The air was damp, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly as Belstadt led the group down the spiraling staircase... with several knights following behind her, just in case she tried some last-minute heroics on her part.
Melisa could feel the weight of the darkness pressing in on them, the unknown winding ahead like a bad secret waiting to unfold... Or maybe she was just nervous.
[Just keep going, Melisa. You’ve been in some bad spots today. What’s a few more?]
She threw a glance over her shoulder. Raven was right behind her, her face uncharacteristically tight. Not that Melisa could blame her.
"You good?" Melisa asked, her voice low, but loud enough for Raven to hear.
Raven looked up, her eyes flickering. She gave a small nod, but her expression didn’t change.
"Yeah, just... it feels strange," she said, her voice almost drowned by the creaking steps. "Remember how I told you I always had a blindfold on me when they moved me in and out of this place? It’s odd. Part of me can’t believe that I was never actually out of Syux."
She didn’t really know what to say to that, so she reached back and gave Raven’s arm a reassuring squeeze.
The group kept on moving. The steps seemed to go on forever, but finally, they reached the bottom. A large iron door stood before them, old and rusted, with strange symbols etched into its surface. Melisa looked to Zephyra, who stepped forward, her hand glowing as she poured her Essence into those symbols.
Behind them, Belstadt watched on looking like she felt as though maybe she made the wrong choice and an eternity of suffering was preferable to whatever was about to happen.
"Almost there," Zephyra murmured, her voice steady as she worked.
The runes pulsed for a moment before dissolving, the door creaking open to reveal...
Another sprawling tunnel, but smaller this time.
They moved through the tunnel, the tension in the air thick enough to cut. Melisa could see Raven growing more uneasy with every step, her hand hovering near her knives, her eyes scanning the shadows.
[I’m gonna take a guess and say she probably recognizes this passage. What a weird feeling she must have right now.]
After what felt like forever, they emerged into a vast, open space.
Melisa’s breath caught for a moment as her eyes adjusted to the sudden openness. It was a massive underground base, sprawling out with rows of tents, training dummies, and makeshift buildings. People were scattered about, their dark robes almost blending in with the surrounding gloom. And for a heartbeat, everything stopped.
Raven’s eyes widened. She stepped up beside Melisa, her voice barely a whisper.
"This is it. This is where they trained me."
Melisa nodded, her gaze sweeping over the scene. The Shadow Mages were staring at them, some of them frozen in shock.
Aria took a step forward, her voice clear and commanding.
"By order of the queen, you’re all under arrest! You can either come peacefully or throw your lives away."
For a moment, there was silence.
Melisa could feel the tension coiling tighter, the air crackling with the threat of violence.
One of the Shadow Mages stepped forward, his eyes dark with defiance, his hand raising to cast something.
[Oh, here we go.]
Before the spell could leave his lips, Zephyra moved.
Her hand flicked out, and the air around them seemed to pulse, a shimmering barrier of magic appearing in front of the Shadow Mage, cutting them off. The spell fizzled, the would-be attacker stumbling backward in shock. Zephyra’s eyes were cold as she spoke.
"I wouldn’t, if I were you."
The rest of the Shadow Mages seemed to hesitate, glancing at each other. Slowly, reluctantly, they lowered their hands.
[Huh?]
Melisa’s eyes widened.
One by one, they stepped forward, surrendering without a word.
Melisa let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
[Well... that went better than expected.] She shot a grin over at Raven, who gave her a small, relieved smile in return.
Aria nodded, her eyes sharp as she watched the Shadow Mages being bound by her knights.
"Good. Let’s get them secured. We need answers."
Melisa looked over at the sprawling base, her eyes narrowing.
There was still so much left unknown, and the fact that Raven had been kept in the dark about this place made her blood boil.
But for now, they had a win. A step in the right direction.
[Yeah... There are still gonna be random Shadow Mages to deal with, I’m sure. But... Who knows? Maybe I’ll be getting an assassination attempt every two weeks instead of every week from now on. Awesome.]
Melisa turned towards Armia, Isabella, and Raven, who were all standing nearby, watching the Shadow Mages being rounded up.
"Alright, who’s buying the drinks after this?" Isabella asked, her tone casual.
Armia snorted.
"You’re already thinking about a party?" She rested her sword against her shoulder, a smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe let’s get out of here first."
Raven chuckled softly.
"If we’re celebrating... perhaps it would be better somewhere quiet." She quietly added.
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Isabella rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Oh please, obviously I’m picking the place. Somewhere with good music and lots of fun." She winked.
Melisa laughed.
[Yep, that sounds like her kind of vibe.]
"Alright, alright. But remember, after this, it’s all about enjoying the quiet. We deserve that much at least."
---
Later, Melisa stood with Aria in the courtyard, her eyes scanning the scene before her.
One by one, the Shadow Mages were being led out, their hands bound, their expressions ranging from fear to shock to anger. The knights moved efficiently, to their credit, even if it didn’t seem like they fully supported what was happening.
No doubt there were some Shadow Mages among them, quietly following orders for now. But, well, Melisa hoped they’d be dealt with sooner or later.
[Gotta say, it’s nice seeing these creeps finally get what they deserve.]
Aria stood beside her, her posture as straight as ever, though Melisa could see the exhaustion beneath her eyes. It had been a long, long day. For both of them.
"Well," Melisa said, breaking the silence, "looks like things are finally settling down. Not bad for a day’s work, right?"
Aria let out a breath, her gaze still focused on the Shadow Mages being led away.
"Not bad," she agreed, her voice soft but steady. "But it’s not over yet. There will be questions. There will be trials. And who knows how many more of them are hiding out there."
Melisa nodded.
"True. But at least now, you’ve got a bit of an edge. And if you ever need help again..." She glanced at Aria, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I’d love to show you more of my good side."
Aria turned to look at her, her eyes studying Melisa for a moment. For a long while, Melisa had always thought that Aria’s gaze held nothing but disdain for her.
But now, there was something more to those grey eyes of hers.
"I’d like that," Aria said quietly, her voice holding a sincerity that caught Melisa off guard.
Melisa raised an eyebrow, her smile widening.
"Really? You sure? Because I come with a lot of trouble, as you may have noticed."
"As queen, handling trouble is part of the job," Aria actually smiled, the smallest hint of warmth breaking through her usual stoic expression. "I think I can handle it."
Melisa chuckled, shaking her head.
"Alright then. Just remember you said that."
The two of them stood in silence for a moment longer, watching as the last of the Shadow Mages were led away. Melisa turned, spotting her friends gathered near the gates, waiting for her. Raven gave her a nod, Armia watched the Shadow Mages with no small amount of satisfaction, and Isabella waved, her tail moving side to side excitedly.
"Guess that’s my cue," Melisa said, stepping away from Aria. She paused, glancing back at the princess-or, rather, queen. "Take care of yourself, Your Majesty."
Aria nodded, her expression softening further.
"I’ll try."
Melisa grinned, giving her a mock salute before heading towards her friends.
She could feel the weight of everything they’d done, everything they’d gone through today, settling on her shoulders.
But there was also a sense of accomplishment. They’d done good.
As they walked away, Melisa turned, giving the palace one last look. It loomed over them, grand and imposing, but somehow, it felt a little less daunting now. [Maybe there’s hope for this place yet.]
"Alright, ladies," she said, her voice carrying a confident edge. "Let’s get out of here. I think we’ve earned a break."
Isabella grinned.
"I’m thinking drinks, then a steamy, hot bath, and maybe a few minutes in the nearest bedroom~"
Melisa cackled.
"Count me in."
And with that, they walked away from the palace, ready for whatever came next—but also ready to enjoy the well-earned calm before whatever the next storm brought.