Zain and Velra moved deeper into the underground labyrinth.
The deeper they went, the more traps seed to spring up from every corner.
Zain’s eyes narrowed as he stepped carefully over a pressure plate.
It was small, almost hidden beneath the dust, but he’d been trained to spot these things.
He looked at Velra.
"Another one," he muttered. "Can’t he just make a door?"
Velra rolled her eyes.
"This is Valcair we’re talking about. He doesn’t make things easy."
Zain smirked darkly. "He’s starting to piss off."
Just as he spoke, the floor beneath them shifted, and several blades shot out of the walls.
Zain reacted instantly—Quick Step—dodging to the side just in ti.
Velra didn’t even flinch.
She flipped over the traps in one fluid motion, landing on the other side effortlessly.
"Looks like he really wants to play," she said with a mocking smile.
Zain cursed under his breath, wiping a strand of hair from his face as he caught up.
"I’m done with gas."
They continued, but every few steps there was another trap.
A hidden pit here, a swinging axe there.
At one point, an entire section of the floor opened up into a dark, jagged drop.
"This is getting ridiculous," Zain growled.
"How many more of these does he have?"
Velra kept walking, her movents smooth despite the chaos.
"As many as it takes, I guess. He doesn’t want anyone getting close to him."
Zain clenched his fists.
"I don’t care what kind of hideout he built. We’re getting to him."
Suddenly, the ground under Velra’s foot cracked.
Before she could move, a net of thick chains shot out from the walls, wrapping around her wrists and ankles.
She cursed but stayed calm, pulling against the chains.
"These are stronger than they look."
Zain stepped forward, his eyes flashing with irritation. "Not today."
He reached out, and in a split second, his hand was glowing red.
"Hold on," Zain said.
With a burst of strength, he broke the chains off Velra.
The chains snapped in half, falling to the ground with a loud clang.
Velra stood up, brushing the dirt from her clothes. "I swear, I’m starting to enjoy this less and less."
Zain cracked his neck and exhaled sharply. "Let’s keep moving. We’re close."
As they continued, the traps beca more advanced.
Pressure plates set off fire jets, and hidden crossbow traps shot out from the walls.
But they were both too skilled.
Zain used his quick reflexes, and Velra used her Trace Imprint to leave trails.
They triggered traps at a safe distance before they could harm them.
But even with their combined expertise, the constant dangers began to wear on them.
"I’m done with this." Zain muttered, his patience running thin as they encountered yet another trap.
A barrage of spike-covered swinging logs that nearly crushed them both.
Velra rolled her eyes and slid under one of the logs.
"You’re just mad because I’m faster."
Zain smirked despite his frustration.
"Not fair, you’ve got all the grace of a damn dancer."
She shrugged, flipping over the next obstacle.
"Grace doesn’t keep you alive. Precision does."
Finally, they reached the final door.
A massive stone slab sealed with runes.
Zain’s eyes narrowed as he stared at it.
"Valcair..."
"I’m going to kill you," Zain muttered under his breath.
Without waiting, he stepped forward and punched the gate with all his force.
CRACK.
The stone shattered, dust and debris flying everywhere.
Inside, Valcair stood motionless.
His gaze was icy, calculating.
Zain stepped through the broken gate, his fists still clenched.
His voice was low, a growl barely held in check.
"Surprised, are you?"
Valcair didn’t flinch, but his eyes twitched slightly.
His lips barely curled into a smirk.
"Velvet Demon... and your sidekick," he said, his voice dripping with disdain.
Zain clenched his jaw. "I’m not anyone’s sidekick, Valcair."
Velra moved forward, stepping up beside Zain.
Her eyes locked onto Valcair, her voice sharp as steel.
"He’s not a sidekick," she said coldly. "He’s my master."
Valcair’s smirk faltered, his eyes narrowing with growing frustration.
"Master?"
"The great Velvet Demon, the one who’s already disturbed my plans..."
"Is just a slave for another one?" He sneered.
Velra tilted her head, her lips curling into a smile. "That’s right."
Valcair’s gaze shifted toward Zain, his expression filled with disdain.
"You. Why don’t you control your slave?"
Zain didn’t flinch.
He stood tall, his eyes flashing with cold confidence.
"Sorry, but we’re not the sa."
He took a step forward, closing the distance between them.
"And for her to disturb you—well..."
"That’s because she had sothing to settle with you."
Valcair’s eyes flickered, his lips curling into a tighter frown.
He turned his attention back to Velra, as if trying to figure out a puzzle.
"Velvet Demon," he said, his voice now sharper.
"Why are you always disturbing my work?"
Velra didn’t hesitate, eting his gaze without a hint of fear.
"Because you are a Vantess."
Valcair’s expression darkened.
He stepped forward slowly, eyes narrowing further.
"I’m no Vantess anymore. That bloodline is gone. It died with my family."
Velra’s lips parted into a small smile as she reached up to her face.
She slowly removed the mask, revealing her own features.
"I’m the last Vantess," she said with quiet confidence.
"I’m Velra, and I’m the one who burned down the Vantess estate."
The words hit Valcair like a blow.
He froze for a mont, surprise flashing in his eyes—but only for a mont.
He quickly regained his composure, masking the shock behind a sneer.
"I see," he murmured.
"No wonder you knew all about the Vantess. The only one left..."
Velra’s expression hardened.
"That’s right. And that’s why I ca to destroy you, Valcair."
A flicker of sothing akin to understanding crossed his face.
He stepped back, his voice softer now but still laced with contempt.
"I don’t resent you for destroying them, Velra. I hated them too."
He extended a hand toward her, his tone shifting slightly.
"But why destroy what’s left? Why don’t we join forces?"
"I’m Vantess, too. We can revive the family, rebuild what was lost."
Velra’s eyes darkened, her jaw tightening. "I’m not here to join you."
Her voice was firm, unyielding. "I’m here to destroy you, Valcair."
Valcair’s expression twisted into one of cold fury.
He stepped forward again, this ti with more aggression.
"If that’s how it’s going to be..." he hissed, his voice dropping low and dangerous.
"Then I’ll thank you for the destruction of the Vantess na... by killing you."
He raised his hand, and the ground around them seed to tremble.
Velra smirked, unfazed. "You can try."
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