The courtyard seemed quiet, but Liora knew better. The air thrummed with tension, like the city itself was holding its breath.
Kael scanned the area. "Stay close," he warned. "The city reacts to presence, but it can be fooled—temporarily."
"Fool it?" Liora asked, still catching her breath. "How do you fool something that watches everything?"
Kael didn't answer immediately. Instead, he led her toward a narrow alley hidden by shadows. The farther they went, the more distorted the buildings became—windows melting into walls, doors opening into nothing.
Then she saw her: a figure crouched in the shadows, observing.
A girl, no older than Liora, with hair pale as moonlight and eyes that seemed too knowing for her age. She stepped forward slowly.
"I've been waiting for you," she said.
Kael stiffened. "You're not supposed to be here."
"I know," the girl said. "But the city doesn't control everything. Not entirely. Not yet."
Liora frowned. "Who are you?"
The girl smiled faintly. "Call me Selene. I'm… like you."
"You survived," Kael muttered. "And you've stayed hidden."
Selene's gaze flicked to Liora. "The city is testing her," she said softly. "But tests can be dangerous. You'll need help."
Liora's pulse quickened. "Help? What kind of help?"
"The kind that teaches you to survive, and maybe even fight back," Selene replied. Her eyes narrowed. "If the city senses fear in you, it will use it."
Kael clenched his jaw. "I've managed so far. I wasn't planning on sharing my secrets."
Selene tilted her head. "Secrets won't save her. Not now."
A sudden ripple ran through the alley—a soundless wave that made the shadows shiver.
"The city is aware," Kael said. "It knows you're marked. Every step you take is noticed."
Selene turned to Liora. "You have choices now. You can stay hidden, risk nothing… or learn what the city really is. Only then can you survive."
Liora swallowed, her hands trembling. "Then I'll learn. I won't be afraid."
Kael exhaled, a mixture of relief and tension. "Good. Then let's begin."