The roar of Devika Agnivarna's flames continued to echo behind Arivaan as he ran through the dim corridor.
The stone fortress of the Kaal-Chhaya Sangh had once felt intimidating and secure. Thick walls of black stone surrounded the structure, reinforced by layers of hidden traps and defensive runes carved into the floor.
But tonight those defenses meant nothing.
The Rakshak warrior had shattered them as if they were made of dried clay.
Another explosion thundered from the corridor behind him.
BOOOOM!
The fortress trembled violently, causing loose dust to fall from the ceiling.
Arivaan gritted his teeth as he sprinted toward the spiral staircase leading upward.
This is insane…
In all the years he had spent within the Kaal-Chhaya Sangh, he had heard many rumors about powerful Rakshaks.
But seeing one fight in person was something entirely different.
Devika Agnivarna was not merely strong.
She was overwhelming.
Arivaan had watched dozens of soldiers charge at her together.
They had barely lasted a few seconds.
Even their commander—someone who had terrified Arivaan for years—had struggled to hold his ground against her.
If she reaches the command floor…
The thought made his stomach tighten.
The leaders of the Kaal-Chhaya Sangh were powerful figures, but even they might have difficulty dealing with a Rakshak of Devika's level.
Arivaan pushed those thoughts aside and forced his legs to move faster.
Right now his only job was to deliver the message.
If the commanders could organize a proper defense, perhaps the fortress could still survive.
The stone staircase spiraled upward through the center of the building.
Normally it was guarded by several elite soldiers.
Tonight it was empty.
Arivaan slowed slightly.
Strange…
The silence felt unnatural.
Even during quiet nights, someone would always be stationed here.
But now the staircase echoed only with the sound of his own footsteps.
He climbed quickly.
One floor.
Two floors.
Three.
By the time he reached the sixth floor, his breathing had grown heavy.
Another distant explosion shook the fortress.
This one sounded even louder than the last.
Flames flickered briefly through the stairwell windows, painting the walls with violent orange light.
Arivaan paused for a moment and leaned against the wall.
His chest rose and fell rapidly.
She's still fighting…
The soldiers below were probably being overwhelmed one by one.
Even if the commander managed to delay her, it wouldn't last long.
A Rakshak like Devika could destroy half the fortress before anyone strong enough to oppose her appeared.
Arivaan pushed himself away from the wall and continued climbing.
The seventh floor passed quickly.
Finally, he reached the landing leading to the eighth floor command chamber.
This level of the fortress was different from the rest.
Instead of rough stone corridors and weapon racks, the hallway here was decorated with polished black marble.
Large banners bearing the emblem of the Kaal-Chhaya Sangh hung from the walls.
Normally this area would be heavily guarded.
But once again, the hallway was silent.
Arivaan frowned.
"Where is everyone…?"
His footsteps echoed softly as he approached the massive double doors at the end of the hall.
These doors led to the central command chamber—the place where the leaders of the organization planned their operations.
Arivaan stopped in front of the doors.
They were slightly open.
A cold breeze drifted through the gap.
"That's odd."
He hesitated for a moment.
Then he pushed the door open.
The sight inside made him freeze.
The command chamber was in chaos.
Tables had been overturned.
Scrolls and maps were scattered across the floor.
Several large wooden chests stood open, half-empty as if someone had hurriedly packed them.
One of the banners had fallen from the wall and lay crumpled near the center of the room.
Arivaan stepped inside slowly.
"…Hello?"
No answer.
His voice echoed through the empty chamber.
He looked around again.
The chairs where the commanders usually sat were empty.
The long table used for strategic meetings was abandoned.
Not a single person remained.
Arivaan's expression slowly darkened.
"They're… gone."
The realization settled heavily in his chest.
The leaders of the Kaal-Chhaya Sangh had already fled.
While the soldiers below were risking their lives fighting the Rakshak, the commanders had escaped through some hidden route.
Leaving everyone else behind.
Arivaan clenched his fists.
"So that's how it is…"
For years he had followed their orders.
He had fought in dangerous missions, guarded secret shipments, and endured brutal training.
And when the organization finally faced destruction…
They had abandoned their own soldiers.
Another distant explosion echoed from below.
The sound reminded Arivaan that Devika was still destroying the fortress.
Soon she would reach this floor.
If she found him here, the outcome would be obvious.
He exhaled slowly.
"…Fine."
If the commanders had already escaped, then he would do the same.
There was no reason for him to stay and die for an organization that had already betrayed him.
Arivaan turned to search the chamber more carefully.
If the leaders had fled, they must have used a hidden escape route somewhere nearby.
As he scanned the room, something on a pedestal near the back wall caught his attention.
A small glass case.
Inside it rested a glowing purple jewel.
The gem pulsed faintly with a mysterious light.
Arivaan approached cautiously.
"This… wasn't here before."
The jewel looked extremely valuable.
Its surface shimmered like liquid starlight, casting soft reflections across the walls.
He glanced toward the door nervously.
The fortress continued shaking as distant explosions echoed through the halls.
There was no time to hesitate.
Arivaan opened the glass case.
The moment he lifted the jewel, he felt a strange warmth spread through his palm.
"Interesting…"
A faint vibration ran through the gem, as if it were alive.
Arivaan turned it over in his hand.
He had never seen anything like it.
It was clearly some kind of rare artifact.
Probably something the leaders had been keeping hidden.
A bitter smile crossed his face.
"Well… since they abandoned us…"
He slipped the jewel into his pocket.
"…I'll take this as compensation."
If he managed to escape the fortress, he could sell it somewhere.
Even a fraction of its value might allow him to live comfortably for years.
Arivaan turned back toward the door.
Now all he needed was a way out.
And he needed to find it quickly.
Because somewhere below him in the burning fortress—
Devika Agnivarna was still coming.