The aqueduct tunnels were cold and stale, lit only by Neyxa’s pulse-stone. Water barely trickled down the curved canals — most of the flow was redirected above to keep the upper city pristine.

  Zeven moved ahead quietly, confident even in the dark.

  “You sure this won’t get us caught?” Thessia whispered.

  Zeven smirked. “Nope. But it’s the fastest way in.”

  Rell said nothing. He just walked, one hand near his hip. Ready.

  After two turns and a crawlspace, they reached the underside of the correction ward. A stone drain plate covered in moss lifted with a sharp creak. Zeven held it open. Neyxa slipped through first. Then Rell. Then Thessia.

  Inside, the ward was too quiet.

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  Cushioned floors. Incense burning in the corners. Blue-glass lights on the ceiling.

  Children sat in perfect rows, eyes closed, breathing in rhythm. They weren’t chained. But they weren’t awake either.

  A soft voice echoed from a side hall:

  “Breathe… and release. Obey… and be free.”

  Zeven froze. “That’s the instructor’s voice. Keep quiet.”

  They moved around the edge, eyes scanning for familiar faces. Thessia nudged Rell gently — pointing toward the center mat.

  Lirah.

  She sat cross-legged, a faint shimmer over her eyes. Her expression blank.

  “Lirah…” Rell whispered.

  No answer.

  He stepped forward slowly and knelt in front of her.

  “Hey… jungle boy here. You ‘wake?”

  She blinked — slow. A tear welled up, trailing down her cheek. She reached out, hand trembling.

  Then the shimmer flared.

  The spell kicked in hard.

  She screamed.

  Guards poured in.

  Zeven drew twin blades. “Time’s up!”

  Rell hoisted Lirah over his shoulder. Thessia covered their flank. Neyxa dropped a flash orb and kicked the nearest guard down the hall.

  They bolted out the rear window and into the sand alley beyond.

  Later, in Zeven’s hideout, Rell sat holding Lirah’s hand. She was asleep again, but breathing normal.

  “She woke up,” Thessia said gently. “You brought her back — even just for a moment.”

  Rell didn’t answer.

  Zeven paced. “We can’t go back. They’ll reinforce everything.”

  Neyxa leaned against the wall. “Then we don’t go back.”

  Everyone looked at her.

  “We bring it down.”