Chapter 23: Silent Steps

The air was cool and still as Amon, Skolo, and Star crept toward the palace doors. The sleeping guards outside were slumped against the walls, their weapons lying loosely at their sides. Amon motioned for silence, his movements precise and deliberate.

Star, however, couldn't resist a smirk as he leaned in and whispered, "Look at them. So defenseless. I could take them both out with one swing."

Skolo shot him a sharp glance. "Don't even think about it. One wrong move and you'll wake everyone up. Stick to the plan."

Star raised his eyebrows in mock surrender, the smirk still lingering. "Alright, alright. No fun allowed."

Amon, ignoring their exchange, inspected the doors carefully. They were locked, as he'd expected, but his eyes soon caught sight of a small, open window just above ground level, partially hidden by overgrown ivy. "There," he whispered, pointing it out. "We'll go through that window. Quietly."

With a nod, the three moved swiftly but silently. Amon boosted Star up first, followed by Skolo, before pulling himself through the narrow gap.

They landed softly inside and found themselves in a long corridor. A rich red carpet stretched along the floor, its once-pristine surface now marred with dirt and debris. Shattered glassware littered the ground, and paintings had been torn from the walls, some lying askew while others were smashed entirely.

Skolo glanced around, taking in the mess. "They've been here recently," he said, his voice low but certain. "This wasn't like this before."

Star brushed some broken glass aside with his foot and chuckled darkly. "It's only a matter of time now," he said, flexing his fingers as though preparing for a fight.

Amon, still on edge, scanned the corridor before turning to them. "Let's keep moving. Stay alert."

They moved forward cautiously, the silence broken only by the soft rustling of their footsteps against the carpet. The corridor seemed endless, its dimly lit sconces casting eerie shadows along the walls. Finally, they reached the end—a pair of imposing oak double doors.

Amon raised his hand, signaling for them to stop. Faint voices could be heard from beyond the doors. The three of them pressed their ears against the heavy wood, straining to make out the conversation.

"I don't understand why the boss is making us do this," one voice said, frustrated and agitated.

Another voice, deeper and more commanding, replied, "We shouldn't question it. Just follow his orders."

The first voice responded after a pause, quieter now but laced with reluctant agreement. "You're right. The boss has led us this far himself."

Their voices grew fainter, followed by the sound of footsteps echoing into the distance as they entered another room.

Star leaned closer to Amon, his voice barely above a whisper. "Are we going to attack them?"

Amon shook his head firmly. "Wait. They don't seem to be Valen. For now, we'll just follow them."

Amon exchanged a quick glance of understanding before reaching his hand on the door handle preparing to open it up, their senses heightened as they prepared for whatever lay ahead.