The days following their meeting with Alaric were a blur of tension and preparation. Sebastian had gone into hiding, his whereabouts known only to Evelyn, who coordinated their movements with the secrecy of a seasoned spy. Aria had spent her days training, learning how to move like the shadows that would soon be her allies and enemies. The city of Azure Bay grew more dangerous by the hour, a hive of whispers and shifting allegiances.

Evelyn had tasked Aria with gathering information from the city's network of informants, those who whispered secrets for coin and safety. It was a gruelling task, but one that sharpened her resolve. Each encounter left her with new pieces of the puzzle, a mosaic of rumours and half-truths that painted a picture of an Underkeep that was more entrenched and ruthless than she'd ever imagined.

Late one evening, as the city was wrapped in the silence that came before the storm, Evelyn and Aria sat in the dim light of the workshop. The maps spread across the table were crisscrossed with notes, each one a lead or a warning. The scent of old parchment mingled with the sharp tang of the sea air that seeped through the cracked window.

“They’re preparing for something,” Aria said, her finger tracing a route marked in red ink. “It’s more than just securing the Underkeep. They’re making moves across the city.”

Evelyn nodded, her eyes narrowed in concentration. “The Underkeep never acts without a reason. If they’re moving now, it means they’re expecting trouble.” Her gaze shifted to Aria, and a question lingered in her eyes. “The real question is, how long do we have before they come for us?”

Before Aria could answer, a sharp knock at the door interrupted them. Evelyn’s hand moved to the dagger at her hip, eyes flicking to Aria with a silent warning. Aria’s pulse quickened as she nodded, her fingers tightening on the edge of the table.

Evelyn opened the door just enough to reveal a figure cloaked in shadows. It was a man, tall and lean, with eyes that glimmered like embers.

“Evelyn,” the man said in a low voice. “I need to speak with you. It’s urgent.”

Evelyn stepped aside, and the man entered, his eyes meeting Aria’s as he moved past. The air crackled with an unspoken tension.

“What is it, Marcus?” Evelyn asked, her voice steady but curious.

Marcus’s eyes darted around the room, as if afraid of being overheard. “I’ve been following the Underkeep’s movements. They’re preparing to make a public show of force. Tomorrow night, they’ll strike at the heart of the city—at the main market.”

Aria’s breath caught. “Why? What could they possibly gain from that?”

Marcus’s face darkened. “Power. Fear. Control. The market isn’t just a place for trade; it’s where secrets are exchanged, alliances are forged, and whispers take root. If they make their move there, everyone from nobles to beggars will see it. It will cement their rule and send a message to those who oppose them.”

Evelyn’s eyes locked with Aria’s, and in that moment, Aria saw the same realization settle over them both: the Underkeep was no longer just a shadowy threat. It was a force that would bring the war to their doorstep.

“We need to act now,” Evelyn said, her voice low and fierce. “We need to send a message of our own. If we don’t stop them, tomorrow night will be the beginning of the end for all of us.”

Aria felt a shiver run down her spine. She was no longer just a bystander in this game. She was a player, and the stakes were higher than she had ever imagined.

As the night deepened, Sebastian sat alone in an abandoned warehouse, the dim glow of a lantern casting long, restless shadows across his face. His fingers brushed against the edge of a note he’d received earlier, its contents a warning that sent a chill down his spine.

They were onto him. The Underkeep knew he was in play, and soon, they would come for him. But Sebastian wasn’t alone in his fight. He had Aria, and Evelyn, and a network that stretched farther than even the Underkeep could imagine.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the distance, and Sebastian’s heart stilled. He wasn’t alone, but the question was: friend or foe?

A voice cut through the silence. “Sebastian.”

He looked up to see a figure stepping out of the shadows, a familiar face that sent a mixture of relief and dread surging through him. It was Marcus.

“Did you bring news?” Sebastian asked, rising to his feet, a cold edge to his voice.

Marcus nodded, eyes wide with urgency. “The Underkeep’s moving out tomorrow night. If you’re not ready, we won’t just lose Samuel. We’ll lose everything.”

Sebastian clenched his fists, the weight of what was to come pressing down on him. “Then we’ll be ready.”