Shadow of the Changeling

Chapter 9: Stories in the Corridor

The Maze’s silence was an oppressive weight, broken only by the faint hum of unseen machinery and the distant whispers that skittered along the edges of hearing. Shadows stretched and contorted along the walls, shifting like predators stalking their prey. The symbols on the walls pulsed faintly, radiating a malevolence that sapped strength and resolve with every step.

At last, Kel'Acthar and Elara found a small alcove tucked into the labyrinth—a rare pocket of stillness where the symbols on the walls were faded, and the shadows seemed less menacing. It wasn’t safety, but it was the closest they had come to it in hours.

Elara exhaled slowly, her shoulders sagging with exhaustion. “We need to stop. Just for a minute.”

Kel nodded, sinking to the ground with a low grunt. He leaned back against the cold, rusted wall, letting out a long breath. “Fine by me. This place is digging into my head, and I’m running low on patience.”

They sat in silence for a while, the quiet settling around them like a fragile bubble. For the first time since entering the depths, they weren’t rushing forward, locked in battle, or fighting off the illusions of the Maze. For the first time, they could just be.

Elara broke the silence first, her voice quiet but steady. “We’ve been through a lot together, Kel. But we don’t really know each other, do we? Not beyond what the Inquisition requires.”

Kel looked over at her, his expression unreadable. “Guess not. Most partnerships in the Inquisition don’t last long enough for that. Either the mission ends or…” He shrugged. “Something else does.”

She studied him, sensing something guarded in his tone. “That doesn’t bother you?”

Kel’s lips quirked into a faint smirk, though there was little humor in it. “Not really. Less to lose when things go wrong.”

Elara tilted her head, curiosity glinting in her tired eyes. “What’s your story, then? You weren’t always with the Inquisition.”

Kel sighed, rubbing a hand over the rough surface of his horns. “No, I wasn’t. Grew up on Catachan. It’s a rough place, but you either learn to handle yourself, or you don’t make it past childhood. I joined the Jungle Fighters young, worked my way up to lieutenant.” He paused, his gaze growing distant. “Out there, survival was the only rule. Every day, something out there was waiting to kill you.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Catachan Jungle Fighters? I’ve heard the stories. The strongest of the Imperium’s guardsmen.”

Kel chuckled, though the sound was hollow. “Strong, yeah. But to most of them, I was still just ‘the beastman.’ The horns, the hooves—they made me stand out even on a planet full of freaks. And not in a good way.”

Elara’s brow furrowed. “But you earned their respect. You rose to lieutenant.”

Kel hesitated, his jaw tightening. “Not before they blamed me for something I didn’t do. Kids started going missing, and families wanted someone to blame. A beastman? Easy target. They didn’t care if I was one of their own.”

Elara’s voice softened. “What did you do?”

Kel’s eyes darkened, his voice lowering. “I went after the real cause. Took me three days of tracking through the jungle to find it—a Tyranid Lictor. Damn thing was faster and smarter than anything I’d ever fought. Nearly got me a dozen times, but I took it down in the end. Dragged its head back to the camp and dumped it on the commander’s desk.”

Elara’s lips parted in surprise. “And that was enough to clear your name?”

Kel’s smirk returned, but it was tinged with bitterness. “Enough to stop the whispers. They didn’t look me in the eye after that. Someone higher up must’ve heard about it, though. Got pulled into the Inquisition not long after. Turns out, tracking things that want to kill you is a useful skill.”

Elara studied him, admiration flickering in her gaze. “You didn’t have to go after that Lictor. But you did.”

Kel shrugged, though his expression softened. “It was the right thing to do. Besides, when people look at you like you’re the monster, you either prove them right or show them they’re wrong. Figured I’d try the second option.”

Elara smiled faintly. “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for, Kel.”

He looked at her, his red eyes glinting with something softer than usual. “Thanks.” He paused, then gestured toward her. “Your turn. What brought you into this

Elara’s expression turned thoughtful, her gaze dropping to her hands. “I grew up in a connected family—not wealthy, but respected. I was raised to think I’d have a prestigious role someday, something dignified and honorable. My parents instilled a deep belief in the righteousness of the Imperium and the purity of the Inquisition.”

She laughed softly, though the sound carried no joy. “When I came of age, they sent me to train under one of the most feared Inquisitors in the sector. He was relentless, expecting perfection in everything. When I fell short…” She trailed off, her voice faltering. “He made sure I understood just how worthless I was in his eyes.”

Kel frowned, his tone hardening. “Sounds like he was more interested in breaking you than training you.”

Elara nodded slowly. “I didn’t see it that way at the time. I thought he was right—that every failure meant I wasn’t good enough to wear the Inquisitor’s seal. I came close to giving up more than once.”

“What stopped you?” Kel asked, his voice quieter now.

Elara smiled faintly, her gaze distant. “A friend. Another Inquisitor took me aside, saw what I was going through, and told me something that stuck. Strength isn’t about perfection; it’s about resilience. It’s about getting back up every time you’re knocked down. I stopped trying to meet his standards and started setting my own.”

Kel nodded, respect flashing in his eyes. “Takes guts to pull yourself out of that. Sounds like you’re tougher than you look.”

She smirked, a flicker of humor returning to her gaze. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

For a while, they sat in silence, the weight of their pasts hanging between them like an unspoken bond. The cold, oppressive air of the Maze seemed almost distant as they shared pieces of themselves.

“Thanks for listening,” Elara said softly. “It’s been a while since I talked about any of this.”

Kel shrugged, his expression lightening. “Guess we both needed it.” He pushed himself to his feet, his crimson eyes scanning the corridor ahead. “But enough sitting around. The Changeling’s still out there.”

Elara stood, her determination renewed. “Let’s finish this.”

Together, they left the alcove, their steps steady and resolute. The Maze seemed to pulse with renewed malice, as if aware of their strengthened bond. But Kel and Elara walked forward side by side, their trust in each other unwavering, ready to face whatever twisted horrors the Maze had yet to unleash.