Chapter 35 – Unraveling the Shadows

The dawn broke with an uneasy calm, the light of a new day filtering through the window of the Academy's infirmary. Zayne stood by the window, staring out at the sprawling city of St. Catherine. The shadows from the previous day's battle still haunted his thoughts, and though the immediate danger had passed, he knew the storm was far from over.

Tallesia was the first to speak as she entered the room, her footsteps soft on the stone floor. "You've been up since before dawn, huh?"

Zayne didn't turn around, his gaze still fixed on the horizon. "Can't shake the feeling that something's still out there."

Tallesia stepped up beside him, following his line of sight. "We all feel it. But we'll face it together, like always."

Zayne finally turned to look at her, meeting her steady gaze. Her confidence was reassuring, but it didn't quite quell the unease gnawing at his insides. "Do you ever wonder if we're really ready for what's coming?"

Tallesia tilted her head slightly, her expression thoughtful. "Ready or not, it's coming. The only thing we can do is prepare ourselves for it."

Just then, the door to the infirmary opened, and Malo walked in, his usual carefree grin in place, though there was an edge to his eyes. "Yo, you two planning a staring contest or are we getting out of here?"

Zayne chuckled, though it was strained. "You're right. We can't waste any more time." He glanced at Tallesia, then back at Malo. "We need to figure out our next move."

Dante, who had been quietly observing the scene from the doorway, spoke up. "We need information. Solomon was just one part of something much larger. We're missing something crucial."

Zayne nodded, his thoughts turning inward. "I know. There's too much we don't understand yet. But we can't keep wandering in the dark. We need answers, and we need them fast."

Malo raised an eyebrow. "So, what? We go knocking on doors until someone gives us the answers we're looking for?"

"It's a start," Zayne said, his tone serious. "But we also need to find out who Solomon was working for. There has to be a connection between all the events that have led up to this point."

Tallesia crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "You think there's a bigger organization pulling the strings? Something more dangerous than we can imagine?"

"I don't just think it," Zayne said, his voice steady. "I know it."

A long silence settled over them as the weight of his words hung in the air. They all understood the magnitude of what he was saying. The stakes had just been raised higher than they could have anticipated.

Finally, Dante spoke, his voice calm but unwavering. "We'll need help. And we need to be careful. If we're not, we'll be walking right into a trap."

"Right," Zayne agreed. "We have to be smart about this. We can't afford to make any mistakes."

The group gathered their things, preparing to leave the infirmary. As they made their way to the Academy's main hall, Zayne's mind raced with possibilities. Where could they find the information they needed? Who could they trust in a city like this, where shadows lurked in every corner?

"Let's start with what we know," Zayne said, turning to face his friends. "Solomon was connected to the underground network. Maybe there's something there that can lead us to the next clue."

"Underground network?" Malo asked, raising an eyebrow. "You mean the black market?"

Zayne nodded. "Exactly. The black market deals with all kinds of shady things. It's worth investigating."

Dante gave a curt nod, his face unreadable. "But we can't just waltz in there. We need someone who knows the ins and outs of the underworld. Someone who can guide us through it."

Tallesia spoke up, her voice steady. "I think I know just the person."

Zayne raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

Tallesia's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "A former informant of mine. She's got connections. If anyone knows what's going on, it's her."

"Sounds like a plan," Zayne said, a sense of relief washing over him. "Let's go talk to her."

The group moved swiftly through the Academy, their footsteps echoing in the empty hallways. Outside, the air was thick with anticipation as they made their way to the heart of St. Catherine. The city had always been a place of mystery, but now, with every step they took, it felt like they were walking deeper into a world that was darker and more dangerous than they could have imagined.

The streets were bustling with activity, the market stalls lined with colorful goods and the chatter of merchants trying to sell their wares. But beneath the surface, Zayne could feel the tension in the air. There was something in the city's heartbeat that wasn't right, something that made him uneasy.

Tallesia led the way, her pace steady as she guided them through winding streets and narrow alleyways. After a few minutes, they arrived at a small, inconspicuous building tucked away between two larger shops.

"This is it," Tallesia said, her voice low. "Stay close."

They entered the building, the door creaking as it swung open. Inside was dimly lit, with the faint scent of incense hanging in the air. A woman stood behind a counter, her face partially obscured by the hood of her cloak.

Tallesia approached the woman, her tone respectful. "Isla."

The woman's head snapped up, her sharp eyes scanning the group before she seemed to relax. "Tallesia," she said, her voice smooth. "I wasn't expecting visitors. And certainly not this many."

"We need your help," Tallesia said, not wasting time on pleasantries. "We're looking for information on Solomon and the underground network he was connected to."

Isla's expression shifted, her eyes narrowing. "You've come to the right place, but I'll warn you now—getting the answers you seek won't be easy. And it won't come cheap."

Zayne stepped forward, his voice firm. "We're willing to pay whatever it takes."

Isla studied him for a moment, as if sizing him up, before she nodded. "Alright. I'll help you, but know this—once you enter this world, there's no going back. You're playing with fire."

Zayne didn't hesitate. "We're already in the fire."

Isla smiled, a cold, calculating expression. "Then let's get started."