203 THE SECRET ROOM

202 THE SECRET ROOM

Days had passed since Siphonia's imprisonment, and the search for Hanna and the brides had yielded no results.

"With Eoloth's magic security system, it's impossible for Hanna to leave without being detected," Leo said, his voice sharp with frustration. "She must still be here. Do you have any idea where she could be hiding?"

"Erm… I don't know."

Rabama's attention seemed elsewhere, his mind was far removed from Leo's pressing questions. In truth, he wasn't interested in finding Hanna—especially with his uncle sure to kill her once she was found.

"I really don't know," Rabama muttered, his gaze unfocused. "I'm not feeling too well. I should probably return to my room."

Without waiting for a response, Rabama turned and wandered off, leaving Leo to stew in his thoughts.

Leo was heading back to his room when he overheard the cooks grumbling about something that caught his attention.

"Some rats are stealing our food. I'm sure of it," one of the cooks complained.

"But there are no rats in Eoloth," another cook replied.

Their argument continued, but Leo's mind raced. If Hanna's still in Eoloth, she'd need supplies—especially food, if she has a group hiding with her to feed.

So, he waited near the kitchen.

His patience paid off when he saw Rabama slipping into the kitchen later that night, sneaking in as if trying to avoid detection. Leo's instincts kicked in immediately.

"Something was fucking off," Leo told himself.

Following Rabama at a distance, Leo watched as he made his way to the waterfall behind the fortress. Rabama carefully placed the food in a hidden corner before turning to leave. Leo remained hidden, watching carefully.

It wasn't long before a figure emerged from the shadows. Leo's heart skipped a beat when he saw who it was. It was Hanna.

"Damnit, that's where you are hiding all this time," Leo muttered to himself, barely containing his excitement. He had found her at last.

He followed Hanna, staying out of sight as she moved with purpose. To his surprise, she approached the waterfall and, without hesitation, passed through it.

Leo quickly summoned his mini-map, scanning the area for any signs of hidden rooms. To his surprise, the map revealed another chamber behind the waterfall—one he hadn't noticed before.

With a quick glance around, Leo slipped on his invisibility cloak, blending into the shadows. He moved cautiously toward the waterfall and into the secret cavern beyond.

Inside, he discovered a beautifully decorated secret chamber that looked more like the bedroom of newlyweds.

"Well, this is Rabama's fuck shop", Leo mused.

Once he was inside, it didn't take long for him to spot what the whole of Eoloth was looking for: The Giga Codex stone.

"Wtf!!"

Hanna and the brides were gathered around it, studying its surface with intense concentration.

"This isn't the way to unlock the Giga Codex's magic," Leo murmured to himself, his mind already racing with possible scenarios.

------

Rabama slipped into the secret hideout, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"What are you doing here?" Hanna's voice was sharp with irritation. "Do you know you risk exposing all of us?"

Rabama, undeterred by her scolding, practically bounced on his feet. "I've discovered the method to activate the Giga Codex."

Hanna raised an eyebrow with skepticism. "Did you? All of us have been studying it for so long and found nothing."

"It's true!" Rabama insisted, his voice full of conviction as he produced a glowing crystal from his pocket.

"What is this?" Hanna asked, eyeing the crystal with curiosity and wariness.

"This," Rabama said, holding it up with a flourish, "is the key to activating the Giga Codex."

"Really?" Hanna's disbelief lingered, but she couldn't suppress a flicker of hope in her eyes.

"But wait," Rabama said, his voice lowering, "Would you leave Eoloth with me if I give you the key? Promise to be with me forever."

Hanna blinked, surprised by the sudden question. "Of course. I won't stay here after I've got the Giga Codex. But—"

Before she could finish, Rabama handed her the crystal. She hesitated for a moment before placing it on the stone tablet, channeling her magic into the Codex.

To both their amazement, the stone suddenly blazed with radiant, shifting colors. The ancient runes etched into its surface began to glow, the words dancing to life.

"Yes," Hanna whispered in awe. "This is the key to activating the Giga Codex."

Rabama's chest swelled with pride. "You believe me now. Will you be with me… forever?"

But before Hanna could respond, one of the brides stepped forward, placing a hand on Rabama's shoulder. In an instant, his body was locked and paralyzed by the touch.

"What are you doing to me?" Rabama struggled to move but his muscles wouldn't obey.

"Sorry, love," Hanna's voice was cruel now. "We're not taking you with us. There was never anything between us. You were just a tool. Nothing more than to get us the Giga Codex."

One of the brides sneered. "Now, let's take the stone and leave."

Rabama, still frozen, managed to ask, "How are you going to leave Eoloth?"

Hanna looked at him, amused. "Do you think we'd plan all this without an escape route? We have a secret tunnel dug out of Eoloth."

"Then why didn't you leave sooner?" Rabama asked, confusion creeping into his voice. "Why stay here all this time?"

Hanna's smile twisted. "We hadn't found the key to the tablet yet. But you brought it to us."

"Who are you people?" Rabama demanded, his mind racing.

"Why do you want to know?" Hanna's voice was cold, her eyes narrowing. "You won't live long enough to do anything with that knowledge."

"Are you really going to kill me? After all that we've been through," Rabama's voice faltered, panic creeping in.

Hanna paused for a moment, her face unreadable. "I'm sorry," she said almost regretfully, "but you're in our way. We can't let you live. You will expose us once your paralysis is over. We can't afford that risk."