The Stranger's Offer

The melody hummed faintly in his mind, restless and insistent.

"She'll come," he muttered to himself. He had no reason to trust her, no proof that her offer was genuine, but she was the first person in this city who had spoken of the woman in black without fear clouding their voice.

A faint rustle behind him made him turn sharply, his hand instinctively gripping the walking stick as if it were a weapon. The young woman stepped into view, her hood still drawn, though the light of dawn revealed more of her face. She was younger than he had guessed, perhaps no older than twenty, but her green eyes held a depth of experience far beyond her years.

"You came," she said simply, stopping a few paces away.

"I didn't have much of a choice," Elias replied. "You said you wanted her dead. Why?"

The woman hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground. For a moment, it seemed like she might turn and leave without another word. But then she took a deep breath and met his eyes.

"She killed my brother," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Elias's heart tightened, the pain of his own loss mirrored in her words. He nodded, understanding more than he could say.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"My name is Alina," she replied. "And if you're serious about finding her, we need to leave the city now."

Alina led him away from the gate, avoiding the main streets and slipping through narrow alleys that twisted like veins through the heart of Veridion. They passed closed shops and sleeping beggars, their footsteps soft against the cobblestones.

"Why leave the city?" Elias asked, his voice low. "You said she's near the tower."

"She is," Alina said, glancing over her shoulder. "But you can't just walk up to the tower and knock on the gates. The guards would kill you before you got close. If you want to get in, we'll need to take another route."

"And you know one?"

"I do," she said, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "But it's not exactly safe."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "None of this is."

Alina didn't respond, her expression hardening as they approached the edge of the city. They stopped at a crumbling archway that led into what appeared to be an abandoned courtyard. The air here was different, heavy with an almost tangible sense of unease.

"This is it," she said, gesturing toward a narrow stone staircase descending into the earth. "The catacombs. They run beneath the tower and open into the lower levels. If we're lucky, we can slip in without being seen."

Elias peered into the darkness. The steps vanished into a black void, the faint scent of damp stone wafting up to meet him.

"Lucky," he muttered. "Right."

Alina pulled a small lantern from her satchel, lighting it with practiced ease. The flickering flame cast long shadows on the walls as she began descending the stairs. Elias hesitated for only a moment before following her, gripping his walking stick tightly.

The catacombs were a labyrinth of ancient tunnels, their walls carved with the same symbols Elias had seen in the cave and the ruins in the desert. The air was cool but stale, and the sound of their footsteps echoed unnervingly in the confined space.

"What is this place?" Elias asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Older than the city," Alina replied, holding the lantern high. "Some say it was built by the same people who made the harp you're looking for. Others think it's a tomb for their dead."

Elias shivered despite the heat. The air felt heavier here, as if the weight of centuries pressed down on them.

They moved in silence for a time, the only sound the soft crackle of the lantern's flame. As they turned a corner, Alina stopped abruptly, raising a hand to signal Elias to be still.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Listen," she whispered.

At first, he heard nothing. Then, faint and distant, came the sound of something moving—slow, deliberate, and not human.

Alina's grip on the lantern tightened. "She's not the only thing we have to worry about down here," she said, her voice tense.

"What is it?"

"Guardians," Alina replied. "Creatures bound to this place. They're drawn to the harp's magic—or anything that tries to disturb it."

Elias's heart pounded, but he nodded, his resolve unwavering. "Then we move carefully."

They continued through the tunnels, their pace slower now, every step deliberate. The sound of movement grew louder, echoing around them as if the creatures were stalking them from all sides.

Finally, they reached a large chamber. In the center stood a massive stone door, its surface covered in glowing runes that pulsed faintly in the lantern's light.

"This is it," Alina said, her voice barely audible. "Beyond this door is the lower level of the tower. If she's here, this is where we'll find her."

Elias stepped forward, studying the door. The runes seemed to shift under his gaze, almost alive. He raised a hand to touch them, but Alina grabbed his wrist.

"Don't," she warned. "The runes are a barrier. If you touch them without the right key, they'll kill you."

"Do you have the key?" he asked.

Alina hesitated, then nodded. "I think so." She reached into her satchel and pulled out a small, ornate medallion. The same symbols from the door were etched into its surface.

"Where did you get that?" Elias asked.

"My brother," Alina said. "He stole it from her before…" She trailed off, her voice breaking.

Elias placed a hand on her shoulder. "We'll finish this. For him."

Alina nodded and stepped forward, holding the medallion out toward the door. The runes flared brightly, and the sound of grinding stone filled the chamber as the door slowly began to open.

Elias tightened his grip on the walking stick, his body tense and ready. Beyond this door lay answers—and the woman in black.

As the door opened fully, a cold wind rushed out, carrying with it the faint sound of a harp's mournful melody.

Elias stepped forward, his heart pounding, and entered the tower.