The Vornhart estate was cloaked in silence, the kind that came only in the dead of night. The grand halls, usually bustling with knights and servants, now stood eerily empty as the group moved in the shadows, each step carefully measured. The only sounds were the soft rustling of cloaks and the distant howl of the wind.
Ethan led the way through the underground corridors that connected the estate to the private airship docks. His sharp gray eyes swept over his companions—Aldric, Lucian, Garrick, Seraphine, and Annalise—each clad in dark travel gear, their weapons strapped and secured. They were ready.
They had to be.
The air was thick with tension, but none spoke. They all understood the weight of this mission. There was no turning back now.
The Nightshade
The private docks were hidden beneath layers of enchantments, buried deep within the Vornhart lands. Few knew of their existence, and even fewer had ever set foot inside. The space was vast, lined with towering stone pillars and sleek, reinforced platforms where airships were stationed.
And in the center, waiting like a silent predator in the dark, was the Nightshade.
The airship was unlike any other—its sleek, black frame absorbed the dim torchlight, its body constructed from a rare element that melded seamlessly with the night when infused with shadow aura. It was a vessel designed for stealth, its form both elegant and menacing.
Lucian let out a low whistle. "I'll admit, it has a certain… deadly charm."
"She was built for more than charm," Aldric said, running a gloved hand over the hull. "The Nightshade was designed for covert operations during the last rebellion. No one saw it coming until it was too late."
"Then let's hope it still serves that purpose," Ethan muttered, stepping onto the boarding ramp.
Inside, the Nightshade was just as impressive. The main deck was spacious yet efficient, with control panels glowing faintly with runes that pulsed in rhythm with the ship's mana core. The bridge was at the helm, while below deck housed storage compartments, sleeping quarters, and a modest armory.
Seraphine moved with practiced ease, inspecting the ship's security measures. Garrick secured the cargo hold, double-checking supplies. Lucian made his way to the navigation station, studying their route.
Ethan turned to Annalise, who stood quietly near the edge of the deck, her sapphire-blue eyes reflecting the soft glow of the mana crystals embedded in the ship's core.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
She met his gaze, something unreadable flickering in her expression. "Yes."
He could see the weight of this moment in her posture. For her, this was more than a mission. It was a chance to prove that she wasn't insane—that the horrors she spoke of were real.
Ethan gave a small nod. "Then let's move."
Departure
Aldric took command of the ship's systems, his hands moving over the controls with precision. "Engaging mana core."
The Nightshade hummed to life. The mana crystals embedded in its frame glowed faintly, their wind-infused energy stirring the air. The ship lifted from the platform with an eerie smoothness, its enchanted hull suppressing the usual roar of propulsion.
Ethan felt the shift beneath his feet as they ascended. Through the reinforced glass of the bridge, the estate's private docks faded into the darkness below.
They were airborne.
Lucian adjusted the course, guiding them through the safest path out of Vornhart airspace. "No aerial patrols in our immediate vicinity. If we keep this altitude, we should pass unnoticed."
"Maintain course," Ethan ordered. "We stay in the shadows."
Outside, the world stretched beneath them—vast forests, rolling hills, and distant mountain peaks, all bathed in the silver glow of the moon. The Nightshade was nearly invisible against the night sky, a ghost in the wind.
Unspoken Tension
As the hours passed, the crew settled into their roles. But even with the hum of the airship and the steady rhythm of flight, tension lingered.
Garrick sat near the weapons hold, sharpening his greatsword. Seraphine remained near the observation deck, her violet eyes fixed on the horizon. Aldric stood at the helm, ever watchful.
Lucian, as usual, was the first to break the silence. "So, what happens when we get there?" His tone was casual, but there was an edge beneath it.
Ethan turned from the viewport. "We scout first. No reckless engagements. We don't know what awaits us."
"And what if the place is in absolute ruin?"
Ethan's jaw tightened. "Then we'll handle it."
Lucian studied him for a moment before exhaling. "I hope you're right."
Annalise, who had been silent for most of the flight, finally spoke. "We may not have enough time if the structure is in complete ruins."
Her words settled over them like a shadow.
No one disagreed.
The Journey Ahead
Hours passed in relative silence. The Nightshade moved like a whisper through the sky, its enchanted hull blending seamlessly with the darkness. The journey would take them through uncharted airspace, skirting dangerous territories before reaching the forgotten fortress.
As the first signs of dawn crept over the horizon, Ethan remained at the bridge, his hands gripping the railing.
Leandria Fortress awaited them.
And whatever lay hidden within its ruins—whether ghosts of the past or horrors yet to come—would soon reveal itself.
There was no turning back now.