashlight pass nearby. "They'll check every corner of the city."
"Stay quiet," Godan replied softly, trying to think quickly.
Jomie leaned against the wall, his curly hair disheveled, his breathing heavy. "What should we do, Godan? We don't even know where to go."
"I do have a crazy idea, but it's very risky." Godan glanced anxiously at Marta and Jomie.
As the atmosphere grew more intense, the sound of footsteps approached the warehouse. The three of them froze, their hearts pounding. The footsteps came closer, creating echoes on the warehouse floor.
"There's someone here..." Jomie whispered in a choked voice.
"Shhh!" Marta warned him sharply.
They held their breath as the brown warehouse door creaked open slowly, allowing a sliver of light to seep inside.
A figure stepped in, and as the faint light from outside illuminated his face, they recognized him.
"Harlen!" Marta exclaimed, almost too loudly, but her tone was one of relief.
Harlen quickly pressed a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. The man, with a hardened face and partially grayed hair, shook his head as he approached them.
"Thank goodness you're hiding here," he said in a low voice. "If you weren't, I might not have found you three."
Godan exhaled in relief but remained wary. "How did you know we were here?"
Harlen gave a faint smile. "You were too noticeable in the market earlier. I caught a glimpse of you before you disappeared. Luckily, I know this area well, so I trusted my instincts to check here. Otherwise... the guards would've found you by now."
Jomie leaned back against the wall, trying to calm himself. "So, what are you doing here, Harlen?"
Harlen sat on one of the wooden crates, his expression serious. "I know a few things. I know the Star Key has changed hands, and I know they're hunting you because you know their secret. Am I right?"
Godan nodded, his eyes sharp as he looked at Harlen. "We have to get it back. We can't let them keep it."
Harlen let out a heavy sigh. "That's incredibly dangerous. This city is crawling with spies and their guards. But I can help you to some extent."
"Do you have a plan?" Marta asked urgently.
Harlen stood and moved closer, explaining in a whisper. "There's a smuggler's tunnel we can use. It'll lead us close to Serzad's house without being detected. But I can't go any further than that. If I'm caught, I won't survive either."
"We understand," Godan said, though disappointment was evident on his face.
Harlen continued, "Once you retrieve what you're after, you need to leave this city within two hours."
"…" The three of them were momentarily stunned.
"Near the second gate, there's a clothing transport vehicle that will be waiting. The driver is someone I trust, and he'll help you escape. But remember, you must be on time."
"What happens if we're late?" Godan asked.
"Sooner or later, you'll be caught. And when that happens, there's nothing more I can do for you."
Godan, Marta, and Jomie exchanged glances. They knew the risks were enormous, but this was their best chance.
"Alright," Godan finally said. "Show us the way."
* * * * *
The Smuggler's Tunnel.
Harlen led them out of the warehouse with extreme caution and vigilance. The guards searching for Godan and his friends seemed relentless, never taking a break.
After successfully avoiding the guards, Harlen brought them to a dark alley beneath a bakery. They had to crouch and squeeze their bodies through the narrow passage, which was damp and echoed with the sound of dripping water. It felt as though they had left the city of Amexan altogether.
"This tunnel used to be used by smugglers," Harlen explained in a low voice. "Now, no one uses it except in emergencies like this."
"Serzad's people don't know about it?" Marta asked.
"Very few do," Harlen assured them.
The tunnel branched off in multiple directions, a confusing labyrinth. Some paths ended in dead ends, sealed off with poorly patched bricks.
They continued for almost half an hour, navigating the dark, cramped passage, often getting snagged on rocks and cobwebs, before finally reaching a small door hidden behind thick bushes.
"Beyond this door is the area beside Serzad's house," Harlen said. "You'll need to be extremely careful. The guards will undoubtedly be on high alert."
Godan patted Harlen's shoulder in gratitude. "You've done more than enough, Harlen. We'll handle the rest."
Harlen nodded, but his expression was filled with worry. "Be cautious, and don't waste any time. My driver won't wait more than two hours."
After Harlen left, the three of them turned their gaze toward Serzad's house, looming large and imposing before them.
"Which way do we go in?" Jomie whispered.
Godan gave a small, determined smile. "We'll find a way. Just like always."
Carefully, they began to approach the house, bracing themselves for whatever awaited them inside. Their primary objective was clear: reclaim the Magic Map and the Star Key.