Soya crouched low, his breathing shallow as he pressed his back against the cold, damp wall of the forgotten chamber. The vines he had conjured stood strong at the entrance, their faintly glowing runes a testament to the power he had just unleashed. But he knew they wouldn’t hold forever. The basilisk was still out there, and it was only a matter of time before it found another way to reach him.

The chamber he had found himself in was dimly lit, the only light coming from the faint luminescence of ancient moss clinging to the walls and the soft glow of long-forgotten magical symbols etched into the stone. The air was thick with dust, and the faint smell of mildew clung to his nostrils. It was clear this part of the school hadn’t been touched in centuries.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Soya edged away from the barrier and deeper into the corridor beyond the chamber. His steps were light and careful, his wand gripped tightly in his hand. Every creak of the floor and shift of stone echoed ominously, making his heart pound in his chest.

The walls were lined with faded tapestries, their colors long drained by time. They depicted scenes of wizards and witches in battle, their wands raised against shadowy figures. Beneath them, long-forgotten plaques were etched in a language he couldn’t read, their letters curling like vines. Soya stopped to study one, his fingers brushing the worn surface. The letters glowed faintly under his touch, but they revealed no secrets. Whatever stories this place held, they were locked away in a language lost to history.

The corridor branched into two paths ahead, each as dark and foreboding as the other. Soya hesitated, his ears straining for any sound of movement. A faint scraping echoed from the left, and his stomach twisted in fear. He opted for the right, moving as quickly and quietly as he could.

As he ventured deeper, the air grew colder, and the faint sound of dripping water became more pronounced. The stone beneath his feet was slick with moisture, forcing him to tread carefully to avoid slipping. The corridor widened into what appeared to be an old classroom. Desks and chairs lay scattered and broken, their wood rotted and splintered. Shelves lined the walls, filled with jars containing unidentifiable substances. Most had turned to sludge, their labels too faded to read.

Soya stepped cautiously around the room, his eyes darting to every shadow. The silence pressed against him like a weight, amplifying every creak and whisper of his movement. On one of the desks, he found a small, tarnished mirror. Picking it up, he noticed faint carvings on its surface—more runes, though these were unfamiliar and less refined than the ones he had seen before.

He tucked the mirror into his bag, unsure if it would be of any use but unwilling to leave it behind. The idea of a magical artifact, even a broken one, gave him a flicker of hope. Anything that could help him survive this ordeal was worth holding onto.

A sudden thud echoed in the distance, followed by a low, guttural hiss that sent a chill down his spine. Soya froze, his wand trembling slightly in his hand as his eyes darted toward the source of the sound. The basilisk was close.

Panic surged through him, but he forced himself to stay calm. He crouched low and moved toward the opposite door, slipping out of the classroom and into another corridor. This one was narrower, the walls closer together and adorned with faded carvings of strange symbols. The floor here was uneven, with patches of moss and lichen creeping up the walls.

The hissing grew louder, accompanied by the faint scrape of scales against stone. Soya’s breath quickened as he pressed himself into a shadowed alcove, his heart hammering against his ribs. He clutched his wand tighter, his mind racing through the few spells he knew. None of them would help against a creature like this.

The basilisk’s massive shadow passed by the far end of the corridor, its outline barely visible in the dim light. Soya held his breath, his body pressed as flat as possible against the wall. The creature paused, its head turning slightly as if sensing something. Its glowing yellow eyes scanned the corridor, the faint shimmer of its gaze sending a cold dread through him.

Soya shut his eyes tightly, trying to block out the fear. He counted silently in his head, each second feeling like an eternity. Finally, the hissing and scraping began to fade as the basilisk moved away, its massive form disappearing into the darkness.

Releasing the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, Soya carefully stepped out of the alcove and continued down the corridor. His legs felt like jelly, but he forced himself to move, his focus narrowing to the task at hand: find a way out.

The corridor eventually opened into a vast, circular chamber. The ceiling was high and domed, with intricate carvings of stars and constellations etched into the stone. At the center of the room stood a pedestal, its surface covered in dust and debris. Surrounding the pedestal were shattered remnants of statues, their pieces scattered across the floor.

Soya approached cautiously, his wand raised as he scanned the room for any signs of danger. The pedestal bore more runes, though these were more ornate and complex than any he had seen before. They glowed faintly, their light pulsating like a heartbeat. He reached out to brush away the dust, but a faint vibration stopped him.

The ground beneath his feet trembled slightly, and the air seemed to hum with energy. Soya stepped back, his gaze darting to the shadows. The chamber was still, but the sense of being watched was stronger than ever. Whatever secrets this place held, they weren’t meant to be disturbed.

Soya’s grip on his wand tightened as he turned back to the corridor he had entered from. The basilisk was still out there, and he had no choice but to keep moving. Steeling himself, he left the chamber behind and ventured deeper into the forgotten corridors, each step taking him further into the unknown.

Soya pressed forward, his breaths shallow and quick, every creak of the stone beneath his feet making him wince. The darkness around him felt alive, twisting and writhing as his wand’s faint glow illuminated his path. Each corridor he entered seemed more treacherous than the last, filled with jagged stones and ominous carvings. His legs burned from constant movement, but the fear of what lurked behind kept him going.

As he rounded a corner, he noticed a slight shift in the air. It was no longer as stale and damp as before. Instead, it carried a faint breeze, cool and fresh. He paused, trying to pinpoint its source. His fingers brushed against the uneven stone wall as he crept forward, his eyes scanning the dim corridor for anything out of place.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

There it was—a narrow crack in the wall, barely noticeable in the low light. The breeze was coming from within. Soya leaned closer, squinting to see better. The crack wasn’t natural; it was jagged but deliberate, as if the wall had been split open by magic or force.

His heart quickened as he pushed his fingers into the gap and felt the stone give slightly under pressure. With a grunt, he pressed harder, and the wall shifted with a low groan, revealing a hidden passage just wide enough for him to squeeze through. The faint breeze carried with it a smell he hadn’t realized he’d missed—the faint aroma of cooking and the distant hum of familiar voices. It was the smell of the school.

Soya didn’t waste time. He slipped into the passage, his movements quick but careful as he edged through the narrow space. The air grew fresher with each step, and the faint sounds of activity grew louder. He could make out muffled voices now, though he couldn’t discern the words. It was a comforting reminder that the school above wasn’t as far away as he had feared.

The passage opened into a narrow staircase, its steps uneven and worn with age. Faint torchlight flickered at the top, casting shadows that danced along the walls. Soya climbed cautiously, his wand still raised, ready to cast whatever weak spells he could manage if needed. His nerves were taut, every muscle in his body prepared to bolt if he heard so much as a hiss.

At the top of the stairs, he found another hidden door, this one slightly ajar. He pushed it open carefully, revealing a small storage room cluttered with old crates and cobweb-covered shelves. The air here was warmer, the hum of voices now clear and distinct.

Soya stepped into the room, his eyes scanning for any immediate danger. Finding none, he let out a shaky breath and moved toward the door on the far side. He eased it open, and the light and sound of the Lower Pantries flooded his senses.

The hallway outside was quiet, but not empty. A few house elves were passing by, their chatter echoing faintly off the walls. The Lower Kitchen itself was just ahead, its large doors slightly ajar, revealing the warm glow of its enchanted ovens. Soya’s heart leaped at the sight. He was back—back in the familiar, structured chaos of Austramore.

But his relief was short-lived. The weight of what he had just experienced pressed down on him like a boulder. The forgotten corridors, the basilisk, the ancient chamber—it all felt surreal, like a nightmare he couldn’t shake. He leaned against the wall, his mind racing as he tried to decide what to do next.

The basilisk was still out there. The professors needed to know. But first, he needed to find Davonte and Draven. He wasn’t sure how he’d explain what had happened, but one thing was certain—he couldn’t face this alone.

Soya crouched low, hugging the shadowed wall of the corridor as he crept toward the entrance to the Thylacea common room. His heart pounded in his chest, every step calculated to avoid the faint creaks of the old floorboards. The events of the previous night weighed on him like a physical burden, but the thought of seeing Davonte and Draven again drove him forward.

The heavy wooden door to the common room loomed ahead, its carved surface faintly illuminated by the torches lining the corridor. Soya hesitated, his mind racing. How was he going to explain this? Would they even believe him?

Before he could come up with a plan, the sharp voice of a prefect pierced the quiet.

“And where exactly do you think you’re going?”

Soya froze, his stomach sinking. Slowly, he turned to see Thalia Greaves, her arms crossed and a disapproving glare fixed on him. She had clearly been making her rounds, her wand casting a soft glow that illuminated her stern expression.

“I—uh,” Soya stammered, scrambling for an excuse. “I was just... I needed some air.”

“Air?” Thalia repeated, her tone dripping with skepticism. “During a lockdown? Do you have any idea how serious this is? You’re lucky I’m the one who found you.”

Soya’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but he bit back the urge to argue. He couldn’t exactly tell her he’d been in a forgotten part of the school being chased by a basilisk.

“Come on,” Thalia said firmly, grabbing his arm and steering him toward the common room door. “You’re going straight back in, and we’re going to have a little chat about following rules.”

Soya kept his head down, grateful she hadn’t pressed for more details. As they reached the door, Thalia muttered the password, and the entrance creaked open to reveal the familiar warmth of the Thylacea common room. The sight was almost overwhelming after the dark, oppressive corridors he’d been navigating.

Inside, students were scattered in small groups, their murmured conversations halting as the door opened. Soya’s eyes immediately darted to the far corner, where Davonte was pacing like a caged animal. His silver eyes snapped to Soya, and in an instant, he was sprinting across the room.

“Soya!” Davonte’s voice cracked with a mix of relief and anger as he skidded to a halt in front of him. “Where in Merlin’s name have you been?!”

“I—” Soya started, but he didn’t get a chance to finish. Davonte grabbed his shoulders, shaking him slightly.

“We thought you were dead!” Davonte’s voice was rising now, drawing the attention of the entire common room. “I saw you get thrown through a wall by a bloody basilisk! Do you have any idea how—how—” His voice broke, and he let go, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “We’ve been stuck here all night, and they wouldn’t let us look for you.”

Thalia stepped in, her expression sharp. “What do you mean, ‘look for him’? Did he sneak out last night?”

Davonte clamped his mouth shut, shooting Soya a panicked look. Soya quickly shook his head. “No! I just... I got lost trying to find the bathroom.”

Thalia narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced. “Lost for an entire night?”

“It's a big castle,” Soya muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Before Thalia could press further, Draven stepped forward, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to Davonte’s near-hysteria. “Perhaps we should focus on the fact that he’s here now, unharmed. Further interrogation won’t change that.”

Thalia frowned but seemed to relent. “Fine. But if I catch any of you sneaking out again, there will be consequences. Consider this your only warning.”

With that, she turned and walked off, leaving the three boys in a tense silence. Davonte let out a shaky breath and pulled Soya into a tight hug, ignoring the surprised look on Soya’s face.

“Don’t ever do that again,” Davonte muttered, his voice muffled. “I mean it, mate.”

Soya hesitated before patting Davonte’s back awkwardly. “I didn’t exactly plan it, you know.”

Draven cleared his throat, his piercing gaze settling on Soya. “It would seem you’ve had quite the adventure. I trust there’s a story behind your extended absence?”

“There is,” Soya said, his voice steadying as he pulled back from Davonte. “But I think we should talk somewhere quieter.”

Davonte nodded, his earlier anger giving way to curiosity and concern. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

The three of them moved to their usual spot by the fireplace, the warmth of the flames doing little to chase away the chill in Soya’s bones. As he sat down, the weight of the past twenty-four hours pressed down on him, but he knew he couldn’t keep it to himself.

Taking a deep breath, he began to tell them everything.