Darkness in the Shadows

CHAPTER 22

Alana smiled as she walked through the trees. She felt the darkness within her, giving her comfort as she walked under the growth of leaves above her.

As she ventured deeper into the unfamiliar landscape, the scenery underwent a dramatic transformation. The dense forest gave way to an open expanse, and before she knew it, she found herself standing at the edge of a cliff. She couldn't help but feel a sense of deja vu as she peered over the edge, expecting to see a familiar sight as she saw running from her captors. To her surprise, the view was unlike anything she had ever imagined.

Alana observed the bustling activity of a mining site with a mixture of fascination and disbelief. Large blocks of marble were being maneuvered along the ground on wheeled platforms, while in another area, workers were meticulously cutting and shaping the marble. What truly caught Alana's attention, however, was the method by which the marble was being extracted.

A man positioned lower on the ground seemed to effortlessly lift the massive pieces, dislodging them from the wall with his bare hands before carefully placing them onto a wooden plank mounted on wheels for transport. Beside him, another man approached the marble wall and, with a mere touch, created a large crack that caused another piece to break away. The first man then moved in once more, expertly guiding the newly separated block onto the waiting transport.

What pulled the transport was a curious sight as well. Alana had never seen creatures like them before. They were large, with a stature that was both imposing and fascinating as they effortlessly pushed the heavy loads. Their bodies were a mottled grey, marked with intricate patterns that seemed to tell a story of their own.

These creatures had flat noses and large, high-set ears that twitched occasionally, adding to their unique appearance. Their eyes, smaller than what Alana was used to, lacked visible lids or lashes, giving them an unsettling, almost otherworldly look.

Despite their strange appearance, Alana couldn't help but admire the raw power and precision with which these workers moved. Their movements were graceful yet powerful, their coordination impeccable.

The area sloped downward, suggesting that they were gradually descending deeper into the land. The slope seemed to lead underneath the surface, with a lip of land covering the workers slightly. It hinted at a purpose beyond just collecting marble.

Alana observed the scene with intrigue, pacing slowly along the cliff's edge as she watched the creatures toil below. The scenery was a stark contrast to what she was accustomed to, with the ground noticeably solid beneath her feet. Driven by her curiosity, Alana continued her descent along the cliff. It slowly led downward to the ground, eventually reaching the base of the cliff.

As Alana ventured closer, the scene revealed itself in a more ominous light than what she had perceived from above. The creatures moving about wore worn and tattered clothes, their weary appearances indicating a lack of enthusiasm for their tasks.

The atmosphere of the place felt unsettling, Alana kept going following her intuition and the assurance of the darkness. She navigated through the stacks of marble, discreetly avoiding the gaze of any onlookers. Despite the strange creatures, she felt no immediate threat from her surroundings. The darkness while giving her company was not giving her any negative notions.

Drawing nearer to the labouring workers, Alana recognized a familiar face among them. Hilem stood tall, his demeanour exuding authority, his attire surprisingly pristine amidst the rugged environment. Seeing him reignited a surge of anger within Alana as memories of his cruel actions flooded her mind.

Alana observed as Hilem barked orders at the workers, who complied reluctantly, their actions more out of resignation than willingness. They shifted a large block of marble, their movements mechanical and devoid of enthusiasm.