The sound echoed through the whole place as the people crossed it. Ancient and dark were the only words used to describe it. If anyone unfamiliar with magic saw it, they would mistake it for any other ruin or historical site, unaware of the magical tension that flowed all over the place. There was something different about it that you wouldn't see in the usual world. It was a place destined for some people, a fraction of the magical users.

  But now that it was found again, its elegance and opulence were undeniable. It was impossibly big. And like it was carved in the very stone. Adorned by big columns and halls, the place had an odd feeling to it. It felt old, but at the same time, some would say it hadn't aged a day. Even if it was deeply underground below the city. Could people imagine a place like this? It was like something lost from the legends and myths.

  Altair got closer to the center of the place. His cloak fluttered behind him, a movement caused by a wind that came from deep into the place.

  "I'm finally here, it felt like ages."

  "It's the closest we ever got, Altair. I got to say, there were times I even doubted myself. I would question if it even existed. But now that we're here, I'm glad we never gave up."

  "Your words are like honey, Máximo. But even though we reached this place, there are some, how can I say? Problems. Did you feel it?"

  "Yes, I did. What do you think we should do? Are they ready?"

  "Oh, absolutely. They were born ready. Especially now, after I shared with them the blessings. It's honestly scary, I wouldn't want it to be against us."

  Máximo moved in circles, while his hand caressed his beard.

  "Well, I hope it goes well. I guess I'm going to stay here, in the last palace. In case they reach here. Are the others at their places too?"

  "They are indeed. I sent them a while ago. Of course, I placed some traps in some of the other houses, too. You know, I feel like the place is also helping us. Like it wants to be part of the plan, Máximo."

  "I wouldn't say so. I mean, does it-?"

  "In your place, I wouldn't doubt it. I mean, you saw it with your own eyes."

  ***

  "Should I bring them here, Altair?" Máximo asked, his voice trembled.

  "Considering how close we are, it might be good to send them off before... Before, you know, those hunters arrive here."

  Máximo moved his hands, and he raised them above his own head. He spoke some words in a mysterious language. Ancient and forbidden. In front of him, the shadows descended, and they morphed into human figures. Men and women wearing long capes, just like the one Altair wore, that flew with the wind that came deep into the temple.

  The figures knelt before the two men, as Altair asked.

  "Knowing you like I know, I would say you already know why I called you."

  A murmur crossed the group. One of the women answered.

  "Yes, my lord. We all felt the girls. They're getting too close."

  "You're right. In fact, one of them just passed through Máximo's domain. They might be a nuisance."

  Máximo's face contorted as he said:

  "There's nothing wrong with my maze. I don't know what happened. There was some sort of interference..."

  "This is not a problem, Máximo." Altair gestured to the men and women. "Not with them here. Let's solve it once and for all."

  "And you need time to find the gospel and prepare the spells. And soon there won't be any problem in our way. Let them be surprised by what's coming."

  "I wouldn't underestimate the people at the Agency, Máximo. They're cunning. And they always play the long game, you know, it's always plots within plots."

  Altair turned to the people in front of him:

  "You're dismissed. Go on and bring me the two girls, before they arrive here."

  The figures moved, too fast for the human eye to see. And soon, Altair and Máximo found themselves alone again. They descended the stairs and went back to the temple Máximo was responsible for. It wasn't as big as the one before, but Altair knew the outside appearance was nothing more than a disguise. Inside, anyone who didn't know how to properly navigate it would be lost forever. In a sense, it was even worse than the maze Máximo had done before.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  "I must say, my friend, you really outdid yourself this time. It's impressive."

  "It wasn't exactly something I did. At least, not on my own. As you said, it's like the place is trying to help us. It's enhancing our magical power."

  "You should know better that the ones living in the dark want to get free again."

  "If you say so. But tell me, Altair. Won't you need me with you? Can you find the gospel alone?"

  "I thought you had more faith in me, Máximo. Look how far I brought us."

  "I trust you. But I'm also a sensible man. I know how hard it is to get there. In fact, if the legends are to be believed, there's been a millennium since the last time someone used the gospel."

  Altair moved from one side to the other, the cape draped on his back.

  "Do you think that I don't know it? It's constantly in my mind. But if we get it right. If I find the gospel and if I'm able to use it... We will be unstoppable."

  Altair turned again in the direction of Máximo.

  "There's no way things will go wrong." Altair paused before he added. "But I will leave you here protecting this place. Not that I think they will reach this far. But being cautious, it's never too much."

  Altair returned to the same path he and Máximo had come. As he went by himself, the place felt stranger than before. He walked past the temple and the stone.

  The man went as far as they had explored before. The obsidian walls shone, written in them an ancient language that Altair didn't recognize.

  He found himself in a chamber, as big as the temple outside. Filled with doors of different shapes and sizes. High in the walls, there were panels painted with images of battles, rituals, and sacrifices. The paintings glowed against the obsidian walls. It was ominous.

  Altair knew it was dangerous if he chose the wrong door. It could kill him. But the right door would take him closer to the gospel.

  "How many people have been here before? I don't know." The man talked to himself.

  He touched the walls and tried to read the language. He used some spells he knew; maybe there was something hidden underneath. All that Altair needed was a clue to decide which door he would open.

  "It's here somewhere, I can feel it. Should I bring someone here? Maybe someone to test the doors..."

  Altair's voice echoed through the place. The silence after it engulfed everything, as he got lost in his thoughts. Magical power flowed through everything, and the gospel, hidden somewhere, wanted to be found again.

  ***

  The mood in Neo Victoria City had been hectic for the last few days. The streets were crowded with people who discussed politics and the elections. Most of them weren't caught by surprise by the results: an outstanding victory of the Preacher and his party.

  That wasn't a surprise per se, because of the lavish speeches that man did all through his campaign. The Preacher's face had become a constant throughout the city, whether through posters and billboards, or on the TV. A magnetic presence that swept the majority of the votes.

  So it was expected that the people on the streets would be mostly supporters of the Preacher, who celebrated his victory. And yet, the scenario was very off. If anyone spoke with the people there, they would discover most of them were confused. Some by the events that took place, others by the silence of the government.

  But most of them were taken aback by a single fact. One thing that hadn't been answered in for a few days: the mysterious disappearance of the very man who had won the elections. No one knew where the Preacher was.

  Some specialists speculated and discussed that this might be a strategy by the Preacher's party. Inflaming the crowds, they would lay the groundwork for taking over the whole parliament. And yet, the people at the party also didn't know anything about the politician's disappearance. When asked about it, they obviously tried to keep up the facade. Even though reports that came from inside the party said that they were as confused as the general public. Why had the Preacher disappeared, as he had conquered his main objective? No one there had an answer for this question.

  The opposition, confused by the results, didn't hesitate to take advantage of the situation. They accused the Preacher of abandonment of his office and questioned the results of the elections. If he had disappeared, it must have been because there was something rotten about the elections, and it was about to be discovered, so they thought. They came up with a lot of strategies, most of them about mobilizing the base and acting against the Preacher's party. Acting fast, or so they thought, would give a chance to reverse some of the bad results of the election and strengthen their influence in the government.

  The news channels often discussed the disappearance. Would it be a genius move, a misstep, or the tip of the iceberg of something wrong? No one had the answer for sure, although most speculated based on their political spectrum. That led to heated discussions that took hours, but also boosted the viewership rates. It left most of the TV executives happy and wishing that the disappearance would last as long as possible.

  Some of the people in the streets also discussed it. They spoke to each other and whispered the words. Because most of them didn't want to take part in the bigger crowds, which demanded the return of the man. Most of them were curious people who simply talked and discussed things.

  "But tell me, what do you think happened? Do you believe the conspiracy theories?" A woman asked a man by her side.

  "Not really, I guess the majority of them are complete bullshit. I believe the opposition created most of them to take advantage of the moment."

  "Do you think they would go that low? It's not their usual way of acting."

  "I'm not sure. I mean, considering the results of the elections, it must be their only way of fighting. I wouldn't question if it's them doing all that stuff."

  "Yeah, right. But I must say, I'm afraid for the future. I don't remember something like this. The person who won is disappearing? It doesn't make sense, not at all."

  "A lot of things nowadays don't make sense. And the city... it has a lot of problems. I hope whoever ends up taking control will work on solving it all."

  "Me too. Things have been violent lately. Can you believe an elder in my neighborhood was robbed the other day, in broad daylight? Seriously, I don't know what's happening here."

  "Yeah, it didn't use to be like that. But let's hope for something different."

  The man and the woman parted ways, mostly because of the crowd that gathered. They didn't want to risk their safety, especially when discussing politics.

  Even with a lot of discussions, no one could explain the mood in Neo Victoria City. And things would remain a mystery for the usual citizen. And yet, under the covers, in the magical world that overlapped with the city, things would be completely chaotic for the next days.