Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series - Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Traitor Chapter 60: Traitor As they moved back toward the tunnel’s entrance, Aiden’s gaze lingered on the markings etched into the walls.

Some were faint and hard to distinguish, while others were sharp and detailed, almost as if they were guiding the way.

It was clear now that this system wasn’t some random construction.

It had been meticulously designed, and whoever had built it had left behind clues for those who knew how to read them.

“Look at these,” Aiden murmured, running his fingers lightly over one of the markings.

The lines swirled and intersected, like a map drawn in a language he didn’t fully understand but could still sense some purpose in.

Sevan stepped closer, crouching down to get a better view.

“This looks like some sort of chart,” he said, tracing one of the paths with his fingers.

“But what’s it supposed to mean?

Some of these symbols don’t even match each other.

It’s like there are multiple layers of meaning.” Adrian squinted at the wall.

“You think these might be directions?

Like a guide to the tunnels?” “Could be,” Aiden said, his tone thoughtful.

“We definitely don’t know where some of these lead.

It’s too risky to wander in blind, but I think we can map it out.” “Map it out?” Sevan repeated, raising an eyebrow.

“You mean, like, come back at night and chart where each tunnel goes?” “Exactly,” Aiden replied.

“If we’re careful, we can map the tunnels and figure out which ones might lead to something useful.

It’s better than just guessing and getting lost down here.” Adrian grinned.

“I like that idea.

It sounds like an adventure- and a way to get ahead of the game.

We can find out where these paths go before anyone else does.” Sevan hesitated for a moment, glancing at the maze of tunnels stretching before them.

“I don’t know.

The more we explore, the more trouble we could get into.” “We won’t get caught,” Aiden reassured him.

“We’re just making sure we know what’s under our feet.

And we’ll be careful.” Adrian’s grin widened.

“And if we find something really interesting?

Even better.” Aiden rolled his eyes but couldn’t help a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“We’re not here to go treasure hunting, Adrian.” “Well, if treasure hunting comes with the territory…” Sevan, clearly still a bit wary of the whole idea, sighed but ultimately agreed.

“Alright.

We’ll map it out, but we need to stay sharp.

We don’t want to end up in a place we can’t get out of.” The plan was set.

They would return at night, using the markings as a guide.

It wouldn’t be the first time they’d snuck around the school after hours, but the tunnels presented a whole new challenge.

The strange symbols and winding passages made it clear that they weren’t dealing with ordinary hallways.

There was something more to this hidden network beneath Genvah Academy- and they were determined to find out what.

———————– The following day felt like an entirely different world to Aiden.

The air in Genvah Academy had shifted in a way that was hard to ignore.

It wasn’t just the cold stares or the hushed conversations behind his back; it was the way the entire atmosphere felt charged with tension.

The first years, normally full of energy and chatter, now seemed like they were walking on eggshells around him.

Only a few people dared approach him, and even they looked uncomfortable.

Amihan and Ivara were the only ones who spoke to him with any genuine warmth.

Sevan and Adrian, of course, stuck by his side without a second thought.

But everyone else?

They either avoided eye contact or gave him stiff, forced smiles whenever they had to acknowledge his presence.

What stung the most, though, were the whispers from the upperclassmen.

Everywhere he went, Aiden could hear fragments of their conversations.

Words like “Chase,” “Magi,” and “traitor” would slip from their mouths as if they didn’t care if he overheard.

They were always just loud enough for him to catch but never directly addressed to him.

Their words cut deeper than he would have liked to admit.

The whispers weren’t just idle gossip.

They carried a weight- an accusation.

And Aiden knew that despite everything he had done, despite his actions in the duel and the friends he had made, there were still those who saw him as nothing more than the son of the very family who had been responsible for countless hunts against the Magi.

The very same family that had a hand in so much of the persecution.

He tried to block it out.

Tried to focus on the few people who still treated him like… well, like him.

But even the forced smiles of the first years couldn’t disguise the discomfort that hung around them like a heavy fog.

They smiled at him, but it was different now.

There was no warmth in it, no genuine friendliness.

Only an awkwardness that made him feel like he was standing on the outside of something he didn’t quite understand.

Then there was Shiloh, who had always seemed somewhat openly hostile to him.

Every time he passed by Aiden, he would glare at him with such intensity that it made Aiden’s skin crawl.

And Shiloh wasn’t the only one.

Some of the other upperclassmen shot him looks filled with disdain, the kind that made it clear they didn’t want him anywhere near them.

Aiden clenched his fists, trying to ignore the stares and whispers.

But the weight of it was suffocating.

He hated the feeling of being the target.

He hated how it felt to be constantly judged before he had even been given a chance.

“Ignore them,” Adrian said as he walked up beside Aiden, sensing his unease.

“They’ll get bored eventually.” Aiden nodded but didn’t respond.

Adrian’s words were meant to comfort, but Aiden could still hear the whispers, still feel the coldness in the air.

How could he just ignore it?

“I don’t know how much longer I can stand this,” Aiden muttered, his voice low.

Sevan, who had been walking ahead, turned around at Aiden’s words, his expression a mixture of frustration and concern.

“You don’t have to.

But don’t let them get to you.

They’ll try to break you down, but you’ve been through worse.

You can handle this.” “I don’t know, Sevan,” Aiden said, shaking his head.

“It’s different now.

Before, I wasn’t in the spotlight.

But now… now it’s like I can’t even walk down a hall without everyone whispering about me.” Sevan raised an eyebrow.

“Sounds like you need to make a bigger impression.

Let them see you for what you are, not what they think you are.” Aiden looked at Sevan, about to say something, but before he could, Adrian grinned.

“Sevan’s right.

You just need to show them you’re not the son of Orion Chase.

You’re Aiden.

You don’t need to prove anything to them.” “Yeah,” Aiden said softly, a small, bitter laugh escaping his lips.

“I’m Aiden Chase, the guy who’s supposed to be the villain.” “Well,” Adrian added, “maybe it’s time to rewrite the story.

No one’s saying you have to take the lead, but you can decide your own role, Aiden.

You’ve got us.” “Yeah,” Aiden said again, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He wasn’t going to let this define him.

He wasn’t going to become the person they wanted him to be.

He would show them that he was more than just a last name.

He had his own identity.

His own path to follow.