Mira Vael stayed in the pit for two more days.
Her soldiers searched everything. They broke open old tunnels. Questioned slaves. Scanned for corruption with glowing crystals that pulsed when held near skin.
Nothing turned up.
Not yet.
But Mira didn't seem frustrated.
She was patient.
Too patient.
Auron watched her closely. She walked like a blade — calm, sharp, always ready to cut. Her men followed her without question. Even the Warden kept his distance.
She was dangerous. And she knew it.
That morning, a body was found near the food crates.
A slave.
Dead.
Throat cut cleanly.
No one saw who did it. No one heard a fight.
But Auron noticed something the others didn't.
There were no signs of a struggle.
No blood trail.
Just a body, carefully placed.
Almost like it was a message.
Mira arrived moments later. She stood over the body in silence.
Then turned to the gathered crowd.
"This is the second one," she said. "Another body. Another warning."
Whispers rose.
Second?
Auron frowned. He hadn't heard about the first.
"This mine is infected," Mira continued. "Not just with corruption—but with fear. Someone is testing us. Watching how we respond."
She turned to the Warden.
"I want full access to the restricted sectors. Now."
The Warden hesitated, but nodded.
Then she looked at Auron.
Again.
She held his gaze longer this time.
"You," she said. "Come with me."
Auron didn't move.
"I don't take orders from nobles anymore," he replied.
Gasps spread through the crowd. A guard raised a weapon.
Mira didn't flinch.
"You're not being asked," she said.
Auron stepped forward.
His eyes stayed locked on hers.
"Fine."
They walked together through the lower halls. Her soldiers followed at a distance.
She didn't speak until they reached an empty tunnel lit by a single torch.
"Who are you really?" she asked.
"You already know," Auron replied.
"You're supposed to be dead."
"I was."
Mira stared at him.
"You should have stayed that way."
Then she drew her sword.
Fast.
Auron barely dodged. The blade sliced his sleeve.
He moved back, shadows forming in his hands.
Void Edge charged. One more second and he could—
She stopped.
Didn't strike again.
Just lowered the blade.
"I needed to see," she said. "How fast you are. How far you've fallen."
"You wanted to test me?"
"No. I wanted to confirm it."
She stepped closer.
"You've bonded with something. Something that doesn't belong in this world."
Auron said nothing.
"I should kill you," Mira said.
"Then try."
They stood there in silence.
Then, to Auron's surprise, she sheathed her sword.
"Not yet," she said. "I want to see how far you'll go."
She turned and walked away.
Her footsteps echoed down the tunnel, cold and slow.
Auron stood alone.
But not for long.
The voice inside him spoke.
"She fears you. That's why she didn't strike."
Auron smiled faintly.
"I know."
And his shadow pulsed with life.