Chapter 41

Elara mainly wanted to gauge if Eryndor, a test subject, held an important position in Aether Spire. If he was important, and given that he was rumored to be critically injured, the base would surely find ways to send more personnel to save him. This would also give Elara a slightly better chance of being rescued sooner. But from then on, the signal disappeared once again. There was no sign of a rescue team arriving amid the silent darkness. From time to time, sounds would echo outside the door—some kind of creature passing by who was dragging something, stepping on glass and metal with crisp clicks, or the distinct, inhuman footsteps of hardened feet hitting the floor. Every sound only made the darkness feel more terrifying. The once-familiar office had suddenly become fraught with danger, and Elara dared not make a sound. She lay on the desk with her hands supporting her forehead. Strands of hair fell over her face, and she looked heavy with tension. She was exhausted but too