The night swallowed Djurah in its oppressive heat, the air thick with the weight of anticipation. Kael's boots clicked against the cobbled streets, his every step purposeful, each one leading him closer to Zara, the mysterious woman who could unlock the path to the Alik'ar—the key to uncovering the prince's dark secrets.
The marketplace was quieter at night, though still alive with murmurs. Lanterns flickered in the distance, casting their weak light on rows of stalls that were now shuttered, the vendors long gone. The city, once bustling with the life of merchants and traders, was now a shadow of its former self. The pulse of Djurah was slowing, like the heart of an empire that had forgotten its glory.
Kael moved through the empty alleyways with ease, his eyes scanning the darkness. Zara, according to the man at the Vulture's Nest, would be somewhere among the traders who still lingered after hours. But there was something about her, something that didn't sit right with Kael. She was more than just a simple merchant; she was a bridge to the Alik'ar, a bridge to something much darker than anyone had realized.
His gaze swept over the market stalls, now abandoned and silent. But in the farthest corner of the square, he saw a flicker of movement. A silhouette, slipping in and out of the shadows. It was her. Zara.
She was standing by a small stall that had once sold exotic spices but now only displayed a few trinkets. Her back was turned, but Kael could sense her awareness, the way she seemed to be watching the shadows even when she wasn't directly looking. She was a creature of the night, a ghost among the living.
Kael approached slowly, but before he could speak, her voice sliced through the air, soft and measured.
"I've been expecting you, Kael."
He stopped dead in his tracks, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his sword. Her calm demeanor unsettled him. How did she know his name? More importantly, how did she know he was coming?
"You don't need to draw your blade, soldier," Zara continued, her voice still calm, but there was an edge to it, like a blade hidden beneath silk. "I'm not here to harm you."
"Then why am I here?" Kael's voice was low, but demanding. He could feel the weight of his mission bearing down on him, the need to find answers, to stop the prince.
"You're here because you've made a choice," she replied, turning slowly to face him. Her features were sharp, almost ethereal, as if carved by the desert winds themselves. Her dark hair framed her face like the night sky, and her eyes, dark as the deepest part of the desert, locked onto his.
"Do you know what you're getting into?" Zara asked, her words cutting through the tension between them. "You seek to unearth the prince's secrets, to expose his lies. But what if what you find is something far worse?"
"I don't care about the prince's secrets," Kael growled. "I care about stopping him. Djurah cannot survive another day under his rule."
Zara tilted her head, studying him with an intensity that made Kael feel as though she could see through him. "You're not wrong, soldier. The prince is no true ruler of Djurah. But you're also not the only one who wants to see him fall. The Alik'ar have their own agenda, and it's not aligned with yours."
Kael's grip tightened on his sword. "The Alik'ar?" he asked. "Why would they care about Djurah's fate?"
Zara's lips curled into a slight smile. "You have much to learn, Kael. The Alik'ar have been guarding the tombs beneath the city for centuries. But what lies there is not just a legacy of the past—it's the future. The prince has been digging into those ruins for far longer than you think. He's not just after power, he's after something that could change everything."
Kael took a step forward, the weight of her words sinking in. "What is it?" he asked, his voice a mere whisper now.
Zara's eyes gleamed in the dim light. "I can't tell you. Not yet. But I can show you where to go. If you truly want to find the prince and stop him, you need to understand what's at stake. The Alik'ar are the key to everything, and they won't just give you their secrets. You'll have to prove yourself worthy of them."
Kael frowned, frustration rising within him. "How do I prove myself to them?"
Zara's smile widened, but it wasn't reassuring. "By finding the Eye of Seraph—an ancient relic that can open the way to the tombs. The Eye is the only thing that will allow you to access the deepest part of the ruins, where the prince is digging. It's a dangerous journey, and there are those who will do anything to stop you from reaching it."
"Where is the Eye?" Kael asked, his voice edged with impatience.
Zara's expression shifted, becoming serious. "I can't tell you that either. The Eye is hidden, and it's protected by more than just stone. But I can guide you to the first piece of the puzzle." She reached into her cloak and withdrew a small, weathered map, handing it to Kael.
Kael took the map, his eyes scanning it quickly. The markings were unfamiliar, but the path it outlined led deep into the heart of the desert. Beyond the city walls. Far from the familiar paths he knew.
"You'll need to cross the desert to reach the first clue," Zara said, her voice softening. "But be careful. The desert is not a place for the unprepared. It will swallow you whole if you're not cautious."
Kael nodded, slipping the map into his belt. "Thank you," he said, his voice low but firm.
Zara's eyes lingered on him for a moment before she spoke again. "Be careful, Kael. The desert is not the only thing that can swallow you. And the Alik'ar are not the only ones watching."
As Kael turned to leave, he felt her gaze still on him, like an invisible thread pulling him back. But he didn't look back. He had no time for warnings, not when the prince was still out there, hiding his secrets beneath the city.
The path ahead was dangerous, but Kael had made his choice. And there was no turning back.