The night was still young as Seraphis turned to Elowen and Sylvaine, a smirk playing at her lips. The twins had only just been reborn, their golden eyes still shimring with the remnants of ancient magic. Yet, they stood before her with the discipline of warriors, their backs straight, their expressions sharp.

"Co," she said, her voice a whisper in the wind. "I will show you to my ho."

Without another word, she turned, her long white cloak billowing behind her as she disappeared into the dense forest. The twins exchanged a glance before silently following.

The journey through the woods was a lesson in silence. Seraphis moved like a shadow, her steps soundless against the moss-covered ground. The twins struggled at first, their new bodies still adjusting to the grace expected of them, but they learned quickly.

Seraphis could hear their footsteps grow quieter, their breathing more controlled. Good. They were adapting.

They traveled for miles, the trees growing denser, the night darker. The deeper they went, the more unnatural the silence beca. No birds chirped. No animals stirred. It was as if the forest itself knew this place was not ant to be found.

Finally, Seraphis stopped.

Before them stood an unremarkable hill, covered in vines and moss. It blended perfectly with the landscape, a part of the wilderness rather than sothing separate.

The twins frowned. "This... is your ho?" Sylvaine asked hesitantly.

Seraphis simply smirked. "Watch closely."

With a flick of her wrist, she pressed her palm against the rock. A second passed in silence—then the hill shuddered.

The vines writhed like living creatures, pulling back to reveal a massive stone door embedded into the rock. Symbols of the White Raven glowed along its surface, ancient runes humming with power. With a deep rumble, the door slid open, revealing a dark tunnel leading into the earth.

Elowen and Sylvaine took an instinctive step back. The air from within was cool, almost too cool, as if the very stone breathed a different kind of life.

Seraphis glanced over her shoulder. "Still think it’s just a hill?"

The twins shook their heads.

Seraphis chuckled and stepped inside. "Co. Let show you the true fortress of the White Raven."

The tunnel stretched deep into the hill, lit by glowing blue crystals embedded into the walls. Their soft luminescence cast eerie shadows, giving the passage an otherworldly glow. The air slled of stone and sothing older, sothing untouched by the outside world.

They walked in silence, the only sound being the distant echo of their footsteps. Then, after what felt like minutes of descent, the tunnel widened—and the fortress revealed itself.

Elowen and Sylvaine froze.

Before them was a sprawling underground stronghold, carved entirely from stone. The ceiling arched high above, supported by massive pillars etched with intricate carvings. Bridges crisscrossed between different levels, leading to hidden chambers and walkways. The walls were reinforced with tal, glowing runes inscribed along them for protection.

At the center of it all was a massive open chamber, where weapon racks lined the walls, training dummies stood in perfect formation, and a circular platform sat waiting—an arena designed for battle.

Elowen exhaled slowly. "This… this is incredible."

Sylvaine nodded, awe flickering in her golden eyes. "I thought we would be living in a cave… but this is a fortress."

Seraphis smirked. "What did you expect? A pile of rocks?"

She led them deeper inside, through the labyrinth of hallways.

"Over here," she gestured, stepping into a large, open room.

It was the armory.

Weapons of all kinds lined the walls—daggers, short swords, crossbows, throwing knives, and even her signature tal playing cards. Each blade glead under the torchlight, perfectly maintained.

"If you ever need a weapon, this is where you co," she said, running her fingers along a row of throwing knives. "I expect you both to train with everything here."

Elowen picked up a dagger, testing its weight. Sylvaine grabbed a short sword, her eyes narrowing as she adjusted her grip.

Seraphis watched them, satisfied. They were learning quickly.

She moved to the next room—a library.

Bookshelves stretched high, filled with ancient tos, scrolls, and records. The knowledge of generations past rested here, secrets of assassins long gone.

"Study well," Seraphis said, tapping a thick leather-bound book. "Combat is only half the battle. Knowledge is the key to survival."

Elowen ran her fingers along the spines of the books, her golden eyes flickering with curiosity. Sylvaine, however, was already pulling a scroll from the shelf.

Seraphis smirked. "Good. I want you both to morize as much as you can."

She led them further, past training grounds and storage rooms, until they reached the living quarters.

Seraphis pushed open a heavy wooden door, revealing a spacious room with three separate chambers.

Each chamber had a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe. The walls were decorated with tapestries bearing the mark of the White Raven. The air slled of cedar and faint traces of the underground spring that ran beneath the fortress.

"These are your rooms," she said, stepping aside. "Rest when you need to. But do not grow too comfortable—this place is not for leisure."

Elowen and Sylvaine exchanged a look before nodding. They understood.

Finally, Seraphis brought them to the heart of the fortress—her own quarters.

The room was simple yet commanding. A large wooden desk sat against the wall, covered in maps and docunts. A set of tal playing cards lay scattered on its surface, a sign of her constant planning.

The walls were decorated with ancient weapons, trophies from past missions. A single window cut into the stone, revealing a hidden underground river that shimred with an ethereal glow.

Seraphis turned to the twins. "This is where I will give you orders. Where we will plan our next moves."

Elowen and Sylvaine straightened, their expressions sharp. "Understood, Mother."

Seraphis watched them for a long mont before finally nodding.

"Then welco ho."

The fortress doors sealed behind them. The White Raven had returned to her nest.