The Mage in Hiding

The morning sun barely pierced through the thick gray smog that hung over Sector 12. Chosa followed closely behind Kaisel, who moved through the narrow alleyways like someone who'd memorized the path in a past life. This was the forgotten part of the city—where rust ruled, neon signs flickered with dying light, and the ever-watchful surveillance drones dared not tread. A place where secrets slept under rubble and only the brave, desperate, or mad dared to walk.

"You sure she lives here?" Chosa asked, sidestepping a pile of scorched garbage bags. The buildings loomed like forgotten giants, graffiti sprawled across their faces in tongues Chosa didn't recognize.

"If she hasn't moved again," Kaisel replied, eyes scanning their surroundings. "She's paranoid. Has wards, traps, sensors—you name it. Just don't touch anything glowing or humming unless you want to explode."

Chosa let out a low whistle. "Friendly."

After weaving through a final maze of crumbling walls and overgrown fences, they arrived at what looked like the backside of an abandoned factory. Inset into the concrete wall was a large, iron door—tarnished by time, its surface scorched and scarred with magical runes. There were no windows, no knockers, just a rusted speaker on the side and a silence so thick it made Chosa's skin crawl.

Kaisel pressed the button.

A burst of static, followed by a sharp, feminine voice. "What do you want, Kaisel?"

"I need to talk. It's important," Kaisel said, keeping his tone even.

"Not in a million years," she snapped, and the line went dead.

Chosa blinked. "What the hell just happened?"

Kaisel sighed and leaned against the wall. "She hates me. Thinks I'm a reckless idiot for climbing the Tower. Says I'm going to get myself killed or worse—get tagged by the anomaly hunters."

Chosa tilted his head. "But she's strong, right? Doesn't she want to reach the 100th floor like everyone else? Beat the Markers and end this whole nightmare?"

Kaisel shook his head. "She's an anomaly too, but she doesn't trust the system. Lila believes the Markers aren't here to test us. She thinks they're lying. That the Tower is just a feeding ground."

"Feeding ground?" Chosa repeated, frowning.

"Yeah. According to her, the Tower and everything in it is a game designed to force us to evolve—so the Markers can eat us at our peak. Feed on our progress and grow even stronger."

Chosa felt a chill run down his spine. "That's... dark. You believe her?"

"Hard to say. But I've seen enough weird shit to not rule anything out. You'll understand better if she tells you herself."

Kaisel turned back to the speaker and pressed the button again.

"Didn't I say no, Kaisel?" Lila's voice was sharper now, almost venomous.

"Please, Lila," Kaisel said, more softly this time. "We ran into an anomaly hunter. He called himself Grim."

Silence.

The pause was heavier than before. Seconds dragged on until finally—click click click.

The sound of half a dozen locks disengaging echoed through the alleyway, and the door groaned open.

Standing there was a short woman, maybe five feet tall, with long brunette hair tumbling over her shoulders in loose waves. Freckles dotted her pale cheeks, and her hazel eyes, though partially hidden behind oversized glasses, gleamed with restrained fury and exhaustion.

She wore a baggy, sleeveless hoodie and cargo pants smeared with ink and soot. A faint glow radiated from the runic tattoos spiraling down her arms. The air around her shimmered with latent magic, and Chosa felt a low hum in the base of his spine the moment their eyes met.

"Get in before I change my mind," she muttered.

Kaisel smirked as he stepped inside. "Nice to see you too, Lila."

Chosa followed hesitantly, scanning the room beyond. The interior was packed—books stacked to the ceiling, floating crystals humming softly, enchanted artifacts drifting lazily in midair. Scrolls, weapons, potions—everything looked as if it belonged in a scholar's dream and a madman's nightmare.

As Chosa stepped across the threshold, Luna's voice rang in his mind, calm but firm.

"Chosa," she said. "This woman is far more powerful than she lets on. Her energy—it's nearly identical to yours. Another anomaly, and a powerful one. She's definitely an ally you'll want by your side."

Chosa glanced subtly at Lila again, this time with a deeper awareness.

This wasn't just some recluse. This was someone who knew the truth—or at least more than anyone else had told them.

And maybe, just maybe, she held the key to surviving what came next.