Chapter 34 - Cira
Cira slipped silently through the dim corridors of the Godhunter base, her footsteps muffled by the worn stone floors. She had long ago learned how to navigate the labyrinthine hallways—no noise, no misstep. A whisper in the dark, unnoticed, untraceable.
Her breath steady, she approached the hidden room that had become their sanctuary over the last few days. The door was slightly ajar, the faint light from the lantern inside flickering across the floor. She pushed it open, revealing the makeshift command center they had set up in the heart of the base, where plans for their most dangerous mission yet had begun to take form.
Inside, Evran was hunched over a table, carefully tracing lines across the blueprint of Elohan's tower. The paper was creased and well-worn, edges frayed from the countless times they'd studied it. Bran sat across from him, sharpening his blade, his brow furrowed in concentration. Sienna, meanwhile, was pacing at the back of the room, running her hands through her hair, frustration etched in every movement.
The tension in the room was palpable. Everyone knew the stakes were high, and no one was foolish enough to think this would be easy.
Cira's presence didn't go unnoticed. Sienna stopped pacing, her sharp eyes landing on Cira immediately.
«About time,» Sienna muttered, though her voice held a hint of relief. «I thought we'd have to start without you.»
Cira gave a half-smile, her gaze flicking to Bran and Evran. «What did I miss?»
Evran looked up from the map, his expression focused but softening as he saw her. «Not much. We're still working through the details.» He tapped the blueprint. «We've got the layout of the tower, and we know where Liora and Aren are probably being held. That's the good news.»
«Taros is an idiot,» Bran muttered, barely glancing up as Cira joined them at the table. «We've got everything we need except the one thing that matters—his approval.»
Cira set down more rolled-up blueprints of Elohan's tower on the table with a soft thud. «And the equipment. We need gear if we're going to make this work,» she added, her voice steady but edged with frustration.
Evran, his brows furrowed in concentration, leaned over the plans. «We have the layout. We know the tower's defenses. And we have Aren's intel on Elohan's personal security measures. But without proper weapons, or anything to breach those damn walls—»
We're dead in the water," Sienna finished for him, her tone laced with annoyance. "Taros' orders don't change the fact that we need to act now. The longer we wait, the more likely Elohan is to move Liora or Aren again."
«Exactly.» Cira's fingers drummed lightly against the table as she scanned the room. «Taros says wait. He wants to play it safe. But what if that gives Elohan time to secure the tower even further?»
«Then we'll be stuck with nothing,» Bran grumbled, slumping further into his seat. «I don't know about you, but I'm not about to sit on my hands while Liora and Aren are rotting away up there.»
Cira shot Bran a look, her expression softening for a moment. «We'll get it done, Bran. Just trust me.»
Sienna, who had been quiet for a few moments, turned to Cira, her expression tight with resolve. «We need to move faster. We can't wait for Taros to come around, especially if we don't know where Elohan will send them next.»
Cira nodded in agreement but paused, considering their next move. They were running out of time, but they also couldn't afford to rush in unprepared.
Evran's eyes lit up, and he tapped the blueprint in front of him. «There might be a way around Taros. I know someone who could provide us with the equipment we need—and maybe even a place to stay while we plan.»
Sienna raised an eyebrow. «Who?»
«A contact of mine, from before all this... chaos started,» Evran replied, his voice lowering slightly. «He runs a black-market operation. Has access to all sorts of high-grade weaponry, and he's got the connections to get us in and out of Elohan's territory without leaving a trace.»
Bran looked skeptical but intrigued. «Sounds too good to be true.»
Evran gave him a lopsided grin. «It's not. But there's a catch. My contact's a little... eccentric. We might have to pay in favors, not just coin.»
Cira exchanged a glance with Sienna, who was already nodding in agreement. «It's worth the risk. We don't have much time.»
Evran continued, his finger tracing the layout of Elohan's tower. «This guy can help us get in and out of the tower undetected. But first, we need to make sure Taros doesn't find out what we're doing.»
Cira bit her lip, her mind racing. They were already skating on thin ice with Taros. If they went against his orders, they risked everything—yet they couldn't afford to waste time. «We'll have to make this work, then. Get what we need, and we move fast. Taros won't be able to stop us once we've got the plan in motion.»
Bran snorted, shaking his head. «I love it when you get all calculated like this. Let's just hope your contact is as good as you say.»
Evran gave a grim smile. «He's better. And we're going to need all the help we can get.»
Cira leaned over the table, eyes fixed on the blueprint again. «Then it's settled. We'll get the gear, find a way inside, and rescue Liora and Aren. No matter what.»
Sienna's voice was quieter, but there was a fire in her words. «Let's make sure we don't lose anyone else.»
As they gathered their things, each of them lost in their thoughts, Cira couldn't help but feel the weight of what they were about to do. The plan had barely started to take shape, but the path ahead was already clear: they would either succeed or be crushed under Elohan's power. And with Taros standing in their way, the odds were slim.
But as they moved to finalize the details, Cira knew one thing for sure: they couldn't afford to fail.
The room fell into a heavy silence as Cira looked at each of her companions, the determination in their eyes matching her own. They were so close to finalizing everything, but that nagging feeling of uncertainty still tugged at her. Every plan had its flaws, every detail left open to chance. But they had no choice but to move forward.
Then, without warning, the door creaked open, and Orlan stepped into the room.
Cira's heart skipped a beat. She didn't hear him coming.
His sharp gaze immediately swept over the group, noting the blueprints spread across the table, the map of Elohan's tower, and the tension that hung in the air. His eyes flickered briefly to Cira, then back to the rest of them, his face unreadable.
«What's going on here?» Orlan asked, his voice low, but the quiet authority in it made Cira stiffen. She hadn't expected him to show up—not now, not when they were so close to finalizing everything.
Evran was the first to speak, his voice steady but strained. «We're making a plan, Orlan. To break into Elohan's tower.»
Orlan didn't flinch, but there was a noticeable tightening in his jaw. He took a step forward, his gaze never leaving the group. «I assume you've made the proper arrangements for this?»
Sienna's eyes narrowed, but she held her tongue for the moment. Bran, however, scoffed, folding his arms. «Proper arrangements? We're getting gear from someone who doesn't like to play by the rules. We're acting without Taros' approval, Orlan. If you're here to stop us—»
«I'm not here to stop you,» Orlan interrupted, his tone calm but sharp. He glanced at Evran, who nodded in silent understanding. «But I need to know everything. What exactly are you planning to do?»
Cira stood, her resolve hardening. She couldn't afford to hold back now. «We're going to break into Elohan's tower and get Liora and Aren out. We know where they're being held, and we've got a plan for getting in and out undetected.»
Orlan's gaze flickered to the map, and for a brief moment, Cira saw something in his eyes—concern, maybe, or something else—but he masked it quickly. He didn't speak for a long moment, his gaze shifting between them.
Finally, he crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. «You're all making a mistake,» he said quietly. «But I know you're going to do it anyway.»
Sienna and Bran exchanged a look, but neither spoke. Cira could feel the weight of Orlan's words pressing down on her, but she stood her ground.
«You can't stop us, Orlan,» she said firmly. «We're doing this, whether you agree or not.»
He studied her for a moment, and then, much to her surprise, his lips quirked into a faint, almost reluctant smile. «Again I'm not going to try to stop you. I know how this goes.» He sighed, his eyes turning distant for a moment. «But if you're going to go through with it, I'm coming with you.»
Cira blinked, surprised. «What? Why?»
Orlan's smile faded, replaced with a grim seriousness. «Because I've seen what Elohan can do to people. I've seen what happens when they try to fight him without the right help, the right preparation. And I can't sit back and let you make the same mistakes I made.»
He paused, looking each of them over. «You've been inside before. The security systems know your faces. If things go south, you'll need someone who knows their way around. I've had enough experience with Elohan's defenses to help you get in—and get out.»
Cira's thoughts raced. She had never expected Orlan to get involved, let alone offer his assistance. She wasn't sure whether to be relieved or anxious about the change in their plans, but she knew one thing for certain: they couldn't afford to turn down any help now.
«Alright,» Cira said, her voice steady. «We could use the extra help. But you're not doing this for free, are you?»
Orlan's lips twitched in amusement. «Not exactly. But I've got my reasons. I've lost enough to Elohan.»
The room seemed to exhale collectively as everyone processed his words. They weren't exactly in the clear yet, but having Orlan's experience on their side felt like a small but important victory.
Sienna leaned against the table, her arms crossed, a small nod of approval in her eyes. «I guess we could use a guide through those hellish defenses.»
Bran shot Orlan a wry grin. «You're sure you're not just doing this because you want to get back at Elohan?»
Orlan met his gaze with a steely look. «Maybe. But mostly because you need me.»
Cira took a deep breath, her resolve solidifying with each passing moment. «Then it's settled. We'll break in, get Liora and Aren, and get out. No matter what happens.»
Orlan nodded slowly, his expression serious once again. «Just don't say I didn't warn you.»