Chained Hearts: From Slavery to Sovereignty
Chapter 110: Something was very wrong

Chapter 110: Chapter 110: Something was very wrong

"You already know the answer to that," Dorian said quietly. His voice was soft. Each word felt heavy. It was as if he was stating an undeniable truth.

"They are too persistent. They are too ruthless. It is not random. This city must have something that belongs to them. And they will not stop until they take it back."

"Damn! Why does his statement feel more like it was kind of a warning for him or humans? His words almost sounded like he was trying to convey their message.

Cassian felt his breath hitch. He wanted to deny it. He wanted to argue. But deep inside, something told him that the City Lord was right.

The monsters were not attacking for no reason. Their persistence. Their numbers. Their coordination. It all pointed to one thing. They were trying to reclaim something. Something that had always been theirs.

That realization made Cassian uneasy.

He did not want to make a decision on his own. He needed to speak with his companions. He needed to hear their thoughts before deciding what to do next. He could not afford to be reckless.

With that thought, he straightened his posture. He met Dorian’s gaze. "I understand, my Lord. Thank you for your time." He gave a small bow. His voice was steady despite the thoughts racing through his mind. "I will take my leave now."

The City Lord did not stop him. He did not call him back. But his eyes never left Cassian. He watched him carefully. There was something in that gaze. Something Cassian could not quite decipher.

As soon as he stepped out of the study, the heavy doors closed behind him. It was a quiet but firm thud. Cassian exhaled slowly. He tried to gather his thoughts. He needed to clear his mind before speaking with the others.

Just as he took a step forward, a figure suddenly appeared from the side. They moved quickly. Cassian nearly collided with him.

Startled, he lifted his hands slightly. "Ah. My apologies—"

Before he could finish his sentence, the man dipped his head slightly. He hurried away without saying a word. He did not even glance in Cassian’s direction.

The lack of acknowledgment. The way he moved. It was odd. It was rude.

Cassian frowned. He watched the man’s retreating figure. Something about the encounter did not sit right with him.

For a brief moment, Cassian felt something. An unsettling, sharp hostility in the air. It lasted only a second. But he was certain he had not imagined it. The man before him was excluding a hostility towards him.

But why? It was the first time they had met. His instincts screamed at him.

He called out, "You there!"

The man did not stop. If anything, he walked even faster. His boots struck the stone floor with sharp, hurried steps. He disappeared around the corner before Cassian could get another good look at him.

Without wasting any movement, his body moved on its own. He ran forward. His boots hit the cold stone floor again and again. The sound echoed through the empty hall as he turned the corner.

His breath was heavy. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. His eyes searched for the man who had just disappeared in front of him.

But there was no one.

The hallway stretched ahead, long and silent.

The dim torches on the walls flickered weakly, casting long shadows. Cassian came to a sudden stop. His chest rose and fell with every breath.

He turned his head left and right. He listened carefully. But all he could hear was the faint crackling of the fire from the torches.

No door had opened. No footsteps sound. No sign of movement.

His brows knitted together. This did not make sense at all. He had been right behind the man. No one could vanish so quickly. He swallowed hard. His fingers curled slightly.

Cassian stood still. His pulse raced slightly. He did not know who that man was. He did not know why he was in such a hurry. But something felt off.

Something was very wrong. His mind told him that what he saw was real, but his eyes now showed him something different.

Then—

A voice.

"Are you lost, young man?"

Cassian’s entire body tensed. His muscles tightened. His instincts screamed. He turned sharply. His hand reached for his dagger, which he always kept tucked in his waist without thinking. But as his gaze locked onto the person in front of him, his breath caught. His fingers stopped.

It was an old man.

Cassian recognized him instantly. It was the same healer who had treated his wounds when he first arrived in Galdreth. The old man stood with a slight hunch.

His hands were clasped together in front of him. His eyes held a calm but amused expression, as if he had seen this scene many times before.

Cassian let out a slow breath. His grip on his dragger loosened. His body relaxed, but his mind did not.

He had not heard footsteps. He had not seen anyone appear. How had this old man reached him so silently?

Cassian ran a tired hand down his face. His thoughts felt slow. Maybe he really was pushing himself too hard. Maybe exhaustion was making him see things. If he could not even hear an old man’s footsteps, then something was clearly wrong with him.

The healer chuckled softly. His voice was light. "You should not be running around. Your injuries have not healed yet."

His words were gentle, but there was a firmness in them.

Cassian straightened his posture. He took in a slow breath. His leg ached faintly, but he ignored it.

"I am fine," he said.

The old man gave him a knowing look. His smile did not fade, but his gaze held something deeper. He did not believe Cassian’s words.

"How is your leg? Does it still hurt?" The healer’s voice remained patient.

Cassian paused for a moment. Then he gave a short nod. "The pain is tolerable."