The corridor behind the Vein nexus was a tunnel of blue fire and shadow, alive with the pulse of ancient power. Kael's senses tingled as they moved, the relic in his satchel humming in time with the energy that coursed through the walls. The air felt charged, as if the whole world was holding its breath.
Fia leaned heavily on Kael's arm, her steps uncertain but purposeful. She had been freed from the Vein web only minutes before, and the aftershocks of captivity still lingered in her eyes. Lysara led the way, her movements brisk and efficient, while Jessa and Torin brought up the rear, scanning for pursuit.
They were not safe yet. The Aetherlords would know something was wrong—if they didn't already. Kael could sense the tension in every member of the group, the way their shoulders hunched and their eyes darted to every shadow.
They slipped through a maintenance hatch and into a narrow service corridor. The walls here were lined with dormant Riftborne machinery, the glyphs flickering uncertainly as Kael passed. He felt the urge to reach out, to touch the symbols and see what memories they held, but there was no time.
Lysara paused at a junction, checking the map Jessa had pulled from the citadel's archives. "This way," she whispered, gesturing left. "There's a secondary exit through the old transit tunnels. If we're lucky, we'll avoid the main patrols."
Torin grunted, his hand never leaving the grip of his weapon. "Luck's been in short supply lately."
Jessa flashed a nervous smile. "Maybe we're due for a change."
Fia's voice was soft but steady. "We make our own luck. That's what my mother used to say."
Kael glanced at her, surprised by the strength in her words. He offered a reassuring smile, which she returned—brief, but genuine.
They moved quickly, the corridor winding deeper into the undercity. The air grew cooler, the Vein currents more subdued. Kael felt the relic's pulse slow, matching the rhythm of his own heart. For a moment, he allowed himself to hope that they might escape without further conflict.
But as they rounded a corner, Lysara held up a hand, signaling a halt. She crouched low, peering around the bend. Kael joined her, careful not to make a sound.
Ahead, two Aetherlord sentries stood guard at a heavy security door. Their armor gleamed in the dim light, and the Vein rifles slung across their chests crackled with restrained power.
Lysara's eyes narrowed. "We can't fight them head-on. Not here."
Kael considered their options. The corridor was too narrow for a direct assault, and any noise would bring reinforcements. He glanced at the walls, noting the faded glyphs. An idea formed.
"I can try to disrupt the Vein flow," he whispered. "Create a surge—enough to distract them, maybe even knock out their weapons."
Lysara hesitated. "Can you control it?"
Kael shrugged. "I'll have to."
She nodded, trusting him. "Do it."
Kael placed his hand on the wall, focusing on the glyphs. He felt the Vein currents beneath the surface, sluggish but alive. He nudged them, coaxing the energy to gather, to build. The glyphs flared, light racing along the corridor.
The sentries reacted instantly, raising their rifles. "Who's there?" one barked, his voice distorted by his helmet.
Kael pushed harder, willing the energy to surge. The lights overhead flickered, then exploded in a shower of sparks. The sentries staggered, their rifles shorting out with a burst of blue fire.
Lysara moved. She darted forward, striking one sentry with the hilt of her blade. Torin followed, disarming the second with a swift, practiced motion. In seconds, both sentries were unconscious, their weapons useless.
Jessa hurried to the security door, her fingers flying over the controls. "I can override the lock, but it'll take a minute."
Kael kept watch, his nerves taut. He could feel the Vein currents shifting, the energy he'd unleashed drawing attention. Somewhere above, alarms began to sound—a distant wail that grew louder with every heartbeat.
Fia leaned against the wall, her breathing shallow. Kael moved to her side, concern etched on his face. "Are you alright?"
She nodded, though her eyes were haunted. "I'll manage. The Vein… it's still in me. I can feel it."
Kael hesitated. "Can you use it? Help us?"
Fia closed her eyes, focusing. For a moment, the glyphs on the wall brightened, responding to her presence. She smiled faintly. "A little. Enough, maybe."
Jessa cursed under her breath. "Almost there. Just a few more seconds—"
The security door slid open with a hiss. Beyond, a wide transit tunnel stretched into darkness, the rails gleaming with residual Vein light.
Lysara ushered them through, pausing only to drag the unconscious sentries inside and lock the door behind them. "That'll buy us a little time."
They hurried down the tunnel, the sound of alarms fading behind them. The air here was thick with dust, the walls lined with abandoned maintenance carts and crates. Kael felt the relic's pulse quicken, as if urging him onward.
As they moved, the group's tension eased, replaced by a wary camaraderie. Jessa walked beside Fia, offering quiet encouragement. Torin ranged ahead, scouting for danger. Lysara stayed close to Kael, her eyes scanning the shadows.
After several minutes, they reached a junction where the tunnel split in three directions. Lysara consulted the map, frowning. "The main exit is blocked. We'll have to take the old service route."
Torin grunted. "That'll put us closer to the surface. More patrols."
"We don't have a choice," Lysara replied. "We need to get Fia out before the Aetherlords regroup."
Kael nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. He led the way, the relic guiding him through the maze of tunnels.
As they walked, Kael found himself beside Torin. The older man's silence was heavy, but not unfriendly.
"Back there," Kael said quietly. "You moved fast. Like you've done this before."
Torin's lips twitched in a faint smile. "Old habits. Some things you don't forget."
Kael studied him, sensing a story beneath the words. "You ever think about leaving? Starting over?"
Torin's gaze was distant. "Once. But the past has a way of catching up."
Kael nodded, understanding more than he let on. He respected Torin's privacy, but the hint of regret in his voice lingered.
Ahead, Jessa and Fia talked in low voices. Jessa's nervous energy had faded, replaced by curiosity and admiration. "You really controlled the Vein? Even after what they did to you?"
Fia smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. "It's not about control. It's about listening. The Vein remembers everything. Even pain."
Jessa considered this, her brow furrowing. "Does it ever get easier?"
Fia shook her head. "You just get stronger."
Lysara led them through a series of side passages, her confidence unwavering. Kael admired her ability to stay focused, to keep moving forward even when the odds seemed impossible.
They reached a maintenance hatch, its lock rusted shut. Lysara knelt, working quickly to bypass the mechanism. Kael watched her, noticing the way her hands trembled ever so slightly.
"You alright?" he asked softly.
She glanced at him, her eyes tired but determined. "Just tired. We've been running for a long time."
Kael nodded, offering silent support. He understood the toll the journey had taken on all of them.
The hatch opened with a groan, revealing a narrow stairwell leading upward. Lysara motioned for the others to follow, taking the lead.
They climbed in silence, the only sound their footsteps echoing off the stone. At the top, they emerged into a small storage room filled with crates and old machinery. The air was stale, but it was a relief after the oppressive tunnels.
Torin checked the door, peering through a crack. "Clear. For now."
Lysara pulled out the map, tracing their route with a finger. "We're close. There's an old access tunnel that leads to the outskirts. If we move fast, we can make it before the patrols regroup."
Jessa slumped against a crate, her exhaustion obvious. "I can't believe we made it this far."
Fia smiled, her strength returning. "We're not done yet."
Kael sat beside her, the relic warm in his hands. He closed his eyes, reaching out to the Vein. He felt its currents, the memories it held—the hope, the fear, the determination of those who had come before.
For a moment, he allowed himself to believe that they might succeed.
But the world outside was changing. Kael could feel it in the Vein, a gathering storm of energy and intent. The Aetherlords would not let them go so easily.
He opened his eyes, meeting Lysara's gaze. "We need to keep moving."
She nodded, her resolve unshaken. "We will. Together."
As they prepared to leave, Torin lingered by the door, his expression thoughtful. Kael watched him, sensing the weight of unspoken words.
"Torin," he said quietly. "Why are you here? Really?"
Torin hesitated, then shrugged. "Everyone's running from something. I just decided to run with you."
Kael smiled, accepting the answer for now.
They slipped out of the storage room and into the night, the city's lights burning in the distance. The air was cool, the sky fractured by the lingering scars of the Sundering.
For the first time, Kael felt a sense of purpose—a belief that they could change the world, if only they survived the days to come.
As they disappeared into the shadows, the Vein pulsed with anticipation. The quiet before the storm had ended.
Soon, the world would tremble.
---
**End of Chapter 10**