Last Alchemist
You notice a slim crevice nearby and slip into it, quickly piling loose stones and debris to form a rough barrier. The freezing wind stings your face as you hunker down, straining your ears for the soldier’s footsteps while strategizing your next steps.You halt suddenly in the dim corridor, lifting the lantern above your head to illuminate the shadows around you. “I don’t want trouble,” you say firmly, your voice carrying through the still air. “If we’re after the same goal, let’s talk. Otherwise, I’ll defend myself.” Your pulse races as you brace for a reply—or an ambush.You halt your steps and press yourself into the cool, damp wall of the catacombs, snuffing out the lantern to let the shadows envelop you. As the soldier's approach grows louder, you speak in a calm, measured tone, your voice resonating through the tunnels. "If you're still following me, you must have a reason. Speak now."At the fork in the catacombs, you scrape your boot against the stone floor, creating a faint trail leading down one tunnel. Quietly, you douse your lantern and retreat into the opposite passage, crouching in the darkness to await the soldier’s movements, prepared to ambush if he follows the false lead.