Selene and Lila rode into the night, the hooves of their horses muffled by the soft earth. The moon was full and silver, it lit their path, but as the forest deepened, its glow faded. It got darker and darker until even the stars disappeared above them.
They rode for what felt like hours, the only sound the steady rhythm of breath and hoofbeat.
Eventually, Selene pulled the reins and brought her horse to a stop. Lila followed suit, her brows furrowed in concern.
They were alone in the darkness.
No signs. No markers. No direction.
The Faction never met in the same place twice—that much Selene knew. But the message she had received had offered no clues. No map. Just a single mark in crimson ink: the sigil of the Faction.
They had reached a dead end.
~How do we find them?~ Lila asked, her voice echoing in Selene's mind.
~There has to be some kind of sign.~ Selene replied, her lips unmoving, her eyes scanning the darkened woods.
Suddenly, a faint cry pierced the silence. They both looked up.
A falcon.
It glided low through the trees, then circled above them before veering off deeper into the forest.
"There," Selene said, nodding toward the bird.
Without hesitation, they urged their horses forward, following the falcon as it weaved through the dense woods. The path grew too narrow, too treacherous for horses, and soon the trees pressed in tightly around them.
Selene dismounted first, patting her horse gently. "We continue on foot."
Lila followed, and together they slipped through the underbrush, ducking beneath low branches and stepping over twisted roots. The falcon flew just ahead, never too far, always visible like a silent guide.
Finally, they stepped into a clearing bathed in eerie silver light.
In the center stood a large, ancient stone—smooth and dark, its surface inscribed with runes only visible when the moonlight touched them. The falcon swooped down and landed atop the stone.
And then—it turned to stone.
Feathers froze mid-flutter. Wings locked in place. It became still, silent, and cold. As if it had always been part of the monument.
Selene approached slowly, her heart pounding.
Without hesitation, she reached out and placed her hand on the stone.
As her palm touched the cold surface, a pulse of energy rippled through her hand, spreading up her arm like a shockwave. She gasped softly, but didn't pull away.
The runes on the stone began to glow—first silver, then gold, then a deep crimson. Beneath her touch, the stone shifted. It was subtle at first—a hum in the earth, the faint rustle of air but then the ground trembled.
Lila stepped back instinctively. "My Queen…"
"I feel it," Selene whispered, not afraid.
Before either could move, the stone split down the center with a soft crack, revealing a hollow core. Mist poured out, curling along the forest floor like living fog. Then, with a soft grinding sound, the stone slid aside completely, revealing a staircase that descended underground.
A hidden passage.
"They really didn't want anyone finding this place." Lila muttered under her breath.
Selene turned to her. "Then it's a good thing we're not just anyone."
They shared a glance, then descended the staircase. The stone behind them sealed shut, erasing all trace of the entrance.
The passage was lit by torches embedded in the walls—torches that ignited as they passed, as if welcoming them. The air was damp and smelled faintly of moss.
The tunnel twisted and turned for what felt like ages before finally opening up into a massive underground hall.
Selene stopped in awe.
The chamber stretched far and wide, its ceilings disappearing into shadow. Detailed murals lined the walls, depicting battles, symbols of the seven kingdoms, and the sigil of the Faction."
"This place is—"
Selene stopped short as she turned to Lila.
Lila stood frozen beside her, a twisted expression on her face. Her eyes widened, darting wildly as if searching for something unseen.
"Lila?" Selene stepped closer. "What's wrong?"
Lila clutched at her head, pressing trembling hands over her eyes. Sweat forming on her brow, and her breaths came fast, ragged. "Stop... please, stop... make it stop..."
Then she collapsed to her knees.
Selene dropped beside her, grabbing her shoulders. "Lila! What's happening?" she demanded, shaking her gently. But Lila didn't respond—her body trembled, and her face twisted in agony.
Left with no choice, Selene had to use her powers on her.
"Tell me what's happening to you," she commanded.
Lila's head jerked up, and her voice came in a panicked rush. "Children—I hear them. So many. They're screaming. It's so loud... It's so loud. Please... make it stop… make it stop…"
Selene's eyes widened in confusion. Lila's powers had always been simple—one mind at a time, and only in close range. She was never meant to hear a crowd—let alone invisible, screaming children.
"I don't hear anything," Selene whispered, scanning the chamber, heart pounding. Everywhere was silent.
Lila's hands clawed at her scalp, her skin ghostly pale. Her body trembled violently. "Please… it's splitting my head open… Make it stop...make it stop."
"Sleep," Selene whispered, not knowing what else to do.
Lila collapsed into her arms. The pain drained from her face, replaced by calm.
Selene remained still, clutching her, her mind racing.
What had just happened?
A familiar voice echoed from behind.
"Selene?"
She turned sharply.
Cassandra stood at the edge of the chamber—elegant, composed, her expression unreadable. The cold woman who had once raised her. Selene hadn't seen since the day of the wedding.
"I knew I felt your presence," Cassandra said softly, stepping forward. "Come. The Master is waiting."
Selene stood, her guard still up. "I know. But in case you haven't noticed, Lila is on the ground."
Cassandra glanced at the limp figure. "Ah. What happened to her?"
"She said she could hear children screaming." Selene's voice was flat, but her eyes burned with suspicion. "Does that mean anything to you?"
Cassandra tilted her head, unfazed. "Hmm. Interesting."
"That's all you're going to say?"
Without a hint of concern, Cassandra smiled faintly. "Well, she's not dead. Just leave her. We mustn't keep the Master waiting."
Selene stared at her, fury simmering beneath the surface. But Cassandra had already turned and was walking away, her footsteps echoing across the stone.
Selene looked down at Lila's sleeping form.
Then she looked at the path ahead.
She sucked in a deep breath and followed.