CHAPTER 30 – "UNSPOKEN TRUTH"
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The Silver Lake bridge. Dusk.
Alkeos leaned against the railing. Arms crossed. Rynn stood beside him. Silent.
Waiting.
Footsteps.
They turned.
Kael ran toward them. Breathing hard. Face pale.
And behind him—a girl. Wrapped in his cloak. Struggling to keep up.
Alkeos straightened. "Kael?"
Kael stopped. Hands on his knees. Gasping.
Rynn looked at the girl. Then at Kael. "Who's that?"
"Doesn't matter," Kael said. Still breathing hard.
"What happened?" Alkeos asked.
Kael stood. Looked at them. "We need to find Liora."
"What!" "Why?"
"Because—" Kael stopped. Exhaled. "Because I think she's from here."
Silence.
Rynn frowned. "What?"
"The brand," Kael said. "The slaves. The mark on their necks."
He pointed at the girl. She pulled the cloak tighter. The fabric around her neck visible.
"I saw it before," Kael continued. "On Liora. A year ago. During training."
Alkeos stared. "You're saying—"
"She has the same mark."
Rynn's expression hardened. "You're sure?"
"I'm sure." Kael's voice shook. "It was on her shoulder. Around her armpit. I thought it was a scar. But it wasn't."
Alkeos went silent. Jaw tight.
Rynn crossed her arms. "That doesn't mean—"
"It does," Kael interrupted. "The way she acted when we landed. Her face. She was terrified. And the way she avoids looking at slaves. Every time. She won't even—"
"Kael," Alkeos said quietly. "Slow down."
"I can't." Kael's hands clenched. "She's hiding something. And we need to know what."
The girl stepped forward. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing," Kael said.
"But—"
"Nothing."
She fell silent. Confused.
Rynn looked at Alkeos. "If he's right—"
"Then she lied to us," Alkeos said. "For over a year."
"Or she didn't want us to know," Rynn said.
"Same thing."
"No, it's not."
Alkeos turned. "She should have told us."
"Why?" Rynn shot back. "Would you have trusted her?"
"That's not the point—"
"It is the point."
Kael stepped between them. "Stop."
They both looked at him.
"We don't know anything yet," Kael said. "We're just guessing."
"Then we ask her," Alkeos said.
Rynn nodded. "Agreed."
Kael exhaled. "Where is she?"
Alkeos thought. "She said she was going to look for records. Information on the villages."
"Where?"
"I don't know. A library? Archives?"
Kael turned to the girl. "Where's the library here?"
She blinked. "There's Seikō Temple. It has the largest archives in Shirogane."
"Where?"
"East side. Near Hanamura Gardens."
Kael looked at Alkeos. "Let's go."
Alkeos nodded.
Rynn started walking. "Come on."
The girl hesitated. "Should I—"
"Stay close," Kael said. "Don't get lost."
She nodded. Followed.
---
They moved through the streets quickly.
The sun was gone now. Lanterns glowed along the paths. Red. Gold. Soft light.
Cherry blossoms drifted through the air. Pale against the dark sky.
People walked past. Quiet. Heads down.
Kael's mind raced.
*What if I'm wrong?*
But he wasn't. He knew he wasn't.
The mark. Her fear. Everything fit.
*She was a slave.*
His chest tightened.
*Why didn't she tell us?*
Alkeos walked beside him. Silent. Confused.
Rynn ahead. Focused.
The girl behind. Still confused.
---
They entered Hanamura Gardens.
At night, it was different.
The koi ponds reflected the lanterns. Glowing. Shimmering.
Meditation shrines stood empty. Stone paths winding through trees.
Petals fell. Endless. Covering the ground.
Everything beautiful.
Everything silent.
Kael's footsteps echoed.
*What do I even say to her?*
He didn't know.
Alkeos stopped. Pointed. "There."
Ahead—massive gates. Dark wood. Carved with symbols. Flames. Swords. Spirits.
Stone fox statues on either side. Their eyes glowing faintly. Eidric-infused.
Seikō Temple.
Kael stared.
The gates were enormous. Ancient.
Guarded.
Two samurai stood at the entrance. House of Wind crests. Katanas at their sides.
Alkeos stepped forward. "We need to enter."
One guard raised a hand. "Temple is closed."
"We're looking for someone."
"Temple is closed," the guard repeated.
Rynn moved beside Alkeos. "We just need to check the archives."
"No entry after dusk."
Kael stepped forward. "It's important."
The guard's hand moved to his katana. "No. Entry."
Silence.
Kael's hand moved to his sword.
Alkeos grabbed his wrist. "Don't."
"But—"
"Not here."
Kael looked at the gates. Then at the guards.
He exhaled. Stepped back.
The girl whispered. "There's another way."
They all turned.
She pointed. "Side entrance. For workers. It's usually unlocked."
Alkeos looked at her. "Show us."
She nodded.
---
They moved around the temple. Quietly.
The girl led them through the gardens. Past shrines. Around ponds.
The temple walls rose high. Dark stone. Moss-covered.
She stopped. Pointed at a small door. Wooden. Plain.
"There."
Kael tried the handle.
It opened.
He looked at Alkeos. Rynn.
They nodded.
Kael stepped inside.
---
**END OF CHAPTER 30**