Running through the corridor and up the stairs, Luna wore a smile from ear to ear, thinking to herself, "…Why is this so exciting?"
Her stamina began to fade, and she gradually slowed down, gasping softly for air. "It's so weird," she murmured.
BDOOM. BDOOM.
Luna glanced back, hearing only the echo of pounding fists against the door.
Chuckling, she thought, "That door is sturdy."
Picking up the pace again, she caught sight of a white light shining through the door ahead.
"Finally! The end of the stairs!" Luna said with a grin.
Step by step, she drew closer to the exit.
And as she reached the doorway, she leapt—straight into the white light.
…
[Two weeks earlier, back at the Academy]
Back in the Council Chamber, light spilled across the long, greyish table that stretched through the center of the room. Rough-hewn stone walls framed the space, cold and imposing, adorned with deep red curtains that hung in heavy folds. A pristine white carpet ran beneath the table, softening every step with quiet grace.
"Young Lord Nyx! Here you are" the Head Guard said, dropping to one knee and placing his opposite hand to the ground in a formal bow.
"Theo Vol, Captain of the Black Knights—he's the most capable man we have now," the Head Guard added, rising to his feet and motioning toward Theo.
Theo knelt, bowing deeply.
"Young Lord, at your command!"
"Stand up and sit down," Nyx said, waving his hand dismissively as he leaned on one arm, resting his head in his hand.
With the Head Guard, Theo, Nyx, and the Headmaster of the academy now seated, the meeting began.
"Young Lord, please look at this," Headmaster Maner said, sliding a sheet of paper across the table toward Nyx.
"These are the three places where the kidnappers might be hiding."
"We've received no reports of anyone leaving the land unnoticed," he continued.
"So these three locations are the most likely."
Nyx picked up the paper, glancing over its contents.
A map of the region was revealed.
Three locations were circled: the Great Forest, the Abandoned Castle over Mishmir, and the Cave Complex of Marr.
"That's all?" Nyx asked, his face weary, dark circles under his eyes—his expression made his exhaustion clear.
"Yes, my lord. In my opinion, the cave complex is the least likely of the three," Maner replied.
"It's infested with Marr creatures—far too dangerous for anyone, even the kidnappers."
"So the most reasonable choice is to exclude that location."
"The Great Forest also poses problems. Its vastness and lurking dangers make it an unlikely main base… but if their forces are large enough, they could be using it."
"And the Abandoned Castle—its underground extends even deeper than the cave complex. Roughly 500 meters, maybe more."
"That's my opinion," Maner concluded.
Nyx covered his mouth, thinking it over. His eyes flicked across the map, then back to Maner.
"Right… I'll trust you," he said, dropping the paper onto the table and burying his face in his hands.
His voice was muffled by his hands "...We'll do this. We'll split our forces—send one half to the Great Forest—"
Raising his head, he continued, "—and the rest to the Abandoned Castle. I'll be leading the group heading for the castle."
"And Theo Vol will lead the troops toward the Great Forest."
Theo looked at Nyx, then stood and bowed sharply.
"My Lord, let me assign you my unit. With them at your side, victory at the castle is certain."
Nyx waved his hand at him.
"Stop it. Sit down."
"Alright. I'll accept your proposal."
Theo sat back down and bowed once more.
"Thank you."
Nyx stood up saying "We can't waste any more time. Every moment she's missing…"
"My Lord, we can't afford to rush this," Headmaster Maner said, his voice slow and composed, like a hand trying to still turbulent waters.
"We all feel the urgency… but with what we know of them, they won't harm her. Not yet."
He paused, eyes steady.
"She's too valuable for that."
"So please, my Lord—trust us. Let us do our part."
Nyx sank into his chair, his head tilting back, eyes shut tight as he tried to block out the noise—the ticking clock in his head, the rising panic in his chest.
Silence weighed heavy in the chamber.
"I'm sorry, Luna…"
"I've failed you… yet again."