Enter the Shadows: Book One of the RTS Series (First Full Draft)

Chapter Eighteen

Daniel

In the days following, Daniel began to feel more like a prisoner in his own house. He was unable to walk around the estate without seeing at least one servant lurking in the corner.

And in turn, he barely saw his mother at all, as if she was being purposefully kept away from Daniel. He couldn't even play piano without being watched, and in the days that went by he seemed to be making more and more mistakes.

One night, he just sat at the piano, head in his hands and staring down at the keys. Then his thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice saying, "Young master Daniel, you should get rest soon. You've been up for a few days now."

He looked up, thinking for a moment that it was Astra. But no, it was the servant that had taken him to the arena for the last trial. Their face still concealed by a mask, wearing the dark green cloak. Astra hadn't returned in days, and Leo had made no mention of her whereabouts. Was she dead after all?

Daniel glared at the servant briefly before putting his head back into his hands. "Get out. I'm in no mood to talk pleasantries with you."

The servant noticeably fidgeted, seemed to think something over, and then asked very quietly, "Young master Daniel... you wished to see Astra again?"

His head shot up. "What? She's alright?"

"Yes... and I can take you if you wish..." The servant whispered. "But you could only talk for a few moments."

Daniel stood up quickly. "Take me to her, now."

The servant flinched, but then nodded. "Yes, young master Daniel." They turned, and then led Daniel back to the stairs. Towards the passageway into the arena. At the sight of it, Daniel froze. He began to panic at the thought of having to go back into that arena. Astra... you better be alive... He shoved his anxiety aside, and opened the passageway.

Then he and the servant stepped in, and the cloaked servant pulled the lever down. But instead of them making the full journey to the arena, they stopped half-way. This came as a surprise to Daniel, as he had thought that there was only the arena. But he was wrong. Horribly, horribly wrong.

Halfway between the arena below and the house was another separate floor. One so dark that it was no wonder Daniel had never noticed it until then. The elevator door opened, and revealed a long, dimly lit hallway.

"Please keep to the center of the hall..." The servant whispered.

But before they could step out, Daniel spoke up. "Why are you doing all this? Surely you... you have no desire to help me."

The servant's gaze darted to the floor for a moment. "I... we, many of us have nowhere to call home. Except for this place... this is our home as well. I will serve your family until I die, young master Daniel... and that includes helping you on your journey."

And right before they could leave, Daniel quickly asked, "What's your name then?"

The servant looked surprised. "Wh-Why would you want to know that?"

Daniel felt a pang in his gut. "I remembered Ze'ev's... I don't want to forget another face."

The servant was still, but then shook their head. "N-No, it is best you do not ask such questions." They began walking quickly. "This way. We must not take too long, or else we'll both be punished."

With little choice, Daniel followed the servant down through the dark halls. There were dozens upon dozens of jail cells. All of which outfitted with specially crafted bars with theurgic energy blockers infused into the metal. Preventing anyone on the inside from using any theurgic energy. Even though he was on the outside, he could still feel the pressure coming from the cells and felt a sickening sinking feeling. As if needles were pricking his skin.