The sewer tunnels were damp and suffocating, the air thick with decay. Kael led the way, the faint glow of his makeshift torch casting jagged shadows along the stone walls. Rynne followed close behind, her footsteps quieter than her labored breathing.
"Are you really serious about this?" Rynne asked, breaking the silence.
Kael glanced back. "About what?"
"Solvia. The Vanguard. Everything."
Kael stopped, leaning against the wall. "What choice do we have? The Echoes aren't going to stop, and the kingdom doesn't care about people like us."
"But charging into Solvia? Alone? You're asking to die, Kael."
"Maybe. But I'd rather die trying than rot in Ravik."
Rynne shook her head, frustration flickering in her eyes. "You're impossible."
Kael smiled faintly. "You keep saying that."
---
They emerged from the tunnels into the outskirts of Ravik. The night sky was thick with smoke, the moon a faint blur. The streets were eerily quiet, save for the distant crackle of fires and the faint wails of the wounded.
Kael's stomach twisted at the sight. Echo attacks were becoming more frequent, and Ravik was always the first to suffer. The Vanguard arrived late, fought hard, and left just as quickly, leaving the people to rebuild on their own.
As they moved through the alleys, a figure stepped out from the shadows, blocking their path.
"Kael," the man said, his voice low and gravelly.
Kael tensed, his hand instinctively going to the dagger at his side. "Darrin. What do you want?"
Darrin was a local smuggler, known for his sharp tongue and sharper blades. He dealt in everything from stolen Vanguard weapons to contraband food, and his reputation in Ravik was far from clean.
"I heard about the attack," Darrin said, his gaze flickering to Rynne. "You two alright?"
"We're fine," Kael replied cautiously.
"Good. Because I've got something you might be interested in."
Kael frowned. "Not now, Darrin. I've got bigger things to worry about."
"You sure about that?" Darrin reached into his coat and pulled out a tattered map. "This isn't just any map. It's a layout of the Vanguard barracks in Valtros."
Kael's breath caught. "How did you—"
"Doesn't matter how," Darrin interrupted. "What matters is what you do with it. You want to get to Solvia? This is your first step."
Rynne grabbed Kael's arm. "You can't seriously be thinking about this."
Kael ignored her, his mind racing. The Vanguard barracks were heavily guarded, but if the map was real, it could give him a way through Valtros and closer to the inner wall.
"What's the price?" Kael asked.
Darrin's lips curled into a smirk. "I'll let you know when I need a favor."
Kael hesitated, then reached out and took the map. "Fine."
"You're either brave or stupid," Darrin said, stepping back into the shadows. "Good luck, kid. You'll need it."
---
Back in their hideout, Kael spread the map out on the floor, his torchlight illuminating the faded ink.
"This is insane," Rynne said, pacing behind him. "Even if the map's real, you'll never get past the Vanguard. They'll kill you on sight."
"Not if I'm careful," Kael said, studying the markings. "Look here. There's an old drainage tunnel that runs under the barracks. If I can get through, I'll be in Valtros before they even notice."
"And then what?" Rynne demanded. "You think Solvia's just going to welcome you with open arms? You'll be dead before you even see the inner wall!"
Kael looked up at her, his expression hard. "I have to try, Rynne. If I don't, nothing will ever change."
Rynne stared at him, her frustration giving way to something softer. "You're going to get yourself killed, Kael."
"Maybe," he admitted. "But if I can find out why the Echoes are attacking, why the Veil even exists… maybe it'll be worth it."
---
That night, as Kael lay on the cold floor of the hideout, sleep eluded him. His thoughts were a chaotic swirl of fear, determination, and doubt. The map lay beside him, its lines and markings seeming to pulse in the dim light.
Kael reached out and traced the path to Valtros with his finger.
"The Veil weakens."
The voice was faint, almost a whisper, but it sent a chill down Kael's spine. He sat up, his heart pounding.
"Who's there?" he demanded, his voice echoing in the small space.
There was no answer, but Kael couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching him.
---
Far away, in the heart of Solvia, the orb shimmered once more.
"The boy has the map," the shadowy figure said.
The figure in the throne room nodded, their expression unreadable. "Good. Let him think he's making progress. The closer he gets, the stronger the pull will be."
"And if he resists?"
"He won't." The figure's lips curved into a smile. "He's already part of the plan."