Chapter 22: Beneath the City

Darkness swallowed them as they stepped into the tunnels. The scent of damp earth filled Karima's lungs, mingling with the metallic tang of rust. The air was thick, heavy with centuries of neglect, and the only sound was their own footsteps echoing off the stone walls.

Eryn led the way, holding a dim lantern that flickered with each step. "Stay close. These tunnels haven't been used in years, and if we get lost down here, we won't find our way back."

Karima glanced at Haytham, who was scanning the walls, his fingers brushing the damp surface as they walked. "You've been down here before?" she asked.

He nodded. "Once. A long time ago. But it wasn't this deep."

She frowned. "So how do we know this is the right way?"

Eryn shot her a glance over her shoulder. "We don't. But it's our best shot."

The thought didn't comfort Karima, but she knew they had no other choice. Above them, the city was a trap waiting to be sprung, and they couldn't afford to be caught. If the Council suspected that they had stolen their war plans, the entire rebellion would be at risk.

The tunnel twisted and sloped downward, leading them deeper into the earth. The further they went, the colder it became, and Karima pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders. Shadows danced along the walls, their shapes flickering as the lantern swayed.

After what felt like an eternity, Eryn stopped. "There should be a fork ahead," she murmured, scanning the walls. "One path leads to the outskirts. The other leads deeper into the ruins."

Karima stepped forward. "And which one do we take?"

Before Eryn could answer, a distant sound made them all freeze.

A low, guttural growl echoed through the tunnels.

Karima's grip tightened around the hilt of her dagger. "What was that?"

Haytham exhaled slowly, his eyes narrowing as he listened. "Something's down here with us."

Eryn lifted the lantern higher, casting more light into the passage ahead. The tunnel walls were covered in ancient markings, symbols Karima didn't recognize. The air felt thicker, charged with something unseen.

Then they heard it again—closer this time.

A scraping sound, like claws against stone.

Eryn swore under her breath. "We need to move. Now."

They broke into a run, their footsteps loud in the confined space. The sound of pursuit followed—a rhythmic clicking, swift and unnatural. Karima didn't dare look back.

The tunnel forked ahead, just as Eryn had predicted. Without hesitation, they veered left, toward the path that would lead them out.

But as they rounded the corner, they stopped short.

The tunnel had collapsed.

Karima's stomach dropped. "No."

Eryn turned, her expression grim. "We're going to have to fight."

The creature emerged from the darkness before they could prepare. It was fast, a blur of shifting shadows and gleaming eyes. Karima barely had time to raise her dagger before it lunged.

She twisted out of the way, but its claws raked across her shoulder, pain searing through her. She stumbled back, biting down a cry. Haytham was already moving, his blade flashing in the dim light as he slashed at their attacker.

It was unlike anything Karima had ever seen—a creature twisted by something unnatural, its form shifting between solid and smoke, its limbs too long, its eyes glowing with an eerie blue light.

Eryn fired a crossbow bolt into its chest, but the creature barely flinched. It turned on her with an unearthly snarl.

Karima felt the ring pulse against her finger, its energy coiling through her veins. She could feel it pulling, urging her to use it.

She hesitated for only a moment before she let go.

The energy surged through her, raw and powerful. She lunged, faster than she should have been, her blade cutting through the creature's shifting form. This time, it reacted—it recoiled, its snarling turning into a pained screech.

Haytham saw the opening and struck, his blade finding solid flesh. The creature staggered, its form flickering, unstable.

Eryn didn't wait. She fired another bolt, this time aiming for its head.

The creature let out a final, bone-rattling shriek before it collapsed, its body dissolving into mist. The tunnel fell silent.

Karima stood there, breathing heavily, her body still thrumming with the aftereffects of the ring's power. She looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers. The energy lingered, but it no longer felt out of control. She had wielded it. Channeled it.

And it had obeyed her.

Haytham stepped closer, his gaze searching. "You alright?"

She nodded, though her heart was still racing. "Yeah."

Eryn exhaled, lowering her crossbow. "We need to keep moving before more of those things show up."

Karima nodded. Whatever that thing had been, she had a feeling it wasn't alone.

They turned back toward the fork, taking the only path left—the one that led deeper into the ruins.

As they walked, Karima felt Haytham's gaze linger on her. She met his eyes briefly, seeing something there she couldn't quite place.

Concern? Curiosity?

Or something more?

She pushed the thought aside. They had more pressing matters.

But deep down, she knew this was only the beginning.