Chapter 14

Ayla tightened the strap of the makeshift pack on her shoulders as she and Ravyn-9 trudged deeper into the network of tunnels beneath the spire. The air was thick with humidity, and an otherworldly glow seeped from the crystalline walls, pulsing in rhythm with the faint vibrations beneath their feet. Every step felt like walking on the edge of a knife, a single misstep threatening to send them tumbling into chaos.

Ahead, Ravyn-9 moved with precision, his metallic frame reflecting the eerie light. His glowing eyes scanned the path, flickering briefly when they settled on Ayla. She had never known a machine to express so much—concern, tension, something deeper that she didn’t dare name. The cavern’s shadows played tricks on her, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that Ravyn wasn’t just protecting her. He was watching her, as if she were a puzzle he desperately wanted to solve.