The cold, biting air slapped Bailey's face as he threaded his way through the forest plain surrounding the palace.
"Don't worry—you're almost there. The entrance to the tunnel is hidden inside that boulder up ahead," RT's voice crackled through the earpiece.
Bailey sprinted quietly toward the boulder and paused, catching his breath.
"Where's the doorknob?" he whispered.
"Place your hand on the print just beneath the vines covering the boulder," RT instructed.
Bailey switched on his tiny flashlight and gently lifted the vines, scanning the surface. Near the top of the boulder, he spotted a faded handprint. He pressed his palm against it.
A soft whir of shifting gears echoed in the stillness. A small opening appeared, revealing a rusty, spiral staircase descending into darkness.
With his flashlight secured, Bailey stepped inside. The moment his foot touched the first step, the entrance sealed shut behind him with a metallic thud, plunging him into pitch black.
He took a steadying breath and began to descend.
At the bottom, he found two tunnels branching in opposite directions.
"Which way?" he whispered.
"Left. The other's a dead end," RT replied.
Bailey crept down the left tunnel. The ground was slick and uneven, water dripping steadily from the ceiling. The air was damp and metallic.
After a short distance, he came upon a heavy, bolted metal door—rusted and ancient.
"There's a door in my way," he whispered.
"Don't worry. It's old. Use the laser to melt the locks—but be quiet. You're directly beneath the palace kitchen. It's late, so activity is low, but any loud noise could alert the guards," RT warned.
"Got it," Bailey replied.
He pulled out the laser device, approached the door, and activated it. A thin beam hissed as it sliced through the corroded locks. One by one, they melted away.
He pocketed the tool and slowly pushed the door. It groaned in protest, the hinges creaking under pressure. The door was held by a weighted mechanism, making it heavy and stubborn.
Bailey forced it open just enough to slip through.
He swept inside.
But the moment he landed on the other side—
BANG!
The door slammed shut behind him, the sound echoing like a gunshot through the tunnel.
Bailey winced and covered his ears.
"Fuck..." he muttered. "Seriously?"
"Bailey! Are you okay?" RT's voice crackled through the earpiece.
"Yeah... I'm fine," Bailey replied, exhaling. "What's the situation?"
"Don't worry—you're one lucky son of a bitch. The moment that door slammed, thunder cracked loudly overhead. Covered your noise perfectly. You're safe. Now keep moving."
Bailey let out a quiet chuckle and resumed his path through the tunnel.
After a series of twists and turns, he finally reached a thick brick wall.
"You're there," RT confirmed. "The Royal Archives are just behind that wall. Give me a few minutes to hack the security."
Bailey pulled out the royal male servant uniform and slipped it on. He pinned a name tag—Bailey—to the shirt, then adjusted his specs and tied his black hair into a neat ponytail. He tucked the sack and remaining devices into his pockets and waited for RT's signal.
"Alright, I'm almost through the system," RT said. "You know the drill—I'll keep the archive security looped for ten minutes. Grab the chest and get out. Once you're clear, head to the East Wing and toss it out the first window on your right. I'll guide you to the exit tunnel from there."
"Got it," Bailey replied.
"Okay... security's under my control in 3... 2... 1. Now—open the door."
Bailey pressed the pressure point near the wall. A soft whir of shifting gears echoed in the tunnel, and the wall slid open, revealing a narrow passage.
He took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Thick darkness swallowed him—except for the faint flicker of what looked like dancing fireflies.
Heat detectors.
Bailey tapped the side of his specs. The lenses flickered to life, switching to night vision.
The familiar rows of shelves emerged in eerie green hues. He smiled faintly and moved slowly toward the chamber where he'd last seen the chest.
But just as he took another step—
He froze.
"This is new..." He whispered.
"What?" Asked RT.
Bailey took a step back and took a small pouch out of his pocket. Inside there was a container with some white powder.
He sprinkled some in his hand and blew the powder in the air.
Just then small tiny very thin wires came into view. Methodically placed around the room up to the door.
"Well this is not good." Murmered Bailey.
"What is it?" Asked RT.
"Looks like our royal security decided to go back to old school. There are trip wires everywhere. Both down and up." Replied Bailey.
"Well that's not good. Do you think you can shut them off?" Asked RT.
Bailey looked around the room and saw a small button at the end of the room near the door to the exit.
"Well that depends if I can miraculously turn into a tiny mouse and reach the other side of the room and switch it off." Replied Bailey sarcastically.
"Well...that depends if you have the superpowers of the miraculous of the mouse from the Miraculous Ladybug. Which obviously you don't." Replied RT.
"Ha. Ha. Ha." Bailey laughed sarcastically. "Don't worry. I don't need the miraculous powers of the mouse. I have some magic of my own. I am going to get what I want no matter what."
"Well you better use that magic fast because you only got eight and a half minutes left. The clock is ticking." Said RT.
Bailey quickly got into action. He took out the laser device and used it to cut a piece of cloth from the sack.
Bailey threw the piece inside his mouth and began to chew on it.
After a while he removed the piece and rolled it into a small tiny ball.
He then crouched to the ground measuring and calculating his distance to aim the ball at the switch.
After getting his reading he moved a little closer to the first trip wire.
"Bailey what are you doing? If you are thinking of something do it fast. Time is running out." Said RT.
"Relax you big baby. I have everything under control." He whispered back.
He then tucked the ball at the mouth of the laser device.
Aiming it appropriately at the button.
He pressed on the device. The pressure from the laser shooting the ball with immense force.
The ball flew through the gaps of the trip wires and landed straight on the button pressing it.
"Got ya!" Bailey whisper shouted.
Just then the trip wires were triggered off.
Bailey pocketed the device and moved swiftly and silently toward the room with the shelf where he'd last seen the chest.
His eyes lit up as he spotted it—the golden-blue velvet box glimmering softly on its shelf.
He gently pulled out the all-access key, inserted it into the lock, and pressed the button.
A green light blinked after a few moments. The door clicked open.
Bailey stepped inside and carefully lifted the chest. He gave it a light shake, inspecting it for any signs of tampering. The lock was still intact—one only he knew the combination to. But that didn't mean those leeches wouldn't try to crack it... or smash it open to get what was inside.
He exhaled a small sigh of relief. The box was untouched.
He exited the room and gently locked the door behind him, then made his way to the main archive doors.
"Okay. I got it," he whispered.
"Good. The hallway security's already hacked. Just insert the all-access key and get out. And don't forget to reactivate the trip wires," RT instructed.
"Got it," Bailey replied.
He inserted the key. After a few seconds, the door clicked open. He reactivated the trip-wire security system, double-checking that it was properly engaged before stepping into the hallway.
He closed the door behind him with care.
"Alright. Head right toward the East Wing. First window on your right—toss the box out and close it," RT said.
Bailey moved quickly down the corridor. He spotted the open window, tossed the chest through it, and leaned out just enough to see it land inside a courier bag.
A silent drone hovered into view, latched onto the bag, and whisked it away over the palace walls.
Bailey smiled, a flicker of triumph in his eyes, and shut the window.
But just as he turned to move—
"Stop!" RT's voice exploded in his earpiece.
"You've got a tail. He's following you in the shadows," RT said, his voice low and urgent.
"Just act natural—like a real servant checking the windows. Walk down the hallway, make it look routine."
Bailey gave a subtle nod, then turned and strode confidently down the corridor, pausing at each window to inspect it, as if ensuring they were properly shut.
"He's still on you," RT murmured.
A tense silence followed.
"Shit. It's a Dragonfly."
Bailey's blood ran cold. A bead of sweat slid down his spine.
"Don't panic. I've got you. But I need him in my line of sight. Move three steps forward and stop—pretend you're tying your shoelaces."
Bailey obeyed, taking three measured steps before crouching down, fingers fumbling at his laces.
From the corner of his eye, he caught a flicker of movement—a shadow slipping closer, hiding behind a pillar, watching him.
"Got you, sneaky freak," RT whispered.
A faint thwip echoed through the hallway.
Bailey heard a soft grunt behind him—then silence.
"I got him. Now go!" RT barked.
Bailey sprang to his feet and bolted down the hallway.
"The secret passage is behind the knight amour statue—right side, near the end of the hall. Move! We've got three minutes left!"
Bailey sprinted, heart pounding, eyes locked on the armored figure ahead.
"Oh shit—fuck! More Dragonflies incoming! They're exiting the hallway in front of you. Hide! Now!" RT shouted.
Bailey skidded to a halt and dove into the nearest room, slamming the door shut behind him.
He waited in silence as the shadows passed.
Only when the last footstep faded did Bailey exhale, his breath shaky with relief.
"Good job," RT said. "Now hold tight. Security's back online—I'll need a couple more minutes to hack it again."
"Then hurry," Bailey whispered. "If they find their guy on the floor, I'm screwed."
"Relax. I don't use cheap methods for my mission. He's fine—just a little memory loss. He won't remember his own name, let alone you. Hang tight. I'll get you out."
Bailey sighed and leaned back against the wall to catch his breath.
And froze.
Something felt....off
The wall was... warm.
Too warm.
His blood turned to ice.
A shiver crawled down his spine, dread blooming in his chest like a slow poison.
'This place. Always this place.'
'Oh Heavens, why me? Why?
Why does this always happen to me?'
He swallowed hard.
Then with a new resolve to pretend like nothing was wrong. He shifted his body and wanted to bust out through the door.
Security be damned.
Out there, he had a chance. In here... he didn't.
He reached for the handle, heart pounding like a war drum.
But his body wouldn't move.
Something was holding him back.
He looked down.
An arm—pale and sinewy—had wrapped around his waist like a serpent.
"Oh fuck," he breathed.
"Ah, ah, ah... where do you think you're going?"
The voice behind him was smooth. Husky. Familiar.
Then came the hot breath against his ear. The whisper that always meant the worst.
"You're in some serious trouble."
Bailey swallowed hard.
Oh crap.