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Nai remained dumbfounded by the breathtaking beauty surrounding her—each corner of the city seemed to pulse with an air of opulence and grandeur. The echoes of distant music floated through the air, mingling with the delicate fragrance of flowers from the balconies above. It was as though she had stepped into a world so far removed from the harsh reality below that it felt almost unreal.
Lucius, however, had little time to admire the scenery. His sharp gaze caught a flicker of movement—a cluster of guards hurrying through the crowd, their polished boots striking the marble with swift precision. His stomach twisted.
"Nai, we must move," he urged in a low voice.
Startled from her reverie, Nai nodded briskly, following as Lucius turned and darted in the opposite direction. They weaved through the throng of elegantly dressed citizens, hoping to lose themselves amidst the chaos. Yet, the sharp cry of a guard pierced the air behind them.
"There they are!"
Panic surged through Lucius' veins. He grabbed Nai's wrist, pulling her along as they quickened their pace, shoving past indignant bystanders who gasped in protest. The air grew heavy with tension as they rounded a sharp corner, hoping to disappear into the city's labyrinthine streets.
But in his haste, Lucius collided forcefully with a woman.
The impact sent both of them stumbling backward. She was a vision of dark elegance—her raven-black hair styled into a sleek low bun, with soft, wavy bangs framing her pale face. She wore a striking ensemble: a high-collared satin blouse in gleaming ivory, its sleeves cascading into layers of delicate lace that brushed against her wrists. Over it, a corseted black skirt draped in opulent folds, adorned with silver chains and jeweled brooches. In her gloved hand, she held a small parasol—black as midnight, its edges trimmed with lace, an accessory both refined and severe.
Lucius barely caught a glimpse of her eyes before Nai yanked him upright with a hiss.
"Lucius, you idiot!" she snapped under her breath, tugging his arm insistently.
He had no time to apologize. The distant shouts of the guards grew louder, and without another glance, Lucius turned and sprinted after Nai, disappearing into the crowd once more.
The woman remained where she stood, brushing a stray curl from her face as she watched their retreating figures with narrowed eyes. She was no fool—those ragged clothes and hurried steps could only mean one thing.
"Inmates," she murmured to herself, the corner of her lips curling into the faintest of smirks.
Their hurried footsteps echoed against the narrow walls as Lucius and Nai darted into a dimly lit alleyway. The chill of the stone beneath their feet did little to soothe the rising panic curling in Nai's chest as she skidded to a halt.
"It's a dead end—" her voice quivered, barely above a whisper.
Lucius clenched his jaw, frustration gnawing at him as the unmistakable sound of approaching boots grew louder. The guards were closing in, and with each second that slipped by, their window for escape narrowed.
"Damn it—" he hissed under his breath, scanning the high walls for any sign of a way out.
Before he could act, a shadow stirred above them. A small figure perched atop the wall, silhouetted against the pale light. Lucius stiffened, recognition flashing through him. It was the same child who had stolen his token.
His eyes narrowed in anger. "What the— I know you!" he snapped, fists clenching at his sides.
The child, unfazed by Lucius's outburst, merely tilted his head. Without a word, he tossed down a narrow, rickety ladder, the wood creaking softly as it settled against the wall.
"Climb, or return to the engines," the boy scoffed, his voice sharp and dismissive.
Lucius exchanged a wary glance with Nai, his thoughts racing. It was a risk—but the sound of the guards grew ever closer, their shouts now clear in the cold night air. There was no time to hesitate.
"Go," Lucius ordered, already placing a firm hand on Nai's back to urge her forward.
Without argument, Nai clutched the sides of the ladder and began to climb, her fingers trembling against the rough wood. Lucius followed swiftly behind, his muscles taut with urgency. Just as he reached the top, he grasped the ladder and hauled it up, the worn rungs scraping against the wall.
By the time the guards spilled into the alley, their quarry had vanished, leaving only an empty corridor of shadowed stone in their wake.
To be continued -