Clyde hesitated for a mont before speaking, his voice unusually serious.
"I’ve discovered sothing. Sothing so dangerous that if you knew about it, I’m not sure what would happen to you."
The silence that followed Clyde’s words was thick with tension. The five of them exchanged glances. They look curious, but also deeply concerned.
Clyde wasn’t the type to show fear. If even he hesitated to speak about what he had discovered, then whatever it was had to be beyond anything they had faced before.
Kiara tilted her head slightly, her expression still flat as always but her sharp eyes flickered with interest.
"I’m curious," she said, her voice as calm and detached as ever. But they all knew better that she was more than just curious.
Clyde exhaled, resting his hands on the table for a mont. "Like I said. It’s really dangerous."
Leyan leaned forward, his fingers laced together. "Does it have sothing to do with the anomalies we fought back then?"
Clyde’s gaze shifted toward him, and for a brief mont, the weight in his eyes was enough to make Leyan tense. Then, he gave a single nod. "Yes."
The confirmation sent a ripple of unease through the group.
Samuel crossed his arms. "Then that ans this isn’t just your problem. We all need to be part of this, right? That thing could be threatening this Fortress as well."
Clyde went quiet. He sighed in contemplation, his thoughts running deeper than he was willing to share. Finally, he sighed again.
"For now, I think it’s better if I handle this alone," he said. "But I don’t know about later... Maybe I’ll need your help."
That was all he would say.
Without another word, he picked up his tray, finishing the last of his al in a few quiet bites.
Then, he pushing his chair back and he stood. His presence which had always carried a quiet weight, now felt even heavier as if sothing unseen clung to him.
He looked at them one last ti.
"Take care," he said simply, before turning and walking away.
The group remained at the table, watching his retreating figure. The usual sounds of the cafeteria returned around them but none of them spoke.
Haru was the first to break the silence. She let out a breath, leaning back against her chair. "Well... That was ominous."
Kei frowned. "He’s hiding sothing big. To himself."
Leyan tapped his fingers on the table, deep in thought.
"If he thinks we shouldn’t know, then whatever he found must be sothing beyond what we’ve dealt with before Maybe... We should listen to his advice to stay away. For now."
"He might say he wants to handle it alone, but eventually... we’ll be pulled into it. I’m sure of it," Kei said.
Samuel let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Of course we will. Sothing like this will make us fight for our lives eventually."
No matter what he had found, no matter how dangerous it was, they all knew that they will need to fight when Clyde ask for help, or if they really need to protect this Fortress.
---
Few monutes later in Hamr’s forge.
The rhythmic clang of tal striking tal echoed through the forge, mixing with the hiss of steam and the low roar of the furnace outside.
Clyde stepped into the secret room, his boots making a dull sound against the reinforced stone floor.
"I heard you’re leaving," Hamr said. He picked up a cloth and wiped the sweat from his forehead, finally turning to face Clyde. His sharp eyes studied him for a mont. "Figured this day would co sooner or later."
Clyde t his gaze, his expression turned a little bit sommber. "Yeah."
Hamr exhaled through his nose, crossing his arms. "Guess I should be telling ya not to do anything stupid, but let’s be real—you’re already doing that until now."
Clyde gave a small smirk, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
Hamr glanced over at a workbench nearby. Resting on it was a weapon wrapped in dark cloth. Without another word, he walked over, picked it up, and tossed it to Clyde.
Clyde caught it effortlessly. He unwrapped the cloth, revealing a finely crafted dagger. It was a black steel with veins of faint crimson running through it. The edge glead under the forge light.
"I made that for you. Just in case."
Clyde studied the weapon, running his fingers over the hilt. It was perfectly balanced, and he could feel the weight of Hamr’s craftsmanship in every detail.
"Thanks, man."
Hamr waved a hand dismissively. "Don’t ntion it. Just don’t go gettin’ yourself killed out there."
Clyde wrapped the dagger back up and secured it at his side.
At that mont, footsteps echoed from the entrance.
Maethion had arrived.
The elf entered with his usual composed stride, adjusting the thin-frad glasses that rested on the bridge of his nose.
He dressed in long, flowing robes of dark blue, embroidered with intricate silver.
His piercing green eyes settled on Clyde imdiately.
"You requested a eting," Maethion said, his tone even, though there was a hint of curiosity behind it. "I assu it’s urgent."
Clyde nodded. "It is."
Then, he got straight to the point.
"I’m leaving the fortress," he said. "I need access to the outer routes."
Maethion didn’t react imdiately. He studied Clyde, as if weighing sothing in his mind.
"You are aware that the High Council we’re still monitoring your movent. Unauthorized departures—"
"I’m not asking for permission," Clyde interrupted. His voice was steady and firm. "I’m telling you what I’m doing."
A tense silence followed.
Hamr let out a low chuckle.
Maethion sighed, adjusting his glasses again. "And your reason?"
Clyde hesitated for only a second before answering.
"I found sothing. Sothing connected to the anomalies."
That caught Maethion’s attention. His expression sharpened. "Go on."
Clyde chose his words carefully. "It’s dangerous. And if I stay here, it could put the entire fortress at risk."
The elf’s gaze lingered on Clyde, searching for sothing in his expression. Finally, he nodded. "I see."
"Tell Vernik that I will not bothering him again," Clyde said then said the last goodbye to them both.
After that, he imdiately leaving the forge in quick strides.
---
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