The tunnel was dark and quiet.
Zain and Velra walked side by side, saying nothing.
The deeper they went, the heavier the air felt. Dust clung to the walls.
The sound of their boots echoed through the narrow stone corridor.
"This is it," Velra said softly, checking the map from the file again.
"Valcair's real base. Hidden deeper than the others."
Zain nodded.
"No fake cages this time. No training floor. Just him."
They reached a thick, rusted door with strange markings carved across the surface.
Zain stepped back. "Can you open it?"
Velra didn't answer with words.
She kicked the seal hard. It cracked just enough.
Zain helped pry it open.
A low hiss escaped from behind it.
Inside, the hallway split in two.
Faint orange lights blinked on the ceiling, and the floor had metal grates with steam leaking through.
Velra looked left.
Zain looked right.
They both felt it.
"We're being watched," Zain muttered.
Velra smirked. "Good."
