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đź“– Chronicles of the Watchers
Chapter 24: The Red Hands
The alleys of Kaelith stank of smoke and rust. Where the golden spires rose above, polished and gleaming, the streets below were shadows threaded with chains.
Selene pressed her back against a crumbling wall, dagger drawn. "We're being watched."
Liora scanned the stones. There—half-hidden beneath grime—smears of crimson, like handprints dragged across the walls. The secret trail.
They followed it deeper until the light of the towers vanished. In the dark, whispers slithered. A dozen figures stepped from the shadows, faces hidden behind scarves stained red.
One raised a hand painted crimson, fresh with blood. "You walk our path. Speak why."
Liora's grip tightened on her blade. "We're here for the Vessel. The boy they chained to your throne."
The leader laughed—a low, bitter sound. "Ah. The Dawn-Bearer. The Dominion calls him their crown. We call him their leash."
Selene's voice cut sharp. "And what do you call yourselves?"
The figure drew closer, eyes burning through the mask. "The Red Hands. Once we were slaves, chained until our skin bled. Now we wear the mark to remember. We bleed the Dominion wherever they think themselves untouchable."
Around them, the rebels shifted—hard-eyed men and women, their weapons crude but coated with fire-oil.
But Liora noticed something: among their spoils, trophies taken from Dominion soldiers… and innocents too. Burned homes. Scorched symbols. Collateral.
Her jaw clenched. "You fight the Dominion, yes. But at what cost?"
The leader tilted his head. "Freedom is never clean, girl. Chains do not break without blood. Even yours, if need be."
The air tightened. Selene moved closer to Liora, whispering, "They're no saints. But they may be our only way inside the heart of Kaelith."
Liora's eyes stayed locked on the leader. She hated the stink of blood on his words—but she also knew he wasn't wrong.
Finally, she spoke. "Then show us the way. But understand this—if your war turns against the boy, against Kairo, I'll cut my own path through your ranks."
For a moment, silence. Then the leader smiled beneath the scarf. "Good. You'll fit right in."
The Red Hands melted back into the dark, leaving only the crimson trail ahead. Liora and Selene followed, their fates now tied to rebels who carried freedom in one hand—and fire in the other.
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⚡ End of Chapter 24.