Aedric turned to the guards, his jaw set. "Go back inside and find him. Search every corner of that place. I want him brought here immediately, alive."
The guards saluted and hurried back toward the hidden entrance, their boots echoing against the stone as they disappeared into the darkness.
Elias leaned against a nearby wall, his exhaustion catching up with him. He watched as Lady Selene and Prince Aedric exchanged a few quiet words, their urgency evident. Despite their disagreements and occasional tension, the two worked seamlessly as a team, their shared sense of duty driving them forward.
After a while, the guards returned, their expressions grim. The leader of the group stepped forward, addressing Prince Aedric. "Your Highness, we searched the entire area. The magician is gone."
Aedric's eyes widened, his frustration flaring. "Gone? How is that possible? He couldn't have gotten far."