Chapter 39: The Whisper of Shadows

The grand halls of the palace were eerily silent as Aria wandered through them, her footsteps muffled by the thick, ornate carpets. She had always felt a strange connection to this place, but tonight, the air seemed to hum with something more—a low, resonant energy that pulled her toward the heart of the palace. She couldn't explain why she felt compelled to follow it, but there was no denying the force that guided her steps.

As she descended the spiral staircase leading to the palace’s lower levels, the temperature dropped noticeably. The torches lining the walls flickered as if struggling to stay alight against an invisible wind. Aria shivered, drawing her cloak tighter around her. Every instinct told her to turn back, yet she pressed on, the mysterious pull growing stronger with every step.