《The Eternal Accord》


 Eyes in the Dark

    "It''s time for bed, boys."


    The quaint wooden door creaked open, revealing a chaotic room. Handmade toys and tattered rags that served as blankets were scattered across the floor. Outside, icy winds howled, and snow lashed against the window in a frenzy.


    "Rowan, Callahan, I swear¡ªyou were raised by pigs," their mother sighed, her voice frayed with exhaustion. She stepped inside, shaking her head at the mess, but before she could scold them further, her two sons burst past her, barreling into the room like an unstoppable storm.


    Rowan and Callahan were still brimming with energy, even as the day wound to its close. They wrestled playfully, beds serving as their makeshift battlefield.


    "Be careful, Rowan! You''re going to hurt him!" their mother warned sharply, though her concern fell on deaf ears. Rowan, the older of the two, hoisted Callahan onto his shoulders and spun him in dizzying circles.


    "TWISTER!" Rowan yelled triumphantly.


    "MA!" Callahan cried out in mock panic as his brother slammed him down onto the bed with exaggerated flair.


    The younger boy''s eyes darted wildly, trying to track the spinning room. Rowan leaned over him, smirking mischievously. "Do you give up?" he teased, his tone dripping with playful menace.


    Callahan glared up at him, defiance blazing in his eyes. "No¡ªNO!"


    "Wrong answer," Rowan said with a grin, pinning his little brother down effortlessly. "Do you surrender?" he asked again, his tone feigning mercy.


    Before Callahan could muster another protest, their mother''s swift hand landed on the back of Rowan''s head.


    "Enough! Both of you, to bed. Now." Her voice carried the authority of someone too tired to argue further. "It''s cold, I''m tired, and you two are driving me mad."


    The grand battle came to an abrupt end, ruled a draw by the final authority in their household.


    "Sorry, Ma," Rowan said sheepishly, leaping off the bed and retreating to his own.


    "Sorry, Mama," Callahan echoed, his voice softer as he crawled under his shabby blanket and curled into a ball.


    The room grew quiet as the exhaustion of the day finally caught up to them. Their mother tucked them in, her touch lingering just long enough to ease their restlessness. She blew out the lamp, plunging the room into a comforting darkness.


    "Good night, boys," she said softly.


    "Good night!" they replied in unison, their voices tinged with warmth. The snowstorm outside seemed to fade as Callahan''s eyelids grew heavy. The world softened, the memory glowing with a warmth that felt too perfect to be real.


    A gnawing anxiety began to fill the room. In the dark, a figure grew at the threshold of the door that their mother had just gone through. That loving comfort had all but evaporated¡ªdread, fear, everything that scared Callahan now stood at that doorway. He looked over to his brother for comfort, but Rowan was fast asleep. He tried to scream out for his mother, but the words would not leave his throat.


    "Please don''t," his lips moved, but no sound came out. The shadow''s clawed hand stretched out and slowly wrapped around Rowan''s bed. Callahan tried to move, but his body was petrified. All he could do was watch. He was too weak to do anything, he thought¡ªsick, frail, of no use to anyone.


    Tears started to well up in Callahan''s eyes. Rowan, he thought. If he just woke up, he''d make the bad things go away. He''d always had before. He could scare the beasts away. "Rowan, wake up!" he desperately tried to shout once more, but the room remained silent. Those claws, sharp as razors, were now around his brother''s neck. The entire room around him started to melt. The darkness from the shadow spread out and consumed everything¡ªthe beds, the toys, the window¡ªall devoured by the dark.


    Callahan was left floating in an abyss, his eyes locked on his brother, now fully in the grasp of that dark demon. He reached out for Rowan, his heart heavy with dread, a terrifying, insurmountable fear of losing his big brother. The blackened hand tightened.


    "Rowan, please," a final desperate cry. Rowan still had not woken, but he had started to change. Callahan watched in horror as his brother''s body began to twist and break into an unfamiliar form. Dark brown hair grew thick on Rowan''s body. His face bent into the shape of a beast. His body grew to tower over both Callahan and the demon.


    The beast''s eyes opened¡ªdark, glassy blobs that looked down at the shadow that begun to retreat to the far edges of the room. The beast tilted its head back, took a deep breath, and then let loose a great, guttural roar at the demon.


    There were now two great horrors in front of Callahan. He watched in terror as the beast continuously bellowed at the shadow. Again, and again, and again. The nightmare started to break down with each thunderous roar, another crack in the darkness. Slowly the noise started to sound familiar. The beast had started to sound like it was saying something.


    "CAAAAAAAAAAL!" This horrifying thing was saying his name.


    "CAAAAAAL!" Callahan closed his eyes, burying his face in his hands rocking back and forth trying to escape into himself.


    "CAL." The voice began to get softer, but the fear remained unshaken.


    "Cal." Light exploded from the darkness. Callahan''s eyes snapped open as he sprang up from the bed, covered in sweat, his face soaked in fear.


    "We''re about to make landfall. You okay?" It was Rowan, standing with a concerned look on his face.


    "Y-yeah. No, sorry... just a bad dream. Really bad," Callahan''s mind was scattered. He put his head in his palms and closed his eyes. They stung, and his head ached.


    Rowan looked him over once more, patted him on the back, then began to make his way out of the cabin "Man, whatever you were dreaming about, I hope it wasn''t about me. I don''t need you turning yellow on me mid-voyage. Grab some food¡ªit ain''t ma''s homecooking, but it''ll get the job done¡ª meet me at the bow when you''re done."


    Cal''s hands slid beneath his eyes, pulling them wide open, the skin stretched thin over bloodshot pupils and dark, heavy bags. He scanned the room, his tired gaze drifting over the shabby crew quarters. With a grunt, he shoved himself out of bed, the weight of the day pressing down on him. He had everything he needed, or at least he thought he did. Even so, he double-checked, then triple-checked. There was too much riding on this. Well-paying jobs in Onoria were rare, especially if you weren''t Onorian. The scraps were reserved for outsiders, left to rot in the foreign quarters, drinking away their lives among the other dregs¡ªcannon fodder and serfs, the city''s underbelly.


    Cal''s hand brushed the doorframe as he moved, a signal that he was ready to start the day. Yet, something held him back. He paused, still shaken by the remnants of the nightmare, its images clawing at him. Pressing his head against the wall, he stared down at his feet, trying to summon the strength to move forward. His breath hitched, steadying him, but as he did, a carved silver medallion slipped from beneath his cloak. It was a necklace, a small profile of a boar etched into the metal¡ªhis mother''s parting gift to him and his brother, a symbol of home, a reminder to stay strong in the face of whatever came.


    He pinched the medallion between his fingers, the cool metal grounding him. He traced the fine details with his thumb, letting the weight of it settle in his chest before tucking it deep into his clothes. It was a comfort, something to hold onto when the world felt too heavy. With a steadying breath, Cal straightened, feeling a flicker of resolve. He was ready. The journey awaited.


    The rain fell in unrelenting sheets, as it often did on the Isle of Bimos. The seas surrounding it churned with constant fury, and the land itself bore the scars of countless battles. Once a thriving colony of a now-forgotten people, the isle had become nothing more than a desolate rock, adrift in the middle of the Bay of Kings. Few dared to set foot on its shores, but its shadow, visible from the beaches of the capital, tempted the bold and the reckless. They came, chasing the promise of treasures buried deep beneath its war-torn stone.


    Fortunes of glittering gold were rarely the reward for those who ventured to the isle. Instead, the deep bowels of the earth held a stagnant well of anima¡ªa restless pool of lost souls, unable to ascend to the heavens. These spirits, bound to what was once their living home, haunt its corridors with a vengeful grip. Many fools, thinking themselves heroes, have added their own souls to the mire. On the Isle of Bimos, the dead do not rest¡ªthey linger, waiting for fresh anima to quell their putrid suffering.


    Being aboard the ship would be torturous for those not familiar with the sea. The closer they got to their destination, the rougher the waters became. Rowan stood at the bow, his left foot resting on the edge, one arm draped casually over his knee. He gazed out at the horizon, like a seasoned sailor, excitement shining plainly on his face. It wasn''t a shared sentiment among the crew. The men''s expressions ranged from annoyed scowls¡ªirritated by the rotten weather they''d been enduring for the past couple of days¡ªto fear and anxiety about what lay ahead.


    An older man, weathered and scarred by years at sea, joined Rowan at the bow. He gave the younger man a nod, his gaze scanning the choppy waters. "Never a day it doesn''t rain in these cursed waters. Having fun, though, are we?" The old man''s voice carried a hint of discontent, his irritation obvious beneath the surface.


    "Ah, Captain Galvos, the fun''s still ahead, ain''t it? I''m rarin'' to go!" Rowan''s enthusiasm was palpable, oblivious to the Captain''s contempt.


    The Captain motioned for Rowan to step away from the bow, his tone polite but firm. "I haven''t seen your whelp of a brother yet. He hasn''t helped with preparations, and he doesn''t look like much of a fighter. I''m having my doubts he''s worth the money you say he is, Rowan."


    The Captain was skilled at masking his emotions, especially in front of newcomers, but those who had sailed with him for years could see the anger and regret burning on his face¡ªa silent accusation that he''d been ripped off.


    Rowan''s expression remained calm, though the Captain''s words stung. "Alright, now, look, you need muscle, you''ve got me. But what good is muscle without brains? He''s my brains. And more importantly, he''s my little brother. We do this together, or not at all."


    It bothered Rowan more than he let on that the Captain seemed to be backing out of their agreement. He''d had no issue with the man before he met Callahan in the flesh.


    "Fine," the Captain grumbled, clearly unwilling to argue further. "We''ll see then. Get with the rest of the crew. I''ve got things to go over with all of you."


    The Captain didn''t want to create a scene in front of the crew, especially not with two temporary swabbies. To him, they were just expendable meat until proven otherwise.


    "Aye aye, Captain," Rowan said with a half-hearted, almost mocking salute. Galvos responded with a dismissive smirk, already turning away.


    Men from all over the ship began gathering on the main deck. Rowan kept his eyes on the doors to the workers'' cabins, waiting for his brother to make his way topside. When he finally saw Callahan emerging, he grinned and called out, "Cal! Over here!"


    Rowan jogged over to him, ruffling his brother''s hair with his giant hands. "The man of the hour has arrived! Thought you''d gone back to sleep there for a minute."


    "Yeah, sorry about that." Callahan was relieved to get some air, though he wasn''t thrilled about Rowan messing with his hair after such a lousy rest. He shrugged his brother''s hands off and joined the rest of the crew gathering on deck. "Captain''s real excited to see what we can do out there."


    "More like what you can do," Callahan muttered under his breath, not quite masking the edge of humor. "Pretty sure he hates me."


    Rowan stretched his words out, feigning offense. "What? No." He chuckled. "He''s just a hard man of the seas, y''know? Has to act like an arse so his crew won''t mutiny. He''s a nice guy if you get him some drinks. He was jolly as a pig in the stye when we were mingling at Kiki''s."


    Rowan wasn''t sure if he was lying to himself or to Callahan anymore, but he liked to keep spirits high. Part of him didn''t care much if they got a permanent spot on the crew. The pay for this gig alone was enough to make a big leap toward their goal.


    "Hmm, sure." Callahan didn''t buy it, but he didn''t mind. This was for his mom and their family. "Like you said, we''ll show him what we can do today." His voice carried an unusually strong resolve.


    Rowan pulled his brother in with his massive arm and squeezed him against his side. "That''s the spirit! Somebody must''ve sprinkled sunshine in your oats today. You''re not a complete downer this morning!"


    Attention was called to the front of the ship as Captain Galvos, arquebus resting on his shoulder, stepped onto some barrels that had been arranged as a makeshift podium, giving him a better view over the crew. The men, a rabbling, chaotic mess of various backgrounds, were pricked and plucked from all corners of the world. The raucous cacophony of their voices was music to the Captain''s ears¡ªa sound he thrived in. But as much as he enjoyed the chaos, it was time to give his last words before they set foot on the beach.


    "All right, all right!" Galvos shouted, firing a shot into the air. The men cheered, the shot ringing through the air like a challenge, before the noise began to die down. Rough as the journey had been, it was time to buckle down and get to business. "I''m sure you all know your roles well enough, but let''s do a little refresher for the ones who''ve taken one too many to the head," he said, setting the butt of his arquebus down at his foot with a loud thud.


    "We''re here to capture some real nasty beasts. A dead Wailer ain''t worth much, so don''t bother bringing any corpses back. I want ''em breathing, understand?" His eyes swept over the crew, making sure every pair of eyes was on him. "Now remember¡ªkeep your gear on. This place is a hellhole, and the stagnant anima here will rot you from the inside out if you''re not careful." He paused for a beat, letting that sink in.


    A crewman hurried over with one of the infamous masks. It covered the face entirely, with two large glassy sockets for eyes. Galvos took it, holding it up with a look of mock seriousness. "These," he continued, slipping the mask over his face, "aren''t just for fashion." He tried to continue with the speech, but his words were muffled, barely making it past the heavy layers of the mask.


    There was a moment of awkward silence before a voice called out from the crowd. "What''d he say? Something about fashion?"


    Another crewman, clearly amused, laughed. "I''m more worried about how he looks with that thing on."


    Galvos pulled the mask off with a growl, his face flushed from the brief stint of comedic incompetence. "Enough with the jokes!" he snapped, his voice carrying through the ship again. "The point is, wear ''em. Trust me, you don''t want to end up like those poor bastards who thought they could skip it. Now, get ready. We land soon."


    The crew, quieter now, nodded in agreement, the threat of the anima weighing heavily in their minds. They knew Galvos wasn''t one for nonsense, and when he said "get ready," they knew it was time to act.


    "Now, men! Who are we?!" Galvos''s voice rang out, booming across the ship. He almost forgot to rally his crew with their signature salute, but the reminder came just in time.


    "THE KRACKEN CALLERS!" the crew responded with fierce fervor. Even Rowan joined in, grinning ear to ear. Callahan, on the other hand, stayed quiet, though secretly, he couldn''t help but appreciate the spectacle.


    Galvos raised an eyebrow and let the tension build before his next words. "Now, why would you fools call the sea devil''s attention like that?"


    The crew waited a moment in eager anticipation before shouting in unison, "CAUSE WE FEAR NOTHING!"


    The ship erupted into a chorus of raucous cheers and hollers, men psyching each other up for the job ahead. Galvos stood back with a grin, clearly satisfied. His crew was ready.


    Stepping down from the makeshift podium, Galvos readied himself. He wouldn''t let his men have all the fun.


    "The sea devil, huh? What actually is a Kraken?" Rowan pondered, trying to remember the stories his mother had told them about the great beasts of the world, but he was coming up a little short.


    "It''s a big squid, but I don''t think one actually lives in this bay," Callahan said, thinking it over. "But I heard there''s one that roams in the channel between Vallara and Ryvakar."


    Rowan''s eyes lit up, and a grin spread across his face. "Well, you know, if this job goes underwater, maybe we''ll go hunt a Kraken." Rowan could already see himself, spear in hand, diving into the depths, sticking the beast with a well-placed blow. He''d ride it to the very bottom of the sea, all the way until it finally fell to his hands.


    Callahan raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "The channel to Ryvakar is halfway across the world. And how are you going to kill a Kraken, anyway?"


    Rowan smiled at his little brother, completely unbothered by the practicality of it. "With your help, of course. You just give me some gills, and I''ll stab it to death."


    Callahan sighed, shaking his head. His brother''s ambition was endless, but sometimes Callahan wished he could be a little more grounded.


    The two of them suited up, donning the masks Galvos had given them. They were more than just protection¡ªeach one was blessed with a prayer from Onorus, a blessing woven into the fabric to shield them from the mire''s toxic grip. Their exposed skin was wrapped tightly, no place left for the stagnant anima to rot their flesh.


    Callahan tugged at his mask, trying to adjust it. His voice came out muffled. "Can''t see a damn thing in this thing."


    Rowan, already heading off the ship, raised a hand to his ear, teasing. "Sorry, what was that?"


    Callahan hurried to catch up, voice still muffled as he walked quickly behind his brother. "If I can''t see you, we''re going to have issues."


    Rowan just grinned, pushing ahead. "It''ll be fine. We won''t even need your bend, alright?"


    "Hey, wait!" A voice called out from behind them. Callahan and Rowan had barely stepped onto the sands when they turned to see a skinny man trotting toward them, his silhouette nearly swallowed by the gray mist that clung to the island. On his back was a strange, complicated device, something the brothers hadn''t seen before. It clanged with each step he took, a reminder of just how out of place they were in this miserable, rain-swept land.


    "Captain wants me coming with you two," the man said, adjusting the straps on his back. The device seemed to shift and groan, the weight of it a clear challenge to his lanky frame. Callahan gave him a once-over, his gaze settling on the strange contraption.


    Rowan grinned, always the cheery one. "Welcome to the party!" he said, his words a ray of sunshine trying to pierce through the thick, stubborn storm clouds.", Callahan, on the other hand, squinted at the device. He wasn''t a tinkerer by any means, but the strange machinery piqued his curiosity.


    "You gonna be able to carry that thing all the way? Looks heavy." Callahan took a step closer, studying it from every angle. "What does it do?"


    The man adjusted the straps again, his thin frame visibly straining under the weight. "I''ll be fine," he said, though there was a slight hitch in his voice. "Galvos said you two were headed for the old fort on the inner plateau. Said there were deep concentrations there, so I need to come along."


    Rowan raised an eyebrow, looking the man over, noting his wiry build. "You got a name?"


    The stranger didn''t hesitate. "Ollie."


    The rain was still coming down in sheets, each drop cutting through the air like needles. The wind screeched through the trees, the thunder rolling so loud it seemed like the island itself was speaking, warning them to turn back.


    It was another half hour of walking¡ªnot too long, but Ollie had fallen behind the brothers a bit. The fort, their destination, was now clearly visible ahead.


    "All right, Rowan," Callahan said, his voice steady as he outlined the plan. "Best bet would be to pin one of these things down. Their hooks shouldn''t pierce your armor, so once you''ve got one down, you need to place the black covering over its face. You don''t want those eyes looking into yours..."


    Callahan continued, going over the strategy in detail, but Rowan seemed distracted, his gaze far off. Callahan sighed, trying again, "We''ve only got enough traps for three of them, so I''ll shoot down any others that might try to charge us..."


    The crew had been outfitted with weapons, some bringing their own. Rowan, preferred simplicity: a solid sledge, dull and to the point¡ªjust the way he liked it. Callahan wasn''t as physically intimidating or skilled in melee combat as his brother, so he took on a more supportive role, carrying a crossbow and staying at the back. His aim wasn''t bad, but he wasn''t exactly a marksman.


    "Ollie, I¡ª" Callahan began, but Ollie cut him off, his pace picking up again, as if he''d found a second wind.


    "I won''t be much help with the fighting," Ollie said, Callahan could hear his exhausted breath.


    "Oh yeah? What exactly is that thing, anyway?" Callahan asked, his curiosity piqued.


    Ollie hesitated, as if weighing his words. He wasn''t given specific instructions to keep the device a secret, but something about talking about it felt... off. Still, the conversation helped pass the time.


    "This thing," Ollie said, adjusting the straps on his back, "it can safely suck up all that stagnant anima. We got a special commission from the capital to collect it."


    Rowan, who had start walking backwards facing his brother and Ollie so he could join the conversation, raised an eyebrow. "We''re bringing that stuff back with us on the ship?" He gave a surprised huff of concern. "Doesn''t sound good."


    It was rare for Rowan to show any real concern, especially over something like this. Mires like this one were infamous for the creatures they spawned and the effects they had on living beings. The danger was very real, despite the exaggerated myths that had spread about them.


    "It''s real valuable to the war effort, the Captain was told so, anyway," Ollie said, his voice a little sharper now. "Don''t know if you two keep track of that sort of thing, but... well, there''s rumors."


    His shoulders stiffened, and his hands tugged at the straps of the machine, the movements tense and jerky, as though he were trying to work out some invisible frustration. A flicker of something dark radiated through his posture¡ªresentment, fury¡ªbut it disappeared almost as quickly as it came. Callahan wasn''t sure what to make of it. Ollie was angry about something, but what? "I heard... there was an Aurelan city," Ollie continued, his words becoming heavier with each breath. "wiped away in a day, cause of a new weapon made from the stuff." A slight quiver touched his voice, and he hesitated before continuing. "Horrible... horrible stuff."


    There was a long pause. A low, almost inaudible whimper slipped from Ollie''s lips: "Sweet mother Aureha..." The words were swallowed by the thick mask, muffling not just his voice but the weight of his grief. Even as Callahan had slowed his stride to match Ollie''s, the whispers never reached his ears.


    "War isn''t our business," Rowan turned forward again to the path ahead, his words voiced in colder less jovial tone than they had tended to be. "It isn''t until It is," Ollie replied, "and then suddenly it''s too late." Callahan wanted to say something. Ollie''s struggles were becoming more obvious with every step, and the weight on the man''s heart was plain to see. But no words came to mind¡ªnothing that might ease the burden or lift his spirits. The trial ahead was dangerous, and Callahan couldn''t shake the worry that Ollie, whether through distraction or misstep, might put them all at greater risk.


    The rest of the road was walked wordlessly, till they had finally reached the fort, A voice reinvigorated broke the silence "we made it boys," Rowan held out both arms up to the stoney walls of the stronghold, "She''s waiting for us to clean her out!"


    The fortress stood¡ªbarely¡ªits walls battered by war and worn thin by the passage of time. At its heart, an endless torrent of forgotten souls churned, abandoned and unwanted, as though no heaven would claim them. Their scattered essence clung low to the ground like a billowing green fog, thickening as the trio drew closer. By the time they reached the entrance, the mist was waist-deep, curling around them like the breath of tragedy itself.


    These anima mires were home to twisted parodies of life¡ªamalgamations of aimless souls fused into monstrous forms. They animated horrors, mindless nightmares that prowled these cursed lands, their very existence a testament to despair.


    The three men finally emerged from the rain, stepping into what seemed to be the remnants of a mess hall. The courtyard outside had been scoured, its once solid stone surface now cracked and weathered. The green fog from the anima mire clung to the air, but there were no signs of wailers yet¡ªthose mindless horrors seemed to prefer the deeper parts of the mire, where the concentration of anima was strongest.


    Callahan glanced around, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger, but the courtyard remained eerily quiet. He couldn''t shake the sense of foreboding that clung to the air.


    "Guess this might be where we part ways for a while," Ollie muttered, He carefully unloaded the machine from his back, his hands moving with surprising precision as he began adjusting buttons and knobs. The contraption seemed more complex with every turn, a far cry from the rough-and-ready tools Rowan and Callahan were used to.


    A circular hatch popped open in the center of the device, and lights along its edges flickered to life. A low, mechanical whir sounded from within, the soft hum of gears turning as green mist from the outside was slowly drawn into the machine. The fog swirled like a miniature whirlwind, sucked into the contraption''s insides as it prepared to do its work.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "That thing''s gonna fill up fast, don''t you think? Does your Captain plan to send you on multiple trips?" Callahan asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. The device was unlike anything he''d ever seen. It was a miracle they were even standing here in the first place¡ªmost men, especially those unprepared, wouldn''t survive this deep in a mire. Yet here they were, not just alive but harvesting the very stuff that would normally kill them.


    Ollie''s hands didn''t falter as he worked the controls, his gaze fixed on the machine. "Bunch of pebbles in there from the capital," he muttered. "Sucks up anima like a sponge. It''ll be plenty enough."


    Callahan watched the swirling green mist vanish into the device''s core, the low hum of its workings filling the uneasy silence of the room. He tore his eyes away, glancing around the mess hall. Broken tables and chairs lay scattered like forgotten corpses of better days. The large fireplace had collapsed in on itself, a pile of ash and rubble now lying where warmth once lived. Small streams of rainwater dripped through holes in the ceiling, each drop falling with a faint, rhythmic plink that echoed through the space.


    Across the room, Rowan dug through the debris, his gloved hands brushing against the stone walls. Callahan knew what he was looking for: the jagged, scratched marks of wailers'' hooked limbs, telltale signs of the horrors that should''ve been here. But there was nothing. No creatures of the mire, no lurking nightmares in the shadows.


    The absence was unsettling. It was hauntingly, eerily peaceful.


    A crashing sound echoed through the hall as Rowan''s reckless rummaging brought part of the stone wall down in a heap¡ªmore damage to an already crumbling room.


    "I don''t think we''re gonna have much luck here," Callahan called out, eyeing the mess with a mix of worry and irritation. If Rowan kept at it like this, the whole place might come down on top of them.


    Rowan stepped back from the debris and fiddled with the straps of his mask. "Guess they''re shy. Thought we''d have run into one by now." He gave an exaggerated shrug, throwing a quick glance to Callahan. "Maybe they''re having a nap in the barracks or bedrooms, You ready, Cal?"


    Callahan glanced at Ollie, who stood motionless, eyes locked on the machine as it hummed and whirred. "You should come with us, Ollie. Probably not a good idea to stay here alone."


    Ollie shook his head but didn''t look up. "I''ll be fine. Go do your job."


    Callahan hesitated. The quiet was unsettling, and he couldn''t help but imagine the wailers biding their time, waiting for them to split up. He didn''t want the guilt of leaving Ollie to fend for himself¡ªor the fallout if they made it back to the ship without him or the anima-harvesting machine.


    Rowan stepped between them, clapping Callahan on the shoulder. "You''re not gonna change his mind," he said with a grin. "But Cal won''t leave you behind unless I try to get you to come along¡ªor convince him you''ll be fine."


    He shifted his other arm over to Ollie, resting a firm hand on his shoulder. "So what do you say? Come exploring with us. The machine doesn''t need you standing here like the captain watching over lazy deckhands"


    Ollie looked at the two brothers, Rowan''s massive hand firm on his shoulder. Though he couldn''t see their faces, he could feel their concern. It was something he felt he didn''t deserve. He swallowed his doubt and tried to muster a bit of confidence.


    "Captain needs this job done. If I''m the only one without a full delivery, I''ll be sipping sea water instead of ale." The joke came out dry, but he hoped it would work¡ªhoped it would make them go on their way.


    Rowan withdrew his hand and gave Ollie a reassuring pat before turning to Callahan. "See? He''ll be fine, Cal. And we won''t even be long. A couple towers, the barracks, the barn. By the time we''re back, his machine''ll be full¡ªand we''ll have at least two wailers to throw over our shoulders."


    Callahan sighed, unconvinced by either his brother or Ollie that leaving him behind was a good idea. But the man was adamant. Whatever kept him there¡ªwhether it was fear of the Captain''s punishment or something deeper¡ªhe wasn''t going to budge. And the job wouldn''t get done if they stood in the mess hall all day.


    He lingered for a moment longer, glancing back at Ollie, who still hadn''t moved from his post by the machine. Finally, he turned and followed Rowan out of the room.


    As the door swung shut behind them, Callahan cast one last look over his shoulder. Ollie had slumped down next to the device, his masked head buried in his hands, one knee drawn tightly to his chest. His back was pressed against the wall, his whole posture heavy with some unseen burden. Whatever it was, it clung to him like the storm outside, and Callahan couldn''t shake the feeling they shouldn''t have left him.


    The brothers, now one man short, began their search of the fortress''s remaining sections. They did their best to stay under roofs, using connecting corridors to shield themselves from the ever-pouring rain.


    In the barracks, they found rusted weapons and decayed armor, all too far gone to be worth taking as trophies. The connecting halls were just as barren, derelict like the rest of the fortress. Any marks or symbols once engraved on the walls had long since been wiped away, time''s cruel hand erasing all traces of the past.


    The stagnant anima had a decaying effect on most things¡ªobjects warped and melted away, leaving only the faintest traces of what they had once been. Even the barn, was empty¡ªno carcasses, not even bones. The mire''s corrosive power had claimed it all.


    In the spires, collapsed staircases blocked their way. There were no traces of wailers here either, just more ruin to navigate. The brothers pressed on, climbing to the highest floors of the largest building in the fort.


    Inside, they found a few bedrooms, likely for the higher-ranking officers. But there was nothing luxurious about them¡ªjust the same decay. One room, however, caught Callahan''s attention. A massive picture frame hung atop a wall where a bed might have once stood. The gold frame was tarnished, the intricate designs once engraved upon it now lost to time. The picture it had once held had vanished, perhaps taken in the chaos of war or simply eroded away.


    "Gettin'' a lil worried we might go back empty-handed," Rowan said, resting his hands behind his head, fingers interlaced, elbows pointing toward the ceiling. His voice held a casual edge, but his posture, relaxed as it was, betrayed his growing boredom. "Kiki''s gonna have a fit over the tab I''ll run trying to butter up Galvos if we do."


    Callahan shot him a glance. Rowan''s words might''ve seemed carefree, but Callahan knew it was mostly about filling the silence with familiar chatter. He wasn''t so concerned about the lack of action¡ªRowan was just itching for a distraction. Callahan had learned to read his brother''s subtle signs of restlessness over the years.


    "You''re running a tab now?" Callahan''s tone wasn''t sharp, but the concern was there. He knew his brother loved to mingle¡ª that''s how they found most of their gigs¡ªbut hearing Rowan was spending money they didn''t have still grated on him. "We''re supposed to be saving, you know. Ma isn''t going to get better if you drink away our savings."


    Rowan''s relaxed stride faltered, his shoulders tightening. "What''s that supposed to mean?" The offense was slight, but it was there.


    "I''m just saying," Callahan continued, his voice low but firm, "it took a lot of money to get here already, and we haven''t made much back. Ma''s still at home, sick and¡ª" He paused, the words catching in his throat. "We don''t have all the time in the world, that''s all."


    Under his mask, Rowan''s brow furrowed, and his voice carried a hint of frustration. "I know that." His words came quick, clipped. "You think I''m spending the money all willy-nilly? I only spend when I think I can nail us down a job."


    His voice rose slightly as they continued down the uneven stone hall. "You''d know how hard it is to get work if you ever left the damn room. You gotta earn people''s trust in the lower city."


    Callahan stiffened but didn''t reply. Rowan wasn''t done yet. "The room, which, just so you know, was given to us because of me." He punctuated the words with a light shove to Callahan''s shoulder¡ªnot rough, but enough to send him stumbling over loose stones. Callahan caught himself and shot his brother a sharp glare.


    "You think I just sit in the room doing nothing, Rowan?" His tone simmered now, frustration bubbling under the surface.


    "I''m trying my damned best to get a handle on the one useful thing I can do for us," Callahan snapped, his voice tight with frustration. "Every discarded book on the subject I can find, I mull over for hours." He took a sharp breath, trying to steady himself, but the words came tumbling out. "It barely helps. And it''s not like we can practice near the city without being carted off to some far-off battlefield where we''ll probably just be used as meat shields for Onorian soldiers."


    He threw up his hands, the motion almost desperate, Rowan stood silently, regret flickering across his face concealed under the mask as he watched.


    "And you know," Callahan continued, his voice trembling now, "it''s not like I thought coming here was that good of an idea in the first place. I''m no fighter. I should''ve stayed home. I could''ve helped Brig take care of Ma." His voice cracked on the last word, and he turned his back on Rowan, shoulders slumping under the weight of everything he couldn''t say. His hands clasped behind his neck, his head bowed low. "I don''t know why I''m even here..."


    Callahan walked onward, the both of them now lost in the bowels of the castle as silence settled after their argument. "Y''know," Rowan said, cutting through the tension, "Brig would probably kick us both for this."


    "You''d deserve it," Callahan shot back.


    Rowan chuckled. "Maybe. Wanna give it a go? See if I feel it."


    "Yeah, maybe when you''re not wrapped head to toe in armor and gear. I''ll get you when you least expect it."


    The mood began to soften, Rowan''s laughter lingering as they continued through the dark halls.


    "Not sure where we are anymore," Rowan admitted, glancing around. "Thought we''d have circled back by now."


    Callahan gave their surroundings a good gander. It was getting darker. "We should probably get a light burnin'' before we start tripping over ourselves like drunks." Rowan rifled through their gear searching for a torch.


    "Wait." The chill in Callahan''s voice froze Rowan mid-motion. Callahan''s hand shot out, stopping him from igniting the torch. His gaze was locked on something far down the hall¡ªa pair of silvery discs floating in the dark.


    Rowan stayed still, quiet, at first unaware of what had caught his brother''s attention. But as his eyes adjusted, he saw it too. "That''d be a telltale sign if ever there was one," he whispered, his voice just high enough to keep the mask from muffling it entirely.


    Cold eyes in the dark.


    They lurked in corners of castles and caves, striking from the shadows with a screeching wail. Stories said the sound could bend reality like magic, disorienting prey with illusions of their darkest nightmares. The Wailers were lithe and anemic creatures, with four spindly limbs like a spider''s, elbows that bent both ways, and a sharp, ebony claw protruding from grayish skin. Their faces were gaunt, with large, reflective eyes like silver mirrors, torn and pointed ears twitching as they listened.


    They were fast. They were deadly.


    And now the brothers had finally laid eyes on one.


    Rowan stood steady, his posture betraying a quiet eagerness. In one hand, he held the black-out muzzle meant for the creature''s head; in the other, a coil of specialized wire to bind its spindly legs. He''d forgone drawing his weapon entirely. Though the creature was still partially obscured by shadows, Rowan had seen enough to gauge its size¡ªsmall, no bigger than Callahan, maybe smaller. He was confident he could wrestle it to the ground and bind it barehanded.


    Callahan was not so sure.


    The air around him felt heavier, charged with unease. His hands fumbled as he worked to quietly load a bolt into his crossbow, every metallic click of the mechanism feeling far louder than it should. He stole a glance at the silvery discs far down the hall¡ªwatching, waiting. His pulse quickened, the chill in his chest spreading like frost.


    The Wailer hadn''t moved. Not yet.


    "You got this, Cal. Keep it steady," Rowan''s words were low, their effect uncertain in calming Callahan''s shaken aim.


    Callahan had the creature locked in his sights¡ªhe couldn''t afford to miss. It stared back at them, its reflective eyes unmoving, a haunting presence in the dark. There was no way Rowan could get close enough to grab it. The Kraken Callers'' bolts were said to have a temporary paralyzing effect on creatures spawned from the mire, but Callahan had to be precise. One shot, that was all he had. If he missed the creature would surely attack. Rowan moved in slowly, inching closer, while Callahan adjusted his aim. His finger hovered over the trigger, trembling just slightly as he steadied his breath.


    The pressure mounted as Callahan''s finger squeezed the crossbow''s trigger. The bolt shot forward, quick as a flash, cutting through the air toward the creature. But the Wailer was quicker. Its ears twitched, reacting to the sound of the release, and in an instant, its body contorted with a sickening agility. The bolt passed just inches from its flesh as the creature twisted unnaturally, avoiding the shot as if it had no bones.


    "Shit, shit, shit, I''m sorry!" Panic gripped Callahan as he scrambled to reload his crossbow. But Rowan was already off, his sprint echoing in the stone halls before the first bolt had even left the weapon. The Wailer had repositioned, its throat swelling grotesquely like a sickening boil, and then it let out its namesake¡ªa bone-rattling wail that should never have been heard by men''s ears.


    The sound reverberated through the castle''s walls, and it hit Rowan like a physical blow. He stopped dead in his tracks, collapsing to one knee. His hands dropped uselessly as he struggled to block out the noise that flooded his mind, gnawing at his nerves.


    Callahan''s grip on the crossbow faltered too as the sound tore through him, his whole body shaking from the force of it. He fell to all fours, struggling to regain control, his breath ragged as he fumbled for his bolt.


    The Wailer''s legs tensed, coiling like a predator preparing to strike. With a sudden leap, it launched from the wall, skittering toward Rowan in erratic zigzags.


    Callahan''s vision was a blur, his mask still obstructing his sight, and now the Wailer''s screech and the dimming room made everything spin. No matter how desperately his hands scrambled across the cold floor, he couldn''t seem to find his footing. In mere seconds, the Wailer closed the distance, its legs curling and tensing for the killing blow. The air crackled with the anticipation of a deadly, final leap. Rowan still hadn''t moved.Mid-air, the Wailer''s spindly legs aimed at Rowan, ready to clamp down in a macabre embrace, its sharp claws poised to sink deep into his flesh.


    In just as quick an instant that the Wailer had dodged Callahan''s bolt, Rowan''s massive hand shot from his side, his palm open and ready. Like a fleshy tree trunk wrapped in steel and leather, it closed around the creature mid-flight, its head swallowed whole by his grasp.


    If the Wailer could see behind Rowan''s black mask, it would catch a devilish smile of satisfaction.


    Rowan pushed off the ground with explosive power, slamming the Wailer''s body down. Its limbs flailed, now trailing limply behind its crushed head. With a final surge, Rowan''s hand slammed the creature into the stone floor, pressing down with brutal force. The Wailer''s legs, unmoored from the rest of its body, squirmed and flailed, trying to stab at Rowan''s armor. But its claws couldn''t find purchase.


    In a desperate, final attempt, the Wailer began to bloat again, but Rowan''s other hand shot up, wrapping around its throat. "Quiet, no more screaming," he muttered, his voice thick with satisfaction. He had it¡ªnow all he needed was the muzzle and the wire, and one creature would be down, one step closer to finishing the job.


    "Cal, you good?" Rowan''s voice was firm but not without a hint of amusement. "Bring me the muzzle, the wire, quick¡ªlittle bastard''s trying to bite through my gloves."


    Callahan shook himself, his head pounding from the screech, but his hands were steady now. He scrambled to where Rowan knelt, grabbing the bindings and muzzle.


    "Here, damn¡ªshut it up for good," Callahan grumbled, pressing his palm to his forehead as the pain from the Wailer''s scream lingered.


    Rowan''s grin was dark as he worked the muzzle over the Wailer''s head, its legs still bound but struggling violently. "Nah, nah, nah. Can''t kill it. We''re taking this pup home." He paused, his voice taking on a mockingly cheery tone as he forced the creature into submission. "Ain''t that right, little guy? You''re gonna love the ship. Whatever pit they decide to throw you in...well, it''ll be better than this, that''s for sure."


    The Wailer wriggled in his grip, but Rowan''s strength held. Its legs were tied, its body curled in a forced fetal position. Its attempts to break free were futile.


    The brothers stood side by side, their chests heaving as the rush of victory swept over them. Rowan knelt down to match Callahan''s height, a wide grin splitting his face behind the mask. He flexed his arm, his hand clenched into a fist and pointed straight up.


    Callahan mirrored him without hesitation, their elbows meeting in a firm press before both fists swung forward, colliding with a solid thud. It was their own little celebration¡ªpart taunt, part ritual, a brotherly gesture they made their own.


    "Well, two more to go," Callahan muttered, glancing back at the bound creature. "You think it''s safe to leave this thing here? What if it wriggles loose or someone else gets to it?" Rowan shrugged, already gathering bits of rubble and debris. "It''s tied up good. Ain''t like it can call for help. Besides, if Ollie comes down here and steals our glory, let him. The mopey bastard could use a win." Callahan frowned but stayed quiet as Rowan finished covering the creature¡ªnot enough to hurt it, just enough to keep it out of sight from other wailers and easy to spot later. With a final pat of the debris pile, Rowan stepped back, hands on his hips, his voice still tinged with the rush of victory. "See? All set. We''ll grab it on our way out." Callahan''s eyes lingered on the pile as Rowan lit a torch and wedged it into the wall. "If you say so."


    The brothers made their way to the end of the room where they had first spotted the Wailer, the space now lit by the torch Callahan held in his hand. At the far wall, a narrow entrance revealed itself, sloping downward into a deep and oppressive darkness. Etches and claw marks covered the walls around the opening, far more numerous than anything they had seen elsewhere in the castle.


    "They must scurry in and out of this place a lot," Callahan muttered as he ran his fingers over one of the jagged grooves. His hand paused on a particularly deep mark, his unease growing with every second he lingered.


    At the threshold, the torchlight barely seemed to reach. Shadows crowded in the space ahead, almost swallowing the faint flicker entirely. Callahan''s gaze traced the walls, noting just how many marks surrounded them now¡ªinnumerable paths carved into the stone by creatures moving in and out.


    The green fog that had once lingered at waist height now stretched far above their heads as they delved deeper into the abyss. The narrow walls began to widen, the smooth, paved stone giving way to uneven dirt and jagged rock. The further they went, the less this place resembled anything man-made.


    They moved in silence, knowing the torch was already enough of a beacon in the dark. Sound, however, was what drew the Wailers. Their massive eyes were less for seeing and more for harm¡ªdeadly weapons rather than tools of perception. If they stayed quiet, they might just get the jump on the next one. Callahan clenched his jaw, silently praying that whatever came next wouldn''t have a chance to scream. The dull ache in his skull from the first encounter still hadn''t faded.


    Downward they trudged, the trek seeming to stretch endlessly. The air grew heavier, and the walls loomed like watchful sentinels, the weight of the earth pressing in from all sides. They must have been far below the surface now, deeper than they had imagined possible when they first entered the fortress above.


    Then, something new appeared ahead, faint but unmistakable. A soft glow emanated from the walls, flickering in the periphery of the torchlight. It wasn''t the green of the fog or the yellow of firelight. This was different¡ªa bluish hue that pulsed faintly, as though alive.


    "Look at that," Rowan whispered, his voice barely more than a breath. "Light on the walls."


    Callahan lowered his torch as they neared the glowing walls. The light seeped from carved lines, forming massive figures¡ªwhat looked like men frozen in a variety of poses. They seemed to tell a story, but one the brothers could never hope to decipher.


    "An arch of the same blue light appeared further down, a beckoning entrance. The figures on the walls seemed to walk in that very same direction. The brothers exchanged a silent nod and followed the path, once again guided by what felt like the touch of man. Passing beneath the arch, they entered a vast, circular amphitheater. The walls were still lined with the bluish glow, crisscrossing in arcane patterns from floor to ceiling, leading toward a raised platform at the center of the room. White marble pillars encircled a pedestal, atop which sat a strange relic encased in a transparent dome. The brothers stood in awe, struck by the beauty and complexity of the site. They wondered who could have built something so intricate, so deep beneath the earth.


    Excitedly, Callahan began to ramble, "We¡ªwe gotta tell Galvos." Rowan blinked, a bit shocked¡ªhe didn''t think Callahan cared much for the Captain. "Huh, really?" he muttered in surprise.


    "Of course! Look at this place! Could you imagine what kind of stuff is down here?" Callahan''s words spilled out faster as they moved closer to the center. "Who knows what lost treasures are hidden here? Rowan, this might be it¡ªour big break. We tell him, and he gets his men, and we can explore it all. No more begging for work in Onoria."


    Rowan''s eyes, hidden behind his mask, widened with excitement at the spark in his brother''s voice. They climbed the white marble stairs of the central platform, both eager to see what strange relic lay at its heart, admiring the cerulean lines and swirls that traced the stairs and pillars around them.


    They stood before the pedestal, the clear dome encasing the relic spotless, untouched by dust or debris¡ªpristine in a way nothing else in this place had been. Inside, a silvery orb glowed softly, a green jewel nestled at its center. Blue cerulean lines spiraled out from the jewel, like bloodshot veins spreading from its jeweled pupil. It was an eye¡ªor at least, that''s what they both thought. A jeweled, silvery eye, perhaps plucked from the socket of a dragon.


    The brothers stood, stunned into silence, their minds racing.


    "Rowan... this, we''re..." Callahan trailed off, struggling to find the words. The future had never seemed so bright.


    Rowan let out a small laugh, clapping Callahan on the shoulder. "Cal, I know you don''t drink, but... I mean, you can''t not celebrate with me."


    Their eyes met, and their smiles were so wide they seemed to nearly tear through their masks. In unison, they whispered¡ªdesperate to contain their excitement but unable to stop themselves: "WE''RE RICH."


    The joy was overflowing, too much to hold in. They wanted to shout louder, but the thought of attracting any unwanted guests kept them in check.


    "Well, little brother, I humbly bestow upon you the honor of claiming this treasure," Rowan said with a dramatic bow, teasing his brother forward to seize their long-sought yet unexpected prize.


    Callahan grinned, matching the bow. "Well, I''ll humbly accept, big brother," he said, standing tall as he reached for the dome. It came open with ease, revealing the eye, now resting in its place, waiting to be claimed. Callahan pinched the eye between his thumb and index finger, lifting it from its suspended position on the pedestal.


    He rolled the eye in his gloved palm, wishing he could feel the cold metal directly on his skin. It had a solid heft, and the intricate details were a work of art. But something strange began to happen. As the eye left the pedestal, the blue, cerulean lines that crisscrossed and marked the room started to recede. The once bright room gradually grew darker, as if the very energy of the place was beginning to fade.


    "Uh-oh, trap, you think?" Rowan mused, though he wasn''t fully concerned.


    Callahan, however, showed more alarm at the situation. He tried placing the eye back on the pedestal, hoping the light would return, but it failed. "Well... uh," he began, anxiety creeping in, "I mean, we''re just gonna sell it anyway, right? It''s fine. Galvos and the crew will have torches too, so we can still explore." But before they could light their torches, the room plunged into complete darkness¡ªso dense that they couldn''t even see their hands in front of their faces.


    "Rowan, you there?" Callahan called out, his voice shaky as he reached into the darkness, finally finding his brother''s steeled arm.


    "Scared of the dark?" Rowan teased.


    "Light a damn torch, idiot." Callahan could hear the rustling of Rowan''s gear, a giggle mixed in with the sound as he searched for a torch. But the air felt thick, suffocating.


    Callahan scanned the oppressive darkness, and then¡ªsomething terrifying emerged. Two silvery discs on the ceiling. Then four, six, eight, ten... The ceiling seemed to be coming alive with what appeared to be stars¡ªyet it was obvious they hadn''t been teleported under the night sky.


    "Rowan..." Fear gripped him, thick and suffocating. "Look." He nudged his brother to look up.


    "Hundreds you think? Thousands maybe..." Callahan''s fear was thick, like clotted blood his voice curdling, his breath barely making it out of his lungs. "Rowan..." a whimper squeezed out, "Are we gonna die here..." A stark, cold reality hit him in the gut, no more words could come out. In the dark, he felt those large strong hands pushing him to the floor, "stay quiet, stay hidden, and when the light goes on, you know Callahan, you know what to do" Rowan''s words were steadfast, no joking, no chiding, no brotherly banter, just trust, trust in what Callahan was capable of.


    Rowan took the steps down, eyes scanning the darkness. He couldn''t let the monsters reach his brother. With purpose, he set to work, lighting every remaining torch and spreading them around the room. His brother needed to see this¡ªneeded to see him.


    Gripping his sledge tight, he gave the hammer''s head a test swing, feeling the weight settle into his hands. He beat it against his chest¡ªonce, twice¡ªa taunt. "You got this, Cal!"


    With a mighty roar, the first Wailer descended from above, crashing to the ground beside Rowan with a sickening thud. Rowan''s muscles coiled as he took his stance, the hammer rising high over his shoulder.


    He didn''t hesitate. The moment the Wailer moved, Rowan brought the hammer down with devastating force, smashing it into the creature''s skull. It was dead in an instant


    More fell from the ceiling, their unnatural forms dropping into the arena. Rowan was ready. He dodged the first strike, his body moving instinctively. His hammer crashed into the neck of the next Wailer, snapping it with a sickening crack. Another was upon him¡ªthis time, he swung with precision, crushing its chest, its ribs collapsing under the weight of the blow. The room was alive with chaos, but Rowan was unshaken.


    In the heat of the battle Callahan tried to focus on his brother, the lenses of his mask were clouded, the light reflected of the anima fog in strange patterns, it was almost impossible for him to clearly see Rowan fight, more and more Wailers fell from above, they dashed and jumped all trying to put an end to Rowan''s life, but his armor did not falter, and despite his size he was quick on his feet.


    The ground trembled with each strike, the sound of crunching bone, slamming impact, and dirt and stone being ripped from beneath him. Marble cracked and shattered as Rowan''s hammer smashed through another Wailer, but something worse was coming.


    The creatures began to bloat. Not just one, but many. Rowan didn''t hesitate¡ªhe dashed forward, crushing one Wailer''s throat before it could scream, then hurled it at another, its body crashing into the next creature, briefly interrupting its horrific wail. But it wasn''t enough.


    One Wailer screamed. Then another. The sound was a torrent, a wave of agony crashing over them.


    It was like being hit by a stampede, but this time, it wasn''t just one¡ªthis was the deafening, bone-rattling force of multiple Wailers, their cries twisting into a single, overwhelming cacophony. Rowan staggered, his mind fighting to stay clear as his body screamed for relief. He pressed his hand against the shaft of his hammer, using it to keep his balance, his weight swaying like a tree in a storm.


    Callahan could feel it too¡ªhis body seized with pain. The wails burrowed into his very bones, and the air around him seemed to vibrate, threatening to tear his insides apart. It felt as though he were being crushed under a herd of hooved beasts, their weight breaking him piece by piece. But he couldn''t stop¡ªnot now. Not when Rowan was still fighting.


    Through the haze of pain, Callahan glimpsed his brother. Rowan was still standing, though barely. His hammer was the only thing keeping him upright, his body hunched, like a man at the edge of collapse. Rowan''s breathing was shallow, strained. His grip on the hammer was the only thing that tethered him to reality.


    But he was still standing.


    A dark feeling welled in Callahan''s chest as the wailers slowly approached Rowan. They were cautious now, respecting the lethal range of his hammer. It seemed they weren''t completely mindless after all.


    As they closed in, a vision began to form in Callahan''s mind. That shadowy figure from his nightmare, its dark claws around Rowan''s throat, panic surged through him. He couldn''t lose Rowan¡ªnot like this. He wouldn''t let that thing take him.


    "ROWAN!" he screamed, voice raw with urgency.


    "QUIET CAL!" came the ragged reply. The creatures were closing in, time was slipping away.


    Callahan''s breath came in rapid, shallow bursts, his mask still clinging to his face. "I can''t..." His words were strained. "I can''t see with this fucking mask on."


    Without a second thought for his own safety, or the thick miasma of fallen souls filling the air, Callahan ripped the mask from his face. His eyes locked onto his brother¡ªgreen and glowing faintly, his vision sharp as he fixed on Rowan with unwavering focus.


    The vision of his brother conquering the Kraken filled his mind. But now, instead of slaying the beast, he merged with it. The mighty limbs of the Kraken intertwined with Rowan''s body, its massive power and strength flowing as one. Rowan would not fight alone. They would not fight alone.


    Callahan held the vision steady in his mind, his eyes piercing through Rowan''s armor, through flesh, bone, and straight into his soul.


    A pulse shook Rowan to his feet, deep from within him. He knew what was happening. It was happening again. "Give it your all, Cal. I can take it," he whispered to himself. His flesh beneath the armor bubbled, a strange sensation¡ªnot completely painful, but not entirely pleasant either.


    One brave wailer saw its chance and lunged, but it never even made it within striking range of Rowan''s hammer. From his back, a gargantuan tentacle exploded outwards, coiling around the wailer''s neck. The creature struggled for breath, but the might of the sea devil choked the unholy life out of it before it could even dare to scream.


    The wailers launched their assault again, but this time they were met with something far worse. More tentacles of the Kraken sprouted from Rowan''s back, thick and powerful, silencing any would-be screeches before they could even reach their crescendo. No longer a mere defender, Rowan became the storm itself. With a multitude of limbs, he tore through the amphitheatre, wielding debris and broken pillars as weapons, obliterating everything in his path. He didn''t need to dash from creature to creature anymore¡ªhis very presence was a wave of destruction.


    Callahan''s focus, however, began to crack under the strain. His lungs filled with the caustic anima, and his vision wavered. He stumbled, his breath coming in ragged gasps, the world around him blurring.


    "Cal, put your mask back on," Rowan shouted, the urgency in his voice clear. "Get out of here, you''ve done your part! Go, go, go!"


    The words echoed in Callahan''s ears, but they sounded distant, unreal. Rowan, a blur of power, cast aside wailer after wailer, his massive limbs throwing columns of marble like twigs. His transformation into this unstoppable force was awe-inspiring, but to Callahan, it felt like the world was falling away. His lungs burned, liquid rising in his chest with each strained breath. The sound of his brother''s roar blended with the rush of fluid filling his airways, the cold panic creeping in as his own body started to fail him.


    With what little clarity remained in his mind, Callahan made a run for it, his brother crushing and thrashing any Wailer that dared impede his path. He surged past the arches, pushing himself forward, moving with a surprising burst of speed down the hall lined with the giant men carved into the rock. The sounds of the battle grew distant behind him; any lingering Wailers would hopefully be drawn into the fray. If they dared to follow, their hunger would only lead them to absolute destruction.


    His breath came in ragged gasps now, each inhalation harder than the last. The mask was suffocating, its weight pressing against him like the world itself was bearing down. His vision blurred at the edges, the darkness swallowing him. The path back had disappeared somewhere in the labyrinth of his mind. His legs gave way. He fell, face-first into the dirt, too tired to catch himself.


    His breathing slowed as the panic that had once clawed at him faded. It felt almost as if he were drifting¡ªweightless, suspended in an endless sea of exhaustion. His fingers dug into the ground, clawing at the earth as if to anchor himself, to remind himself he was still here. A thought lingered in the back of his mind, desperate and fleeting: I don''t want it to end, not yet.


    And then, the light came. It was faint at first, a soft glow that spread around him, as if the darkness itself were parting in reverence. He didn''t know if it was real or if his death-throes were pulling him into some hallucination. It didn''t matter. It was beautiful, either way. Those crisscrossing patterns¡ªhe knew them well¡ªstretched out above him, their familiar shapes now casting strange shadows across the cavern ceiling. He''d never have guessed the patterns extended this far.


    A sharp pang of regret tugged at him, the thought almost absurd in its simplicity: I hope Ma doesn''t cry. I hope Rowan brings her the necklace she gave me. What a silly thing to think about.


    Under his arms, the weight grew lighter still. A gentle pressure lifted him, as if something unseen was guiding him away from the earth. Was this it? Was his soul leaving his body? His back arched slightly, rising from the ground, and for a fleeting moment, he welcomed it. It feels nice, he thought, I want to let go. I''m so tired.


    His lower back scraped along the dirt, his legs dragging behind him. Guess I''m bottom-heavy, he thought with a silent chuckle, the sound of it trapped in his chest, unvoiced. The absurdity of it almost made him smile, though he lacked the strength to do so.


    The light surrounded him now, brighter, clearer. He closed his eyes, feeling his body give in, his soul tugged away by whatever force had reached down to claim him. The only thing that mattered now was the quiet, the peace that awaited him in the dark.


    Callahan stole one final glance at the living world below, the light still tracing his ascent. It softly illuminated a masked figure hovering above him, but it couldn''t be Rowan. I can still hear him, Callahan thought. I can still feel him fighting. His eyelids were too heavy to open now. They fluttered shut for what he thought would be the final time.


    As he drifted away, an unfamiliar voice pierced the darkness of his mind. The Accord will not only bend for you. It will break. He didn''t understand the words, didn''t know whose voice spoke them. His consciousness hung by the thinnest thread. Rowan...

 In the Eye of the Beholder

    Chapter 2


    In the Eye of the Beholder


    ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you just the cutest, such a wee little thing,¡± a tiny voice tickled Callahan¡¯s ear, faint and distant, like the memory of a dream. He couldn¡¯t make sense of the words; his consciousness was still clawing its way back from what might have been oblivion.


    Gradually, his senses began to stir. A soft, honeyed breeze caressed his face, carrying with it the rustling of grasses and the creaking of distant trees swaying to the wind¡¯s tune.


    His eyes rolled behind their lids, sluggish at first, as if weighed down by cold, steel blankets. Then, suddenly, they felt weightless. They shot open, and he gasped, drawing in a deep, desperate breath. His lungs, once wracked with searing pain, now felt whole again. The suffocating grip of fluid that had strangled him was gone. His vision, blurry at first, slowly sharpened, until everything came into crystal clarity. The mask that had obscured his sight was nowhere to be found.


    His mind struggled to piece together what had happened, but his eyes were now flooded with sights so strange and wondrous that they left him awestruck, unable to fully process it all.


    Far above him, the dark velvet canvas of the sky came alive. Bright, colorful stars shot across the heavens, crisscrossing in erratic paths. Some moved in graceful pairs, like dancers spinning in tandem, flinging their partners across the cosmos in dazzling arcs. Others collided in cataclysmic bursts, their explosive deaths splattering the heavens with vibrant nebulae, painting the void in hues he couldn¡¯t name.


    Giant celestial bodies of gas and stone hurtled across the sky, swelling to unfathomable proportions as they approached. For a moment, it seemed as though they might collide with whatever strange place Callahan had found himself in. But then, as if obeying some unseen cosmic rhythm, they shrank and drifted past the horizon, vanishing into realms unknown.


    He sat up, overwhelmed by the cosmic spectacle that had unfolded above. Yet, as he looked out onto the field where he lay, this strange place became ever more wondrous. Flowers¡ªcountless flowers¡ªstretched out endlessly, their sharp, triangular petals catching the light in dazzling fractals. With every slight movement he made, their hues shifted, a kaleidoscope of ever-changing color.


    At the heart of this infinite sea of blossoms lay a body of water¡ªa perfectly circular lake so vast it might take days to cross or circle. Its surface was unnaturally still, a flawless mirror reflecting the celestial dance above, as though the heavens themselves had descended to rest upon it.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡± The words barely made it past his lips. Even whispered, they felt heavy, uncertain. He hadn¡¯t fully collected himself yet¡ªstill unsure of where he was or what had happened¡ªbut the sights around him were unlike anything he¡¯d ever imagined.


    ¡°Marvelous? Grand? Or are you simply left speechless by its display?¡±


    It was that tiny voice again. He glanced quickly in its direction, but there was nothing¡ªjust empty air. A giggle danced past him, light and quick, flitting from one side to the other.


    ¡°Trying to catch a peek! What would your mother say?¡± The voice darted around him again, always just out of sight. He spun, looking one way and then another, but no matter how fast he turned, he saw nothing.


    Whoever¡ªor whatever¡ªit was, it seemed to enjoy teasing him. There was a playful lilt in every word. ¡°Are you going to sit there stupefied forever, wee one? Why don¡¯t you get up before you grow roots? Come now, let¡¯s have some fun!¡±


    ¡°What do you wa¡ª¡± He called out, his voice sharp with frustration, but as the sound hit his ears, confusion took over. The tone was higher, thinner¡ªso unfamiliar it made him pause. It wasn¡¯t a voice he recognized. At least, not for many years.


    ¡°Hello... hello?¡± He threw out more words, his pitch rising in a tentative test. ¡°Aaaaaaah... oooh...¡± The sounds rolled out awkwardly, his throat tightening as if to reject them. Instinctively, his hand rose to his neck, searching for an explanation, but his fingers brushed against something soft. A scarf.


    Not just any scarf¡ªit was old and familiar, wrapped snugly around his throat like an echo from a memory. His breath caught. ¡°Ma?¡± he whispered. ¡°How did this even get here?¡±


    He looked down at himself, his confusion deepening. The gear from the ship, his journey clothes¡ªeverything was gone. In their place, he found himself drowning in Rowan¡¯s old hand-me-downs, the fabric hanging off his frame just as it had when he was little.


    He stood up, the ground so much closer than it had been in years. He really was smaller. His arms, his legs¡ªeverything felt different. His hands rose to his face, and he froze. It was smooth. Clean-shaven. That patchy beard he¡¯d been trying to grow out¡ªthe one Rowan endlessly teased him for¡ªwas gone.


    ¡°Admiring yourself, are we? How very vain!¡± The voice cut through his thoughts, light and teasing. ¡°You¡¯re not that impressive, you know.¡±


    Callahan froze. Something was tugging at his hair. Whatever the source of the voice was, it had landed on his head.


    ¡°And you¡¯d be a fool to think you¡¯re better looking than me, that¡¯s for sure. Prettiest in the land, I am¡ªhave been for centuries.¡± The voice droned on, rambling and completely full of itself. Callahan stayed still, letting the creature prattle on, his patience wearing thinner by the second.


    Finally, in one swift motion, he swiped at his head. The little voice gave a yelp before it was muffled under his grasp.


    ¡°Oi!¡± it shouted, its tone shifting to something between indignation and amusement. ¡°Quick, aren¡¯t you? Caught me off guard too. Bit rude, though, letting me talk all that time and then interrupting when I was just about to get to the good parts!¡±


    ¡°What the hell are you? Did you do this to me? Some weird curse or bend? Where the hell am I even?¡± Callahan tried to sound commanding, authoritative¡ªbut the squeaky pitch of his childish voice only made the strange creature laugh.


    ¡°Oh, so many questions! And why would you think I have the answers?¡± the voice teased, dripping with mockery. ¡°I¡¯m just a poor damsel in distress, cruelly squished in the palm of a giant¡¯s hand! Please, oh mighty giant, have mercy! Don¡¯t squash poor little Nyve!¡± Callahan¡¯s grip tightened just enough to silence the creature¡¯s dramatic wails. He sighed through gritted teeth.


    Whatever this thing was¡ªNyve, it called itself¡ªit was already grating on his nerves. Rowan could be a pest too, but at least his brother knew when to stop pushing. This thing? It seemed like it enjoyed testing his patience.


    ¡°Look,¡± Callahan sighed, trying to stay calm despite the creature¡¯s relentless mocking. ¡°I get that this might be fun for you, but I really need some answers.¡±


    His grip loosened as he finally laid eyes on her. She was no taller than his index finger, with a dainty frame and butterfly wings that shimmered like the flowers in the field, their colors shifting in fascinating fractals. Her hair was the same red as Rowan¡¯s, and her tiny eyes gleamed green, just like his. She stood in his palm, hands on her hips, giving him a mockingly stern look.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s no fun,¡± she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°You want answers, but you let me go so easily! Where are the threats, the violence, the torture? Why should I tell you anything if you¡¯re so soft? You didn¡¯t even make me scream, wee one.¡±


    Callahan sighed again, louder this time. If he had to play along, so be it he thought to himself.


    Before she could react, he pinched her wings gently between his fingers, lifting her from his palm. He jostled her in the air¡ªnot enough to hurt her, but just enough to knock her off balance. ¡°Talk,¡± he said, deepening his voice as much as his squeaky, childlike pitch would allow. ¡°You¡¯d better start talking, or¡­¡± He hesitated. What am I even gonna do?


    Nyve, dangling from his grip, laughed hysterically. ¡°Oh, what a fate!¡± she cried, flailing dramatically. ¡°Caught by such an ugly, foul giant! Help, oh noble heroes! Save poor little Nyve before her wings are plucked, her tiny limbs ground into dust to season his food!¡±


    Callahan gave her a small shake, partly to shut her up, partly out of petty retaliation. ¡°I just want to know where I am,¡± he said through clenched teeth. ¡°Or if I¡¯m dead. Or how I can go back.¡±


    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll give you a little smidge. You¡¯re a terrible actor, but at least you¡¯re trying,¡± she giggled to herself, disappearing from his grip with a small blink of light.


    ¡°You¡¯re not dead, my sweet little Callahan.¡±


    He was shocked¡ªonly slightly, though¡ªthat this strange creature knew his name. Everything so far had been bizarre, and this was the least of it. Relief washed over him at her words. It was good to know he hadn¡¯t fallen to the mire¡¯s Wailers, but another question raced to the surface in his mind.


    How much time had passed?


    He began to worry anew. Rowan¡­ how long has it been? Is he still fighting down there with the Wailers? My bend would¡¯ve disappeared by now¡­ There were still so many.


    The worry was plain on his face, but even if it wasn¡¯t, Nyve would know.                                           ¡°Rowan, the large and mighty. A giant of giants, one might say,¡± Nyve had blinked back into existence, her feet gently digging into Callahan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°We can¡¯t have much fun if you¡¯re constantly worrying about him now, can we?¡± She poked into his shoulder with her toe.


    ¡°Go on. One more little gift from gracious Nyve. I¡¯ll tell you if you ask politely.¡±


    He looked over to her, an unnerving feeling knotted in his belly. He still had no idea what she was, why she acted the way she did, or why he was small as a child once more. But the most important question, even more than confirming whether he was alive or not, was whether Rowan made it out too.


    If he hadn¡¯t, and he wasn¡¯t here now, Rowan would rot in the mire.


    Whatever had saved Callahan from that fate might not have saved his brother.


    ¡°Is Rowan okay?¡± A part of him wondered if he even needed to ask. She knew his name, his brother¡¯s, and about the battle with the Wailers. She probably knew these very words would be the next ones out of his mouth.


    ¡°Mighty Rowan, hands of hammers and a kraken¡¯s might,


    Sure would give Wailers quite the fright!


    Smash and bash, battle galore,


    A better brother no one had seen before¡­¡±


    She danced on his shoulder gleefully. She wouldn¡¯t let Callahan know it yet, but she was having the time of her life.


    ¡°What a wicked turn the scene would take¡ª


    Rowan¡¯s mighty kraken arms began to abate,


    Without the sea beast¡¯s limbs to crash and shake,


    It would seem Rowan would be soon headed for his wake¡­¡±


    She spun around on her tippy toes, a pirouette at the end of her little jingle.


    Callahan went white, his skin paler than snow.


    ¡°Stop,¡± he choked. ¡°Stop¡ªI don¡¯t want to hear it like this¡­¡±


    He felt ill, cold, his stomach churning, an empty, stinging feeling in his heart. It brought him to his knees, his hands shielding his face, fingers digging deep into his brow.


    ¡°Why would you tell me like that?¡± His voice shook¡ªa mix of anger and grief. ¡°You¡¯re a little monster¡­¡± The rage began to overpower every other feeling. This pest, this flittering little nuisance. The mocking had been barely tolerable before, but now she mocked his brother¡¯s death?


    With quick hands, he grabbed her again. She let out a quick giggle as he plucked her from his shoulder. Without a hint of playfulness, he began to squeeze.


    ¡°You think it¡¯s funny?¡± His face flushed red, tears welling in his eyes.


    Nyve didn¡¯t seem to struggle under the pressure of his grip. Instead, she seemed more annoyed.  ¡°You didn¡¯t even let me finish. How do you know how it ends? So emotional, Callahan.¡± Again, in a quick flash, she disappeared. Her voice danced on the wind.


    ¡°As I was saying¡­


    One last stand Rowan would make,


    Before those fleshy tendrils would begin to break!


    That darkened home of the Wailers¡¯ make,


    Would come crashing down under the kraken¡¯s weight!


    And so, heroically, Rowan would take¡ª


    A dashing, manly, hero¡¯s escape!¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ piss off. Really? That¡¯s what you¡¯re gonna do?¡± he screamed, that childish voice so full of anger. The wind giggled in reply.


    Fed up with the teasing and mocking, he began walking in an aimless direction. He didn¡¯t know where he was or where he was going, but anywhere was better than here, listening to this annoying little creature make fun of him.


    "Ooh, come now, Callahan. I was just having a bit of fun," Nyve said, blinking back into existence. She flew quickly to match Callahan¡¯s stride. He swatted at her, but now she displayed an adept agility he hadn¡¯t seen before, dodging his every strike.


    "No, really. Piss off. I¡¯m not humoring you anymore." He was livid. Not once had Rowan¡¯s teasing ever strayed to something so cruel. What kind of bastard would joke about something like that?


    "Going sightseeing, then? Hadn¡¯t had your fill? Well, I¡¯d highly recommend the lake¡ªit¡¯s always been my favorite place." Her tone still jingled with that sing-songy playfulness, and it annoyed Callahan to no end.


    "If I get my hands on you again, I¡¯m going to drown you in the water," he growled, not even giving her the courtesy of a glance.


    "Oh, huff he ho hum, the giant looks so rather glum! The fairy princess under his thumb, drowning in the water till her face goes numb!" He tried several times to outrun her, but it was pointless. She could fly fast and blink to him faster, disappearing and reappearing wherever she pleased.


    The water soaked his toes now. Whatever clothed him didn¡¯t deem to give him shoes. The cold bit at his skin, the ripples he made the only motion breaking the water¡¯s smooth surface.


    "Well, now you¡¯re here. Nowhere else to go. Have a drink if you¡¯d like¡ªit was quite the little show."


    She hovered slightly out of reach. Callahan wasn¡¯t sure if she was being cautious¡ªas if he could pose any real threat¡ªor if she was still being playful.


    He remained silent, gazing over the water and out past the horizon. There was no end to this place. Just an endless expanse of flowers, their vibrant colors stretching into infinity, with trees scattered randomly like forgotten sentinels. The water beneath him reflected the sky like a perfect mirror, a surreal stillness that made him uneasy.


    ¡°Look all you want,¡± Nyve¡¯s voice cut through the silence, airy and teasing. ¡°You won¡¯t find a way out. I¡¯m afraid, dear Callahan, that is something I¡¯m sure of. I¡¯m your only source of help.¡± She flew in lazy circles above the water, her wings catching the light, and then skipped across the surface like a stone, sending ripples cascading outward.


    Callahan¡¯s eyes narrowed as he watched her. There was a rhythm to her movements¡ªa predictability, almost as if she wanted him to notice. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was a trap or a mistake, but he decided to test her. He planted his feet firmly, muscles tensing in his leg as he gauged her next hop. There. She tumbled briefly with gravity, a moment of weightlessness. He kicked hard, sending a shattering wave surging across the water. It struck her mid-hop, throwing her into the current.


    ¡°Oi!¡± Nyve squeaked, her voice drowned out by the crash of water. The ripples dragged her down, and she disappeared for a moment beneath the surface. Callahan smirked, satisfaction tugging at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Little pest,¡± he muttered, kicking more water for good measure. ¡°Soaked and wet¡ªhow funny is it now? I¡¯m not your pet.¡±


    As he mocked her with a poetic jab of his own, the water broke. Nyve emerged, her tiny head bobbing in the rippling pool, hair plastered to her face. Then she grinned¡ªa wide, toothy grin that irritated Callahan to no end. ¡°You really are so much fun, Callahan!¡± she chirped, her voice bright with glee.


    Callahan scowled. He had hoped she¡¯d at least be annoyed.


    With a sudden burst of motion, Nyve shot up into the air, hovering inches from his face. Before he could react, she jabbed a finger into his eye.


    ¡°Ow!¡± Callahan recoiled, covering his face with a hand.


    ¡°I think we¡¯re a bit more even now,¡± Nyve said smugly, her hands on her hips. ¡°In fact, your attempt to drown me far outweighs my little joke, don¡¯t you think? The debt is probably in my favor.¡±


    Callahan gritted his teeth, glaring at her through his uninjured eye. Nyve bit her tongue playfully ¡°Fiiine. Maybe I¡¯ll give you another answer?¡±


    Nyve floated backward, twirling gracefully. ¡°Buuuuut,¡± she began, drawing out the word with exaggerated flourish, ¡°I¡¯ll give you an answer only if you ask nicely. Ooh, maybe two answers if I like your question!¡± Her head tilted playfully. ¡°Come on, you¡¯re dying to know. Where are we? Why are we here? How do we leave? Curious Callahan and his courteous queries, unlocking endless possibilities!¡±


    He sighed heavily. A part of him wanted to stay mad at her, to figure this out on his own somehow. But he knew he couldn¡¯t. This place was too strange, and she was the only one who seemed to know anything. ¡°Fine,¡± he muttered. ¡°Where are we?¡±


    Nyve clapped her hands, her wings buzzing with excitement. ¡°Oh, what a question! Where indeed!¡± She spun in the air before stopping abruptly, pointing a finger at him. ¡°You, Callahan, are in Gwyndadoraoralaeolye!¡±


    His brow furrowed, ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Gwyndadoraoralaeolye,¡± she repeated, rolling the name off her tongue like it was a melody. ¡°That¡¯s the shortened version, just for you. If I said the whole thing, we¡¯d be here until you fully grew!¡±


    Callahan opened his mouth to speak, but Nyve wagged a finger. ¡°Ah-ah! I¡¯m not done yet. Interrupting me caused quite the fuss last time, didn¡¯t it?¡± She flew higher, spreading her arms dramatically. ¡°This is the heavenly realm of the great Lughren!¡±


    Her voice echoed for a moment, and then she froze, her expression a mock gasp of surprise. ¡°Oops. Did I give too much away? Oh no, now you might already know what to ask next! What will I do?¡± She covered her face with her hands, peeking through her fingers with narrowed eyes.


    Callahan rolled his eyes, his hand whirling in an impatient gesture. ¡°You already know what I want to ask...¡± Nyve grinned wider. ¡°Well, if you must know, you¡¯ll need the key to the door you¡¯re standing on. But, oh dear, you left in such a rush when you arrived that you must have dropped it!¡±


    Callahan scowled, his gaze sweeping the mirrored water below. He had not a clue what she could be meaning, there were no buildings, at least none that he could see. ¡°You really just like to hear yourself talk don¡¯t you, all of it nonsense, all the time¡­¡±


    Nyve¡¯s eyes sparkled with mischief. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re so rude,¡± she said, her voice mockingly wounded. ¡°Especially to your good friend Nyve, who was so brave and kind that she managed to keep the key safe, even when Callous Callahan crassly tried to leave her behind.¡±


    With a snap of her fingers, something began to form in the air¡ªa silver ball, etched with cerulean lines, its center an intricate iris that shimmered faintly in the light. Callahan¡¯s breath caught as he recognized it. ¡°What¡­ How did you get that? Why is it even here?¡± The metal sphere hovered in the air, and as he reached out to grab it, the weight and cold texture sent a shiver up his arm. It felt real. Too real.


    Nyve¡¯s voice softened, just slightly, her usual playfulness tinged with something else. ¡°Maybe you should ask Lughren why you¡¯re here, Callahan. He¡¯s so close to you now. You just have to open the door.¡± Callahan¡¯s gaze snapped back to her, suspicious. ¡°I don¡¯t see a door,¡± he said coldly. ¡°No keyhole. No way out. Can you please just explain it?¡±


    She zipped around his head in a quick blur, tapping her chin in mock contemplation. ¡°I don¡¯t remember poking you in both eyes, Callahan. Your feet are quite literally sinking into the door as we speak!¡±


    Callahan looked down into the water below. There was nothing¡ªjust the endless expanse of rippling reflections, those flittering stars dancing across the surface.


    Nyve landed gracefully atop the eye, her wings giving one final flutter before she settled. She tapped her foot against its cold, silvery surface, and he could feel the faint vibrations as he held it in his hand. ¡°I thought you were supposed to be the smart one, Callahan,¡± she said, her voice dripping with amusement. ¡°Didn¡¯t think I¡¯d need to spell it out for you. You¡¯re going to owe me so many favors for this!¡±


    Before he could reply, the eye slipped through his fingers like it was made of air. He reached out instinctively, scrambling to catch it, but Nyve darted forward, her tiny arms clutching it with ease.


    ¡°If it means your debt to me grows bigger,¡± she called, her grin practically audible, ¡°I¡¯ll gladly do it for you.¡± She shot off in a streak of light, her destination unmistakably the heart of the lake. Callahan staggered after her, water splashing at his feet. ¡°What do you mean, favors? Why would I owe you anything? You¡¯ve been a complete nuisance this whole time!¡±


    His voice rang out across the still water, sharp with frustration. He couldn¡¯t see her face, but he could imagine the smug smile, the laughter that almost certainly spilled from her lips as she disappeared into the distance.


    The silence was a small relief, fleeting but welcome. Since he¡¯d arrived, Nyve had done nothing but fill the air with cryptic answers and relentless mockery, her voice ringing in his ears like an annoying hum he couldn¡¯t swat away. Now, though, as she buzzed off toward the center of the lake, there was only the wind again.


    He stood there, staring into the waters. The surface rippled faintly, distorting the reflections of those flickering stars, but otherwise, it was still. He didn¡¯t know what he was waiting for¡ªif he was even waiting for anything at all. Yet, some part of him refused to move, held in place by the expectation that something was about to happen.


    The breeze that had followed him throughout this strange place began to wane, its constant presence faltering until it stilled completely. The wild, colorful flowers that swayed so freely moments ago now stood motionless, frozen in the absence of its touch.


    At the heart of the lake, a small light flickered to life. It was faint at first, a pinpoint of cerulean that matched the eerie glow that had lined the walls of that horrid amphitheater. But it began to grow, its radiance intensifying until it dominated the horizon.


    Callahan¡¯s breath caught as the light swelled to a searing brightness. Then, with a sudden, deafening burst, it exploded outward. He barely had time to shield his eyes, his arm thrown over his face, but it was no use. The light melted through his closed eyelids, a blinding brilliance that swallowed everything¡ªhim, the lake, the flowers, the endless expanse of Gwyndadoraoralaeolye itself.


    As quickly as it came, the light began to dim, receding back to the heart of the lake. When that burning color finally faded from Callahan¡¯s vision, he blinked hard, struggling to make sense of what he saw. Everything had changed.


    The rushing, dancing stars in the sky¡ªthe hurtling boulders of gas and earth¡ªhad come to a sudden, eerie halt. The cosmic play had ended. The wild, colorful flowers that once painted the landscape were now stark white, their petals drifting in the embrace of a newly minted breeze.


    The lake, too, had transformed. It no longer reflected the dark heavens above but revealed itself as a window to what lie below. The lakebed was littered with standing stones, their surfaces carved with intricate figures¡ªmen frozen in all manner of poses and forms. Together, they wove stories, tales etched into the stone that Callahan couldn¡¯t hope to decipher.


    He could see a path ahead, a narrow break in the standing stones that seemed to lead straight into the heart of some deep, unknowable place. ¡°Okay, well¡­ now what?¡± he muttered to himself. His voice felt small against the vast, eerie stillness. ¡°I can¡¯t hold my breath forever!¡± he called out, hoping Nyve might still be nearby.


    But there was no answer. The only response was the faint ripple of the lake and the weight of the silent stones. He stood there, once again completely at a loss¡ª''stupefied,¡¯ as Nyve would¡¯ve so eloquently put it, he scowled, glancing around for any sign of her.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    ¡°So much for spelling it out,¡± he grumbled under his breath,


    He waited a few moments more. Maybe Nyve would come back? Surely, she didn¡¯t expect him to swim all the way. Then a thought crossed his mind¡ªa scene, really. He could almost hear Rowan¡¯s boisterous laugh, see that mischievous glint in his brother¡¯s eye. If Rowan were here, he wouldn¡¯t hesitate. He¡¯d dive straight into those waters without a second thought.


    Hell, he¡¯d probably throw me in first, only to leap in after and splash me in the face just to rub it in.   A faint smile tugged at his lips. When their world wasn¡¯t falling apart, there was nothing Rowan loved more than teasing him. And then, with a sinking feeling, Callahan imagined the absolute horror of Rowan and Nyve meeting each other. Oh no. They¡¯d be fast friends. I¡¯d get it from both sides.


    A tiny spark flared in his chest¡ªsomething distant from the worry, anger, and irritation that had been gnawing at him since this strange trek began. It was a laugh, buried deep in the thought of them both laughing at his expense. He could picture it too clearly: Rowan tossing him into the lake with a grin while Nyve egged him on, her sharp wit chiming in with every splash.


    ¡°It¡¯d be horrible. I¡¯d hate it,¡± he muttered, lying to himself. He let out a long sigh, the corners of his mouth twitching. ¡°Oh, they¡¯d be the worst.¡± For a moment, he stood at the water¡¯s edge, the smile fading as the stillness returned. He stared at the path ahead, the waiting unknown, and took a deep breath. ¡°I guess we¡¯re swimming then,¡± he said to no one in particular.


    Backing up from the water, he braced himself for a jump. ¡°Might as well try to have fun with it.¡±    With a running start, he leaped as far as he could, his form clumsy but earnest¡ªa boy attempting to break the water with purpose, however imperfect.


    He closed his eyes as he fell, bracing for the cold rush of water and the sharp splash that would follow. The water broke¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t what he expected. There was no resistance, no liquid chill. It was like falling through air disguised as water, a mirage that betrayed his anticipation. Before he could react, the plunge became a freefall, and then¡ª


    Thud.


    His face met the sand below, and his body sprawled out flat against the grainy surface. For a moment, he just lay there, stunned. Then, more laughter erupted from his chest. It started small, a single muffled chuckle into the sand, but it grew. His stomach heaved with the effort, his laughter rolling out unbidden, free and unrestrained. He couldn¡¯t stop himself, nor did he want to.


    A part of him wanted to be angry¡ªthis whole ordeal had been nothing but frustration. But he was exhausted of that foul emotion. too tired to be upset anymore. Instead, he let the laughter take over, a fleeting moment of release in the absurdity of it all. For once, he didn¡¯t feel the weight of this long journey weighing down on him.


    He just wanted to feel something pleasant, and for now, this was enough.


    ¡°Fine, you got me! Your one clever joke!¡± he yelled, his voice muffled as he lifted his face from the sand. He wasn¡¯t even surprised anymore that he could breathe down there, beneath the surface of what should have been water. The strange, the wondrous, the downright infuriating¡ªthis place seemed to be all of it at once. Still, Nyve had given him something, even through her irritating antics. Rowen was okay. That, at least, was worth holding onto. Whatever lay ahead, no matter how many antics or jokes she threw his way, the goal was clear now: Get back to Rowen. Get back home. And with the Eye in tow, maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ª His time in Onoria could come to an end.


    He passed innumerable standing stones on his way to the heart of the lake. Still, no sign of Nyve. Was she even watching him anymore? Did she see him face-plant into the sand?


    It was quiet without her. The wind, ever-present above, didn¡¯t seem to reach below the water¡¯s surface. Down here, the silence was nearly absolute, broken only by the faint sound of his bare feet shifting the grains of sand beneath him. Should I call out to her? A shiver ran down his spine. No, that¡¯d be horrible. She¡¯d definitely get the wrong idea.


    As he walked, the center of the lake grew closer. The men on the standing stones¡ªjust like those he¡¯d seen in the amphitheater¡ªseemed to be moving toward the center too, locked in their eternal steps. they all shared that same frozen purpose: a silent march toward something unknown.


    As if from nowhere¡ªonce again¡ªshe appeared, even more exuberant than before. She twirled in the air, water? He wasn¡¯t sure what to call it, with arms spread wide. ¡°I loved your dive, Callahan! You really put your all into it. And oh! That landing¡ªmagnificent!¡±


    ¡°So you were just being quiet for fun?¡± Callahan scoffed. ¡°Didn¡¯t think that was physically possible for you. Guess the joke wouldn¡¯t be on me though if you told me about your little trick with the water.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already answered so many of your questions,¡± Nyve huffed. ¡°Then I even opened the door to this wonderful place, and now you want me to carry you through the threshold too? You¡¯re such a needy boy. No wonder you look like that in here.¡±


    Callahan¡¯s brows furrowed. A curious thing to admit¡ªanother answered question, though he wondered if she¡¯d done it on purpose.


    ¡°So¡­ you didn¡¯t bind me this way?¡± He had expected her to be the culprit, the weaver of this magic.


    ¡°Of course not.¡± She scoffed. ¡°I don¡¯t meddle with the Accord. Your appearance is all your doing. Here, in Gwyndadoraoralaeolye, your heart is laid bare before Lughren. It¡¯s easier to judge you that way.¡± She floated ever closer as he walked down the path. Callahan eyed her, turning over her words in his mind.


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t look at me like that.¡± She waved a hand dismissively. ¡°If you really put your little mind to it, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll figure it out. Why would sweet little Callahan be a baby boy despite his age?¡±


    She grinned as he glared.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much about it, though! You¡¯re not dead! You¡¯re not here to be judged. Nooo, much more exciting things are about to happen!¡±


    ¡°Well, if this Lughren guy is anything like you, I¡¯m sure I¡¯m in for something. Don¡¯t know if I¡¯d call it exciting, though.¡±


    His tone was half-hearted, mocking. By now, he doubted there was anything he could say to shake Nyve from her wild theatrics. But for once, his words actually seemed to irritate her.


    ¡°Again with the rudeness,¡± she huffed, her airy twirls slowing to a near halt. ¡°Lughren is your sovereign! Your spark¡ªa gift from him! Do your elders teach you nothing anymore?¡±


    She peered at him, sharp-eyed, but the puzzled look on Callahan¡¯s face was all she needed to know. ¡°You really don¡¯t know, do you?¡±


    The whimsy drained from her voice.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s been a long time¡­ but I thought, since I was still here, things couldn¡¯t have been so dire¡­¡± Her gaze lingered on him, searching. For once, there was sincerity in her face, something untouched by mischief.


    ¡°So then¡­ what do you believe in the living world?¡±


    At first, Callahan had wanted to tease her, maybe get a little revenge for that awful poem she¡¯d sung earlier. But something in her expression struck him¡ªsome deep, quiet ache he didn¡¯t even realize he carried.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± He considered his words carefully. ¡°I only know what they teach us in Rye.¡±


    He walked past her as he spoke, she floated onto his shoulder, intent on hearing every word.


    ¡°They say that, long ago, our islands were drowning in the mire. The stagnant anima of our dead kept building up in our graveyards, our pyres. No matter what we did, our souls wouldn¡¯t rest. Then one day, Onorion priests came to our shores. They cleansed the mires, gave us back our land. They told us we were a people abandoned by our god¡­ but that we could find salvation in theirs.¡±


    Callahan shot her a glance before continuing. She was focused, quiet¡ªastonishingly so.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know much about what came before that,¡± he admitted. ¡°My ma said her great grandpa used to tell stories about some great war. I think she¡¯s got a few weird keepsakes from him, things he told her to keep away from any eyes not of the Rye. But that¡¯s all I really know.¡±


    Nyve dug a heel into his shoulder, expectant. Waiting.


    But Callahan had nothing else for her.


    ¡°What? That¡¯s it.¡± He shrugged. ¡°They might¡¯ve cleansed the islands, but that¡¯s about all they did. Rye¡¯s not exactly big on academics. You¡¯re either a sailor or a fisherman¡ªno room for historians.¡± He gave his shoulder a shake, trying to dislodge her, but she clung on like a particularly stubborn barnacle.


    ¡°That great gilded bastard¡ª¡± an unexpected fury took hold of her voice. It sounded unnatural, as if anger was an emotion she had never expressed before. ¡°Lughren¡­ we would, all of us, we would never¡ª¡±


    Before she could finish, they arrived at the center of the great lake¡ªthe heart of the mystery.


    A massive throne of solid gray stone stood before them; its surface crisscrossed with swirling patterns carved into every inch. It sat dead in the middle of the space, surrounded by towering monoliths, each bearing the image of giant men etched deep into the rock.


    in front of the throne stood something different.


    A statue. Unlike the throne or the standing stones, it depicted six figures, their arms outstretched, holding what seemed to be the world itself. Four of them had a single open eye, each a different color¡ªred, white, blue, and bronze¡ªall staring steadily at the planet in their grasp. The other two were¡­ different. One figure had been robbed of sight, its eyes plucked from its head.


    The last had two blazing golden eyes, feverishly locked onto the world. The color burned hotter than the rest, searing into the stone with an intensity that felt almost alive.


    Callahan once again found himself in awe¡ªthis place still had wonders left to show him. But Nyve, was silent. He had expected some grand introduction, some playful flourish. She had been so eager to come here. So why wasn¡¯t she saying a word? She drifted toward the throne, her movements slower, more subdued. Something somber swayed her flight.


    ¡°Nice statue,¡± Callahan muttered, eyeing the figures. ¡°Bet those jewels in their heads are worth a lot.¡± He wasn¡¯t sure if they were jewels¡ªor valuable at all¡ªbut it was strange, unsettling even, to see someone as taunting and obnoxious as Nyve suddenly so quiet. He had seen this before. Rowan, too, liked to be loud, full of jokes and jabs. It was only when something really weighed on him that he fell silent.


    Callahan followed Nyve toward the throne, passing beneath the grand statue. He watched as she came to rest gently like a flower¡¯s petal in the palm of a giant ¡ªa true giant, not just someone Nyve might teasingly call one.


    The figure slumped back in his throne, his massive eyes reflecting frantic images: some familiar, like stars wheeling in dance, planets hurtling through space¡ªothers vague, unknowable. His face twisted in horror, frozen in some silent agony. His body was thin, ragged, like a man who had not eaten in months. A stagnant aura clung to him, thick and heavy, reminiscent of the amphitheater¡¯s mire.


    Nyve kicked her feet against the giant¡¯s palm, as if trying to shake him from his trance. ¡°It¡¯s been such a long time, you old fool! I¡¯ve brought you a special guest and look at you¡ªyou¡¯re a mess! He¡¯ll think Gwyndadoraoralaeolye is the realm of slobbish buffoons!¡± Her voice carried its usual flourish, but Callahan could hear the strain behind it.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with him?¡± Callahan wasn¡¯t sure what to make of the sight before him. Every god he had ever seen depicted was a grand, towering figure¡ªstrong and powerful, or, if not, a beautiful goddess, grace and glory woven into every portrayal. But this¡­ this was Lughren? Sickly. Frightened. He knew what that looked like too well. It was the same emotion he had worn too many times before. Nyve began to flutter once more, her eyes locked onto her god,


    ¡°A chaotic mess, the beginning was¡ªthe whole universe fickle, never wanting to stay in one place or one way. It was uncertainty manifest!¡±


    She landed atop one of the figures, the one with the single red eye. ¡°By some miracle, though, something formed from that chaos. A thought, at first, random like the rest of the universe. But it didn¡¯t fade¡ªit didn¡¯t disappear!¡±


    She hopped to the next in line, the statue with a snowy white eye. ¡°At first, it was alone¡ªsad and confused, with no idea what it should do. But then it was joined. Another thought grew. A friend, a brother, a sibling true!¡±


    She danced to the next statue, its eye blue like the ocean. ¡°Four more would join them, a godly crew¡ªa steadying force for this cosmic stew! Their eternal vision would tear the chaos through, and order, as they saw it, would be made new.¡±


    Her feet now graced the bronzed-eyed statue. ¡°With the whole cosmos steady, their work might have been done, but this new order could soon come undone. Their energy stagnant, this order was wrong! Chaos was how it should¡¯ve stayed all along.¡±


    Another hop¡ªnow she stood on the blinded figure. ¡°They would not let the rot darken their days. Instead, they caught such a beautiful gaze. A rock that floated in this endless maze, teeming with something that left them amazed.¡±


    She leapt to the planet the six gods held. ¡°Tiny creatures, thoughtless and crude, their existence trivial and mute. But as one fell, another rose, an endless cycle of chaotic throes.¡±


    Then she looked right at Callahan, making sure he was still listening. ¡°A miracle happened, one might say. The gods granted those creatures a gift that day¡ªthoughts, a voice, a divine buffet. And in return, on their final day, a fresh spirit would fill the gods¡¯ tray. That was the bargain, the deal, the play, forever keeping god and man to this day¡­ That¡¯s how he told it, every time he was bored. A recollection of his memories¡ªthe creation of The Eternal Accord.¡±


    She took a bow, her tale finished. Callahan was dumbfounded. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say.¡±                   Nyve rose from her bow, and again, that strange sincerity clung to her voice.


    ¡°Oh, sweet little Callahan, I wouldn¡¯t expect many to know what to say.¡±


    She paused, glancing back at the giant¡ªLughren. ¡°He¡¯s been like that for a long time. Many of us¡ªcountless souls, other minor gods like me¡ªwe tried to wake him, but he¡¯s still stuck in that dream. His eyes, exceptional even among the gods, could see that endless chaos that the six of them could never keep stable.¡±


    Callahan waited for her to undercut the moment with some lighthearted remark, but she didn¡¯t. Instead, her voice remained somber. ¡°That uncertain future¡­ at first, he described it like every decision happening at once. He told me he¡¯s seen me tell every joke I could¡¯ve ever thought of all at once, every day, in every which way.¡±


    She shook her head. ¡°He could never just stay focused on the present, no matter how hard he tried. Then, one day¡­ something changed in him. This strange worry crept over him. Always. He ignored all of us. He built this place, buried it under the waters, and spent his days recording what he saw on the stones. And in solitude, he stayed, lost in his dream¡ªwatching the unknown, uncertain futures.¡± Nyve floated back to Lughren¡¯s hand, kneeling in his palm. Her tiny hand pressed against his.


    ¡°There was one time,¡± she murmured, ¡°he was desperate. He told me what troubled him¡ªhe saw every decision, every thread of fate, twisting toward one point, one final end. And then¡­ all of it, all of time, burst apart in an instant.¡±


    Her voice dropped to a whisper. ¡°There was nothing past that moment. No vision. No future. Just the end of all things.¡± She looked up at Callahan, sorrow thick in her eyes. ¡°One day, he came down here for the last time. He never resurfaced. I don¡¯t think he meant to leave us forever¡ªhe loved us. He loved you. But he was a man obsessed with solving problems. And while he searched for an answer, I watched as my friends, my family, all of Gwyndadoraoralaeolye¡­ slowly faded away. Without the cycle, this whole realm will fall apart.¡± She let out a bitter laugh, though there was no humor in it. ¡°I¡¯m honestly surprised I¡¯m still here. But sometimes¡­ I wish I wasn¡¯t.¡±


    Callahan never had the right words for situations like this. He felt stuck again, just like with Ollie and his unsaid dread. What was he supposed to say? What could he possibly offer to ease something as massive as this?


    He swallowed hard. ¡°Is there¡­ something I can do to help?¡± His voice came out uncertain. ¡°I mean, you¡¯re a pain. You¡¯ve caused me a lot of grief, but¡­¡± He exhaled sharply, trying to push past his own awkwardness. ¡°If you can get me back to Rowan, then maybe I can help you wake up Lughren?¡±


    Nyve¡¯s lips curled into a smile, but it didn¡¯t reach her eyes.                                                                               ¡°Oh, wee one,¡± she murmured. ¡°Just bringing you here was supposed to stir him.                                       Or at least¡­ I thought it would.¡± Her voice wavered, barely above a whimper.


    Callahan stepped toward the throne. Maybe if he was closer, Nyve would feel a little better. Maybe she¡¯d tease him again. He could take it.


    Now that he knew how long she¡¯d been alone¡­ it made sense. That cruel poem, the way she spoke¡ªit must¡¯ve been easy to shape such bitter words when there was no one left to hear them. His foot caught on something. A glint of silver. The eye. The ¡®key¡¯ to the ¡®door.¡¯


    He crouched, fingers closing around the cold metal. He wasn¡¯t leaving without it¡ªnot after all this. Maybe once Nyve felt better, she¡¯d even let him go. A strange chill shot through his spine at the touch, sharp and sudden.


    He straightened, rolling the eye in his palm, reclaiming it as his own.


    ¡°Sorry. Didn¡¯t want to lose this again.¡± He glanced at her. ¡°You know, we could try waking him by¡ª¡±


    Nyve didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t blink.


    She was completely still, frozen mid-motion, like time itself had locked her in place.                                A creeping unease settled in his chest. ¡°¡­Nyve?¡±


    She didn¡¯t move. Nyve remained frozen in the giant¡¯s palm, stiff as stone.


    ¡°¡­Alright,¡± Callahan muttered, shifting uneasily. ¡°Is this another trick? You want me to faceplant into one of these monoliths?¡± He poked her. Nothing. No reaction. Then¡ª His eyes caught something. Lughren. His head moved.


    A slight twitch at first. Then¡ªsnap. His skull jerked unnaturally, locking into place, staring straight at him. Callahan¡¯s breath hitched. Those eyes¡ªdark, writhing, filled with shifting nightmares. In each socket, a hundred fractured horrors played at once¡ªwars, plagues, screaming figures torn apart in ways his mind could barely grasp. A voice¡ªLughren¡¯s voice.


    Thick with dread, heavy with something deeper than pain. "HE DOESN¡¯T UNDERSTAND WHAT HE IS DOING." The words crashed through the chamber, louder than the wailer¡¯s cry. Callahan staggered back as the sound hit him like a cannon ball tearing through his body. The voice came from a mouth blackened with decay, his breath filled with the reek of rot and ruin.


    "I BEG YOU. YOU MUST STOP HIM. YOU MUST WARN THEM."


    His knees hit the ground. He was lost in the dark again. The panic crawled up his throat, choking him. Lughren moved. His massive palm curled into a fist. A single finger extended¡ªslow, deliberate¡ªtoward Callahan¡¯s forehead. "YOU MUST KNOW. YOU MUST SEE."


    Callahan couldn¡¯t move. His body was locked, every muscle petrified in place. He wanted to scream, to scramble away, but his limbs refused.


    When Lughren¡¯s finger touched Callahan¡¯s head, the world split open.


    A flood crashed over him, drowning him in sight. He saw it all¡ªthe story Nyve had sung for him, now unfolding before his very eyes. And everything after.


    It was too much.


    Time blurred, images tearing past him in chaotic flashes. And then¡ªgrander figures began to form.


    The golden-eyed god from the statue stood before him. He and his brothers watched over the world; their faces bathed in a soft glow. In those early days, they were together, their influence rising and falling like the tides. The wars of men shaped them, bent them, but for a time¡ªthere was camaraderie.


    Then the fractures began.


    A war. Larger than any before it.


    The bronze-eyed god pushed the golden one to the brink. His influence withered; his voice became nothing more than a whisper. His form began to fade.


    Callahan saw his desperation. He saw the silent plea as the golden-eyed god reached toward his brother. "Why¡­" Before that final light could be snuffed out¡ªtwo others stepped forward.


    The green-eyed and white-eyed gods took a stand. Together, they pushed back their bronze-eyed brother, shielding the golden one from oblivion.


    Time shattered, years vanishing in an instant. An uneasy peace settled between bronze and gold. Their people scattered, retreating to the corners of the world.


    But something had changed.


    It didn¡¯t come naturally. Not at first. But over seconds that stretched into centuries, Callahan saw it¡ªthe shift. A dark, unknowable force took root within the golden-eyed god, twisting into a profound and terrible want. He would be the only one. Time surged forward.


    The green-eyed god was blinded by shadow, something unseen pulled over him like a veil. Without their sight, the golden one struck. Callahan watched as the green-eyed god¡¯s lands were purged¡ªhis people scattered, their homes sieged and burned. The connection between god and man grew thinner, fraying with each passing year, until it was little more than a whisper.


    The golden-eyed god knew now. It was possible.


    The first domino had fallen. The rest would follow.


    His gaze turned next to the white-eyed god. It was only fair, in his twisted, wretched mind, that the first two to fall would be the ones who had once saved him.


    Callahan saw her lands suffocated beneath a choking, unnatural fog. Her people stumbled through the dark, gasping for breath, their voices fading into nothing. One by one, they withered, until not a single soul remained. Then the blue-eyed god took a stand. A final defiance. A war that burned for two hundred years. A battle fought on endless fronts. But even they could not last forever. Slowly, their radiance dimmed, flickering into history like the others. The red-eyed god tried to hide. His people burrowed deep into their jungles, covering themselves in shadow, burying themselves beneath webs and soil, waiting. But the golden one found them. And when he did¡ªhe razed them. Root and stem. There would be no one any longer.


    Each conquest made him stronger. Now, with only one god left, he was unstoppable.


    With cold, patient satisfaction, he knew¡ªhe had saved the best for last. Every unholy ¡®mercy¡¯ his people could devise, they unleashed upon the Bronze-eyed god¡¯s lands. Famine. Pestilence. Fire. War. They would suffer. Although his one true goal was to be the only one, he savored this vengeance. Callahan watched¡ªten thousand years of horror burned into his mind. A slow, deliberate slaughter.


    No divine intervention. No salvation. Only suffering. The light faded from the eyes of Bronze, just as it had from all the others. And now, there was only one vision. The Accord was rewritten, its words now watched by one god alone. The golden-eyed god. His people alone would rule.


    But he wasn¡¯t alone. Something dark, something familiar, rose from the planet he now solely watched over. Callahan knew this thing.


    That demon from his dream. It clawed its way up from the world below, black talons curling around the golden one¡¯s throat. He fought. He resisted. He was the sole ruler of the universe¡ªhe would not be chained. But then¡ªhe saw them. a small group. He barely recognized them as his own. They turned away. Abandoned his kingdom.


    And they followed the demon. He watched, helpless, as darkness twisted his people against him. They were turned; their love stolen. Taught to hate him. Taught to despise themselves. They gave themselves freely to this new dark god. The cycle had been broken. Just as he cut off his siblings from their people so too was he severed from that renewing bargain.


    Cut off from his people. He would rot away; stagnancy would take him. He would endure the slowest death of them all. And the dark god laughed. The golden one had birthed his own undoing. He drowned, suffocating in his own rot, just like his brothers and sisters¡­ Millennia passed. War. Disease.Degeneracy. Decay. And then¡ªSilence. Not chaos. Not ruin. Worse. Nothing. The universe had no eyes to see itself with anymore, it died, unwatched, unloved, unwanted.


    Lughren lifted his finger from Callahan¡¯s forehead. It was a gentle motion, but Callahan still jerked back, his stomach twisting as bile rose in his throat. Then came the pain¡ªsplitting, unbearable. He hit the ground hard, his body seizing, his eyes darting wildly, trying to process what had just been forced into him. Thousands¡ªno, millions¡ªof lifetimes burned through his mind in an instant, flashing faster than thought, too vast, too much.


    "Please." Lughren¡¯s voice was ragged, worn thin, but still, he tried to be soft. ¡°I ask a great deal of you. I have no right.¡±


    Callahan barely heard him over the pounding in his skull, over the nausea and the lingering echoes of suffering that weren¡¯t his own.


    "It was my fault that you were the first to fall.¡±


    Lughren slumped back into his throne, his gaze distant, locked on something beyond the present, still witnessing horrors Callahan couldn¡¯t see. His voice wavered. ¡°I must continue watching¡­ I must force a brighter future through my vision. I must focus.¡± Then, finally, his tired eyes settled on Callahan.


    "And you¡ª" A pause. A breath. "You must be my knight on the living stage."


    Callahan spat bile onto the stone floor, his whole-body trembling. His stomach twisted, his head pounded, but he forced himself to speak, the words raw and garbled.


    "Are you insane?" He coughed violently, the taste of vomit still coating his tongue. Every word was forced through gritted teeth. ¡°I only came down here because I thought your stupid fairy was going to bring me back home, and then you force-feed me this horror show. And now I have to be some sort of hero for you?" He let out a bitter, breathless laugh, wiping at his face with a shaky hand. "I¡¯ve got my own problems¡ªmy mother, my brother. My family needs me."


    He pushed himself up onto unsteady feet, still small, still just a kid, but when he spoke again, his voice took on the hard-edged certainty of someone far older.


    "You¡¯re right about one thing¡ªyou have a hell of a lot of gall asking me this. Back home, we don¡¯t even know you exist, and we don¡¯t ask your cock-headed golden dipshit of a brother for help either. We get on by all on our own."


    With a sharp swipe of his sleeve, he flung the remaining puke off his cheek, letting it splatter against the stone of the Accord. Disrespect, deliberate and final.


    "You¡¯re awake now. I¡¯ve done enough. Whatever you¡¯re doing that¡¯s freezing us together in this awful company, end it. Nyve got what she wanted you¡¯re awake¡ªnow it¡¯s my turn. Send me back home."


    Lughren didn¡¯t respond. He sat silent, his presence dimmed, as if whatever force had roused him had faded. He was as he had been when they arrived¡ªwatching, waiting.


    Callahan¡¯s vision blurred, the world around him melting into formless light and shadow. His body sank, weightless, as if he were being dragged into the quiet pull of sleep. Finally¡­ finally, I¡¯m going home.


    The thought barely settled before it was ripped away. His back hit the stone again, the breath knocked from his lungs. He wasn¡¯t moving. He wasn¡¯t going anywhere. His eyes snapped open, and frustration roared through his chest.


    Nothing had changed. He was still on the ground, jerking in his own vomit, his limbs weak, his head pounding. It was as if his entire outburst¡ªhis rage, his defiance¡ªhadn¡¯t even happened. A voice¡ªsoft, rasping¡ªbroke through the haze.


    "Callahan¡­ oh, sweet Callahan."


    Nyve drifted above him, her wings shimmering faintly, her voice hoarse¡ªlike she¡¯d been calling his name for a long time. "You¡¯re finally awake, wee one¡­ I really thought the visions were going to take you too..."


    He sat up, a quiet rage building inside him. He wanted to grab the biggest rock his tiny form could carry and beat away at the giant god. He was sick of the plays and tricks, the jokes and poems. Even the dream-like sights meant to inspire imagination only made him sick with anger. His breath heaved in his chest, vision blurring at the edges¡ªhe was seeing red.


    Just as that rage was about to explode, something soft brushed his cheek. Nyve¡¯s little hand. She touched him the same way she had touched Lughren.


    "You¡¯re right to be angry, Sweet Callahan¡­" Her voice was thick with melancholy. It had been so long since she teased him that he¡¯d almost forgotten what a nuisance she was when they first met. "Neither of us should be asking you for favors."


    She floated back, her touch lingering for only a moment. Her eyes held his. He met them, the fury still shifting inside him¡ªbut something in her gaze settled it. His eyes darted away. He didn¡¯t want to look at this sad little woman, once so proud and full of vigor. "Did you see what he showed me?" His voice was low, tired.


    She shook her head slowly. "No. I just watched you. Your eyes turned black like his, then you started shaking... I can imagine what you might have seen, though. It¡¯s a dreaded fate¡ªone he¡¯s been trying to stop."


    She glanced back at Lughren, still as stone, as if he had never moved at all. "It¡¯s not so easy, even for someone like him. To sift through all of creation, searching for an answer..." A small glimmer of light returned to her face. "But the fact that he deigned to speak to you¡ªthere¡¯s a bit of hope¡ª"


    "No." Callahan cut her off, his voice firm. "Just like I told him, I¡¯m not getting involved in whatever this is. He¡¯s a god¡ªhe can get off his throne and fix it himself. I¡¯ve got my own problems, Nyve, and it¡¯s not like either of you have been all that helpful to me."


    "It¡¯s not so simple, sweet Callahan. The gods don¡¯t mingle like they used to¡ªtheir forms shift, bent to the wills of their people. And Lughren... he doesn¡¯t have the strength anymore. His anima still goes out into the world, giving souls to new life in the wombs of your women. But that energy never comes back. It¡¯s a one-way funnel. And eventually¡ª" she hesitated, her gaze heavy, "there won¡¯t be any anima left to create souls."


    Callahan groaned, his fingers digging into his hair. "Why!" he yelled. "Why me? I know you know things about me¡ªyou¡¯ve seen how useless I am!" His hands locked around the back of his neck,


    ¡°I¡¯m a trump card at best¡ªsomething you throw in when things get bad. But in the thick of it, I¡¯m a weight.¡± The memory of the bolt missing the wailer flashed through his mind. Then the battle at the amphitheater¡ªhow he hid while Rowan fought, how he couldn¡¯t even use his bend at first because his vision had been obscured.


    ¡°There are so many people out there with stronger, more impressive bends than mine¡­ I told Rowan this all the time. I don¡¯t understand why he insisted I come.¡±


    He looked at Nyve, pain sharp in his eyes. ¡°And now you¡­¡±


    His gaze drifted to the towering monoliths around them. The carvings, once unintelligible, began to take shape¡ªcountless depictions of war, suffering, and ruin. Endless strife, witnessed again and again in Lughren¡¯s dream.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stop this. I don¡¯t think anyone could. The things I saw¡­ the things he told you about.¡± He shook his head. ¡°Just send me home. Please, Nyve. I¡¯m done with the games. If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll just sit here quietly until you do, or we both fade away.¡±                                                                                                         He slumped where he sat, limbs curled in tight, head buried in his arms.


    ¡°Have it your way then, sweet Callahan.¡± Nyve floated around him, white petals drifting from her wings, settling softly around where he sat. ¡°Thank you for the company. It was fun while it lasted.¡± Her voice was sincere, somber. The petals shimmered, fractal colors blooming across them as Callahan remained silent, saying nothing, slowly sinking into the color.


    ¡°Don¡¯t weep, little Giant. We¡¯re not disappointed¡ªyou really are too hard on yourself!¡± Her tone lifted, playful again. Whether she forced it or truly felt lighter, Callahan couldn¡¯t tell. He didn¡¯t care anymore. He just wanted to wake up from this nightmare. ¡°I hope we see each other again! We could have even more fun together!¡± By the time her voice faded, Callahan was gone, fully swallowed by the color. That sacred place was empty once more.


    Nyve watched the colors shift and churn in the light, and she thought to herself, how many more millennia will I be alone? She snapped her fingers, intending to close the portal¡ªan end to such a wonderful moment in her excruciatingly long life. But it stayed open. She snapped again. Snap. Snap. Snap. ¡°Oh, come on now, don¡¯t be teasing me like this.¡±


    Then¡ªbehind her¡ªa sound. A shifting creak, low and slow. Something she hadn¡¯t heard in a long, long time.


    ¡°Nyve¡­¡±


    That ancient voice. Aching. Pained. Tired.


    ¡°H-e-l-p him¡­¡±


    A single finger outstretched, beckoning her forward.


    Nyve scoffed, turning, hands on her hips. ¡°Oh, what do you want, you old fool! I can¡¯t even be happy you¡¯re finally talking to me after all this time. You made my sweet boy Callahan cry! Only I was allowed to do that, don¡¯t you know?¡± She was back to her old self¡ªor at least, she pretended to be. Maybe it was a front. Maybe it was just for herself, if no one else.


    A weary groan came from the ancient figure¡ªfamiliar, as if he had expected Nyve to be haughty even now.


    A force stronger than gravity pulled her toward him. His finger pressed against her forehead.


    A burst of green light erupted from the contact.


    Images flooded Nyve¡¯s mind. Her wings fluttered wildly, excitement stirring in her chest¡ªshe hadn¡¯t felt this kind of thrill in so long.


    ¡°You really mean it, Lughren?¡± she asked, hesitant but alight with anticipation. ¡°You¡¯re gonna let me do this?¡±


    ¡°Only¡­ you¡­¡± His voice strained under the weight of unknown aeons. ¡°You deserve this¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, you lovely, lovely idiot.¡±


    She spun through the air in tight, joyful spirals.


    ¡°Don¡¯t miss me too much, okay? When we get back, I¡¯ll have so many souvenirs for you!¡±


    She darted forward, pressing a playful, affectionate kiss to his cheek¡ªthen, without hesitation, dove into the portal she had summoned for Callahan.


    ¡°Oh, he¡¯s going to be so mad when he finds me,¡± she mused, grinning to herself. The thought tickled her pink. ¡°You¡¯ll be a hero yet, my sweet little giant.¡±

 A Feast for the Eyes

    <div>


    This dark corner of his mind¡ªhe knew it well. He had been here so many times in such a short period. Or had it been short? He wasn¡¯t sure. How long had he been trapped in that dreamscape, that supposed heavenly realm?


    What a stupid name for a place. Who came up with that, I wonder? Flickers of thought lit up in the dark, weak embers in the void. When he sunk through the portal, it felt as though he had been forced into a deep sleep again. Can¡¯t believe someone like that even exists. She wouldn¡¯t shut up. And then she tried to make me feel bad for her¡­ and I fell for it. Like an idiot. A soft rumbling shook his subconscious. The darkness around him vibrated.


    What now, damn it? His mind tensed. Is Nyve pulling me back? Is her god going to show me another horror? The rumbling grew clearer¡ªrough, uneven. It rose and fell erratically, catching midway before starting again, as if something had blocked it.


    Callahan wished hard¡ªjust let me go home. He was done with the antics, the adventure, the fairy realms and the dark prophecy of a dying god.


    Another rumble. A hiccup in the rise.


    Wait. That sound¡ªhe knew that sound. That awful, awful sound.


    A light flickered far in the distance, cracking through the dark. The rumbling deepened. The light grew, flooding his senses. Scent hit next¡ªalcohol, thick in the air. Bottles. Breath. Voices, laughter, familiar, and muffled, rising from below where he lay. The rumbling shook the walls of his mind, but it wasn¡¯t fear clawing up his throat. It was irritation. His body ached as he blinked awake.


    And then¡ªRowan.


    Snoring.


    A weak smile crossed Callahan¡¯s lips. His voice barely broke through, hoarse but full of relief.


    ¡°Rowan¡­ please, put a cork in it.¡±


    The words came out haggard, scraping against his throat.


    That burn¡ªthe one the mire left in his lungs¡ªit was back. The pain that had been muted in Gwyndadoraoralaeolye had returned in full. Or¡­ had he ever really been there? He wasn¡¯t sure anymore. The more he thought about it, the more it felt like a dream.


    Especially now, lying in his bed, the familiar sights of the bar loft surrounding him.


    He was back at Kiki¡¯s.


    Not home. But the next best thing.


    Rowan was still snoring, slumped in his chair¡ªan uncomfortable pose, his head slunk back, one arm laying limp on the armrest. The sight was eerily familiar, like that dying god on his throne.


    The room was a mess. Cups and bottles littered the space, ale spilled and dried in sticky pools. The air was thick with it. Rowan looked just as disheveled¡ªhis beard and hair unkempt, red whiskers dusted with crumbs. Callahan sat up, muscles straining, ribs tight. His first attempt to wake Rowan had failed, but that might have been a blessing in disguise. If Rowan woke up now, everyone in the bar would know Callahan was awake.


    He wasn¡¯t ready for that.


    Callahan¡¯s eyes swept over the room again, searching for any sign of how much time had passed. Clearly, it had been days. They were back in New Onoria.


    His gaze landed on Rowan¡¯s armor, dumped unceremoniously on the desk. Huge holes punctured through the steel¡ªthe aftermath of Callahan¡¯s bind. Those Kraken limbs had torn through it completely.


    His stomach twisted as he looked closer at Rowan. Anima burns marked his body where the armor and prayer wrappings had been ripped away. The sight made something sink in Callahan¡¯s chest. It was his fault. He knew it wasn¡¯t, not really¡ªbut the guilt came anyway, settling in like an unwelcome guest.


    He might have sat with it longer, let it fester, but that struggle of a snoring session finally began to wind down. Rowan stirred. He was waking up.


    He groaned.


    Head lolling to the side as if his brain were still sloshing around in his skull. Whether it was the alcohol or the lingering toll of their fight with the wailers, Callahan couldn¡¯t say. But eventually, he came to.


    His bleary eyes landed on Callahan, unfocused at first¡ªdazed, uncertain, like he wasn¡¯t entirely sure what he was seeing.


    ¡°Cal?¡± His voice rasped, thick with sleep and liquor. He rubbed at his face, swiping away the exhaustion, clearing his vision¡ª


    Then it hit him. ¡°You lazy bastard!¡± Rowan¡¯s voice exploded through the loft, shaking the very walls. Joy, relief, and something dangerously close to panic colored every syllable.


    ¡°You¡¯re finally awake¡ªGodsdamn it, Cal, finally!¡±


    He was out of his chair in an instant. The ground trembled beneath Callahan¡¯s bed as Rowan stomped forward, voice rich with disbelief.


    ¡°Get in here, you little bastard! I can¡¯t believe it¡ª¡±


    Before Callahan could react, Rowan had already closed the distance, ripping him right out of bed and into a crushing embrace.


    ¡°WAIT¡ª¡± Too late.


    Callahan disappeared under Rowan¡¯s massive arms, completely swallowed by his brother¡¯s overwhelming strength.


    Callahan¡¯s lungs, already battered from the mire, had enough trouble working on their own. Now, smothered under his brother¡¯s crushing embrace, a morbid joke flickered through his mind.


    After all that, this is how I¡¯m going to die, isn¡¯t it?


    He shoved against Rowan¡¯s bulk, squirming like a man drowning in a sea of red beard and muscle. ¡°ROWAN, come on¡ªI¡¯m okay!¡±


    Rowan let out a booming laugh, a sound thick with relief. ¡°Oh, you better be! You drove me to drink, y¡¯know!¡±


    Finally freed, Callahan sucked in what breath he could, then shot Rowan a tired glare. His eyes rolled, unimpressed. ¡°That¡¯s the reason? Really?¡± His gaze flicked around the room, noting the mess¡ªhalf-empty bottles, discarded armor, scattered crumbs. ¡°Couldn¡¯t even clean up after yourself, huh? Can¡¯t believe Kiki hasn¡¯t chewed you out.¡±


    ¡°Oh, she has,¡± Rowan admitted, grinning wide. ¡°But she¡¯s been real sweet on me lately. You should¡¯ve seen her face when we dragged you through the door.¡±


    He shuddered dramatically. ¡°Reminded me of Ma, y¡¯know? Like that time I told you to jump to me from the tree, and you fell and broke your arm? Yeah, that exact murderous glint was in her eye.¡±


    For a moment, Rowan was lost in the memory, his expression soft with nostalgia. Then, just as quick, his excitement returned.


    ¡°Once the murder blew over, though? She¡¯s been dotin¡¯ on the two of us real good. And I told her I¡¯d bring you down soon as you woke up, so get ready! You¡¯re gonna be the star at Kiki¡¯s bar tonight!¡±


    Rowan¡¯s head darted around the room, searching for something¡ªanything¡ªto throw over himself. A shirt, a robe, something. Wouldn¡¯t do to stumble downstairs in just his pants.


    Callahan groaned, already exhausted. ¡°No, Rowan¡ªno. I¡¯m good. Maybe¡­ maybe she can just come up to see me when the place dies down?¡±


    Rowan blew a dismissive raspberry through his lips. ¡°She told me she ain¡¯t takin¡¯ no for an answer this time, Cal. You¡¯re comin¡¯ down, sit with the boys! Have some fun! She said you don¡¯t gotta drink if you don¡¯t want to¡ªhell, she even whipped up somethin¡¯ without alcohol just for you! So get ready!¡±


    He tossed some clothes at Callahan¡ªthe only clean ones in the room, it seemed. ¡°You¡¯re gonna look spiffy! Might be some girls in tonight too, gotta impress ¡®em. We got stories to tell now!¡±


    Callahan dressed himself, reluctantly. He knew he wasn¡¯t getting out of it this time. Not that he¡¯d never been down to the bar before, but he could hear it¡ªprime time, packed to the brim, singing and shouting. He could even hear Kiki yelling at somebody, telling them to ¡°put the Aurelan down.¡±


    Every waking moment now, he seemed to be pushed into places he¡¯d rather not be.


    ¡°Fine, but just an hour at most,¡± Callahan sighed, then added in a slightly more serious tone, ¡°I gotta tell you something when the bar dies down.¡± He pulled the shirt over his head, and as his face popped through the collar, he saw Rowan already eager to head down the stairs into the bar¡¯s kitchen. ¡°We¡¯ll have plenty of time to gab afterward, don¡¯t you worry! It¡¯s gonna be a fun night!¡± Rowan swept a hand toward the staircase, urging Callahan along.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t drink yourself stupid, alright? It¡¯s important.¡± Callahan stepped toward the door, eyeing his brother. Rowan met him with a nod, though the slight smirk on his lips made it clear¡ªhe was already mocking Callahan¡¯s serious tone.


    The smell from the kitchen was pleasant¡ªfar better than the stale musk Rowan had let build up in their room. Kiki was hard at work at the stove, her broad back turned to them, the heat of the fire casting a shimmer over her bronze-scaled skin. She was a massive woman, standing at least a foot taller than Rowan and even rounder in the belly. Her face, though covered in the same thick, lizard-like scales, had a softness to it¡ªa warmth that bled through despite her imposing stature.


    Her people, the Garruhm, were a rare sight in this part of the world¡ªhardened warriors from the battle-scarred lands of Ryvakar. The largest known mire in history lay across their desert, barring passage across the channel to Vallara, where Onoria had been established.


    Kiki was an oddity among her people¡ªa stark contrast to her war-hungry brethren. She had no care for fighting, no love for war or old grudges. She¡¯d only get violent if she really needed to, and in the bar business, that opportunity did arise from time to time.


    ¡°I hear two pairs of footsteps coming down those stairs,¡± her head jerked to the side, trying to catch a glimpse of the brothers behind her. Then, her eyes lit up. ¡°Ooooh! He¡¯s walkin¡¯! Roarin¡¯ Ruhmar!¡±


    The ground shook beneath Callahan¡¯s feet as the giant woman barreled toward him. Before he could react, she had him in her arms, sweeping him off the ground like he weighed nothing at all. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s so good to see you up and about!¡± she cooed, giving him a gentle squeeze¡ªwell, gentle for her. She spun him around the kitchen, Callahan once again at the mercy of a giant, a trend he wished would stop.


    ¡°Oh, I told your brother, ¡°She continued, still whirling him about. ¡°Told him I was gonna beat him to death if you didn¡¯t wake up soon! How dare he put ya through that! And then what would your mother think? You boys¡ªoh, you boys¡ªif I was your mother, oh¡­ oh.¡±


    ¡°I told you he¡¯d be fine, Kiki,¡± Rowan chimed in, thoroughly enjoying the sight of Callahan being manhandled. ¡°You worry too much! Cal¡¯s scrappy!¡±


    ¡°Kiki, please¡­ put me down,¡± Callahan managed to whisper, squeezed tight in her arms, his face burning with embarrassment.


    Kiki smiled and set Callahan down, placing him back on his feet as gently as a feather. ¡°Oh, look at you! Red in the face like an apple! Still too shy to get a hug from little ol¡¯ me!¡±


    Rowan stifled a laugh. ¡°Ah, he likes it. Won¡¯t admit it, though!¡±


    ¡°Still just a little out of sorts, Kiki,¡± Callahan cut in, speaking over his brother¡¯s laughter. ¡°Rowan already gave me a bit of a rough welcome back¡­ but thank you.¡± He offered her a small smile¡ªstill shy about her abundant affection but never willing to admit it to her directly.


    ¡°Well, since you¡¯re awake,¡± she turned toward the pantry, already grabbing handfuls of spices and ingredients, ¡°and the bar is full¡­¡± She looked over her shoulder with a grin. ¡°We¡¯re gonna celebrate!¡±


    It wasn¡¯t just the drinks that kept the people of the Dregs crawling back to Kiki¡¯s¡ªshe was an expert cook. Even with the poorest ingredients, she could whip up something that would set taste buds ablaze. She had a gift, a bind of her own, though it wasn¡¯t made for war. With a flick of her tongue, she could bend the Accord anew, forcing even the most wretched meal to taste divine. A single grain of salt could season an entire dish, a rotten scrap of meat could taste like a fresh cut straight from the beast, still bleeding rare and ready for the fire.


    Her bind had no real battle applications, its focus solely on food, on nourishing those who had little. It was a mercy, then, that she had been born on the Onorion side of the channel¡ªwhere strength alone wasn¡¯t the measure of a life¡¯s worth.


    "Alright, Cal!" Rowan¡¯s hand rested on the door, the weight of his enthusiasm behind it. Just beyond, the tavern was alive with noise¡ªraucous laughter, the heavy thud of tankards against wooden tables, the scrape of glass skidding along the bar counter. Beneath the din, the faint hum of music played, almost lost beneath the howling of voices. "Let¡¯s go! Some Kraken Callers are out here¡ªI told them stories, Cal. They didn¡¯t believe me, though! You gotta tell them I¡¯m no liar!"


    These were the kinds of nights Callahan would do anything to avoid. But when he caught the look in Rowan¡¯s eyes¡ªpure excitement, the kind that was hard to say no to. And Kiki, all that work she put into making something special just for him. He¡¯d feel worse refusing than he would being dragged into the thick of it.


    With a heavy sigh, he braced himself. Tonight, for their sake, he would endure it.


    The door swung open, and the bar was alive¡ªpacked shoulder to shoulder, every table filled, the counter lined with men waiting impatiently for their next drink. Before Callahan could even brace himself, Rowan shoved him forward, then clapped a heavy hand on his back.


    ¡°He¡¯s awake, boys! Callahan lives!¡±


    The roar of the tavern halted in an instant. Dozens of eyes snapped to him. The weight of their stares locked him in place. His breath hitched, his eyes stuck to the floor. I didn¡¯t agree to this... stupid idiot, Rowan¡­


    Then, just as quickly as the silence fell, the noise erupted again.


    ¡°GOOD MORNIN¡¯ TO YA, CALLAHAN!¡±


    A deafening chorus rang out, voices bellowing the phrase in unison¡ªdespite the fact that it had to be close to midnight. Callahan flinched, expecting the attention to linger, expecting them to watch him like a performer on stage. But just as soon as they¡¯d welcomed him back to the world of the living, they were back to their drinks, their conversations, their laughter.


    "See!" Rowan poked him in the back. "It¡¯s not so bad being down here, right? It¡¯s fun!"


    Callahan didn¡¯t dignify that with a response. He was already being dragged toward a table, resignation weighing on his shoulders.


    Oh gods¡­ maybe I should¡¯ve stayed with Nyve.


    There was a comfortable rounded booth, a large oaken table in the middle, the seats cushioned with leather. Rowan slid in first, dragging Callahan down beside him with an eager grin. Seated around the table were a handful of men, faces roughened by sea and salt, their voices thick with ale and easy laughter. Callahan didn¡¯t recognize them, but he assumed they were crewmates of the Kraken Callers.


    ¡°Oy, Rowan, how¡¯s it going? This yer brother?¡± One of them, a grizzled man with a lit pipe clenched between his teeth, leaned forward.


    ¡°In the flesh! Waking and breathing!¡± Rowan answered, his voice rich with excitement.


    The man nodded. ¡°Good to meet ya. Name¡¯s Rick. First mate, just under Captain Galvos.¡± He exhaled a slow plume of smoke, eyeing Callahan with a flicker of interest. ¡°Rowan¡¯s been spinnin¡¯ tall tales. Says you¡¯re the reason he was able to bring back three wailers.¡±


    His tone carried the weight of skepticism, and Callahan wasn¡¯t sure if the man was testing him or simply calling Rowan a liar outright.


    ¡°They¡¯re callin¡¯ ya the Beast Binder,¡± another sailor chimed in, voice low with amusement. ¡°Says you gave him the might of the Kraken!¡±


    A third man, younger but just as weathered, elbowed the first. ¡°Aye, you¡¯re one of them ones that bind¡¯em through yer eyes, ain¡¯t ya? Those are rare.¡±


    Callahan stiffened. He truly was the star of the table¡ªwhether he wanted to be or not.


    He looked over at his brother, trying to piece it all together. He knew he had escaped thanks to Nyve, but three wailers? He hadn¡¯t realized Rowan had managed that on the way out. How had he even gotten out of that wretched place?This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°Well¡­ uh, yeah, I guess,¡± Callahan stammered, unsure how to explain it. ¡°I, uh, read some things about it,¡± he continued, shifting in his seat under the weight of their curiosity. ¡°I guess Rowan¡¯s my focus? I can sort of turn him into things¡­ just animals, really. Or have beast parts explode out of him.¡± The table lit up with intrigue, eyes gleaming in the dim light of the tavern.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Rick took another slow puff of his pipe, a smirk curling through the smoke. ¡°You really are somethin¡¯ then, y¡¯know.¡± He tapped the pipe against his knuckle, his grizzled face emerging from the swirling puffs. ¡°Rowan was the only one to bag a wailer at all because of you. Those Onorion bolts they gave us? The ones meant to paralyze the bastards?¡± He let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. ¡°Damn blasted things didn¡¯t even work.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ yeah, I guess they didn¡¯t.¡± Callahan felt an odd relief at hearing that. His missed shot on the first wailer stung a little less now¡ªeven if he¡¯d hit, it wouldn¡¯t have worked anyway.


    The youngest sailor at the table leaned in, eyes alight with curiosity, practically shimmering like a child staring at a bag of sweets. ¡°Can you show us?¡±


    Callahan tensed. ¡°Uh¡­ I don¡¯t know if that¡¯s such a good idea,¡± he muttered, shifting in his seat. His nerves were a tangled mess. ¡°We were trying to keep it secret, mostly¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry about us!¡± The young sailor grinned. ¡°You¡¯re full crewmates now¡ªwe¡¯d never tell. Or sell you out to those golden pricks.¡±


    Smiles spread around the table. Even Rowan. Especially Rowan. He wanted this¡ªhe wanted Callahan to show off, He knew how great his little brother was, even if he didn¡¯t know it himself, and now it was a prime chance, to show the world what he could do.


    ¡°Show us, show us!¡± The chant began, fists drumming against the table in rhythmic unison. Even Rick, the first mate, joined in on the childish ceremony, his grin hidden behind the curling smoke of his pipe.


    Then, worst of all, Rowan raised his arm. ¡°Come on, Cal,¡± he urged, flexing it like a fighter preparing for battle. ¡°Show¡¯em Cal, it¡¯s amazing, let them see!¡±


    ¡°SHOW US! SHOW US!¡±


    The pressure built. The walls of the tavern might as well have closed in on him. He couldn¡¯t just ignore them and walk away¡­


    His eyes shut for a moment, then snapped open, irises alight with an emerald glow. His vision locked onto Rowan¡¯s arm, unwavering. He wasn¡¯t about to bring the whole bar down like Rowan had in the amphitheater¡ªjust a small demonstration. A taste.


    Rowan¡¯s flesh began to ripple, as if something beneath it was pushing, stretching, bubbling up from the inside. His skin swelled, shifting like wax melting over fire. A faint crackle, almost like boiling fat, filled the air.


    "Oy, doesn''t it hurt, Rowan?" one of the sailors asked, half-disgusted, half-fascinated. "Looks like your flesh is melting off."


    Rowan scoffed, flexing his fingers as his arm warped, tendons tightening into something more beast than man. "Oh, it''s fine¡ªtickles a bit. Never really hurts, though. Weirdest part is when he turns me fully into a beast. Harder to think!"


    Another sailor, quick on the draw, grinned. "Oh, so not much different than usual for you, then!"


    Laughter rippled across the table, though their eyes never left Rowan¡¯s shifting arm.


    At last, the transformation was complete. Rowan¡¯s arm stretched out before them, now a long, sinuous tentacle, similar¡ªbut not quite the same¡ªas the Kraken¡¯s. The skin was sleek and taut, not slimy, but something eerily flexible, shifting with every motion. He twisted it, curled it, flexed his fingers¡ªonly now they weren¡¯t fingers at all, but suckered appendages capable of grasping and constricting.


    Rick¡¯s eyes gleamed. He leaned forward, fascinated, as though he wanted to run straight to Galvos and confirm that Rowan''s outlandish story was true.


    Then, the floodgates burst open. The table erupted in questions, and soon others from around the bar were gathering, pressing in, their voices colliding in a chaotic chorus:


    "Whoa, can you only do tentacles?"


    "Ooooh, what about wings? Can you make him fly?"


    "Oy, what about dragons, or harpies, or werewolves¡ªdo they count?"


    "Can you do me next? I wanna be a gorilla!"


    Callahan was smothered under their curiosity. He stammered, trying to piece together answers through the noise. "Uh¡­ no, and um, yes? I don¡¯t know¡ªwe never tried to fly¡­ and uh, I¡¯m not sure, I haven¡¯t tried that, and no¡­ it only works on Rowan¡­"


    It was too much. Rowan saw it.


    he had pushed this spectacle too far, and now Callahan was drowning under the weight of it. Rowan rose up in the booth, his voice booming over the din. "Alright, alright! No more questions! My brother needs a breather¡ªback off!"


    The crowd hesitated, then slowly dispersed¡ªthough the table still buzzed with barely-contained excitement, eyes locked onto Callahan like they were just waiting for their chance to ask more.


    ¡°You¡¯re really something,¡± Rick muttered, sifting through his coat. A moment later, the unmistakable clink of coins rang out as he pulled free a large, heavy purse.


    ¡°Here. This is yours,¡± he said, slapping it down in front of Callahan. ¡°We only give pay directly to our mates. Even if Rowan is your blood, we figure it¡¯s more respectful to hand it over personally.¡±


    Callahan hesitated, eyeing the bulging leather pouch in front of him. He swallowed. Too much had happened too quickly, and now this.


    ¡°Uh¡­ thank you,¡± he managed, still winded from the attention earlier. ¡°This is¡­ a lot.¡±


    He lifted the purse¡ªthe weight settled in his palm, thick and real. It was the good kind of heavy, rich with precious coins, the sound of clinking silver and gold confirming it. It was a big step forward.


    Rick leaned back, arms crossed. ¡°We¡¯re gonna be landlocked for a while,¡± he admitted, voice darkening. ¡°A lot of men died on Bimos because those damn bolts didn¡¯t work as intended. Galvos is having a hell of a talk with the bastards who set up the job in the first place.¡±


    Callahan¡¯s grip on the purse tightened.


    Then Rick cracked a grin, cutting through the weight of his own words. ¡°But listen¡ªyou¡¯re more than welcome back on the deck of the Kraken Caller.¡±


    Callahan looked up.


    Rick nodded, chuckling. ¡°I know first-hand that Galvos was a little skeptical about you at first. But now that I know Rowan wasn¡¯t just spinning tales¡­ oh, well.¡± His grin widened. ¡°Once the captain hears about this, he¡¯s gonna be damn delighted.¡±


    Rick pushed himself out from the booth, signaling to his crew with a tilt of his head. ¡°I know you and your brother have been through hell. Plain to see you¡¯re more of a solitary kind of guy, too. So I¡¯ll let you have whatever quiet you can take¡ªfor now.¡±


    He adjusted his coat, flashing a small, knowing grin. ¡°We¡¯ve got some work to do in the Dregs anyway.¡±


    Then, a nod to both brothers. ¡°It really has been a pleasure meetin¡¯ ya, Callahan.¡±


    Callahan swallowed, then forced the words out, a little too quickly. ¡°Thank you!¡± His voice hitched, but he tried to make it sound confident.


    Rick chuckled, seeming to notice but not making a big deal of it. He gave one last nod before squeezing through the crowd, his men doing their best to navigate the packed bar without knocking over any drinks.


    Callahan slid down into the booth, inhaling and exhaling as deeply as his battered lungs would allow. The bar was still loud, packed, chaotic, but at least the attention had shifted elsewhere.


    Across from him, Rowan looked like a man about to explode from joy. "We''re Full-blown MONSTER HUNTERS now!" His voice boomed over the noise, but now nobody cared anymore, their show was over.


    Callahan forced out a laugh, trying to match the excitement. "Yeah¡­ we are! Hahaha¡­" Gods, if every job is like Bimos, I''d rather quit while we''re ahead. There had to be better ways to make money.


    Rowan saw right through him. The way Callahan gripped the table, the flicker of his eyes toward the stairs¡ªhe was dying to retreat. But Rowan wouldn''t let him. This was good for him. Maybe not physically, but in the way that Callahan needed it most.


    "Hey," Rowan grinned, leaning forward, "why don''t you go get us some drinks? Remember? Kiki made something special just for you." He slapped a few coins down on the table¡ªhis own share of the pay.


    "My treat, okay?" He nudged Callahan out of the booth.


    And once again, Callahan found himself stepping into places he¡¯d rather not be.


    Callahan didn¡¯t even bother arguing. Pushing back against Rowan was pointless. He could feel his brother¡¯s eyes on his back, practically shoving him toward the bar.


    For once, luck was on his side. Kiki was tending the counter herself, whatever she¡¯d been cooking now left alone for the moment.


    "Well, well, look at you! First time at the counter!" Kiki¡¯s voice boomed with pride; her grin wide. "What can I get for you, big boy?"


    Callahan hesitated. There was no escaping now.


    "Come on, pull up a stool!" Kiki patted the counter, ever gentle with him.


    "Thanks, Kiki," Callahan muttered, sliding onto the stool. "I, uh¡­ don¡¯t actually know what Rowan drinks¡­ or what I should¡ª"


    Kiki cut him off with a wave. "Oh, Rowan drinks any old swill. His taste buds must¡¯ve burned off long ago." She rolled her eyes fondly before leaning in. "But I know he says you don¡¯t like alcohol, so I made something just for you. No need to worry about your order!"


    She began mixing, stirring, shaking cups with expert ease. Callahan watched, entranced despite himself. She is damn good at this. A bartender, sure¡ªbut also a showman.


    ¡°Now don¡¯t be shy because of the name, but I mixed it just for you! Have a lil sip of Callahan¡¯s cure!¡±


    Callahan¡¯s face turned red at her words, Kiki why¡­ I don¡¯t want people using my name to order things¡­ ¡°ooh.. thank you so much, I don¡¯t know what to say¡­¡± he hated this, but he wasn¡¯t going to tell her to change the name. She chuckled as she poured the drink into a small glass, ¡°Oh you¡¯ll get over the embarrassment once you have a sip,¡± She gave him a knowing smirk ¡°go on try it¡±


    He took a good look at the liquid¡ªcreamy white with a fruity scent rising from the glass. A swirl of green rested on the surface, something gooey and unfamiliar, but it only added to the intrigue. He took a sip. The taste was soft and mellow, smooth on the tongue, but with a little ting¡ªlike something had playfully tapped the roof of his mouth as he savored it. His palate wasn¡¯t refined enough to place the flavors exactly, but that didn¡¯t matter. It was delicious.


    ¡°It¡¯s so good!¡± The words left his lips before he could think twice, and Kiki¡¯s face lit up with a smile.


    ¡°Well, of course it is! I¡¯ve got a gift for this sort of thing, after all.¡±


    Callahan reached for some money, sliding a few coins onto the counter, but Kiki didn¡¯t take them. She simply pushed them back toward him.


    ¡°Not tonight. It¡¯s on the house¡ªat least for you, Callahan.¡±


    ¡°Oh, but this is Rowan¡¯s money,¡± he admitted, glancing down at the coins.


    Kiki¡¯s hand snapped out, snatching them up with a grin. ¡°Well, in that case, I will keep it. I¡¯ll make sure to fill him up with the cheapest swill I¡¯ve got.¡± She giggled in glee as she tucked the coins away, clearly pleased with herself.


    Callahan savored the drink a little longer. Everything¡ªthe isle, the wailers, the bizarre fairy realm¡ªit all felt like one extremely long day, stretched out beyond reason. Like he hadn¡¯t had a single moment to shut off, to reset. From the moment they set foot on Bimos, he had been jumping from one bizarre trouble to the next, barely keeping pace.


    But this¡­ despite the noise, despite the crowded atmosphere, it was still normal. Any other day, he would¡¯ve hated it. But slowly, he began to appreciate how nice it could be.


    He sighed, a deep, relaxed breath into his cup. He wasn¡¯t a drinker, but he sure had the demeanor of a sad one at the counter.


    "Hey."


    A voice called out from across the bar. A patron¡ªone Callahan didn¡¯t recognize¡ªcame closer, sliding onto the stool beside him.


    "You¡¯re Callahan, right?"


    The man¡¯s voice was thick, weighted with some drunken misery. Not slurred exactly, but like the words had trouble coming out.


    "You probably don¡¯t remember me. Never got to see your face. Only know you ''cause of that spectacle at the booth."


    His hand slid something over the counter. A small object, hidden under his palm.


    Callahan hesitated.


    "Uh, yeah. I¡¯m Callahan. Who are you?"


    He looked the man over. Pointed ears. Scrawny, lithe build. Looked Aurelan. But Callahan had never known an Aurelan.


    Then the man exhaled, shoulders slumping slightly.


    "Yeah¡­ hard to tell who¡¯s who with those masks on."


    A pause.


    "I¡¯m Ollie."


    He lifted his hand, letting the silver catch Callahan¡¯s eye.


    Callahan blinked. Oh¡­ that¡¯s my pendant.


    The boar pendant. The one his mother gave him. The one he didn¡¯t even know he¡¯d lost. His world had been upturned so much, it was a miracle that something so precious had found its way back to him¡ªbefore he even had the chance to mourn losing it.


    "How did you get this? I mean¡ªthank you for returning it, I really appreciate it."


    He took the pendant in his hand, fingers brushing over the silver. It was unmarked, untouched, the etching still crisp. The mire hadn¡¯t left a single stain. The rope was new, though. Callahan slipped it back around his neck, letting it rest against his chest. He wouldn¡¯t lose it again. Not this time.


    "When I was dragging you out of that place, it caught my eye. Snapped off your neck, I think. Not sure."


    Ollie motioned for a drink. He¡¯d had enough already, but another slid over to him anyway.


    Callahan''s mind churned back to the cave, to the weight under his shoulders, the force that had lifted him from the muck. He had thought¡ªat the time¡ªthat his soul was leaving his body.


    "You dragged me out?" His voice came out small.


    Ollie said nothing. Just took a sip of his drink.


    "But¡­ why? Why didn¡¯t you run? Didn¡¯t you hear all the wails? I mean¡ªthank you. Thank you so much¡­"


    Callahan stared at him, his pulse pounding in his throat.


    Ollie was his hero.


    But he didn¡¯t look like one.


    Misery clung to him, etched into his face like a scar that would never fade.


    "It was nothing," Ollie muttered. "Didn¡¯t want you boys to die down there."


    He swirled the drink in his cup, eyes fixed on it like he was trying to will the world away. "Would¡¯ve given your brother the pendant first, but¡­ he was a bit out of sorts when you were unconscious."


    The way he said it¡ªout of sorts¡ªit was clear he meant something more.


    Ollie¡¯s grip tightened on the cup. The whirlpool inside spun faster.


    "Anyway, just wanted to say¡­ thanks. The way Rowan tells it, the way you showed it¡ªhell, you got us some kind of payday out of that disaster." He let out a hollow chuckle, shaking his head.


    Then his voice cracked. Just for a second.


    "And I guess¡­ thank you. For hesitating. You know. You really didn¡¯t want to leave me behind."


    The words hung between them.


    Callahan felt something tighten in his chest. He wasn¡¯t good at this. He never knew the right thing to say. Joking felt wrong. Downplaying it felt worse. So he tried something in between.


    "Oh, well¡ªit was nothing. Really. Nothing compared to you dragging me out of that place."


    He forced a smile, hoping it might ease some of the weight off Ollie¡¯s shoulders. Probably won¡¯t work, but worth a shot.


    "Well, you know¡­" he scratched the back of his neck, trying not to sound too awkward, "we¡¯re full crewmates now. So I guess we¡¯ll be working together in the future."


    Ollie didn¡¯t say anything, just kept staring into his drink.


    "The three of us¡ªwe made a good team last time, right?" Callahan gave a weak chuckle. "So¡­ yeah. Hope to work with you again."


    For a moment, Ollie didn¡¯t react. Then, slowly, he nodded.


    "Aye¡­ we''d make a good team."


    Ollie forced a smile, but it was empty¡ªhis eyes told another story. Hollow, worn, dead with some unknown misery.


    "That was my last mission with the Kraken Callers." He got up, stretching as if to shake off the weight in his voice. "But I''m glad you''re filling in for me."


    Callahan blinked. "Oh. Guess you made enough to go back home then?"


    Most people working the dregs never stayed long. They made their money and left as soon as they could. It was rare to see anyone stick around.


    Ollie hesitated. His hand tightened around his cup. Then, quietly¡ªalmost like he didn¡¯t want to say it¡ª "I''m going somewhere."


    That was all.


    "Gonna see my family again. It''s been too long."


    Before Callahan could ask anything else, Ollie turned and walked off¡ªslipping into the crowd without another word. He was gone.


    ¡°Cal, where¡¯s my drink!¡±


    Rowan came bursting through the crowd, dropping into the seat Ollie had just vacated. He shifted slightly, then smirked. ¡°Ooh, it¡¯s warm,¡± he chuckled. ¡°Took your sweet time, didn¡¯t ya? Looks like you enjoyed Kiki¡¯s special.¡±


    Callahan barely registered his words. His mind was still trailing after Ollie, turning over that strange feeling Ollie had radiated off onto him. I¡¯m going somewhere. Something about his tone, the way he said it, didn¡¯t sit right, it gnawed at him in a way he couldn¡¯t place.


    ¡°Cal? You there?¡±


    Rowan waved a hand in front of his face, obnoxiously close. His arm had fully reverted, the bind long since broken now.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Callahan muttered, blinking back to the present. ¡°Like you said¡ªjust enjoying the drink.¡± Rowan let out a short laugh, patting him on the back. ¡°Well, you did good tonight, Cal. Proud of you, brother.¡±


    The bar remained lively for a while longer, the energy only dimming as the hours dragged on. Kiki had brought out a feast¡ªporcine meats, roasted potatoes and carrots, a rich stew, even sweets. Chocolate, a rarity in this part of the city, was the crown jewel of the spread.


    One by one, the dregs took their fill and trickled out into the night, leaving behind only bloated bellies and scattered mugs. Hour by hour, the bar emptied until, at last, only the three of them remained.


    It had been a while since they¡¯d shared a quiet moment like this. Rowan and Callahan helped Kiki clean up, as they always did when they weren¡¯t off on a job. Once the place was tidied, they bid her goodnight and headed to their shared attic loft while Kiki locked up for the night.


    At last, the noise had dulled to nothing. The bar was still. The city outside had settled. And now, with only his brother beside him, Callahan could finally talk about the thing that had been eating at him.


    Rowan had already sprawled out on his bed, while Callahan sat upright on his own, the space between them split by a small bedside table.


    ¡°So, how did you manage?¡± Callahan asked, glancing at his brother. ¡°I was told¡­ well, that you brought the whole amphitheater down. How? There¡¯s no way the bind didn¡¯t break?¡±


    Rowan cracked one eye open, looking entirely unbothered. ¡°Eh, lasted longer than usual, I guess.¡± He stretched, completely unfazed by the oddity of his own statement.


    Callahan frowned. His binds didn¡¯t last long when he couldn¡¯t keep his eyes on Rowan¡ªso how had his brother done so much damage, escaped, and still managed to bag three wailers? The question nagged at him, but Rowan didn¡¯t seem to care much about the specifics. He just liked breaking things.


    ¡°Who told ya the story anyway?¡± Rowan smirked, resting his hands behind his head. ¡°I tell it best.¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe me if I told you,¡± Callahan muttered, absently patting his bed, then the table beside him. ¡°Huh.¡± A thought struck him like a jolt. The eye. Where did it go?


    He remembered picking it up in Gwyndadoraoralaeolye¡ªit had rolled into his foot. But was that even real? He wasn¡¯t sure anymore.


    ¡°You know,¡± he continued, still searching the room, hoping to find it as he spoke, ¡°I had this weird¡­ dream, I guess. There was this little flying fairy girl. Annoyed me to no end.¡±


    Rowan snorted. ¡°Your dream woman.¡±


    ¡°Hardly¡­ nightmare, honestly. You¡¯d love her more than me.¡± Callahan¡¯s hand brushed the floor beside his bed¡ªnothing. Where could that silvery ball be? His brows furrowed. He had it, didn¡¯t he?


    ¡°Yeah¡­ she told me the place was called Gwyndadoraoralaeolye¡ªsome heavenly realm for her god, Lughren. Our god, apparently.¡± Callahan struggled with the name. Who in their right mind would name a place like that? He wondered if Nyve had even told him the truth, was that really the shortened version? There is no possible way it could be longer, he hoped.


    ¡°Quite the mouthful,¡± Rowan muttered, lazily flicking his nose as he fought off sleep. ¡°Lughren¡¯s our god, huh? Quiet one, ain¡¯t he? Never had no prayers answered for us, have we?¡±


    Callahan wasn¡¯t paying full attention¡ªhe was still searching, his hands sweeping behind the dresser, under the cracked floorboards, along the windowsill. ¡°Yeah¡­ I told her as much. But eventually, I saw him.¡± He hesitated, his fingers pausing in their search. ¡°He was horrid-looking, just sat there in this giant gray throne. His eyes were all black¡­ spinning with lights.¡± His breath hitched. The memory clawed at his mind, but something¡ªsomething unnatural¡ªkept it from fully swallowing him. ¡°He¡­ he showed me the end¡­ of everything, really.¡±


    That got Rowan¡¯s attention. The sleepiness drained from his face. ¡°That ain¡¯t your usual nightmare, is it?¡± His voice had lost its playful edge. He sat up a little straighter, watching his brother carefully. ¡°Usually, it¡¯s just that shadowy guy¡­ you know.¡± He hesitated for a moment before finishing his thought.


    ¡°That night. With dad.¡±


    It was a touchy subject. Rowan didn¡¯t like bringing it up¡ªhe knew Callahan was haunted by nightmares of it.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ no, you¡¯re right. That¡¯s the usual one¡­¡± Callahan muttered. He sat on the desk, pushing Rowan¡¯s destroyed armor aside, the metal groaning under his hand. ¡°Y¡¯know the weirdest thing? At the end of all things¡ªat least, the end of what Lughren showed me¡ªthat weird shadowy demon guy¡­ he was there. Just like with dad.¡±


    Callahan forced himself past the thought, pushing it aside before it could settle in his mind.


    ¡°Cal,¡± Rowan¡¯s voice tensed, a hard-edge started creeping in, ¡°Dad didn¡¯t have no demon on him. All the things he did¡ªthose were his choices. I know you think you saw something, but¡­¡± His fingers clenched into a fist. ¡°He was just a monster. All on his own.¡±


    There was no room for doubt in Rowan¡¯s voice, just a simmering anger Callahan knew wasn¡¯t aimed at him. ¡°I know, I know.¡± Callahan exhaled, running a hand through his hair. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ this was real, Rowan. I felt things in that dream¡ªweird things. I saw horrible futures play out.¡±


    Then, a thought flickered in his mind.


    ¡°You know how ma used to say her granddad had weird trinkets? And all those stories she¡¯d tell¡ªabout fairies, strange gods?¡±


    Callahan hesitated.


    What am I even trying to convince Rowan of?


    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know. Maybe there¡¯s something to it. Maybe we should try to contact Mom somehow.¡±


    Rowan perked up at the idea of contacting their mother. It had been so long, and now they had the money¡ªthough it wouldn¡¯t be cheap.


    ¡°You sure?¡± His voice was eager now, the anger from before melting away like it had never been there. ¡°It¡¯ll be a pretty penny.¡± He leaned back, clasping his hands behind his head, a wistful grin on his face. ¡°Wonder how ol¡¯ ma¡¯s holding up. Brig too.¡±


    Callahan nodded, his eyes still searching the room, sweeping from corner to corner. The eye¡ªhe still couldn¡¯t find it.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ it will be. But it could be worth it. Just to confirm some things, y¡¯know?¡±


    Rowan cracked a lazy smirk, breaking through any lingering tension.


    ¡°Gonna ask her about your fairy wife?¡±


    Callahan let out a long, exasperated sigh. He could already feel Rowan¡¯s shit-eating grin burning into him from across the room.


    He was about to give up¡ªmaybe the eye was never with him to begin with. Maybe Gwyndadoraoralaeolye was just a dream.


    But then, as he took a step away¡ªThere it was.


    Rolling softly against his foot, just like at the heart of the lake.


    ¡°Oh¡­ there you are.¡±


    He bent down to pick it up, relieved¡ªbut before his fingers could even graze the metal¡ª


    A voice.


    Mocking. Irritatingly familiar.


    ¡°Oh yes, my dear sweet Callahan¡ªHere. I. Am.¡±

 An Eye for an Eye.

    An Eye for an Eye


    The Dregs¡ªofficially, the Amalgamate District¡ªa place riddled with crime, a crawling mass of the desperate and displaced, swept in from every corner of the world. A place no Onorion in good standing would dare set foot in. But even perfection has its cracks. Some still slipped through¡ªpirates, criminals, outcasts. They couldn¡¯t let bad apples spoil the bunch. So, they were cast out, exiled to live among the outsiders.


    But even in the highest orders, within the pristine halls where every inch was inspected, polished, and measured to divine perfection, rot could still take root. Scheming, meddling, unseen by those who might burn it out. An invisible hand, a lightless guide, creeping through sacred corridors, winding through the minds of men who claimed to be untouchable.


    They called it the Seat of Auracantheum, the most extravagant place in all Vallara. Though not the true heavenly realm itself, any Onorion would say it was as close as one could ever get in the living world. The streets were trimmed in silver and gold, every path and avenue lined with etchings and statues of Onorus, his golden gaze watching from all angles. His image was crafted by only the greatest of Adamantwrights, master binders whose divine gift allowed them to shape metal and stone with unparalleled precision. His likeness stood eternal in every corner of the Seat¡ªflowing golden hair, stern and unyielding eyes, adorned in glorious heavenly armaments, poised as if ready to strike down those who opposed his singular vision. A reminder to all that his will was law.


    At the heart of the district stood the Meeting of the Hands, the sacred assembly hall where Onoria¡¯s greatest powers convened. It was the largest structure in the entire city, a sanctum of ever-reaching spires that pierced the heavens, its towering form a monument to divine authority. Not a single inch was left idle to mundanity¡ªevery column, every frill, every engraving served a purpose, a testament to Onorian ingenuity and craftsmanship. It was more than a building; it was a symbol, a manifestation of Onorus¡¯s will upon the world.


    Inside stood three high thrones. The grandest, at the center, belonged to Lucentis Vallanthor, the Holy Host, the Word of Onorus himself. To his left sat Vantus Argentum, the Silver Hand, Executor of Divine Conquest. To his right, Ferrasius Aurelio, the Golden Hand, the Invincible Protector of the Realm. Here, the Voice spoke, and the Hands shaped his will. From this sanctum, Onorus¡¯s divine reach extended across the world.


    When no meeting was in session, the sanctum stood in silence. Few dared linger, lest they draw the ire of the guards who protected its sanctity. If you were neither a Hand, the Host, nor one of their Fingers¡ªyou were a trespasser. For some though, the threat of guards and the violent repercussions of defacing such a holy site were mere suggestions rather than commands. Tonight, a voice shattered the sanctum¡¯s silence.


    "Your goddamn bolts got my men KILLED, Aurelio!"


    The rasp of a sea-worn voice echoed through the chamber¡ªGalvos, Captain of the Kraken Callers. He slammed the split bolts onto the floor at the feet of the Golden Hand, Ferrasius Aurelio, the Invincible. His fury rang out, unrestrained, as if he spoke not to one of the highest men in Onoria, but to an old rival.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got my remaining boys scouring the Dregs, handing off their last pay to the ones they left behind¡­ I was promised a godsdamned guarantee, Aurelio!¡± Galvos¡¯s emphasized his name. He wanted to rub it in that he would not speak his title.


    Aurelio had yet to reply. He hadn¡¯t even graced the captain with a look, his gaze fixed on the golden visage of his god.


    ¡°You¡¯re loud, Galvos. It¡¯s disrespectful.¡±


    Only then did he turn, his boot pressing down on the discarded bolts, grinding them into dust beneath his heel. His voice was calm, unimpressed.


    ¡°Why are you even here? Do I look like the one who handles business in the Amalgamate?¡±


    Galvos¡¯ brow furrowed, frustration bleeding into his voice as he searched Aurelio¡¯s stone-cold gaze for some flicker of understanding.


    ¡°Your damned fingers don¡¯t care if their tools fail¡ªAnd Vantus, that prick I bet he gave us faulty gear on purpose. I want some restitution!¡±


    He spat the name¡ªliterally, a sharp, deliberate motion hitting the ground between them. A petty thing in the face of Aurelio¡¯s unwavering stillness.


    His eye narrowed. His voice was stern.


    ¡°I could cut out your tongue for that.¡±


    ¡°Well, do it then.¡±


    The reply was instant. Galvos didn¡¯t fear his threats.


    They stood there for a moment, locked in a silent battle of stares.


    ¡°Yeah, I knew you wouldn¡¯t. Coward.¡±


    Galvos¡¯ frustration almost cracked into a smile, but he wasn¡¯t done. He wanted amends¡ªsomething for the men he lost.


    Aurelio turned and began to march off, as if the conversation was already beneath him. But Galvos followed. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t be much of a captain if you couldn¡¯t bark orders at your dogs.¡±


    Aurelio didn¡¯t break stride. He led Galvos through the halls, toward a room both knew well¡ªthe office of the Golden Hand. Aurelio¡¯s domain. Aurelio took a seat, flipping through the documents at a measured pace. Galvos watched, uncertain what he was searching for but waiting¡ªhoping for something that would set things right.


    ¡°So, even with the faulty bolts, you still managed to bring us three of the beasts.¡±


    Aurelio¡¯s gaze lingered on a particular report, his curiosity piqued.


    ¡°How did you manage that?¡±


    Galvos scoffed, shaking his head.


    ¡°New musclehead. Monster of a man¡ªswings a hammer like it¡¯s made of feathers.¡±


    Aurelio sifted through the papers again, slower this time. Then his eyes flicked up, sharp.


    ¡°You¡¯re missing a crucible.¡±


    His tone had shifted¡ªno longer idle curiosity.


    ¡°Where is it?¡±


    Galvos met his glare, his patience fraying.


    ¡°Probably destroyed. Stuck to the back of one of my dead men.¡±


    His voice tightened, the last thread of restraint slipping.


    ¡°Now, are you going to do something about this or not?¡±


    Aurelio exhaled, slow and quiet, barely more than a breath. He was tired. The night had long overstayed its welcome, and Galvos cornering him in the Sanctum just as he was about to leave wasn¡¯t bringing its end any closer.


    ¡°If it gets you to leave, then fine¡ªI¡¯ll look into the bolts.¡± His tone was flat, dismissive. ¡°I can¡¯t have our Adamantwrights¡¯ reputation tarnished by the rumors of Dregs.¡±


    He waited, expecting Galvos to take the concession and go. But he could already see it in the captain¡¯s stance¡ªit wasn¡¯t enough.


    Aurelio sighed again, heavier this time. His patience was wearing thin.


    ¡°What else do you want, Galvos?¡±


    ¡°Moravyr. I want access to it.¡±


    Aurelio looked surprised, He flipped through more papers, again wondering whether this conversation was even worth his time.


    ¡°Quite the ask.¡± His tone was casual, but there was an edge to it. ¡°Why would you want to sail into those war-torn waters? You know what we¡¯re doing up there.¡±


    The Aurelans¡¯ homeland wasn¡¯t a place for profit¡ªonly war and death. The southern front was a bloody, desperate battlefield, Onorion forces marched in a relentless massacre of the Devout of Aureha.


    Galvos crossed his arms, unfazed.


    ¡°Lots of converts in the Dregs. And nothin¡¯ keeps a man motivated quite like kin.¡± He let that sit for a moment before adding, casual but deliberate, ¡°Let me pull some of their families out of that shitstorm, and we¡¯ll call the bolt mishap even¡­ more or less.¡±


    ¡°Find me that lost crucible, and I¡¯ll consider it.¡±


    It was slight, barely noticeable, but there with a whisper of some jeering tone, He knew what he asked wouldn¡¯t be something the salty Captain could produce.


    Galvos exhaled sharply. ¡°I told you already, that thing¡¯s probably lying on the back of some poor dead fool on Bimos.¡±


    He tried, one last time, to make Aurelio see reason. But there was nothing to see¡ªhis mind was already made up.


    Aurelio barely spared him a glance. ¡°I suppose you¡¯ll be steering clear of Moravyr, then.¡±


    There was no room for argument.


    ¡°Good night, Galvos. Make sure you depart before the guards beat you to death.¡±


    And with that, Aurelio left from his desk, passing by Galvos with barely a glance, finally on his way home. Galvos stood there, jaw tight, left to figure out how to recover something he was sure was lost.


    ¡°Damn it.¡±


    He exhaled sharply, squeezing his chin as if he could wring a solution from thin air.


    Nothing.


    ¡°I need a drink.¡±


    Aurelio strode through the empty streets of Auracantheum, savoring the peace, the quiet. He didn¡¯t get much of it¡ªneither at home nor in the sanctum.


    So he took his time, admiring the city that had raised him, the city he had fought and bled for. He had seen it all before¡ªthe statues, the etchings of triumph, the carved histories of great wars¡ªyet it still stirred something deep within him. A great love. For his people. For his kingdom


    The walks were always short, no matter how much he meandered. He lived close¡ªhis home, just one petal of the whole Auracantheum.


    Though his taste was modest, extravagance was forced upon him. By the Host, with his armor¡ªunblemished, polished to perfection, radiant in the morning light. And by his wife, with their home¡ªlarge, unmanageable for any one family, but grand enough to satisfy her.


    It made her happy. That was enough. To others, he was immovable, unyielding. But for those he loved, he would bend to a breeze to see them smile.


    ¡°DADDY¡¯S HOME!¡±


    The door had barely creaked before the small voice shattered his quiet evening.


    ¡°MOMMY, DADDY¡¯S HOME!¡±


    She was barely four, but her ears were finely tuned to every squeak of the front door. No matter where she was playing in this vast mansion, she always knew. And she always came running, her little arms stretching as wide as they could, ready to wrap him in the biggest hug she could manage. A smile broke across his face¡ªone he couldn¡¯t have subdued even if he tried.                                         He met her on his knees, arms open, embracing her like it was the first time he¡¯d laid eyes on her.


    ¡°Marcielle!¡± His voice softened, carrying an almost saccharine warmth.


    He squeezed his little girl tightly, then lifted her as he stood, her small frame settling snugly against him, her head resting on his shoulder.


    ¡°You should be asleep!¡±


    His fingers found her ribs, teasing out bursts of giggles.


    ¡°Mommy said I was allowed to stay up to show you something I learned today!¡± She looked at her father, her face beaming with pride, she was really excited to show him something she thought was special.


    "Well, let¡¯s go find your mother."


    Together, they began a thorough search of the mansion. Most of the help had already gone to bed, and Aurelio frowned. Had no one put Marcielle to bed? He would have to speak with them about that.


    Erelia¡¯s absence wasn¡¯t entirely unusual, but she usually stayed close to their daughter.


    ¡°Erelia?¡± he called, his voice steady.


    ¡°MOMMY!¡± Marcielle echoed at full volume, her little voice ringing through the halls.


    ¡°I¡¯m up here!¡±


    The voice came from upstairs, muffled by thick floors and winding hallways.                                                They followed it arriving at Marcielle¡¯s room. Erelia sat uncomfortably in a large, plush chair beside her daughter¡¯s bed. Her belly was swollen, her face weary¡ªthe weight of pregnancy and a rambunctious daughter pressing on her after a long day.


    She sighed, but a smile softened her features as she looked at them, relieved she wouldn¡¯t have to stand.


    ¡°Good job fetching Daddy for me, Marcy.¡±


    Marcielle leapt from Aurelio¡¯s arms before he could brace himself, nearly making him stumble.


    ¡°Can I show him, Mommy? I really wanna show him!¡±


    Marcielle was nearly pulling her mother off the chair in excitement.


    ¡°Of course, Marcy, you can show him. Go get your bear.¡±


    Marcielle darted off, her tiny feet pattering across the floor. The room hadn¡¯t been cleaned yet, so she searched frantically, overturning pillows and blankets, determined to find her beloved stuffed bear. Aurelio stepped to his wife¡¯s side, brushing his fingers across her fair, tired face before pressing a soft, welcoming kiss to her lips.


    ¡°You look exhausted. What do we pay the help for?¡± His tone was stern, but teasing, just enough to earn a smile.


    Erelia let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s okay¡ªI wanted to see your eyes light up when you see what she can do.¡±


    She took his hand in a firm, loving grasp and gestured toward their daughter.


    ¡°The tutor almost fell down the stairs rushing to tell me what our little Marcy is capable of.¡± She squeezed his fingers.


    ¡°She¡¯s as blessed as you.¡±


    ¡°I found him!¡±


    Marcy sprung up from a pile of toys like a jack-in-the-box, a large blonde teddy bear hoisted high above her head like a fisherman¡¯s prized catch.


    ¡°I found him, I found him! Look, Daddy! You have to look, okay? Master Rubellius said to always keep my eyes focused!¡±


    She plopped the bear down in the center of a large, circular red rug, regal in its embroidery.


    Her parents watched closely¡ªAurelio especially, a glint of intrigue in his eye.


    ¡°I won¡¯t take my eye off him, Marcy, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    She nodded at her father, beaming, then turned her gaze to the teddy bear, staring deeply, her expression full of quiet concentration.


    For a few moments, nothing happened.


    The bear slowly slumped into itself, its fluff settling toward the bottom. Marcielle remained focused, her small brow furrowed in deep concentration. Then¡ªher eyes began to glow. A faint golden hue at first, then a sharp, bright sheen. Aurelio¡¯s gaze sharpened. He knew that cue¡ªthat spark. His eye widened, pride mixing with curiosity.


    What could she do?


    Then it happened.


    The lifeless blonde bear, its form sinking under its own weight, suddenly sprang into action.


    It stood upright, almost as tall as Marcielle herself. Aurelio crossed his arms, thumb pressed to his chin. ¡°Marcielle¡ª¡± Before he could finish, the bear began to march. Its steps wobbled, its form uneven in places, but still¡ªit marched. It circled the perimeter of the rug, then came to a halt, standing stiffly at attention. Then, in a sudden, dignified burst, the teddy bear threw up an Onorian salute¡ªthe best one its fluff-filled arms could manage. Once again, the bear collapsed to the ground. Marcielle¡¯s eyes, once glowing, now dimmed¡ªwell, as dim as an Onorion¡¯s golden eyes could be. Her mother was the first to clap.


    ¡°That was amazing, Marcy!¡±


    Marcielle nearly leapt into her arms, her face resting against Erelia¡¯s bloated belly.


    ¡°Did Daddy see!?¡±


    Aurelio knelt down, his face bright with pride.


    ¡°Marcy, when did you learn to do this? That was astounding!¡±


    Marcielle whirled toward him, throwing herself into his arms.


    ¡°Master Rubellius saw me playing with Mr. Bloo, and he said, um¡­¡±


    She paused, her little face scrunching up as she tried to recall her master¡¯s words through all her excitement.


    ¡°Oh yeah! He said he saw Mr. Bloo move a bit when I was playing! And then he said¡­ he said that if I focused, maybe I could move him more?¡±


    She settled onto Aurelio¡¯s knee, still bursting with energy, her words tumbling out one after another. She should have been asleep by now, but she was still as rambunctious as if she had just woken up.


    ¡°Well, this is something to celebrate,¡±


    Aurelio once again had his daughter in is arms, she giggled as he swung her up in the air,


    ¡°We should go out tomorrow, all of us, after I¡¯m done with the Sanctum we can have a little family time,¡± Eralia watched as her husband almost danced for joy around the room their daughter tightly in his arms.


    ¡°That sounds good but,¡± she paused, waiting for Marcielles attention in particular,


    ¡°Somebody must go to bed first. Can¡¯t bring you out anywhere if you can¡¯t keep your eyes open Marcy.¡±


    ¡°Aww¡­¡± She whimpered.


    Showing her father her special new gift had filled her with excitement, but now the worst thing imaginable had arrived¡ªbedtime.


    "Can I show Daddy one more time? Please?"


    She pleaded, wide-eyed, but Erelia¡ªjust as exhausted as her daughter¡ªwas unmoved.


    ¡°No, no, no. We¡¯ll see it more tomorrow, Marcy.¡±


    Aurelio had already started carrying Marcielle toward her bed.


    She squirmed, but there was no escape from her father¡¯s arms.


    "Your mother¡¯s right, Marcy. I loved your display, but it¡¯s long past your bedtime."


    He laid her down, tucking her in so tightly beneath her thick blankets that it was practically suffocating. "Ooooh¡­"


    Marcielle grumbled, struggling but hopelessly trapped in the fortress of blankets. Aurelio smirked as she pouted. He bent down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. Erelia leaned in next, placing a soft kiss on her cheek.


    ¡°We love you, Marcy.¡±


    They said it in tandem, their voices blending into a soft, familiar harmony.


    She didn¡¯t want to sleep. But she knew she had to.


    Tomorrow, there was excitement to be had¡ªmore time with her father, who was almost always so busy. If she closed her eyes now, the night would be over in a flash.


    ¡°I love you too.¡±


    Their smiles beamed, and even as they closed the bedroom door, Marcielle could still feel them. She was a lucky girl in this world. They slept not far from their beloved daughter, wrapped in the comfort of a room that was a testament to Erelia¡¯s love for the finest things.


    A canopy bed, frills and trimmings galore, an extravagant carpet beneath them, bedside tables masoned from the finest stone¡ªcrafted only by the most gifted Adamantwrights.


    Aurelio¡¯s office had many perks, and Erelia never shied away from taking advantage of them. They lay close, Aurelio¡¯s arms wrapped securely around his wife, pulling her tightly to his chest. A sight most would never see. A vulnerable, softened Aurelio.


    ¡°So, what kept you so late tonight?¡±


    She wasn¡¯t upset¡ªjust curious. Aurelio enjoyed his late walks, but this was later than usual.


    ¡°Galvos came to the Sanctum. Apparently, Argentum gave him faulty tools for a job I let him take.¡±


    A tinge of the outer Aurelio slipped through¡ªthat cold, measured voice he reserved for others, especially Galvos.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Oooh¡­ How is he? Did he look okay?¡±


    She knew her husband wasn¡¯t particularly fond of Galvos, especially given his station in the Dregs.


    ¡°He¡¯s fine. He might not be next time if he talks out of line again.¡±


    His tone was deadly serious¡ªbut Erelia knew nothing would come of it when it came to Galvos.


    She nudged him playfully with an elbow, light but deliberate.


    ¡°He¡¯s smart enough to only give you lip when it¡¯s just the two of you.¡±


    Then, with a teasing lilt:


    ¡°Besides, what would Marcy think if you hurt her favorite uncle?¡±


    Aurelio sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s her only uncle.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t see it, but his wife rolled her eyes.


    ¡°You should be nicer to my brother, Ferrasius.¡±


    Her voice was softer now, but no less firm.


    ¡°We all came from the same place¡ªit¡¯s not all his fault he¡¯s stuck where he is.¡±


    She paused for a moment.


    ¡°And what he does isn¡¯t entirely bad anyway. You¡¯re not the only inspiration in Marcy¡¯s life.¡±


    A sea captain, an adventurer¡ªone who tamed the waves. A charming life, in the eyes of a child.   But Aurelio knew better. Galvos was not some glorious explorer of the seas. He took dirty jobs.          It wasn¡¯t all cargo and monster hunting. For the right price, he¡¯d traffic, smuggle, do whatever needed doing. Aurelio sighed. ¡°I¡¯m tired, my love.¡± He nuzzled the back of her neck, voice soft but firm. He didn¡¯t want to start an argument that would keep them up longer. And Erelia was too exhausted to push any further.


    The whole household slept soundly. The night had grown long, the city resting, quiet, still. But in the dark, something stirred. A long-fermenting hatred. A guilt that refused to settle. A rage that could not be quelled. It did not sleep that night.


    ¡°The Aurelans continue their defense. Despite the devastating blow we dealt to them, they push onward. Their tenacity is¡­ charming. For a savage.¡±


    A man in black, silver-trimmed robes rose from his seat within the Meeting of the Hands, his voice smooth, almost amused. Before him, a massive table split the room in two¡ªten men sat along it, five in white-trimmed gold, five in black-trimmed silver. Each a Finger of their respective Hand.


    ¡°The Crucible turned out to be a very potent weapon,¡± he continued, letting the words linger.


    ¡°The entire town was uninhabitable almost instantly.¡±


    "That¡¯s good to hear, Saphirius. You¡¯ll be commended¡ªyour Adamantwrights exalted for their work." The praise came from the silver throne, where Vantus Argentum sat in quiet authority.


    ¡°Thank you, Grand Auric, but the war wages on. Our hold on Moravyr is not as absolute as it should be. We need more anima for the Crucibles¡ªproduction has stalled.¡±


    "Mmhm."


    Vantus pressed his hands together, fingers steepled in thought as he leaned into his throne. He let the moment linger before continuing.


    "I had captains in the Amalgamate falling over themselves for a chance to collect it for us. Up until a few days ago, anyway¡­"


    His gaze shifted to Aurelio.


    "Seems your brother-in-law has gone and started a rumor that our craftsmanship isn¡¯t even up to Dreg standards." There was always a tight atmosphere in the Meet.


    Nobody wanted to be caught in the crossfire if the Hands were about to clash.


    Aurelio let the silence hang before answering.


    ¡°Well, Vantus, perhaps you should properly vet the work of your men before brazenly handing it out to half-drunk sailors. That way, when they fail, we can be sure it is their own idiocy at fault¡ªrather than our equipment.¡±


    His tone was measured, firm¡ªbut pointed.


    He had a guess as to what was going on. Aurelio didn¡¯t care much for Galvos, and stepping on the bolt had been a dismissive, insulting gesture at first. But a bolt crafted by an Adamantwright wouldn¡¯t falter so easily. Not under his boot. It had either been incompetence or malice. But he wouldn¡¯t assign intent¡ªnot yet. Not until he knew for certain. Vantus leaned back in his throne, elbow pressed against the armrest, cheek resting in his palm. His gaze fixed on Aurelio.


    ¡°Ha. Diverting for Galvos now, are you?¡±


    His voice was silk-smooth, laced with amusement.


    ¡°I assure you, I take the utmost care in providing those lowlives with everything they need to accomplish their mission. The fault lies with them.¡±


    He smiled, the curve of it half-hidden against his hand.


    ¡°Though I suppose¡­ they did manage to bring back a few mire beasts despite their incompetence and mishandling of equipment.¡±


    Vantus straightened, his tone sharpening.


    ¡°They left a Crucible behind, though.¡±


    With urgency, a man in white robes rose from his seat.


    ¡°We conducted a thorough search of the ship and crew. We couldn¡¯t find it.¡±


    His voice carried the weight of the situation.


    ¡°The Captain¡¯s words align with our own conclusion¡ªit must have fallen with one of his men on the Isle of Bimos.¡±


    He looked around the room. All eyes were on him. Some tinged with worry.


    ¡°We will remain on high alert. A single Crucible, even without refinement, is still dangerous. Guards have already been deployed throughout the city to ensure it hasn¡¯t fallen into the wrong hands.¡±


    He stood, waiting to be dismissed or pressed for more information.


    Aurelio gave a measured nod.


    ¡°Thank you, Ametellus.¡±


    The tension eased slightly as the man sat.


    Aurelio exhaled, voice firm.


    ¡°Even if the Crucible remains on Bimos, it is a travesty¡ªone disaster waiting for another. We cannot continue relying on outsiders in the Amalgamate for these kinds of operations.¡±


    His gaze swept across the table.


    ¡°If we are in such desperate need of these weapons, then we should recall some of our own men from Moravyr and collect the anima ourselves.¡±


    A low, dismissive grunt rumbled from the silver chair.


    Vantus¡¯ gaze settled on Aurelio, lined with disdain.


    ¡°So you¡¯d rather lose good Onorian men¡¯s souls to a Mire than let them find glory on the battlefield?¡± His tone was mocking, edged with scorn.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t take you for a glutton of valor, Aurelio. Our men would rather be heroes than forgotten souls¡ªdoing work that their lessers could be doing.¡±


    Aurelio gritted his teeth beneath his lips. He wouldn¡¯t show it outwardly, but he¡¯d always harbored a hatred for Vantus¡ªhis enthusiasm for war, his hunger for total conquest.


    Their ideals aligned with their god. And Aurelio did love his god. But he loved his people just as much. He¡¯d seen too many die on the fields of war before he was offered his station¡ªsenseless wastes of precious lives.


    ¡°Glory and valor are not only gained on the battlefield, Vantus. There are many ways to serve. And it would be better to have the job done right¡ªby Onorian hands. That way, we wouldn¡¯t need to worry about dregs mishandling, or in this case, losing important, dangerous weapons.¡±


    There was fire in his words¡ªrestrained, controlled¡ªbut the edge of his voice nearly tipped into something more. A near outburst.


    Vantus was ready to go into a tangent of his own, his lips eager to part, but before his voice could pass them, another rang out. A voice yet unspoken.


    The Holy Host himself had deigned to speak.


    ¡°Let us remain calm in these holy chambers.¡± He did not raise his voice beyond what was necessary. It was calm. Relaxed. As if it had never known burden.


    ¡°My gracious Hands, it would do me no good if you fought¡ªthe left and the right, the gold and the silver. We must cooperate. In one body. In one mind.¡±


    Aurelio and Vantus'' thrones spun on their own, a subtle flourish of Adamantwright ingenuity. They turned to face him, both straightening their backs, attentive in their seats.


    ¡°Yes, Your Holiness. Apologies.¡± They spoke in tandem.


    And the Holy Host smiled. Gently. Gracefully. A smile that could set anyone at ease.


    ¡°Some things may fall out of Onorus¡¯s hands, but they do so for a reason. So do not despair. Things will come to be as they should be¡ªin Moravyr, in Vallara, in Ryvakar, and eventually, the whole world.¡±


    His gaze swept the room. ¡°But we must stand firm. Stay focused. On our holy, righteous goal.¡±              The tap of his staff against the floor rang through the chamber. An unspoken command.


    They all rose. He led them as he always did. When he decided the meeting would end, it would end in prayer. A final act of reverence. A holy glorification of Onorus.


    ¡°Oh, Glorious God, your unyielding sight gives us stability in chaos, light in dark. Every word, a sacred command, that we follow to any and every end.¡±


    His voice echoed through the chamber.


    ¡°Oh, Glorious Onorus, we will spread your sovereignty to all corners of this world, that you may watch over it forever. With one vision, one voice¡ªa single, unified, unending world for us all!¡±


    He raised his staff high. At its tip, a golden visage of Onorus¡¯ face gleamed, illuminated in the chamber¡¯s light. They all bowed their heads in reverence.


    ¡°May your vision of the world guide us forever,¡± he intoned.


    ¡°May his vision guide us forever,¡± they answered.


    The Sanctum began to empty. The Fingers were the first to leave. Vantus followed swiftly¡ªit would be considered uncouth to start an argument after a meeting had ended.


    Aurelio remained. So did Ametellus. The Finger of Gold slid to his Hand¡¯s side.


    ¡°Grand Auric¡­ I didn¡¯t want to bring this up to anyone but you, but¡ª¡±


    Aurelio silenced him with a glance. Not here. Not in the Sanctum. If they would have words, they would have them outside, as Aurelio made his way to meet his family.


    They walked briskly through the bustling streets of the Auracantheum. The city hummed with life¡ªnobles and high tradesmen scurried past, their silken robes a stark contrast to the filth of the lower districts.


    ¡°Continue, Ametellus.¡±


    The Finger struggled to keep pace, his restrictive robes snagging beneath his every step.


    ¡°Thank you, Grand Auric. As I was saying¡ªthere have been reports. More and more ships are dropping off people in the Amalgamate. The population is getting out of hand.¡±


    Aurelio said nothing. Ametellus took this as a sign to continue.


    ¡°There have also been issues¡ªDregs showing up in the higher districts. Either through bribes or trickery, they are getting in. Thefts are being reported. Assaults. It¡¯s only a matter of time before something worse happens.¡±


    Ametellus paused, waiting. He could see Aurelio processing, weighing the information.


    Finally, he spoke. ¡°It¡¯s Vantus.¡± His voice was even, but laced with quiet contempt. ¡°He has a strange fascination with sending them on suicide missions.¡±


    A long, slow breath.


    ¡°There isn¡¯t much I can do about the new arrivals. But keep our regiment of watchmen on high alert¡ªno doubt it¡¯s Vantus¡¯s men accepting bribes. Tell them that if they catch any Dregs where they don¡¯t belong, they are to be sent back. Bruised and beaten, preferably. A valuable reminder of their place.¡±


    Aurelio¡¯s eyes scoured the crowd. His family should be close. He told them to wait not far from the main street leading from the Auracantheum to the outer districts.


    His voice turned colder. ¡°If you catch thieves or assaulters¡ªtell the men they have authority to kill them.¡± Ametellus seared the words into his mind. He would spread his Grand Auric¡¯s orders to all.


    ¡°I will do it thoroughly and as quickly as possible, Grand Auric.¡±


    He bowed. Aurelio graced it with a nod. Ametellus rushed off. He had his master¡¯s word to deliver.


    ¡°DADDY!¡±


    A voice he was finally happy to hear broke through the crowd.


    Little Marcielle rushed toward him, her frilly purple gown billowing with each step, a white bonnet atop her head, trimmed in gold. Her shining eyes beamed brighter than any divine relic.


    And in that instant, those eyes washed away the sickening hatred that had been simmering inside him.


    ¡°There you are, Marcy!¡±


    He scooped her up, hugging her tightly. He was confident the streets were busy enough that no one would notice if he showed some softness to his daughter.


    ¡°Where¡¯s your mother?¡±


    Marcielle pointed toward the fountain.


    There sat Erelia, holding her belly, her hands pressed against its weight. A group of maids stood by, cooling her with fans, watching over her carefully. Nearby, Master Rubellius waved, looking eager to talk. Together, they moved as a growing entourage.


    Marcielle slipped from his grasp, running ahead to help the maids with her mother. Meanwhile, Master Rubellius wasted no time launching into conversation.


    ¡°Grand Auric, it¡¯s good to see you!¡±


    Aurelio nodded politely. ¡°Yes, good to see you too, Rubellius.¡±


    ¡°Yes, quite! I don¡¯t know if she¡¯s shown you yet, but she was absolutely thrilled with her discovery¡ªas was I! It¡¯s astounding, you know. Sight Binders, they¡¯re so rare, especially among our own, and¡ª¡±


    Aurelio cut him off¡ªnot out of rudeness, but out of eagerness to share his own excitement, in his own subdued way.


    ¡°Yes. Marcielle showed me her marching teddy bear.¡± His voice was calm but warm. ¡°You taught her how to focus well, and quickly. Thank you, Rubellius.¡±


    His words were genuine.


    Rubellius beamed but tried to play it off with a dismissive wave of his hand. ¡°Oh no, it¡¯s not me! Your daughter¡ªshe¡¯s a marvel. A genuine miracle from Onorus himself! Of course, her power needs refinement, practice¡ªlike everything else in this world¡ªbut with her gift¡­¡±


    His eyes gleamed with unrestrained excitement.


    ¡°Oh, she could animate goliaths! Maybe even an army of them! Can you imagine it? An entire regiment of marching stone men¡ªunbreakable, unstoppable!¡±


    Rubellius was caught up in his own vision of glory.


    To many, Aurelio included, this should have been a moment of pride.


    His daughter. A commander of armies. A weapon of divine will. A woman capable of spreading Onorus¡¯ sovereignty to the furthest corners of the world.


    But instead¡­


    It turned his stomach.


    She was his little girl.


    And though he was a brutal man, a hardened soldier, a fighter who had bled and battled his way to his station¡­ He wasn¡¯t sure he wanted that for his daughter. Or for the child yet to be born.


    ¡°Are you all right, Grand Auric? I hope I didn¡¯t offend.¡±


    Rubellius caught himself, watching Aurelio closely.


    Aurelio forced a small smile, pushing down the unease that churned in his stomach.


    ¡°Oh no, not at all,¡± he said smoothly. ¡°She¡¯s still my little pearl, that is all. I¡¯d rather not think of her growing and leaving the nest so soon.¡±


    Rubellius smiled, almost laughing at the thought of Aurelio being such a soft man.


    ¡°Oh, I know how you feel! My oldest just left home recently¡ªthe first one to leave always hits the hardest!¡± He waved a hand dismissively. ¡°But if¡ªwell, if being a statement for lesser men, of course¡ªbut all the same, if you¡¯re a good father, they always come back!¡±


    Aurelio watched his little girl.


    She was sweet. Innocent. A guiding light in his life.


    He hoped, deep in his heart, that by the time she grew up, all this war and conquest would be over. That hope was one of the few things that kept him going every day. He fought to leave a more peaceful world behind¡ªfor Marcielle, for her children, for all who would come after.


    ¡°Yes, well, my little Marcielle will always have a place at her father¡¯s home, that¡¯s for sure. But that time is far into the future. I intend to enjoy every moment with her as she is now.¡± He couldn¡¯t help but smile in the presence of his daughter.


    Rubellius grinned. ¡°Ah, yes, these are truly the best years of any man¡¯s life. And you¡¯ve got another on the way soon too!¡±


    Aurelio studied him for a moment. Rubellius was always so complimentary. If it had been any other man, Aurelio would have dismissed it as flattery. A ploy to worm his way into the Grand Auric¡¯s good graces, to ask for favors, to turn him in directions he might not otherwise turn. But Rubellius was different. Aurelio had seen it years ago, the first time they met. And he saw it now, in the way Rubellius spoke so lovingly of his own daughter.


    ¡°Well, I won¡¯t keep you forever, Aurelio. Marcielle told me all about the day you all have planned, and I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t need me in your already crowded entourage.¡±


    He gave the Grand Auric a gracious bow, and Aurelio returned it with a nod.


    ¡°You are welcome to join us, Rubellius. Marcielle, in particular, would not mind.¡±


    From the front of the group, where her mother¡¯s maids had formed what could only be described as a human chariot to carry her expectant mother along, Marcielle shouted joyfully


    ¡°Yes! You should come with us, Master Rubellius!¡±


    Rubellius smiled but politely declined. ¡°Oh, I would love to, but duty calls today! I will see you all very soon, of course.¡± He turned to Marcielle.


    ¡°Keep practicing! I can¡¯t wait to see what you can do when it¡¯s time for your next lesson.¡±


    With that, Rubellius was off, leaving the Aurelios to continue their family outing.


    Their list of destinations was long¡ªalmost a full tour of their beloved city. They had seen these sights a thousand times before, but they never grew old.


    Their first stop was The Luminarc¡ªOnoria¡¯s famed arts district, named after the colossal stage at its heart. Here, all manner of plays and magic shows were held.


    Binders of every craft mystified audiences.


    Playwrights from across Vallara came to entertain with their stories.


    They caught an early show.


    A sight binder stood at center stage.


    ¡°He¡¯s got the same sort of power as you, Marcy!¡± Erelia teased, nudging her daughter.


    Marcielle beamed with excitement.


    Aurelio, however, wasn¡¯t much for plays or magic shows. But he was happy his family was enjoying themselves. The binder was an intriguing man. He had targets dressed as soldiers placed around the stage, and a podium beside him, draped in red velvet. Upon it sat several objects.


    They seemed important. He spoke no words, only smiling, his gestures exaggerated and deliberate. The audience ate up his theatrics. First, he picked up an ice cube. He juggled it lightly between his fingers before holding it between his thumb and index, like a tiny looking glass. Then, his eye began to shine. It was subtle, almost imperceptible. Suddenly, his bind took effect. The target¡ªthe soldier he was looking at through the ice¡ªfroze solid.


    The audience gasped. Then, they erupted into cheers! The binder bowed, soaking in the applause.


    Then the binder picked up another object. A mirror. He examined himself playfully, fluffing his hair, squeezing his cheeks, flashing an exaggerated smile. The crowd watched, holding their breath. What would he do next? Then¡ªa sudden shift. His eye caught another target on stage. A glint flashed in his iris. A quick jab at the mirror with his fist¡ªThe glass shattered. And with it¡ªthe target in the reflection broke apart, collapsing into pieces.


    The crowd erupted.


    ¡°He should join the military!¡± a man yelled.


    ¡°Oh, he¡¯d give the Grand Auric a run for his money!¡± another cheered. The binder took another bow, soaking in the admiration. Aurelio watched him closely now. This man was no ordinary entertainer. He could be a powerful asset.


    How had he stayed under his notice for so long? Aurelio leaned in, eager to see what else he could do. The binder retrieved one final object. An igniter. He flicked it open. A long flame spewed forth. Slowly, he let the fire crawl across his palm.


    He didn¡¯t flinch. If anything¡ªhe seemed to enjoy the heat. Then, he lifted the igniter. Held it in front of his next target. His eye peered through the flame like a lens. And just like before¡ªhis bind took effect. One target burst into flames.


    Then another.


    Then another.


    Then the rest.


    His eyes darted from one to the next, setting them alight with nothing but a glance.


    The applause thundered through the Luminarc, the loudest yet.


    They hadn¡¯t seen such an impressive display in quite some time. Many binders performed here, but most were predictable. Their abilities were remarkable, but familiar¡ªnothing Onorions hadn¡¯t seen before. But a sight binder? That was rare. Especially among Onorion stock.


    ¡°Daddy, will I be able to do stuff like that one day?¡±


    Marcielle¡¯s eyes gleamed with wonder.


    She was transfixed, utterly enraptured by the man¡¯s abilities.


    ¡°You won¡¯t be making things explode into flames or freezing them solid, Marcy,¡± he said, his voice warm, reassuring. ¡°But your ability will be just as spectacular.¡±


    He gently poked under her chin, tilting her face upward.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be up there on the Luminarc one day¡ªshowing the world your gift.¡±


    Marcielle hugged his leg tightly, her mind racing with fantasies of performing.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna work really hard, Daddy! I¡¯m gonna practice all the time!¡±


    Aurelio chuckled, placing a hand on her head.


    Then, his eyes flicked back to the stage. The binder¡ªthe spectacular man¡ªWas gone. Vanished. As if he had never been there at all. Aurelio made a mental note. He would track him down when he was back to work. But today? Today was for his family. The showman would have to wait.


    Next stop was The Aurifex¡ªOnoria¡¯s beating heart of trade.


    The most populous place in the city, easily dwarfing both the Aurecantheum and the Luminarc combined. Hundreds¡ªthousands¡ªof voices roared at once, a relentless wave of sound.


    Merchants screamed over one another, advertising their wares.


    Shoppers shouted for family and friends, trying not to get lost.


    Others just drank, laughed, and reveled in the chaos.


    ¡°Get your rare humped Pachydermus meat! Straight from the hump! The most succulent cut from the Ryvakar!¡±


    ¡°Silken threads from the jungles of Yth! This is a ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME opportunity! If you¡¯re not a tailor, buy it for a friend! Buy it for a pillow! A blanket! A dress!¡±


    ¡°OI! CAL, WHERE ARE YA?!¡±


    ¡°Get your very own Grand Auric figurine! Aurelio the Invincible! Great for kids! Just like our Grand Auric¡ªit¡¯ll never break!¡±


    The Aurelios and their maids settled into a small eatery. The moment they stepped inside, the staff scrambled. Every employee moved with urgency, bordering on panic. They knew they had to be perfect. A bad impression could mean disaster. No one wanted to show even an inkling of disrespect to Aurelio. He was a hero. Close to a king. Erelia let out a heavy sigh, fanning herself weakly.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s so hot, dear¡­ I don¡¯t know how much more of this I can take today.¡±


    She had already sweat through her dress, her maids working tirelessly to keep her cool. But it was a scorching day, and being heavy with child wasn¡¯t doing her any favors. Aurelio raised a hand, signaling for service. A waiter practically sprinted forward.


    ¡°OH YES, GRAND AURIC SIR! WHAT CAN I GET YOU, SIR?!¡±


    The man was shaking. His voice was far too loud. Aurelio tilted his head slightly, eyes cold.


    ¡°At ease, soldier,¡± he said flatly.


    It was mocking¡ªhalf playful, but spoken too coldly to tell. The waiter swallowed nervously.


    ¡°Drinks for everyone at the table.¡±


    Aurelio pulled out a heavy purse, handing it to the man. The weight of it was staggering¡ªfar more than necessary for drinks, or even a meal for everyone at the table.


    ¡°And while I¡¯m here,¡± Aurelio added, his tone unchanged, ¡°I¡¯ll take responsibility for any other orders that might come.¡± A kind gesture. Generous, even. But Aurelio never smiled.


    The waiter didn¡¯t know what to say. He stammered at first, fumbling over his words. Then, finally¡ª ¡°OH, THANK YOU, SIR! THANK YOU!¡± And he was gone, rushing to prepare the drinks, eager to tell his boss of the Grand Auric¡¯s generosity.


    Aurelio finally sat down. His wife sat in front of him, her hair blown in every direction from the relentless fanning of her maids. His sweet little Marcielle sat comfortably on his knee.


    ¡°Daddy, can I get a treat?¡±


    Aurelio rubbed her shoulder in encouragement.


    ¡°You can get whatever you like, Marcy.¡±


    He drank in the moment. It wasn¡¯t like his solitary nighttime walks.


    Not the calm, cool evenings, the stars gently shining in the dark, his boots tapping a rhythm against the polished stones of the Auracantheum. Those nights helped him think. But this? This was his most treasured peace.


    Far from work.


    Far from battle.


    Far from worry.


    Even with the endless voices¡ªmerchants haggling, drunks laughing, crowds bustling¡ªthere was a charm to it.


    Aurelio closed his eyes for just a moment. He let the noise wash over him. He savored it.


    ¡°FINEST STEEL IN THE LAND! STRAIGHT FROM THE HOLY ADAMANTWRIGHTS OF THE AURACANTHEUM! ONE BLADE WILL LAST YOU A LIFETIME!¡±


    ¡°Oh, we went down to the Ryvakar to have ourselves some fun! We bashed those lizards in the brains and shot their crying young!¡±


    ¡°OLLIE?! What are you doing?!¡±


    ¡°Bows! Bolts! We have firearms too! If you need to kill something from far away, we got what you need!¡±


    ¡°You BLOODY IDIOT, Callahan! Don¡¯t go after him!¡±


    Then¡ª The noise shifted. Something was wrong.


    Gasps.


    Screams.


    Panic.


    Voices calling out to each other, frantic. Erelia¡¯s eyes narrowed, her posture tense. Her maids huddled closer.


    ¡°Ferrasius¡­ what¡¯s going on out there?¡±


    Aurelio stood, gently lifting Marcielle from his lap and passing her to one of the maids.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ You should head back to the Luminarc until I figure it out.¡±


    Then¡ª A shriek.


    ¡°HE¡¯S GONNA KILL US ALL!¡± Screams rippled through the crowd.


    Marcielle¡¯s tiny hands clung to his arm.


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡±


    The maid scooped her up, holding her tight. Aurelio placed a firm hand on Marcielle¡¯s head.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Marcy. Daddy¡¯s just going to see what¡¯s going on.¡±


    Aurelio moved through the crowd.


    Something at the center of the commotion was causing the ruckus.


    And yet¡ªdespite the panic, the people still huddled around it.


    They muttered his name as he passed, reverent whispers brushing against the air like wind through leaves. A hero, stepping forward to meet some new tragedy.


    ¡°It¡¯s the Grand Auric!¡±


    ¡°Aurelio¡¯s here!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll stop this crazy bastard!¡±


    He didn¡¯t acknowledge them. He kept his head straight, his stride steady, making his way toward the center of the mass. Then¡ªhe heard the voice. A man¡ªyelling.


    Hoarse. Like he¡¯d been screaming for hours already.


    ¡°They didn¡¯t deserve what you did to them! We didn¡¯t ask for war!¡±


    Aurelio pushed forward. The voice grew clearer. Richer.


    Manic. Desperate. Pained.


    ¡°I had a son¡ªlike you! I couldn¡¯t even fetch his damn BODY because of what you did to my home! My wife! My family! My father! NONE of them can even rest with Aureha! YOU TOOK THAT FROM US TOO!¡±


    Aurelio stepped into the center. There, he saw him. An Aurelan man.


    Sickly thin, even for one of his kind. His hands were shaking. But in them¡ªSomething familiar.


    Something Aurelio recognized the instant his eyes landed on it.


    The lost Crucible.


    The Aurelan man turned to Aurelio. He could see his face clearly now¡ªit was pathetic. His nose dripped with mucous, seeping into his mouth and spraying every which way every time he opened it to talk. His eyes were red, raw, tears streaking down his face. And the light in those eyes¡ªdead. The way he moved as he spoke, the way his body wavered, yet pushed forward anyway¡­ Aurelio knew.


    He had nothing left to live for.


    That made him dangerous.


    Aurelio already knew what he was planning¡ªit was obvious. But there were too many people, too many fools lingering when they should have been running. Some had enough sense to move, but others still gawked, frozen, watching as if this were some play being acted out before them.


    ¡°I know you¡­¡± The Aurelan man pointed at him, letting the Crucible swing loosely in his other arm. It barely missed scraping the ground.


    ¡°The grandest gold prick!¡± He spat at Aurelio¡¯s feet. It was a pathetic attempt¡ªjust barely missing his boot.


    Aurelio didn¡¯t react. His voice remained steady, impassive. ¡°Yes. I am Ferrasius Aurelio, Grand Auric of Onoria. May I ask who you are?¡± He wouldn¡¯t provoke him¡ªnot yet. The longer he spoke, the more time it bought for these idiots to get out of harm¡¯s way.


    Olesk let out a ragged breath, chest heaving, then he straightened, gripping the Crucible tighter.


    ¡°Ollie¡­¡± his voice rasped, then louder, firmer, ¡°I¡¯m Olesk Meddvezhsk.¡± His fingers dug into the Crucible, knuckles white. ¡°You¡¯re gonna remember that name. The name of my town. All of you golden cunts are.¡±


    He swung the Crucible again, this time keeping both hands tight around it.


    Aurelio took a step¡ªsmall, careful, controlled¡ªbut a step forward nonetheless. His voice remained calm. ¡°So you¡¯re a survivor of the Crucible? You must be strong.¡± He let the words settle. ¡°I admire the strong.¡±


    Then, a pause¡ªa flicker of something deeper, something carefully placed.


    ¡°And I will say¡­ as a father, I can understand your grief.¡± He let the words linger, watching the man¡¯s face for even a moment¡¯s hesitation. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I would do if my own daughter left before me.¡±


    A feint of sympathy, a trap of understanding, a carefully placed opening. Anything to lower his defenses, to make him hesitate¡ªjust long enough.


    ¡°Strong,¡± Ollie scoffed. ¡°It don¡¯t matter. Strong, weak¡ªthat fucking weapon of yours wiped EVERYONE out.¡± He whimpered, mewling, whining¡ªAurelio could barely stand it, but he must. His hatred, if it spilled out now, could jeopardize all he loved.


    ¡°Why?! Why would you do this to us?! I see the stories you tell your people, you fucking golden cunt!¡± He lashed out at the air, swinging the Crucible madly. ¡°You rile them up, tell them we¡¯re monsters that seek to destroy you! WE KNOW OUR HISTORY, YOU BASTARD. OUR MOTHER CAME TO YOUR AID ONCE, SO WHY?!¡±


    Then he repeated it, softer this time, whispered, barely a sound.


    ¡°Why¡­ you bastard, why¡­ I loved them. Why¡­¡±


    Aurelio moved, slow, steady, closing the space between them while Olesk¡¯s head was down.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what history they teach you in Moravyr,¡± he said, voice measured, steady, controlled. ¡°But our God would not lead us astray, Olesk. Maybe you could find redemption, peace even, if you came with me, quietly, without hurting anyone.¡±


    The words were almost strained, his anger boiling to a point he could barely control. Aurelio wanted to crush the man¡¯s skull between his fingers, to break him apart for even laying the slightest threat upon his people¡ªfor making a scene before women and children, for the thought alone that his daughter had been anywhere near this madness.


    But Aurelio, ever the expert at keeping a face of stone, pressed forward.


    ¡°There¡¯s no redemption for me,¡± Olesk muttered. ¡°Nor for you. Not for the Grand Auric. Not for the children. The women. The men.¡± His grip on the Crucible tightened, knuckles bone-white. ¡°You¡¯ll all die here, trapped endlessly in a mire, crawling, gasping, starving for release¡­¡± He lifted the Crucible high into the air. ¡°And you¡¯ll find none. The mire will take you all. And it¡¯ll spread¡­ and your golden city¡­ it will fall.¡±


    Aurelio lunged.


    The crowds erupted.


    ¡°RUN! RUN! SAVE YOURSELVES!¡±


    ¡°MOMMY!¡±


    ¡°SAVE THE CHILDREN!¡±


    ¡°OLLIE, DON¡¯T DO THIS!¡±


    ¡°CALLAHAN, YOU IDIOT, I SAID NO!¡±


    His final words would be heard by no one, except perhaps his family¡ªwherever they were, lost in the mire.


    "I''m sorry. Sweet Mother Aureha, please guide my family to freedom. I beg of you."


    A flash.


    A sickly green fog burst from the Crucible.


    It spread like mist, like a breath.


    No explosion. No fire.


    Just a quiet, creeping death.


    Flesh blackened, shriveled, melted away. They clung to whatever was closest, gasping¡ªchoking¡ªstruggling for air that would never come. The Aurifex became a grave in seconds. It wasn¡¯t even loud. Just a click, a soft, somber wind that stole the air from their lungs.


    And through it all, Aurelio stood.


    Untouched.


    Unbroken.


    Invincible.


    He watched.


    As the fools who stayed¡ªthe fools he loved¡ªdied before his eyes.


    And he could do nothing.


    Then he looked down at his feet, that disgusting pest was still breathing. How dare he still live.


    Aurelio picked him up, effortlessly, his hand grasped Olesk¡¯s neck tightly, very tightly, approaching the point of his spine turning to dust under the pressure. He wanted to. So badly. To end this piece of trash. He pictured it in his head, slamming this man into the ground over and over and over and over and over, until nothing was left, until there was no evidence but the fractured, broken earth below that there was ever a man named Olesk who existed.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you lived, Olesk.¡±


    A smile, a horrible, horrible smile drew itself across Aurelio¡¯s face.


    ¡°You think your family rotting in some mire is a fate worse than death?¡± He brought the Aurelan¡¯s face close to his, his lips almost brushing against his sharpened ears.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to wish, every day, that you died at this moment, but I¡¯m not going to let you.¡±


    He walked through the newly formed mire, Olesk held high above his head, to keep him ¡®safe¡¯, stepping over bodies, so many bodies¡­


    And an odd thing, something he barely even noticed.


    Strange flowers, catching the light in fractals¡­ a beautiful kaleidoscope.

 A Twinkling Eye

    ¡°Oh yes, here I am! And look at you¡ªyour face! It¡¯s perfect. Did you miss me?¡±


    Nyve¡¯s voice spilled out like laughter as she emerged from the eye, first a twinkle of light, then a ribbon of shifting color that rose to meet Callahan¡¯s face.


    ¡°I must admit, it was a bit rude of you to leave without even asking if maybe I wanted to come!¡±


    Callahan wasn¡¯t sure if he could trust his eyes. ¡°Damn¡­ so you were real.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t convinced either way before, not entirely. That place¡ªwhatever it was¡ªfelt too real, but he¡¯d been hoping it and its residents would stay put.


    ¡°Of course I¡¯m real!¡± Nyve beamed, spinning in the air. ¡°I¡¯ve been real for longer than you¡¯ve been alive! Longer than your mother, and her mother, and her mother, and her mother¡ª¡±


    She kept going, oblivious to the looming shadow behind her.


    ¡°¡ªand her mother, and her mother, and OI!¡±


    Nyve yelped as Rowan caught her mid-sentence, his calloused fingers clamping around her tiny form. His grip was stronger than Callahan¡¯s had ever been, and Nyve¡¯s breath hitched under the pressure.


    ¡°Oooh, Rowan! In the flesh! I was right, Callahan, hands of hammers, this one.¡±


    She wiggled, gasping but still entirely amused.


    ¡°Lovely beard, though, I must say¡ªI appreciate the hue!¡±


    Rowan¡¯s eyes sparkled like a child seeing magic for the first time. Then, he looked down at the eye in Callahan¡¯s hand, picked it up, and compared Nyve to its size. His eyes shot from Nyve to the eye, then back to Nyve.


    "Admiring me, are ya? Well, I can¡¯t fault ya for it, really. I am the most beautiful fairy in all of Gwyndadoraoralaeolye."


    "Cal." Rowan¡¯s voice was hushed, like he¡¯d just made the discovery of the century.


    "I can¡¯t believe this." Callahan braced himself.


    Rowan and Nyve in the same room. His nightmare was coming true.


    "There has got to be a market for this," Rowan continued. "A jeweled eye that houses a fairy? Can you believe that?! I thought Ma was just spinnin¡¯ tales! But this¡ªthis is a real damn fairy!"


    Callahan and Nyve both stared at him. Absolutely dumbfounded.


    "Hold on a minute." Callahan frowned. "Just a second ago, you didn¡¯t even believe me. And now¡ªwhat? You think someone would buy a fairy?"


    "EVERYBODY would want to buy me!" Nyve chimed in.


    Then she paused.


    "Wait¡ªyou were gonna sell Lughren¡¯s Eye?!"


    "Well, she¡¯s rare, obviously," Rowan explained, gesturing at Nyve like she was a prize mare. "Ma didn¡¯t get those fairy tales from nowhere, so there¡¯s probably buyers out there. And the eye¡ªit¡¯s gorgeous, fine metal, precious jewel. Of course we were gonna sell it!"


    He walked over to the table Callahan had been sitting at and set the eye down, wedging it into a loop of his armor so it wouldn¡¯t roll away. Then, he picked up an empty bottle of ale.


    "Well, little fairy," he said, grinning, "here you go¡ªa nice little room for you till we find a buyer."


    "HEY, YOU BLOODY OAF, DON¡¯T YOU DARE¡ª"


    Nyve¡¯s words cut off as Rowan shoved her straight into the bottle and jammed a cork into the top. There was A brief moment of muffled screaming. Callahan watched as his brother tapped the bottle with a finger, smirking as Nyve punched back with all her might in retaliation. Her tiny fists barely made a sound against the glass. Rowan giggled like a child at the futility of her escape. The words Nyve was shouting¡ªCallahan could never hope to recognize them. Ancient curse words, for sure. A small part of him enjoyed the sight. Nyve, for once, had met her match. An oblivious jokester who didn¡¯t particularly care about the feelings of others had now made her the victim of a game. Well, he isn¡¯t that bad, Callahan thought. But she does deserve this a little.


    "She¡¯s so feisty! I bet she gave you the real runaround!" Rowan grinned, tapping at the bottle again. Nyve let out a furious, muffled shriek. The bottle almost tipped over, but Rowan caught it at the last second like it was all part of the game.


    "Yeah," Callahan muttered, watching Nyve bounce around inside. "She likes to tease, that¡¯s for sure."


    "Well, c¡¯mon, lil'' fairy!" Rowan picked up the bottle and swirled it in the air. Nyve spun wildly inside.


    "Show us something! Ma says you¡¯re good at magic."


    A devilish smile spread across Nyve¡¯s face. Some dark, foreboding feeling welled up in Callahan¡¯s chest. Nyve was slippery in her own realm¡ªso why hadn¡¯t she escaped yet? That smile¡­ it didn¡¯t bode well.


    ¡°Hey, Rowan, you should stop,¡± Callahan reached for the bottle, but Rowan lifted it above his head with a grin. ¡°Whaaaaat,¡± he stretched out the word, ignoring him completely. ¡°I just wanna see what she can do! Maybe she can light up the bottle like a lamp!¡± He laughed, but Callahan was getting worried now, because the bottle was lighting up and Rowan didn¡¯t even notice.


    ¡°Rowan, please¡ª¡± The words never reached his ears. Then¡ªSNAP.


    The world flipped. They weren¡¯t in the room anymore. Or at least, they weren¡¯t standing by the desk. A strange, sticky liquid welled up at their feet. The walls around them shifted, turning into a thick green glass, curving and enclosing them on all sides.


    ¡°Huh, where¡¯d she go?¡± Rowan looked at his empty hand.


    ¡°Oh no.¡± Callahan knew exactly what had happened.


    Before he could say it, gravity vanished.


    ¡°Oh, this is quite the trick!¡± Rowan sounded impressed.


    ¡°Rowan, you idiot, I told you to stop!¡±


    That sticky floor beneath them scurried away, faster than they could fall towards it. And then¡ªjust as quickly¡ªit came slamming back up at them. Their bodies hit the ground with a thud, completely soaked in stale ale.


    Callahan groaned. ¡°Ugh, she¡¯s never done anything like this before,¡±


    He was soaked in ale. Sticky. Miserable. He hated the thought of having to spend money to clean up, but he hated the thought of smelling like booze for weeks even more. Rowan, on the other hand, was laughing.


    ¡°Oh, look at that! Look at what she did!¡± He pointed upward, eyes wide with wonder.


    Above them, their glassy domed sky shimmered. Nyve¡¯s eye hurtled toward them like the planets in Gwyndadoraoralaeolye.


    "A pair of bumbling brothers, bathing in a bottle¡ªwould you like to go for a spin, boys?"


    Her voice crackled like a rolling storm, amusement thundering around them. Is this how she always hears people? Callahan wondered.


    "OH COME ON YA FAIRY, DO IT, I DARE YA!"


    Rowan grinned, throwing his arms wide, completely unfazed.


    "ROWAN, SHUT UP, SHUT UP¡ªSHE WILL¡ª"


    With a flick of Nyve¡¯s wrist, it began.


    "WHOOAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"


    The bottle spun. The brothers slid along the glass walls, sloshing through rivers of ale as gravity whipped them in every direction. Rowan cackled like a madman, his laughter echoing off the curved walls.


    "NYVE, PLEASE, MERCY¡ªWE GIVE UP!" Callahan yelled.


    "NO, WE DON¡¯T! KEEP GOING!"


    It was a nightmare scenario. Callahan was right¡ªthis was his worst fear. Rowan¡¯s booming laughter roared inside the bottle, and Nyve¡¯s thundered from outside it.


    ¡°Oh, look at you! You¡¯re precious! Those childish laughs! Do you like being tiny, boys?¡±


    Nyve wound down the gyrations, letting the brothers come to a smooth stop at the bottom of the bottle. "Thoroughly tossed and turned, I¡¯d say!"


    She uncorked the bottle and, as gently as she could, poured the brothers and the rest of the ale out onto the table. Rowan plopped out first, hitting the wood with a sticky thud.


    "WOOOOO!"


    Then Callahan came tumbling after.


    "NYVE, I WASN¡¯T EVEN¡ª"


    Thud. Right on top of Rowan.


    As smooth a landing as he could¡¯ve asked for.


    ¡°Oh, come on now, get up! Not much time left, y¡¯know, this break won¡¯t last forever!¡± Nyve poked at them, urging them to move. Rowan gasped for air, still laughing between breaths.


    "Hahaha¡ªoh, hahaaehe¡ªI can¡¯t believe it! I really can¡¯t believe it! What a ride!"


    Callahan slid off his brother, shaking off stale booze. "Why did I get shrunk too! I didn¡¯t put you in the bottle!" Nyve¡¯s giant finger came down like a pillar, poking Callahan in the belly, he stumbled back almost losing his footing entirely. ¡°Oh? Consider it payback for trying to drown me in the lake!"


    Callahan still couldn¡¯t even process what kind of power this was¡ªhow she did it, why she didn¡¯t try anything like it before. Rowan came up behind him, still grinning ear to ear.


    "Oh, she¡¯s somethin¡¯, Callahan." He slapped Callahan on the back, then turned to give Nyve an exaggerated welcome, his arms flailing in the air to catch her attention.


    "HEY, LADY! WHAT¡¯S YOUR NAME? I¡¯M ROWAN! IT¡¯S A PLEASURE!"


    "Nyve! The wonderful and fabulous Fairy Goddess of Gwyndadoraoralaeolye!"


    She lifted Rowan and Callahan gently between her fingers, then placed them on the floor.


    "Please, mercy," Callahan pleaded.


    Rowan, however, was already raring to go for whatever else she had planned.


    "Oh, calm down now, Callahan. Time is up anyway!"


    A green light enveloped them, warm and pulsing. In an instant, their sizes snapped back to normal. Nyve was tiny again. The bottle was no longer a prison. But they were still soaked to the bone in booze.


    "Aww, no more magic? Did you run out already!?" Rowan''s voice dripped with disappointment¡ªas did the ale still clinging to him. Callahan¡¯s eyes narrowed. With a flash of movement, his bare hand whipped across Rowan¡¯s bare back.


    SMACK.


    "WHOACH¡ª!" Rowan jerked forward, a red handprint now seared across his back.


    "Oh, that was a good one," he winced, letting out a small laugh.


    "Told you I''d get you back¡­" Callahan flicked his hand in the air, trying to swipe away his own pain from hitting Rowan so hard.


    "And you really deserved it this time."


    Rowan grunted out a last chuckle.


    "Okay, okay, heh heh heh¡­"


    Nyve floated over to Callahan, resting herself on his shoulder, legs crossed, one foot kicking lazily in the air.


    "No fightin¡¯, boys! Y¡¯know better!" she teased.


    Then she leaned in, eyes twinkling.


    "I can see it in your eyes, Callahan. You¡¯ve got questions. Go ahead, ask away! I¡¯ve had my fun¡­ and I know there¡¯s so much more to come!"


    Callahan sighed. He knew he was stuck with her now. Some strange fate had been forced upon him, and he doubted¡ªespecially at this moment¡ªthat there was any way to evade it.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    His hands sweeped his hair between his fingers, tugging it slightly, fatigued.


    "What are you even doing here¡­ and what was all that?"


    He gestured at himself¡ªhis booze-soaked clothes. Then, something caught his eye. The room had changed. Those weird fractal flowers from Gwyndadoraoralaeolye had sprouted all over. Callahan stiffened. His exhaustion turned to wariness.


    "And that. Why is that growing here?"


    His fingers dug into his temples, trying to numb a headache that was already beginning. Rowan, meanwhile, had plucked one of the flowers off his bed and sat down, admiring it like a rare trinket.


    "Ooh, could probably sell these? they¡¯re pretty!"


    Without a second thought, he grabbed an empty bottle off the floor, stuffed the flower inside, and set it neatly on the table.


    "And Kiki says I don¡¯t know how to keep the place nice." He snorted, looking pleased with himself.


    "Well, my sweet Callahan,"


    Nyve¡¯s voice dripped with a strange, saccharine sweetness, as if she were mocking the very words she spoke.


    "Lughren thought you might need a hand! A push in the right direction, and¡ª" She pressed her tiny hands into his shoulder, teasingly. "I¡¯m ever so good at pushing, and as for that¡­ well¡­" She paused, Callahan caught a sliver of hesitation.


    "Well, what?" he pushed, eyes narrowing.


    "You never did that in¡­ whatever you call it."


    Nyve pouted theatrically, then giggled.


    "Well¡­ I¡¯m not really supposed to be doing that."


    She kicked her legs in the air, looking far too pleased with herself.


    "Lughren has much more control over Gwyndadoraoralaeolye than I do, y¡¯know! Ohhh, I do hope he isn¡¯t lookin¡¯ in our direction right now!"


    Her wings fluttered as she twirled in the air, voice dripping with mock worry.


    "I¡¯ll be in sooo much trouble." Then, Nyve leaned in close, a mischievous spark in her eyes.


    "But that, Callahan?" She tapped his forehead playfully.


    "That is what I can do when I play with the Accord, and those flowers! Well, they¡¯re just touch of Gwyndadoraoralaeolye! A sign that I¡¯ve been having a little too much fun!"


    Her tone deepened, the teasing laced with something¡­ older. "A Goddess doesn¡¯t bend or bind, oh, we like to break it, and out here? Lughren can¡¯t really stop me!"


    Then, like a petal drifting in the wind, Nyve floated down, landing flat on her back atop Callahan¡¯s shoulder. Her wings swung lazily off his side, legs crossed, fingers pointing directly at him.


    "Oh, but don¡¯t expect me to be pulling you out of every little situation you might find yourself in! There¡¯s a reason Lughren doesn¡¯t want me using these breaks! Only when it¡¯s needed!"


    Callahan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Then with a quick swipe, he grabbed her by the foot, lifting her up into the air. Nyve giggled, swinging happily in place. He held her up, eye-level, his glare burning into her tiny upside-down face.


    "And the whole thing with the bottle?"


    His voice was flat, unimpressed.


    "That was needed?"


    Nyve crossed her arms, giving him an upside-down nod.


    "Of course! Rowan was being a bully!"


    Callahan groaned, exhaling deeply. then, he let her go. He dragged himself toward his bed. He didn¡¯t even care that he was sticky and gross anymore. Rowan, sitting on the other bed, watched the exchange. Then, with a casual shrug, he grinned.


    "I just wanted to see what she could do!"


    He leaned back, stretching.


    "Come on, Cal, it wasn¡¯t that bad."


    Nyve floated over to Rowan, tucking herself into his long red hair. She disappeared into the wild curls, her tiny body blending into the fiery mess.


    "You should listen to your brother, Caaaaal," she sang, drawing out his name in a long, teasing lilt.


    Callahan, his face buried in his pillow, only peeked one tired eye out at them. He watched Rowan reach up, trying to poke at her, but she danced away, darting between strands of hair. She was like a locust in tall red grass.


    ¡°You¡¯re quick!¡± Rowan tried to grab her as Callahan had, his hands playfully trying to get a pinch on her wings, ¡°Oh you have no idea Rowan! You should¡¯ve seen me twist, twirl and blink around Callahan¡¯s cracks!¡± Rowan¡¯s hair was all tangled now, not that it had been well kept before,


    ¡°He did surprise me a few times though, He¡¯s quite quick on the draw!¡±


    Nyve had flew off from Rowan and had begun making herself a tiny bed on the table that sat between the brothers. She had laid the picked fractal flowers in layers, stacking them delicately into something that looked comfortable for someone her size. Callahan watched her work, but at this point, he wasn¡¯t even sure if he wanted to ask her anything else. The night had already been so long¡ªthe bar, the Kraken Callers, Ollie and everything before that. But still, he wondered. He let out a tired sigh, voice muffled under his pillow.


    "Well... where do you plan to push us, Nyve?"


    Nyve placed the final touch on her bed¡ªa single curled petal, fluffed like a pillow, then looked up to Callahan, a glint of pride in her eyes at her accomplishment.


    "Oh, I wouldn¡¯t spoil the surprises, Callahan!"


    She grinned, flopping gracefully into her bed, arms stretched overhead like a satisfied cat.


    "When I think you¡¯ve lost your way, I¡¯ll let you know!"


    Callahan rolled his eyes. He wasn¡¯t even sure yet how he felt about her being here. But the feelings weren¡¯t very positive.


    "There are so many ways this journey could go," Nyve continued, snuggling deeper into her floral nest.


    "If I told you how it ended, or what¡¯s to come¡­ well, that might change things for the worse!"


    Rowan, rubbing his beard, tilted his head.


    "Huh. Do fairies need to sleep?"


    Nyve giggled, draping one leg lazily over her fractal bedding.


    "It¡¯s a fabulous way to pass the time!"


    Then, with utter dramatic flair, she waved one hand through the air.


    "I once took a nap for 5000 years. When I woke up, I was absolutely stunning¡ªmy beauty radiated all over Gwyndadoraoralaeolye! Oh, it was wonderful." She sighed dreamily, Rowan wouldn¡¯t have noticed it, but there was a tinge, miniscule, but familiar to Callahan at least, it was nostalgia.


    "Well!" Rowan clapped his hands together, then flopped back into his bed.


    "We should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow for all of us!"


    With one lazy hand, he dragged a soaked sheet off the floor, sniffed it, then wrinkled his nose. His fingers searched for another¡ªdrier this time.


    "We¡¯re going shopping! Calling Ma! Ooh, maybe we¡¯ll go to the Luminarc too! That¡¯d be fun."


    Satisfied with his blanket, Rowan wrapped himself up, ready for sleep. Nyve squeezed her petal blanket close to her face, pretending to hide her excited expression. "Oh, I can¡¯t wait!"


    Callahan was quiet. Rowan yawned, stretching one arm behind his head.


    "Ha. Well, sleep tight, Cal. And you too, Nyve!" His grin was easy, warm, already fading into sleep.


    "Pleasant dreams, Mighty Rowan," she whispered. Nyve watched him, then turned to Callahan, her gaze softened. There was something different in her expression. Something almost tender. It made Callahan feel strange.


    "And you too, my sweet Callahan."


    Callahan shuffled himself deeper into his bed, wrapping himself in blankets. He fidgeted, shifting, getting comfortable. Not wanting to be rude, as she would so often call him, he sighed.


    "Goodnight, guys."


    What felt like one long day had finally come to an end. Monsters and fairy realms of dying gods. Then, worst of all, being forced into the heart of Kiki¡¯s when it was full to bursting. It had been the strangest and most grueling day of his journey in Onoria so far.


    Callahan wondered what awaited him next. Nyve was a new problem, but he didn¡¯t know what to do with her. And if she was real, that meant Lughren was too. She said she would push me in the right direction¡ªbut does that direction include getting money for Ma? I still haven¡¯t even agreed to whatever she has in store, but I don¡¯t think she¡¯d let me say no now that she¡¯s here. I wonder what she¡¯d do if we tried to ditch her. Nothing good I bet¡­


    She¡¯d always been able to keep up with him in Gwyndadoraoralaeolye, but here, she seemed more limited. The effects of her power were drastic, but she had admitted she could only use them sparingly, and their duration wasn¡¯t long. He rolled further into his bed, away from both Nyve and Rowan. She could be useful, maybe we can use her powers on jobs that get too dangerous for my bind. But she really stands out... It¡¯ll make us stick out if she¡¯s always floating around. We¡¯ll have to figure something out for that.


    Callahan traced the rope of his pendant with his fingers, following it down to the silver etching. He held it out in front of him and stared, We¡¯ll figure it out, take it a day at a time. Today was a big step towards home. With that thought of home in his mind he closed his eyes, and sleep was quick to come to his weary mind.


    ¡°Up bright and early, a beautiful day,


    To go on down to the market¡¯s way!


    Our wallets full of hard-earned pay!


    We¡¯ll spend it all on fun and play!¡±


    The words were garbled, barely coherent in Callahan¡¯s mind. Nyve sang as she hopped on his cheek, like a child bouncing on a bed. He groaned, swiping lazily at his face, but missed. She darted up, dodging effortlessly, and when his hand flopped back onto the bed, she just kept bouncing.


    ¡°Oh, wake up already, you lazy boy!¡± She huffed, stomping her tiny feet in an exaggerated pout, but no one was even awake to see her little fit. Callahan was still dead asleep, and there was no point in trying to rouse Rowan¡ªif his own snoring hadn¡¯t woken him, Nyve without drastic measures certainly wouldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Well, then, I guess I¡¯ll just entertain myself!¡±


    She darted around the room, plucking up the glowing flowers she had conjured in the night. She gathered them all at the table, where Lughren¡¯s Eye and Rowan¡¯s discarded armor lay. Humming to herself, she fiddled with the petals and stems, weaving them into something new¡ªeven ripping a few strips of leather from Rowan¡¯s armor to complete her work. The very early hours of the morning passed in a blur of restless energy, Nyve flitting from one task to another, anything to stave off her boredom.


    Hours later, the brothers began to stir.


    Rowan¡¯s awakening was the rudest. His breath hitched mid-snore, catching in his throat like he was struggling to stay alive. With a grunt, he sat up, dazed, like a man who had no idea where he was or how he got there. He hadn¡¯t even drunk much the night before, but still¡ªwhen Rowan slept, he was dead as a log.


    ¡°Uugh¡­ Mornin¡¯.¡± He slapped his face, trying to knock the sleep out of his body. His eyes landed on Nyve, who was still perched at the desk, finishing her strange new project. ¡°What¡¯re you doing over there?¡±


    He rolled off his bed, already looking for something to throw on. He was heading straight for the kitchen. Kiki would be cooking by now, and he wasn¡¯t about to miss out on food.


    ¡°Oh, just a little thing, y¡¯know!¡± Nyve swung a strange rope over her shoulder, its petal-flesh twisting and curling with a strange ambient glow. ¡°It¡¯d be a real tragedy if we ever lost this, so I made Callahan a little gift!¡±


    Rowan leaned in, reaching to take it. ¡°Huh. You need help carrying that?¡±


    Nyve smacked his hand away.


    ¡°Oi! It¡¯s not for you, greedy Rowan!¡±


    ¡°All right, carry it yourself then,¡± he chuckled, rubbing his face again, still trying to shake off the last traces of sleep. He headed for the door, pausing just long enough to kick Callahan¡¯s bed on his way out.


    ¡°Wake up! Big day today!¡±


    Callahan stirred with a groggy grumble, he rolled over, back flat against his bed, eyes barely wanting to stay open. He blinked once. Twice. On the third, there she was.


    Nyve hovered above his vision, clutching something tightly to her chest.


    ¡°Happy Birthday!¡±


    She dropped it.


    Lughren¡¯s Eye dinged right off his forehead, rolling onto the bed beside him, tangled in the freshly woven petal-twine. It was a cold little knock, but it didn¡¯t really hurt. He was still dazed, still clinging to sleep.


    ¡°My birthday is still months away¡­¡± His voice was groggy, confused.


    Nyve groaned, already impatient. ¡°Oh, would you just open your eyes and look at what little Nyve made you? Rude! Mean old giant.¡±


    Callahan lazily swiped the bed for the Eye, feeling the cord wrap around his fingers as he brought it into view.


    ¡°Oooh, you made it into a necklace. How?¡±


    Nyve puffed up with pride. ¡°I¡¯m a fairy goddess! I can do so many things! Now¡ªdoesn¡¯t it bring back such precious memories of our time together?¡±


    There was something genuinely warm in her voice, and Callahan noticed it. He sat up, turning the cord over in his hands. The flowers looked just like the ones that bloomed in Gwyndadoraoralaeolye. He wouldn¡¯t admit it to her, but it really was¡­ a pretty sight. And it held the Eye of Lughren securely.


    ¡°So you want me to wear this?¡± He slipped the cord over his head, the Eye settling neatly beside his boar pendant. ¡°You sure you don¡¯t want to leave it here, where it¡¯s safe?¡±


    ¡°Oh, absolutely not. You need to keep that with you at all times!¡±


    Nyve fluttered closer, inspecting the way the Eye now rested against Callahan¡¯s chest.


    ¡°It suits you nicely, Callahan.¡±


    There it was again¡ªthat look. He preferred when she had that mischievous glint in her eye. The melancholic, softer Nyve? He wasn¡¯t sure what to think of her when she looked like that.


    ¡°Well, if you say so. No point in arguing with you of all things.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. You¡¯d definitely lose.¡±


    She darted onto his shoulder as he pushed himself up.


    ¡°Oh, you stink, Callahan! Are you really going to town smelling like that?¡±


    Nyve plugged her nose, waving a tiny hand in front of her face as if to swat away the smell.


    Callahan exhaled through his nose. ¡°This is your fault, you know. You could¡¯ve just put Rowan in the bottle.¡± He half-heartedly searched the room for something clean to wear, glancing toward Nyve.


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be fair if I didn¡¯t give both my boys attention!¡± Her voice was nasally¡ªshe was still plugging her nose.


    Callahan stopped. ¡°We¡¯re your boys now?¡±


    ¡°Of course! Every Lughari¡ªman or woman¡ªyou¡¯re like our sweet little babies! That part that makes you, you? Your soul? It¡¯s just a small part of us.¡± She spun in the air, arms wide. ¡°Or well¡­ a small part of Lughren!¡±


    Nyve watched as Callahan shuffled through his room, fruitlessly tossing clothes aside.


    ¡°Lughari?¡± He barely sounded like he was paying attention. ¡°That what you call us?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what you called yourselves. Well, I mean¡ªyou did. I don¡¯t know what you call yourselves anymore. I didn¡¯t get to see much in Gwyndadoraoralaeolye.¡±


    She pointed to a corner he hadn¡¯t searched yet.


    ¡°So? What do you call yourselves nowadays?¡±


    ¡°Surprised you don¡¯t already know.¡±


    He followed her direction, but all he found was more dirty laundry and booze.


    Nyve smirked. ¡°I didn¡¯t catch every detail in your head, y¡¯know! I have some respect for privacy.¡±


    ¡°A lot of the older folks call us Ryelanders¡ªit¡¯s the name of the islands we live on,¡± Callahan muttered. ¡°Onorions have more dismissive names. Usually, we¡¯re just called Forsaken. They really don¡¯t like our lack of worship or reverence for a god.¡±


    His stomach growled, but he couldn¡¯t go downstairs with Nyve still lounging on his shoulders.


    ¡°I think they¡¯d probably respect us more if we still worshipped something, at least,¡± he admitted. ¡°But that¡¯s just how it is. Though there are a lot of converts everyday, maybe Rye will start getting more respect.¡±


    He could feel her tiny fingers digging into his shoulder at the words.


    ¡°Converts, eh?¡± Nyve¡¯s voice had a sharp edge to it¡ªserious, almost bitter. It was the same anger she¡¯d shown when she heard Onorus¡¯s name at the heart of the lake.


    ¡°Yeah, well, I¡¯m hungry,¡± Callahan muttered, already wanting to shift the conversation. ¡°And I need to tell you something, because I already know you won¡¯t stay put while me and Rowan go to the market.¡±


    He plucked Nyve off his shoulder and set her in his palm, making sure she was paying attention.


    ¡°I¡¯m not gonna fight you on this,¡± he admitted, anticipating her resistance. ¡°But¡­ I do need you to follow some rules.¡±


    Nyve¡¯s frustration vanished, her expression brightening as she realized what he was saying. ¡°Oh, Sweet Callahan, you know me so well! I¡¯m flattered!¡± Her brow perked up as she leaned in, eager to listen.


    ¡°To be on the safe side, you can¡¯t be floating around or causing a scene, If you¡¯re coming with us, you have to hide in Rowan¡¯s hair. Onorions already don¡¯t like Dregs in the upper districts, but if we¡¯re caught with something they¡¯ve never seen before, we¡¯re definitely gonna be in trouble.¡±


    Callahan expected a fuss, but Nyve seemed more intrigued than annoyed.


    ¡°Oooh, little Nyve gets to be a sneak? I like this game! Oh, but Rowan¡¯s hair is a mess, and he stinks far worse than you!¡± She wrinkled her nose dramatically.


    Callahan sighed. ¡°Your dress and hair match his, and if you keep your wings down, you should blend in. I could make him wear a hat too.¡± His voice dropped into something more serious. ¡°Just please, Nyve. Keep quiet and stay low. If you really want to be helpful¡ªto push us forward¡ªyou gotta stay hidden.¡±


    She twirled a strand of her own hair between her fingers, pretending to think it over. Then, with a wide grin, she clapped her hands together. ¡°It¡¯s a fine idea, Callahan! You¡¯re right, of course! It would¡¯ve been quite the predicament if you got caught in the market with such a beautiful princess. They might think you kidnapped me!¡± She gasped, eyes wide with mock horror. ¡°Then it¡¯d be off to the chopping block for both of you!¡±


    Callahan tried to force a smile, but deep down, he thought it might honestly be worse than that.


    ¡°Well, I guess we have a deal then¡­ Just one last thing¡ªstay hidden in the bar too. I trust Kiki, but¡­¡± Callahan hesitated, rubbing his jaw. ¡°The Dregs aren¡¯t safe either. If you want something to eat, I can bring you something up?¡±


    His face tensed. He wasn¡¯t sure if he was asking too much of her. Nyve in the waking world was an unknown variable, but if she acted anything like she did in her own realm, this could be a disaster waiting to happen.


    Nyve let out a dramatic, exaggerated sigh. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re torturing me, Callahan! Truly, you are! I can¡¯t leave the room unless I¡¯m tangled in Rowan¡¯s hair, I can¡¯t meet Kiki, I can¡¯t sing and dance in the bar! You might as well just kill me now¡­¡± She spun and swayed, then flopped flat onto her back in his palm, going utterly still in a mock death. One gleaming green eye peeked open.


    ¡°Fiiiiiine, I¡¯ll agree. Go and eat, sweet little Callahan, and then¡ªit¡¯s time for our first big day together!¡± She snickered to herself, ¡°Bring me something sugary too, it¡¯s been ages!¡±


    Callahan exhaled in relief, setting Nyve down on his bed as gently as he could. She settled in without fuss, giving him one last mischievous grin as he turned toward the door. He gave her a small wave before heading out. Today was going well so far. And Kiki had something delicious cooking.


    It¡¯s gonna be a good day, a sparkle of optimism lingered in his mind.

 The Whole World Goes Blind.

    ¡°STEEL, WEAPONS, AND ARMOR, BOUND BY OUR VERY BEST IN THE AURACANTHEUM!¡±


    ¡°Looking to mend a precious piece of clothing? Perhaps tailor something new! We have silk from the Jungles of Yth¡ªunbreakable, strong, and exotic!¡±


    ¡°Trinkets! Machina! Strange and wonderful devices from far across the world! What do they do? Find out for yourself!¡±


    The Aurifex, the grand commerce district of Onoria¡ªthe grandest in the world, no doubt. People from all over the kingdom came to peddle their wares here, though not everyone was lucky enough to get in. Most had to apply for merchant passes, a process far stricter for those who weren¡¯t Onorion themselves. Only a select few foreigners¡ªaside from those in the Amalgamate¡ªwere cautiously granted access to trade. Even with such rigid control, there were cracks in the system. Passes could be forged, and for most, telling a fake from a real one was near impossible. That made the Aurifex a haven for those who wished to hide in plain sight¡ªwhether to do business with the larger Onorion populace, or to pursue more nefarious ends.


    The trio found themselves swept up in the rabbling crowd of merchants and solicitors, packed almost as tightly as Kiki¡¯s bar at the height of the night. Everywhere they turned, there was something to spend money on. The scent of roasting meat, fried dough, and overripe fruit mingled in the air, wafting from peddlers eager to sell their goods before they spoiled. The rhythmic clanging of hammers on steel rang out from the dark corners of workshops, where forges worked tirelessly to keep the city''s supply of weapons high. Voices layered over one another in a chaotic chorus¡ªso many people, all trying to convince you that their wares were exactly what you needed.


    Nyve wriggled excitedly, gripping tightly onto the red strands of Rowan¡¯s hair, her small body hidden beneath his locks. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s wonderful! The chaos, the crowds! I wish I could just fly free and join in! I bet I could show these merchants how to gather a crowd!¡±


    Callahan nudged Rowan, hoping he¡¯d get the message to keep quiet across. Rowan, ever the cooperative one, gave a small shake of his head to pass it along to Nyve. Nyve scoffed. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s fine, you two! I¡¯m a master of all sorts of tricks. I can bind my voice to your ears only!¡±


    "That so?" Callahan kept his voice low. He wasn¡¯t even sure if Nyve could hear him¡ªbut not a second later, she answered anyway.


    "Oh yes! Not as impressive as a Break, but I can bend and Bind in certain ways too!"


    Nyve rustled around in Rowan¡¯s locks. He looked like he was doing his best to ignore an itch.


    ¡°So where to first, Cal?¡± Rowan asked, trying to sound casual. Callahan could tell he¡¯d already made up his mind, but ever the thoughtful brother, he at least pretended to consider Callahan¡¯s input. He exhaled, the stale scent of ale still clinging to him, Harmonia would be the ideal first stop.


    Harmonia was a bathhouse run by scent binders¡ªthose who could alter the natural world through fragrance. in everyday life, their craft was highly sought after. Most became perfumers, peddling their wares in the streets, hoping to catch the favor of wealthy patrons. Some were luckier. If they had the gift to bind the accord and were of the female persuasion, they could become a Harmony¡ªan attendant at Harmonia. Cleansing the body wasn¡¯t the only thing a Harmony or other scent binder could do. Plenty of people came to Harmonia not just to wash away the musk and dirt clinging to their flesh, but to rid themselves of burdens far less tangible. With the right perfumes, a scent binder could arouse or calm, delight or unburden. A single breath could sway emotions, lifting worries like steam rising from hot water.


    Harmonia could be expensive, though, and Callahan wasn¡¯t sure how much he¡¯d end up being pushed to spend. It might also be a good idea to test the passes they were given by Kiki somewhere with a little less scrutiny. Rowan had been to the market plenty of times, and although the pass never failed him, Callahan had this strange worry that this would be the time it might get caught as a forgery. ¡°Maybe the Vocarium first?¡± He turned it over in his mind. That could also be a dangerous place¡ªthe Vocarium was almost a religious site to Onorions.


    Like most buildings in the city, the Vocarium was massive, its walls etched with symbols representing its work¡ªtwinned notes, flowing lines, a mouth that could spread words to any corner of the world. The Vocarii, born in pairs, were capable of hearing each other across any distance. At first, their ability seemed narrow¡ªbut savvy minds saw its potential. So, the Onorions got to work. Any parents with these gifted twins would be set for life¡ªif they allowed the state to take them. One twin would remain within the capital¡¯s halls, while the other was sent far away, wherever Onoria needed their voices. In the early days, the Vocarii were used solely for war, diplomacy, and political affairs, allowing the ruling Hands of Onoria to communicate instantly across their vast empire. But as their power became undeniable, so too did the need to expand its reach beyond the battlefield.


    Thus, the Grand Vocarium was established within the Auracantheum, a hallowed institution where only the most skilled Vocarii served the empire¡¯s highest offices. But even those who lacked the talent to work in war and governance had value. A second station was built¡ªone for the "less gifted" Vocarii¡ªwhere their abilities could be sold to those with the coin to pay. Here, merchants, tradesmen, and foreigners could buy the right to have their words carried across vast distances¡ªwhether for business, personal affairs, or more secretive dealings. This expansion had transformed the Vocarium from a state-run institution into an essential service, one that touched almost every level of Onorian society.


    "Yeah, we could do that." Rowan had been wanting to talk to their mother, and a hot soak would do him some good, but there was something he was missing and a part of himself felt naked without it.


    "We could also check out the stalls, y¡¯know. We¡¯re already here, so might as well get it out of the way!" Without waiting for a response, Rowan pushed through the crowds, already set on his destination. He carved a path through the shifting sea of bodies, expecting Callahan to follow.


    "Rowan, wait up!" Callahan and Nyve seemed to be the only ones who cared about the stale stench still clinging to him, though a few passersby shot him odd looks as they waded through the streets. Was it the smell? Rowan¡¯s blunt way of shoving through people? Whatever it was, better not to think about it. Despite the packed streets, Callahan found himself breathing easier out here. The open sky, the flow of people, the movement¡ªit all made the city feel less suffocating, even with the crowds pressing in. Everyone had their own business to contend with. No one cared what the three of them were up to. Rowan had led them far past the open-air stalls, deep into some forgotten corner of the district. The chaotic chorus of the market faded behind them, replaced by the steady rhythm of hammers swinging and steel crashing.


    "Oryx! You in there? Oh, you¡¯re going to love what I¡¯ve got for you!"


    With a careless thud, Rowan dropped his ruined armor onto the shop counter. It was already beyond saving¡ªCallahan¡¯s power had seen to that. From the shadowed depths of the workshop, an old Onorion man emerged, his face twisted into a scowl of pure disappointment.


    "Host have mercy, Rowan¡ªwhat in the rotten mire have you done to my armor?"


    Oryx ran a calloused hand over the wreckage, tracing the jagged holes where the kraken¡¯s limbs had torn through Rowan¡¯s body. Slowly, he curled his fingers into one of the punctures¡ªthen shoved his whole fist through it.


    He blinked. Looked at Rowan. Blinked again.


    "Boy, how are you even still alive? Did you stand in front of a cannon volley?"


    Rowan leaned on the counter, almost proud of the devastation before him. He looked at his battered gear and saw a testament to his survival¡ªand to his brother¡¯s abilities. The armor was ruined, but he was perfectly fine. "Can you keep a secret?" Rowan grinned, leaning in close to Oryx, eager to spill the story.


    Oryx mirrored his movement, curiosity piqued. The armor in front of him should¡¯ve been stuck to a corpse, not worn by a man standing and grinning like it was just another day. He was about to press for details when¡ª


    YANK.


    Rowan winced, his head jerking back as Nyve tugged hard on his hair.


    "You¡¯re quite the jabbering jaw, Rowan! Did you even ask our sweet Callahan if he wanted you blabbing about his bind to everyone!¡±


    Callahan, just a few steps behind them, heard her voice sharp and clear¡ªlike she was right next to him, rather than tangled in Rowan¡¯s hair. He sighed as he reached the counter, already exhausted by whatever Rowan was about to say. Rowan waved off the concern.


    "Cal, it¡¯s fine! Oryx is a good guy, keeps quiet. You know he does plenty of business with the Dregs¡ªeven without forgeries! He wouldn¡¯t tell a soul."


    Oryx nodded toward Callahan. "So, this is your brother, then? Rowan talks a lot about you."


    Callahan raised a brow. "Oh yeah? And what has he told you so far?"


    He was really questioning Rowan¡¯s ability to keep a secret now, surprised the whole crew didn¡¯t already know? Maybe they¡¯re just really good actors and faked being surprised?


    "I haven¡¯t told him what you can do yet¡ªdon¡¯t give me that look!"


    Oryx¡¯s eyes drifted back to the armor. He still wasn¡¯t sure exactly what had happened to it, but he could put together that Callahan had something to do with it.


    "Well, this is going to take me a day or so. Gonna cost you too." Oryx picked up the battered remains of what he now considered scrap metal.


    "Hey, wait¡ªcan we check out the backroom? Y''know, the good stuff!" Rowan mimed hammer swings, grinning like a kid in a toy shop. He wasn¡¯t done shopping yet.


    Oryx squinted at him. "Yeah, I suppose. You sure you¡¯re gonna be able to afford it?"


    Rowan clapped his hands together, full of confidence. "Oh, you better believe we will! Soon, at least. We¡¯re Kraken Callers now!"


    Oryx scoffed. "Soon? What am I supposed to do with soon? I can¡¯t buy food with soon."


    Rowan hopped to Oryx¡¯s side, throwing a heavy arm over his shoulder and pulling the old smith close. "Look here!" He jingled his purse in front of him¡ªweighty, full. "This? Is just from one job! You fix up my armor, let me buy something big to hit monsters with, and whatever I can¡¯t pay now¡ªI¡¯ll give you 40% interest!"


    Oryx grumbled, eyeing Rowan like he smelled something rotten. "Damn, you¡¯re rancid, Rowan."


    But Rowan kept going, talking up his deal, haggling, turning on that thick, reckless charm to squeeze something out of the old smith. Their voices faded into the dimly lit hall as Oryx reluctantly led him toward the backroom. Callahan, meanwhile, stayed behind. He wasn¡¯t interested in weapons¡ªwhatever was on the Kraken Caller¡¯s ship would be good enough for him. He leaned against the counter, watching the people outside as the muffled sounds of negotiation faded behind him. Then¡ªNyve¡¯s voice, as loud in his ear as if she was fluttering right in front of his face rang out.


    "Oi, you idiot! Watch what you¡¯re doing¡ªyou almost took that one to the head!"


    Callahan smirked. They seemed to be doing well. Though the streets weren¡¯t as crowded in this secluded corner, it was still lively¡ªproof of just how packed the Aurifex could get. Clusters of people moved past, merchants guiding mules stacked high with goods, heading toward their stalls. Families navigated the streets, children darting every which way, while exhausted parents struggled to keep them in line. Callahan didn¡¯t mind people-watching. He did it often from his window, wondering where they were going, what had brought them here in the first place. Faces blurred together, strangers passing without becoming familiars. But then¡ªsomething strange caught his eye. An Aurelan man sat against the wall, one knee pulled tight to his chest, his fingers fiddling with something in his palm. Callahan couldn¡¯t quite see what it was. Then his gaze drifted to the man¡¯s face.


    "Ollie?" Callahan lifted a hand in greeting, then called out again. "Ollie! Hey!"


    He saw the man twitch at the sound of his name, but Ollie didn¡¯t look up. Callahan hadn¡¯t expected to see him this deep in the higher districts. There was a dock in the Dregs¡ªif he¡¯d really wanted to leave, he could have been long gone by now. Yet here he was. Taking a step forward, Callahan thought to greet him. Ollie looked as down as ever, and maybe this time¡ªjust this once¡ªCallahan could find the right words to lift his spirits. Then¡ª "Hey, Cal! Look at this!"


    Before Callahan could even close the distance, Rowan came bursting out of the front door, grinning wide, a shiny new weapon in hand. A hammer. Ornate¡ªfar more extravagant than Rowan usually cared for. But that wasn¡¯t the strangest thing about it. As Rowan raised it, the head of the hammer detached from the shaft, swinging wildly on a long, heavy chain. "Look at it go!" He twirled it overhead, faster and faster, until the whipping wind howled like it could cut through steel.


    ¡°A second round, he raises the stakes,


    where will the hammer find its place!


    Spinning faster and faster till winds break,


    how funny it will be when head meets face.¡±


    Callahan wasn¡¯t sure if Nyve was warning him or egging him on¡ªeither way, she was having fun. Rowan, too, might¡¯ve been enjoying himself a little too much. His wild weapon demonstration was starting to draw eyes. "Why¡¯d you pick that one? Also, you should probably stop¡­ you¡¯re gonna get the guards called on us."


    Rowan gradually slowed his swings, letting the flail¡¯s head lose momentum until he caught it mid-air. It slapped thickly against his palm¡ªthe impact sounded painful, but Rowan didn¡¯t even flinch. Then, with a twist of the shaft, the chain retracted into the handle, the head locking into place at the tip. No longer a flail¡ªnow a sturdy, two-handed maul.


    "Thought I could use some more range, y¡¯know? In case we ever run into some bastard that can scream my head off again."


    He shook the hammer lightly, admiring it.


    "If that ever happens again, they¡¯re gonna catch this monster right in the teeth."


    Rowan was clearly pleased with his purchase, but after a beat, he tilted his head, curious.


    "Why didn¡¯t you get anything? There¡¯s a lot of good stuff back there, Cal. And Oryx would give you a good deal¡ªbrothers share a discount!"


    "I¡¯m sure the ship has something I can use."


    Callahan glanced back, but Ollie was gone¡ªslipped away when he wasn¡¯t looking. Damn. He¡¯d gotten distracted by Rowan.


    "Ah, you¡¯re too cheap!" Rowan shook his purse, coins clinking inside. "Look, I still have plenty! And what we buy now will help us make more later!"


    He grinned.


    "You know what? Harmonia¡¯s on me! And after that, you¡¯re getting yourself something nice!"


    "Oh, what about Nyve!?"


    Nyve rolled around on Rowan¡¯s head "You boys should buy me something! I¡¯d love something sweet¡ªor maybe some perfume! That would be wonderful!"


    "Sure! How much could a little thing like you even eat?"


    Nyve¡¯s eyes gleamed. "Oh, don¡¯t tempt me, Rowan. You don¡¯t want the answer to that question!"


    Rowan laughed, stuffing his coin pouch deep into his clothes.


    "Alright then¡ªlet¡¯s get cleaned up, maybe grab something to eat. Then it¡¯s off to call Ma, fresh and clean!"


    The trek to Harmonia was hardly the most pleasant as the day dragged on. The sun hung high in a cloudless sky, its heat pressing down on the streets¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t just the sun. Bodies packed the roads, their breath thick in the air, clinging to everything like damp cloth. The heat only made the stench worse. But finally, there it was. Harmonia. People spilled in and out, their movements a constant churn of motion. At the entrance, attendants stood poised, half-dressed and inviting, their charming smiles and practiced grace designed to lure in customers with the promise of comfort. Inside, they were hit with a wave of floral scents. The air was thick with screams, laughter, and sharp arguments echoing from the baths, punctuated by the splash of water and the wet slap of bare feet against stone. The aroma was pleasant¡ªbut the prices?


    Steep.


    If you wanted privacy, you¡¯d have to pay for it. Callahan dug through his coins nervously. The cost made his stomach tighten, but the alternative? Public baths. Naked. Defenseless. The thought choked him.


    "Hey, what¡¯cha doing with your money? I said my treat!"


    Rowan smacked some coins onto the counter.


    "I need one of your girls to watch our stuff. Real valuable¡ªdon¡¯t wanna lose it. We¡¯ll need these clothes cleaned too!"


    "Mmhmm."


    The attendant¡¯s voice was smooth as honey. Golden veins traced her face¡ªstarting at her forehead, dipping past her eyes, curling like ink along her cheek before trailing down her neck. She leaned forward, her eyes fluttering.


    "Is there anything else I can get you, honey?"


    Rowan waved her off,


    "Nah, too expensive for my tastes! Right, Cal? Unless you really want some private time¡ª"


    "Oi."


    Rowan winced as tiny fingers dug into his skull.


    "Don¡¯t you go corrupting your sweet little brother!" Nyve¡¯s voice hissed in his ear. Rowan tried to shake it off, scratching at the irritation, but he wasn¡¯t about to start talking to himself in front of the attendant. The Onorion woman leaned toward Callahan, her perfume wrapping around him before she even spoke.


    "Hm. You¡¯re cute."


    Her fingers almost caressed his hand.


    "Would you like to come with me, honey? Trust me I¡¯m worth it, I¡¯ll clean you right up."


    Callahan¡¯s face burned hot. He ducked his head, fingers anxiously flicking coins inside his pouch.


    "Uh, I think I¡¯m gonna sit this one out."


    In his mind, he had already resigned himself to fate. He would stink of booze forever. That was fine. That was his destiny. Rowan, meanwhile, was giggling to himself, utterly delighted by his brother¡¯s flustered reaction. "The chamber¡¯s this way!" Before Callahan could muster another excuse, Rowan grabbed him by the shirt, yanking him along toward the dressing chambers. Everything blurred together¡ªfrom the counter, to the changing room, to Rowan¡¯s iron grip hauling him forward. He barely had time to register what was happening before¡ª


    SPLASH.


    Headfirst. Straight into the warm water. Underneath, sound was muffled and warped¡ªdistant laughter and the low thud of feet slapping wet stone. Then¡ªanother splash.


    Rowan.


    Callahan felt the waves ripple around him, water sloshing against the edge of the bath as Rowan landed beside him.


    "Ahhh, that¡¯s good. Really good."


    He sank deeper, dunking his head beneath the water, fully at ease.


    Nyve sank below with him, her dress and hair soaking through, the warm, scented waters clinging to her like silk.


    "Finally, the stench¡ªit¡¯s bearable. Smells like home, almost!"


    She nestled herself deeper into Rowan¡¯s drenched hair, doing her best to stay hidden. Callahan barely surfaced, his face hovering just above the water, nostrils peeking out like a gator waiting for prey. He drifted toward the farthest corner of the bath, the one Rowan had picked out for them. It was quieter than the rest, offering at least some small mercy. He let himself sink as deep as possible, submerged enough to enjoy the warmth, the cleansing feeling of the water¡ªwithout being too exposed.


    Then Rowan¡¯s voice broke through.


    "So, what are we gonna talk to Ma about? You know those Vocari¡ªthey¡¯re probably not the best at keepin¡¯ secrets. Might not be a good idea to bring up, y¡¯know..."


    His eyes flicked upward. A clear nod to Nyve.


    "And what about your lips, Rowan?"


    Nyve¡¯s voice snapped from above, sharp and smug.


    "They seem easier to spread than a Harmony¡¯s legs!"


    Callahan half-sank again, sighing into the water.


    "So judgmental, Nyve. They¡¯re just hardworkin¡¯ girls!"


    "Oh, I¡¯m sure their hips do plenty of hard work!" Nyve huffed, "They won¡¯t be spoiling my one good boy if I can help it."


    "Hey, I¡¯m innocent! I wouldn¡¯t spend money on that!"


    Rowan grinned, elbowing Callahan.


    "Who knows what Cal might turn me into if I did something like that!"


    Then, he poked Callahan again, trying to drag him into the conversation.


    "C¡¯mon, tell her I¡¯m not like that!"


    "Slug."


    Callahan mumbled the word beneath the water. Nyve burst into giggles.


    "Oh, I like that! A slug¡ªperfect for someone who¡¯d waste their money and spoil their soul like that!"


    Rowan considered it for a moment, rubbing at his beard.


    "Yeah, definitely wouldn¡¯t like that. Slow, slimy¡­ also, you ever poke one of their eyes? Just sinks right back into their head. Bet that doesn¡¯t feel good."


    He cupped some water in his hands, scrubbing his face and hair. With his eyes closed, the image grew more vivid. His own eye stretching out of its socket. Nyve poking it.


    A shiver ran up his spine.


    "Eugh."


    He shook it off, sinking further into the warmth.


    "But hey¡ªthis is nice, right? Relaxing, getting clean? Might be a long time before we get this again once we¡¯re back onboard the Caller!"


    Callahan rose slightly, just enough to get his voice out clearly.


    "We¡¯re supposed to be landlocked for a while, though."


    Rowan shook his head.


    "Ah, it won¡¯t be that long. Never knew Galvos to stay put for too long. If he can¡¯t get an Onorion job, we might be sailing somewhere more exotic!"


    Nyve hummed in delight.


    "The wide, wide world! So many places to see, wonders to explore! Who knows what you two might find out there!"


    A small plip sounded behind Rowan¡ªNyve had slid down his hair, slipping into the bath behind his arm, soaking in the warmth.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "Ahh, this is much better!"


    Callahan hesitated, his voice dipping into something more uncertain.


    "How long do you think we¡¯d be out there for?"


    Rowan paused, thinking.


    "Well," he mused, leaning back against the stone, "when I was out here alone, running jobs for other Dreg crews, the longest I was at sea was a few months."


    Rowan could see it in Callahan¡¯s face, that longing look¡ªhomesick already, even though they hadn¡¯t been gone long. Rowan knew the feeling. He¡¯d felt it too, back when he was scraping by on his own. But now, Callahan was here. His brother, helping him through this journey together that was nice he felt closer to home With Callahan around.


    "Cal." He splashed water his brother''s way,


    "Don¡¯t want to get your hopes up too high, but¡ªthere¡¯s something I haven¡¯t told you yet."


    Callahan immediately tensed, he began to worry. Rowan waved him off.


    "Hey, it¡¯s a good thing!"


    He thumped a hand against his chest.


    "Well? What is it?"


    "Okay, see¡ªGalvos, The Kraken Callers. There¡¯s a reason I wanted to join their crew specifically. And why I knew I had to butter him up in case we messed up! Which¡ªthanks to you¡ªwe didn¡¯t!, Galvos knows people. Really high up. All the way in the Auracantheum."


    Callahan¡¯s eyes widened. The Auracantheum. The heart of Onoria¡¯s elite. The best smiths, healers, binders of every kind.


    "Why would you keep that a secret? How did you keep that a secret?"


    The excitement crept into his voice.


    "That¡¯s really good, Rowan!"


    Getting the money was one thing. But finding a healer willing to accept it? One who could actually help their mother? That was the real challenge.


    "I know you don¡¯t handle pressure well."


    Rowan¡¯s voice was gentle but firm.


    "And it was our first job. Got a little hairy¡ªbut you pulled through, Cal. We keep this up, it won¡¯t even matter if we have the money. If we get on the Captain¡¯s good side, he¡¯ll get us what we need."


    He smiled, nudging Callahan¡¯s arm.


    "So, y¡¯know. Just hold out a little longer."


    Callahan knew what he meant but he didn¡¯t want to admit it. Being away from home was hard¡ªbut at least he wasn¡¯t alone.


    "I¡¯ll be okay."


    He clenched his fist, raising it slightly.


    "We¡¯re gonna do this. We¡¯ve got a path now. A real one. Not just money¡ªbut a healer too."


    Rowan met his elbow with his own, their fists slammed together like hammers.


    "Don¡¯t tell Ma or Brig yet, though."


    Rowan exhaled, sinking deeper into the bath.


    "Don¡¯t wanna get them too excited just yet."


    The water rippled around them. It was warm. Callahan had finally started to enjoy it. Even the crowds weren¡¯t bothering him as much anymore. Nyve floated on the surface, humming her little tunes. She stayed close to the edge, using Rowan¡¯s body as a shield from prying eyes. Callahan was a little jealous. It¡¯d be nice to hide away that easily. His gaze wandered across the bath. People talked, told jokes, argued, laughed. But their attention? It wasn¡¯t on him. He could steal a glimpse at any one of them, and they wouldn¡¯t even notice. His eyes kept moving, picking up on little things he hadn¡¯t noticed before¡ªthe floral etchings carved into the stone, the statue of Onorus standing tall, Harmonies draped around its form, their bare legs swinging as they chatted. Petals drifted across the water, carried along by the gentle current.


    Then¡ª A pair of piercing eyes staring right at him. At first, he thought it was just a quick, shared glance. An accident. He looked away, swiftly, embarrassed.


    But the feeling didn¡¯t fade he could still feel them digging into him. He glanced back they were still staring. They were slender, wrapped tight in white bandages, long black hair floating on the water¡¯s surface. Their face was half-covered by a mask that hid everything below the nose. Callahan didn¡¯t recognize them.


    Should I wave? Maybe that¡¯ll make them stop looking. The idea didn¡¯t sit right with him. Neither did calling Rowan or Nyve. It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m sure plenty of people have stared at me when I wasn¡¯t looking. This guy¡¯s just weird. He tried to push it down. Pretend it wasn¡¯t bothering him. But something about it wouldn¡¯t let go.


    "Excuse me, hon? Your clothes are ready."


    The attendant called out to Rowan, arms full, their clothes wrapped up neatly, like a gift. Rowan called for the girl to come to him and as the attendant stepped closer, The one staring at Callahan sank below the water, like they had never been there at all.


    Did they get scared? Maybe they snuck in? Maybe they didn¡¯t want to get kicked out?


    "Hey, Cal, you wanna soak for a bit more, or you ready to leave?"


    Callahan¡¯s eyes were still locked on the spot where the person had sunk, he waited to see if they¡¯d come back up.


    "Cal? Oi, Cal!"


    Rowan¡¯s voice barely registered. Callahan didn¡¯t respond. He could see a familiar glow, a flash beneath the water. That same emerald light he had only ever seen in a mirror.


    There¡¯s no way¡ªhow? I¡ª I ugh Rowaugh I¡ª


    His thoughts spilled out of his mouth in a stuttering, half-formed mess. His breath hitched, caught waterlogged in his throat. Suddenly, he couldn¡¯t inhale.


    "Rowuugh¡ª" His hand shot out toward Rowan, fingers twitching.


    Then he convulsed.


    "Rowan! Callahan¡¯s choking! Get him out, ya idiot!"


    Nyve¡¯s voice rang in his ears, but Rowan was already moving.


    "HOLD ON, CAL, I¡¯M COMIN¡¯!"


    A splash. Strong hands yanked Callahan out of the bath.


    "Shit, Cal¡ªbreathe, brother! Calm down and breathe!"


    Easy words, impossible action. Callahan¡¯s body jerked violently on the bathhouse floor, every breathe was a struggle the water was somehow still flowing into his lungs even now as he lay on the stones. An attendant rushed over, dropping to his side.


    "Hold on, hon."


    Her hands pressed against his chest, trying to force the water out. It poured from his mouth like an endless fountain.


    "Godsdamn it!" Rowan whipped his head around, searching for¡ªsomething, anything¡ªbut he didn¡¯t even know what he was looking for.


    "Oh, this isn¡¯t normal."


    Nyve¡¯s voice was low, sharp.


    "Rowan¡ªthere¡¯s a binder somewhere. Someone¡¯s doing this."


    She popped her head out of Rowan¡¯s tangled hair, searching, scanning.


    "Where are ya, you bloody sneak? Oh, when I find you¡ªthere will be a mighty price to pay."


    Rowan barely registered her words. His focus was on Callahan. His brother¡¯s gasps were getting weaker.


    "Give me something Cal, what do I need to do?!"


    More Harmonies poured into the bathhouse. Voices rising, guests whispering, the room shifting into chaos. Not again. Feels like the Mire. Too hard to breathe. Too hard to move, the sounds in the room muffling into a distant hum. His arm reached out. Eyes locked onto Rowan. Rowan. You gotta blind them, you gotta stop them, come on, figure it out. His chest seized. His limbs numbed. Rowan¡ªjust do it. Rowan. Figure it out. Rowan just do it Rowan.


    Then¡ªA pulse. Callahan¡¯s eyes lit. Faint. But enough. There wasn¡¯t much time left.


    In his mind, dark shadows clouded around him, a thousand silvery eyes all peered into his soul, their horrid screams, the fetid mire rotting away his insides, all of that came washing over him, like a reoccurring nightmare come to life. He didn¡¯t want to do something like this again, it wasn¡¯t right, those creatures, those horrid creatures¡ªhe knew this was going to hurt, but it was all that ran through his mind. He couldn¡¯t focus on anything else. Hot flesh began to bubble around Rowan¡¯s neck. ¡°Ooh, I can really feel this one,¡± that pulse again radiated throughout his body. ¡°Oh, not good, Cal, it¡¯s not good when you do this.¡±


    Nyve was quiet, her eyes locked onto something in the water. ¡°Rowan, brace yourself, I see where our quarry hides. Deep in the waters, those shining eyes lie.¡±


    ¡°Hrgh, yeah, well get ready to point me in the right direction if you can, don¡¯t know how well this is going to go¡­¡± Rowan¡¯s eyes started to widen, his hair falling out of his head. ¡°Uh oh, I do hope that grows back...¡±


    Nyve was slowly losing her hiding spot as Rowan¡¯s locks scattered to the floor, the Harmonies began to take notice. ¡°Oh, Holy Host, protect us.¡±


    ¡°Rowan, you¡¯re looking a wee bit pale.¡± Nyve floated right in front of his face. With this whole spectacle going on¡ªwell, she was sure a fairy would be the last thing on people¡¯s minds when things really started to go wrong.


    "Oh, I recognize those eyes. tsk, Callahan, that¡¯s not a good look for him at all. He¡¯s gonna be hard to control!"


    Rowan wasn¡¯t speaking anymore. His mouth split open. His body bent at unnatural angles, twisting against itself on the floor. His neck stretched, engorging with air.Callahan, too still jerking, still gasping, fighting to keep a focus on Rowan, to not pass into the dark, then Rowan rose. half a man, half a twisted amalgamation of the creature they once had to fight. ¡°What the hell is that thing!?¡± Gasps and screams ripped through the bathhouse. The Harmonies who had been tending to Callahan stumbled backward, then fled, screaming for their lives. "IT¡¯S A MONSTER! A MONSTER FROM THE MIRE!" They ran. Slipping, falling, crashing into the water, scrambling to get out. Even through the panic, the chaos, one thing remained the same. The enemy¡¯s eyes were still locked on Callahan.


    Rowan¡¯s mind was breaking.


    A million instincts, all warring for control¡ª Kill. Kill. Kill. Scream. Devour. Release. Pain. Fresh. Hurts. Fresh. Relief. Feed.


    ¡°Ooooh, hello, knock knock.¡± Nyve¡¯s voice cut through the madness. Rowan¡¯s deformed face twitched toward her, he was horrible to look at. Half his face pale, skin stretched tight over his skull. His chin split, forming a new horrific wailer maw, one eye warped, stretched out and silvery like a mirror, his throat sagged, ready and worn to bloat, to fill with agony, to release upon others. Nyve, completely unfazed, gestured toward the bathwater.


    "Look at that, Rowan. Look into the waters."


    Rowan¡¯s eyes locked on, he followed her words, even with all the crashing urges in his mind, her words seemed to be clear, they got through to him.


    "You see that?" Nyve grinned. "They need a good scream."


    His neck ballooned. His legs locked, then¡ªhe let go.


    A wail, monstrous and piercing, ripped through the air.


    "AHHHHHHHHHHHH MY HEAD!"


    "MAKE IT STOP!"


    "I CAN¡¯T¡ªUGUAAAUUGH!"


    The entire bathhouse was drowning in agony. The wail ripped through the air, splitting the water in two. A sonic force tore through the bath, sending tidal waves crashing against the walls. Guests were dragged under, helpless against the force. The ones still standing clutched their heads, writhing in pain, unable to move. Nyve stood atop Rowan¡¯s stretched, pale skull, watching the destruction below. "Good boy, Rowan." Her sharp eyes flickered, searching¡ªthere. The target was on their knees, head bowed, arms limp. The wail had battered them like it had once battered Rowan.


    Nyve turned back. Callahan was able to start catching his breath, barely steady.


    But Rowan?


    Rowan was moving.


    His muscles tensed, twitched. Nyve could see it, feel it. That desperate need¡ªnot just to kill, but to feed. His body was half monstrous now¡ªlong, spindly wailer limbs barely in sync with the thick human muscle of his own. His legs twitched and shuddered as if his body couldn¡¯t decide what shape it wanted to be.


    Then¡ªhe lunged.


    His movement was a mess of limbs. Clumsy, stumbling, more like a puppet yanked by tangled strings than a man in control.


    "Hold on, Rowan, you don¡¯t want to do this!" Nyve¡¯s voice cut through the air.


    Rowan didn¡¯t listen. His instincts were stronger than her words.


    Then¡ªthe water snapped back. The bath, now receding, dragged Rowan under. His clumsy, unbalanced body was swept up in the tide. His target floated to the surface, face just barely visible beneath the water. Unconscious. Or pretending to be. Callahan dragged himself upright, gasping. His body ached, his throat raw from near-drowning. He looked around, and for the first time, he really saw the disaster. Water poured over the floor, flowing back into the bath. The tiled walls were cracked. Guests lay sprawled in every direction, some still groaning, some too stunned to move. And Rowan¡ªRowan was still underwater.


    Damn it, damn it.


    Without a second thought, Callahan dove in.


    The water wasn¡¯t deep, but Rowan was big¡ªbigger than him, even in this twisted form. His wild, thrashing limbs made every movement dangerous. His mismatched muscles and instincts weren¡¯t built for swimming. Wailers were terrible in the water, Rowan was drowning.


    "Look at them run!" Nyve cackled at the sight of their attacker fleeing, still flitting above Rowan¡¯s skull. "Guess they weren¡¯t dead after all!"


    "Nyve¡ªwho cares?! We gotta get Rowan out of here!" Callahan kicked forward, pushing through the sloshing bath. He was so close now, just needed to get a grip. Rowan¡¯s limbs jerked wildly, his grotesque Wailer legs lashing out in a blind panic. Callahan lunged to try to get a hold of him¡ª


    Slash.


    A sharp pain tore up his forearm.


    "Shit!" Callahan recoiled, blood spilling into the water. The cut wasn¡¯t deep, but it bled fast, a red cloud dissolving around him. Rowan¡¯s Wailer limb twitched again, ready to strike.


    "Nyve," Callahan gritted his teeth, clutching his wound, "we gotta knock him out somehow¡ª"


    Rowan tried to bloat his throat again, his panicked body desperately attempting to wail underwater. The water rushed into the sack instead, choking the sound, cutting off the attack.


    Nyve¡¯s eyes widened. Then¡ª"I got such a fun idea!"


    She darted off. Callahan¡¯s stomach sank.


    "Nyve¡ªdamn it, what are you doing?!"


    Damn it, damn it.


    They had to get out. If the guards caught them, it was over. Why did that bastard attack. I swear if I find them¡­


    He pushed forward, looking for another way to pull Rowan out¡ªthen he heard Nyve¡¯s wings fluttering back.


    "I did warn you, Rowan! twice in one day, that hammer was fated to meet your face in some way!"


    Callahan barely had time to process what she was saying before he saw it¡ªRowan¡¯s hammer, Nyve''s tiny hands wrapped tightly around the handle.


    "Nyve, don''t you''ll!¡ª"


    She dropped it. Flat onto Rowan¡¯s skull.


    Direct hit.


    "Nyve!" Callahan¡¯s stomach lurched as Rowan¡¯s limbs froze¡ªthen collapsed. His body went completely limp.


    "what the hell are you doing? what if you killed him?!"


    "Oh, he¡¯ll be fine!" Nyve chirped, shaking out her hands. "Just make sure he doesn¡¯t drown! He¡¯s a bit too heavy for me!"


    Callahan dove underneath, pressing his shoulder up under Rowan¡¯s weight, keeping his head above water. But he was heavy, and now half transformed, his weight was awkwardly distributed, between his human and Wailer limbs, it was like trying to drag a damn sack of boulders.


    "Damn, Rowan¡ªYou¡­ need¡­ to¡­ drink¡­ less¡­"


    Each step was pure strain, every inch forwards a battle. The weight of the water, Rowan himself¡ªit was just barely too much. But Callahan kept going. He reached the edge of the bath, with barely an ounce of strength left. He tried to lower Rowan carefully onto the stone floor, but his grip slipped.


    Thud.


    "Damn it¡ªsorry."


    Callahan dropped to his knees beside him, panting. He pressed an ear to Rowan¡¯s chest. Through the lingering chaos, the screams, the crashing water¡ªhe listened.


    There. A heartbeat. Rowan was alive. Nyve¡¯s ridiculous plan had worked. But it wasn¡¯t over. They still had to escape. Callahan exhaled hard, trying to force his shaking hands to move.


    "Nyve..." His voice was rough, still catching his breath.


    "Go get the hammer."


    Nyve scoffed. "You¡¯d think I¡¯d done enough, I practically saved him all by myself!"


    "Nyve, just do it."


    Callahan tore into the wrapped package of their clothes, yanking them on as fast as he could. Then, he moved to force Rowan¡¯s pants on¡ªa ridiculous struggle considering the sheer dead weight of his unconscious, soaking-wet body. The chaos in the bathhouse was only growing. More people were screaming, scrambling, trying to escape.


    If they moved fast enough, they could blend into the fleeing crowd¡ªpretend to be victims, disappear into the city. Nyve groaned,


    "Oh, fine! I guess it¡¯ll be funnier if he wakes up stuck with the hammer that knocked him out!"


    With Rowan half-dressed and all their belongings in tow, Callahan slapped his face and braced for the next trial¡ªdragging his unconscious brother out. He threw the rest of Rowan¡¯s clothing over the parts of his body that were still affected by the bind. It would wear off soon, but the last thing they needed was unwanted attention.


    "Nyve, hurry up!" Callahan gritted his teeth, digging his hands under Rowan¡¯s shoulders and heaving with everything he had.


    Nyve splashed out of the bath, the hammer clenched tightly in her tiny arms. "Hmph, so demanding." Without a hint of hesitation, she dropped it straight onto Rowan¡¯s stomach. The hammer hit with a dull thud, and Rowan grumbled in unconscious pain.


    Callahan had no words left for her. Every bit of energy was focused on getting Rowan out of here as fast possible.


    "Heave ho, Callahan! You¡¯re almost there!" Nyve¡¯s voice was mockingly cheery as she disappeared under Rowan¡¯s clothes, keeping herself hidden like she promised.


    With one last, agonizing pull, Callahan finally made it to the bathhouse entrance. The chaos outside was still in full swing¡ªpeople were running, screaming, stumbling over themselves. It was perfect. They could blend right in¡ªjust two more victims caught in the madness.


    He felt Rowan¡¯s body shift against him¡ªhis arm had fully returned to normal, and red hair began spilling back out from his clothes. The bind was fading fast.


    "Come¡ªon¡ªRowan¡ªjust¡ªneed¡ªyou¡ªto¡ªwake¡ªup." Callahan¡¯s words strained between breaths, each pull on his brother¡¯s dead weight making his muscles burn.


    He could see them now¡ªguards, lots of them, storming into Harmonia to check on the chaos. They had just barely made it, slipping away into a shadowed alley, far enough from the bathhouse to avoid being spotted.


    "Just in time, Callahan! Good job! I¡¯m so proud of you!" Nyve popped her head out from Rowan¡¯s clothes, flashing Callahan a bright smile.


    He barely acknowledged her, his focus locked onto the bathhouse. Maybe he¡¯d catch a glimpse of their attacker. A clue. A sign. Anything. But there was nothing. No piercing eyes. No masked figure. just countless guards filling the streets that were once teeming with civilians A low groan stirred beneath the pile of clothes.


    "Guuhh¡­ ugh¡­ what a hangover this is¡­" Rowan¡¯s voice was groggy, slurred.


    "Rowan!" Callahan dropped to his side, hands gripping his brother¡¯s shoulder. "Damn it, I¡¯m so sorry¡­ are you okay?"


    Rowan blinked up at him, dazed, confused, but breathing. "Ah, I¡¯ve been worse." He shifted, testing his balance, then stumbled and caught himself against the wall. "Let¡¯s¡­ let¡¯s not do any more mire monsters ever again, eh? Twice is enough for a lifetime." That guilt stabbed deep, Callahan had to push it down.


    "Yeah¡­ let¡¯s just get out of here."


    "Hold on, gotta at least put on a shirt and my boots first," Rowan grumbled, rubbing his temples as he clumsily pulled himself together. Callahan watched him. That easygoing tone, that casual smirk¡ªwas it real? Or just something Rowan did to protect him? He wasn¡¯t sure.


    "Oh! Thank the gods¡ªmy hammer!" As soon as his boots were laced, Rowan¡¯s hands snatched up his new weapon. He held it like it was a lost child, sighing with exaggerated relief.


    "All thanks to your lovely Nyve!" She fluttered in front of him, hands on her hips, chin raised proudly. "Protector of Rowan¡¯s mighty hammer!"


    Rowan snatched her out of the air, his grip firm but careful. He let out a weak chuckle, voice still hoarse.


    "You¡¯re supposed to be hiding," he muttered, slipping Nyve into his hair with a rough but gentle ruffle.


    "Ooh, good snatch, Rowan! Quick as your brother that time," she teased, nestling into his curls.


    "Heh! let¡¯s get home"


    They moved fast, taking back streets where they could, dodging patrols, keeping their heads low. Every alley they passed was full of people¡ªrunners, stragglers, some still fleeing from Harmonia. But as they drew closer to the heart of the Aurifex, it became clear¡ªthis panic wasn¡¯t just about the bathhouse anymore. The streets were filling again.


    "What now¡­" Callahan groaned.


    A massive crowd had formed ahead, blocking their path back to the Dregs. People were packed shoulder to shoulder, their voices overlapping in panicked murmurs and frantic whispers. Something was happening.


    "Just stay right here," Callahan decided he¡¯d be the one to take charge this time. "Let me see what¡¯s going on." His brother had done enough today.


    Before either of them could object, he was already moving. Rowan reached for him, but his legs were still heavy, his body still sluggish. He missed.


    "Cal! Wait up!"


    Rowan pushed forward, still unsteady, trying to catch up.


    "OI, CAL, WHERE ARE YA?!" Then just as quickly, Nyve darted off to follow Callahan, flying low between the legs of the onlookers


    ¡°Nyve, wait¡ª!¡± Rowan sighed.


    "Oh don''t worry! I''ll keep an eye on him!"


    "Damn¡­" He rolled his shoulders, wincing at the soreness that still lingered. ¡°That really did beat the hell out of me.¡±


    He flexed his hand, opening and closing his fingers. He could almost still feel the Wailer¡¯s claw, the way it tore through his flesh. His grip tightened, nails digging into his palm.


    ¡°Just like with Dad¡­¡±


    Rowan clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white. He wanted to push through the crowd. Wanted to be at Callahan¡¯s side. But his body was weak, recovering. He had to sit this one out. Callahan pushed through the mass of bodies, shoving past merchants, customers, and gawkers. They were packed together like cattle, their gazes locked onto something beyond his sight. He still couldn¡¯t see what had them so entranced. But he could hear it, a familiar voice. Pained, trembling, filled with sorrow.


    "I¡­ I didn¡¯t want to do this¡­ My heart¡­ it¡¯s not one made for slaughter¡­ You forced me. I can¡¯t forgive myself. I can¡¯t forgive YOU for what you have done."


    That voice¡ª¡°OLLIE!¡± Callahan shouted, but his call was swallowed up by the sea of people.


    Gasps, whispers, oohs and awes.


    The crowd watched like it was a stage play. A tragedy unfolding before them, entertainment for the hungry eyes of the Aurifex. Callahan¡¯s chest tightened. He shoved forward, harder now, desperation fueling his steps. He didn¡¯t know what, but he felt something terrible coming.


    ¡°Uh-oh, this is not one to play out nicely¡­¡± A rush of d¨¦j¨¤ vu hit Nyve. She could see the path ahead, just barely, like a haze of twisting fractals. She knew, she had to stop him.


    Callahan was so close now. He could almost make out Ollie¡¯s figure. The Aurelan man swung something wildly in his hands. A machine. That machine. The one from Bimos¡ªthe one he had lugged around everywhere, never leaving it even for a minute, It almost looked like he was mourning over it back on Bimos, when that door in the fort closed behind Callahan.


    Nyve had had no luck, finding her little giant among this forest of legs, she would have to break the rules, to fly high to find him in this crowd. Surely, with the spectacle at play no one would care to look at a little butterfly like her. She flew high, a birds eye view, she needed to find Callahan. ¡°Ollie! What are you doing?!¡± Callahan¡¯s voice cracked through the crowd, but Ollie didnt react the words never reaching his ear. Nyve caught the tremor in his voice though, her eyes darting over the crowd, searching¡ªthere. She spotted Callahan¡¯s head pushing through the masses.


    ¡°Oh, you bloody idiot¡ªCALLAHAN! Don¡¯t go after him!¡± She shot forward, wings buzzing, trying to stop him. Callahan wasn¡¯t listening. He was fighting harder now, pushing, shoving, clawing forward. And then¡ªOllie¡¯s voice rang out.


    "I had a son¡ªlike you! I couldn¡¯t even fetch his damn BODY because of what you did to my home! My wife! My family! My father! NONE of them can even rest with Aureha! YOU TOOK THAT FROM US TOO!" Callahan¡¯s stomach plummeted. That heavy grief Ollie always carried with him, it was being laid out in front of everyone. Callahan could feel his pain, he understood it now, why it was always so thick on his voice, it should¡¯ve been obvious, Ollie, a victim of Onoria¡¯s conquest, the man who pulled him out of the mire, even when he saved Callahan¡¯s life, he did it like one who didn¡¯t care whether he lived or died.


    Nyve pinched Callahan¡¯s cheek. ¡°We have to leave. Right now. No ifs, ands, or butts. LET¡¯S GO.¡±


    ¡°Nyve, no! That machine¡ªit¡¯s full of stagnant anima. If he releases it¡­It¡¯ll kill everyone here.¡±


    Nyve scowled, squeezing his cheek harder. ¡°Yes, and that¡¯s exactly why I¡¯m telling you to leave.¡±


    Callahan swiped her away, still shoving through the crowd. ¡°What do you mean? You know what¡¯s going to happen?! If you know, then help me! Push me through! Help me get to him! Maybe¡ªmaybe I can talk him down!¡±


    Nyve¡¯s wings flared, her face twisting with frustration. ¡°IDIOT. Silly little giant.¡± Her voice dropped, laced with something rare, something close to fear.


    "Why do you think he would listen to you? What words are you going to offer him, Callahan? Are you going to tell him how to bring his son back? Do you hear him? He¡¯s a man standing at the abyss."


    Callahan broke her chatter. ¡°So what? You want me to just run? Do nothing?!¡±


    His hands trembled as he forced his way forward. ¡°That man¡ªhe came for me. He didn¡¯t know a damn thing about me, but he risked himself anyway. He dragged me out of that rotting Mire. And you want me to just leave him here? To his fate? Without even trying?"


    Nyve pulled at his hair, hard, yanking his head back.


    "CALLAHAN." She hissed into his ear.


    "I told you. I push when you are lost." Her fingers tightened in his hair.


    "You are lost right now, Stop. Let¡¯s go! Before things get really bad.¡±


    Callahan ripped forward, shaking her off. The crowd was yelling at him now.


    "Hey! Watch it, little prick!"


    "Oi! Asshole!"


    "Shithead!"


    He didn¡¯t care. He was getting closer. Nyve was getting desperate now, her grip stronger, her voice a raw whisper of urgency.


    "You don¡¯t make it!"


    Callahan felt a cold shiver. ¡°Why! Why don¡¯t I make it?!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Olesk Meddvezhsk. You¡¯re gonna remember that name. The name of my town. All of you golden cunts are.¡±


    Nyve knew this was no time for jokes or tricks. She had to plead¡ªto make Callahan see.


    ¡°Callahan, you won¡¯t stop him. Your words won¡¯t get through, even if you were a poet. You can¡¯t stop a man whose heart is petrified like his.¡±


    Callahan took a moment to think¡­ Then, he heard another voice, cold and sinister. An Onorion was speaking down to Ollie. He could feel it¡ªthe malice in that almost monotone voice.


    ¡°Nyve¡­¡± Callahan did his best to think it all through in the moments he had to spare. ¡°I have to do this. I have to try. Lughren¡­ you¡­ Why show me such horrors, place these expectations on me¡­ and then not even trust me to save a single man? Or more, All these people...¡±


    His throat tightened¡ªanger, doubt, guilt¡ªtwisting inside him like a knot he couldn¡¯t untangle. His breath came short, his hands clenched at his sides.


    ¡°Let me try to reach him. Please help me, Nyve.¡±


    Nyve¡¯s wings hesitated mid-flutter. She wasn¡¯t quick with a jest or a sharp retort. Her voice came softer, broken at the edges, like something fragile about to split in two.


    ¡°My sweet little giant¡­¡± She swallowed hard. ¡°There¡¯s only four people who make it out of this. Trust me, it¡¯d be better for us all if we just left now.¡±


    The crowd was beginning to fracture, the first real signs of panic setting in. They knew. Even those who stayed, transfixed by the unfolding horror, could feel it¡ªthat something terrible, was about to happen. Yet too many lingered. Ollie¡¯s voice cut through the air, raw with grief, shaking with rage.


    ¡°There¡¯s no redemption for me. Nor for you. Not for the Grand Auric. Not for the children. The women. The men. You¡¯ll all die here, trapped endlessly in a mire¡ªcrawling, gasping, starving for release¡­ And you¡¯ll find none. The mire will take you all. And it¡¯ll spread. And your golden city... it will fall.¡±


    Callahan could hear Nyve¡¯s breath hitch.


    He couldn¡¯t do it. He wouldn''t run. With one final push, he shoved past the last of the onlookers, bursting into the open space where Ollie stood. And there he was¡ªthe Crucible hoisted high above his head, the Onorion man lunging forward to stop him.


    ¡°Ollie, DON¡¯T DO THIS!¡±


    For the briefest flicker of a moment, Ollie¡¯s gaze shifted. His eyes locked onto Callahan¡¯s, and in that fleeting moment, something passed between them. A look that carried unspoken words."I¡¯m sorry." That¡¯s what Callahan thought they said.


    Then¡ª¡°CALLAHAN, YOU IDIOT, I. SAID. NO!¡±


    The air stopped. The flash igniting on the Crucible hung still, an ember frozen in time¡ªnever growing, never fading. The Onorion man was stuck mid-lunge, both feet suspended in the air. Ollie¡¯s eyes remained locked on Callahan, his tears, frozen mid-fall, like painted rivers down his face.


    Callahan stumbled. His foot caught on the stone, and he crashed forward, slamming into Ollie¡¯s petrified body. He felt like he had struck a pillar¡ªOllie didn¡¯t even budge.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Callahan gasped, his hands scrambling against the frozen man¡¯s chest as he picked himself up. His breathing was sharp, erratic. ¡°Ollie, stop this¡­ please.¡±


    He climbed off him, steadying himself, fingers gripping onto something solid, something immovable.


    ¡°Hey, come on¡­¡± His voice broke. ¡°We¡¯re mates now, yeah? Full Kraken Callers. I know you left, but this¡­ this isn¡¯t the answer to anything.¡±


    His words hit nothing. Just silence. Just stillness. The event was going to happen, no matter what. Nyve was right. It was too late.


    And this trick she pulled¡ªthe same as Lughren¡¯s¡ªit forced him to fully absorb how pathetic his attempt was.


    His fingers curled into fists. "Why... why stop time now? Why not earlier?"


    A small flutter of wings. A voice, almost hesitant.


    ¡°Callahan¡­ fate is a fickle thing, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°No. Shut up.¡± His voice was shaking now, his fury burned hot.


    "Godsdamn it¡­ why?!" His chest rose and fell in quick, sharp breaths.


    "When I was drowning, why didn¡¯t you use one of your breaks then?! If you helped us there, maybe we would¡¯ve had more time here! Maybe I could¡¯ve made it to Ollie before he even got here!"


    His foot struck the stone beneath him with a sharp crack.


    ¡°FUCK!¡± He kicked again, and then again, his whole body trembling with rage.


    ¡°Why, Nyve?! It¡¯s always tricks and jokes ever since I met you! Then you hoist me up as some hero, and NOW¡ªfucking NOW, of all times¡ªyou stop me?! I took the initiative, I tried to be something I know I¡¯m not, and YOU GODSDAMN STOPPED ME!¡±


    His hands tore at his hair, yanking with a force that made his scalp scream in pain.


    ¡°AAAAAAAAAAAAGH!¡±


    Nyve floated toward him, tried to land on his shoulder¡ªlike she always had. Then, quicker than he¡¯d ever moved before, Callahan struck her from the air.


    ¡°Ca¡ª¡±


    She didn¡¯t even finish before she hit the ground hard, her wings limp at her back.


    ¡°Get the hell away from me.¡± Callahan¡¯s voice shook, the anger and grief mixing a quivered tone. "I don¡¯t want you anywhere near me anymore."


    Nyve pulled herself up, stunned, but he wasn¡¯t done.


    ¡°You think I should be grateful to you for saving me?¡± His fists clenched. ¡°You¡¯ve trapped me here. Left me stuck, staring at my own failure, frozen in time¡ª¡± His voice wavered, but he wouldn¡¯t let his grief spill out, not again. Not in front of her.


    ¡°This is who I am,¡± he whispered. ¡°A failure.¡±


    ¡°Callahan¡­¡± Nyve rose to her feet, rubbing her arm. The slap, the fall¡ªit didn¡¯t hurt. Physically, she was tougher than that. But Callahan¡­ Her defeated, broken little giant. That was eating her up inside.


    ¡°This journey, it¡¯s hard fought,¡± she said, voice gentler than it had ever been. ¡°In many turns, you fall. If I say too much, we will never be on the right path. I need you to trust me.¡±


    Nyve didn¡¯t move closer. Not because she was afraid of another hit¡ªbut because she didn¡¯t want to break his heart any further. ¡°Trust you?¡± Callahan laughed, hollow and empty. ¡°A trickster. A liar. A fool.¡±


    He rolled his shoulders back, tilted his head toward the frozen sky above. The birds were still. The smoke from chimneys hung like ghosts in the air. Then, his gaze dropped back to Nyve, his expression unreadable.


    "I hate you, Nyve¡­ I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever grown to hate someone as much as I hate you.¡±


    Nyve flinched at the words. Not that Callahan was looking at her long enough to notice. He turned away, his steps heavy, the weight of hundreds of souls dragging at his feet.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your love, Callahan but,¡± Nyve whispered, but before she could finish, Callahan cut her off.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t bring my brother back to Kiki¡¯s safely,¡± his voice was low, measured, ¡°I¡¯m going to smash this eye into a million pieces.¡±


    Nyve¡¯s wings twitched.


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know what it¡¯ll do,¡± Callahan continued. ¡°But I¡¯ll make sure.¡±


    Then he pushed forward, squeezing past the frozen onlookers¡ªthe dead men, trapped seconds before the end. Nyve watched him disappear into those frozen corpses to be.


    "I knew this was going to happen..."


    She clutched a tiny hand to her chest, eyes burning.


    "I didn¡¯t think it would hurt this much, though."


    Her wings flickered to life, and she took off into the sky, flying back toward Rowan. She had to get him to safety. Below her, fractal flowers bloomed in the stillness. Not much time left before the break would fade.


    ¡°Surely, he won¡¯t hate me forever¡­¡± she murmured.


    "I hope that isn¡¯t the fated path ahead."


    Behind her, the Aurifex stood still on the edge of its final moment. A gilded grave of frozen fools.

 Rose Tinted Glasses

    <div>


    ¡°You¡¯re real quiet up there.¡±


    Rowan poked around in his hair, searching for her. They had made it back to the Dregs, and Nyve had barely made a peep. She had told him everything¡ªCallahan¡¯s desperate attempt to save Ollie, what she had to do to protect them both, his outburst, his hurt. Rowan had seen how much it weighed on her. The weak flutter of her wings, the way she flew in tired circles. She wasn¡¯t even half as lively as when they first met.


    ¡°Hello? Little fairy? Nyve, you alive up there?¡±


    ¡°YES, Rowan, I¡¯m alive! I¡¯m fine and dandy and grand! Oh, your lovable Nyve is ever so happy! No need to worry, not at all! Back to Kiki¡¯s with all due haste, for Callahan, the little giant awaits!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fake. I¡¯ve never heard something so fake before.¡±


    ¡°Oh, what would you know, you big idiot!¡± He felt her tiny fists pounding against his skull. ¡°You need to step more and talk less! Those legs need to move, no time for rest!¡±


    Rowan kept his pace through the Dregs, but the streets were tense. Onorion guards now filled every entrance and every corner, watching the people with quiet, suffocating scrutiny. The city pulsed with friction. So many dead. So many injured. Ollie¡¯s wrath had been felt. But whether he knew it or not, the fallout had already begun. The Onorions wouldn¡¯t forget this sleight¡ªnot against them, not against their empire. And the Dregs and Moravyr would pay the price.


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s okay to admit it! I won¡¯t judge. It sounded rough, and it was a hard decision to make. And Cal¡­¡±


    Rowan trailed off, thinking back. He tried to remember home¡ªhow he and Callahan used to spat over everything, from petty things like breaking the rules of their games or stealing each other¡¯s toys, to real fights that cut deep. Like the first time Rowan left. That had been a bad one. Words were said. Feelings might have been hurt¡ªif Rowan hadn¡¯t already heard it all before. But he had. He knew his brother.


    ¡°When Cal gets angry, his mouth moves before his brain catches up,¡± Rowan said, shaking his head with a small grin. ¡°Ya gotta not take it too seriously, y¡¯know? You should¡¯ve seen how mad he got when I first left home.¡± He chuckled to himself. ¡°Ripe roilin¡¯ ragin¡¯ he was¡ªwhich is funny now, considering he¡¯s here with me and hates this place.¡±


    Nyve still hadn¡¯t said anything. Rowan wasn¡¯t sure if she was listening or just ignoring him, but he didn¡¯t mind¡ªhe was enjoying the memory.


    ¡°I remember, Ma and Brig coming to see me off. But Cal? He stayed home. Or at least, that¡¯s what the girls thought.¡±


    A laugh rumbled in his chest. ¡°The day before, he cursed me out, told me I was abandoning him. Said he should come and help with his bind!¡±


    Rowan jostled his head a little, hoping to coax a peep out of Nyve, but nothing. He kept talking away


    ¡°He was still too little. I didn¡¯t want him to get hurt¡ªhe had more growing to do, well I guess not much! Haha! I remember waving goodbye to Ma and Brig, already feeling a little homesick. And then I spotted the little bastard.¡±


    His grin widened at the memory. ¡°He swore up and down he wasn¡¯t gonna see me off, but there he was¡ªup on the hill, watching.¡±


    Rowan let out a chuckle. ¡°I gave him the biggest wave, a bigger holler and a shout, just to make sure he knew I saw him. ¡®Cause I knew, hah¡ªhis little outburst didn¡¯t mean nothing serious!¡±


    He felt Nyve shuffle closer to his forehead. At least she was curious now.


    ¡°You give him a few days, let him sit with it, think about it. He¡¯s got a lot to toss over now.¡± Rowan did his best to reassure her. After all, she was part of the crew now¡ªespecially if she was gonna sit on his head all the time.


    ¡°You¡¯re very kind, Rowan.¡±


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s nothin¡¯ really. I don¡¯t much like when people are down. You, Cal, that Ollie fella too¡ªI could see it in his eyes, the weight he was carryin¡¯. I knew from the start he wouldn¡¯t hear a word outta me when we were teamed up on Bimos.¡± Rowan clicked his tongue. ¡°Didn¡¯t think he¡¯d do something like that, though. Maybe I should¡¯ve said somethin¡¯ to Galvos... but it happened. Not much to do now but deal with the consequences.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and consequences there will be,¡± Nyve¡¯s voice carried a half-hearted tune, but he could tell she was feeling a little better. ¡°That¡¯s why we must get to Kiki¡¯s quickly! Callahan... he might hate me, but he¡¯ll still listen to you. You¡¯ve gotta keep him from doing anything too reckless, Rowan...¡±


    She winced, knowing exactly who she was asking to curb recklessness. ¡°I hope that won¡¯t be too hard for you!¡±


    ¡°Ehh... he probably won¡¯t listen to me much either right now. Like I said, he needs time.¡± He felt Nyve slump on his head, disappointment radiating from her tiny form.


    ¡°Of course... time and time,¡± she let out a frustrated sigh. ¡°I¡¯ve had lots of time. Time to think, to ponder, to roam and wander... and now, I¡¯m finally out here! Other voices again, sights that aren¡¯t just endless fields of flowers or infinite dark expanses... The world is so alive!¡±


    She rolled onto her back, staring up at the late afternoon sky, a marvelous gradient of reds, purples, and pinks. Rowan¡¯s hair felt like a field of long grass she could roll through if she wanted.


    ¡°I just want to enjoy the world again... and guide my little giant along the way. But what fun will it be if he hates me the whole time?¡±


    She tugged at Rowan¡¯s hair absentmindedly, like pulling up grass in frustration.


    ¡°Hey! If my head¡¯s gonna be your primary way of gettin¡¯ around, you oughta treat it a bit nicer! All that yankin¡¯ is gonna make me bald!¡±If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    ¡°Hush, I saw it all fall out when Callahan turned you into that monster, and it grew right back!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s different!¡± Rowan scratched at the spot she pulled, trying to ease the irritation.


    ¡°Cal¡¯s Binds, when they start fadin¡¯, I¡¯m right back to normal¡ªor at least as normal as I was before some weird animal part comes explodin¡¯ outta me!¡±


    He rolled his shoulder, remembering an adventure from long ago. ¡°There was this one time, me and Cal took a small job, way smaller than any Kraken Caller business. We were supposed to rout these Garruhm who were holdin¡¯ up the roads in eastern Vallara. Neither of us wanted to kill ¡¯em¡ªthey¡¯re Kiki¡¯s kin, after all. So we came up with this plan to spook ¡¯em instead. So, Cal starts thinkin¡¯ about what might scare a Garruhm. They¡¯re tough bastards, y¡¯know, comin¡¯ from the scariest parts of the world. But he tries anyway and says, ¡®Pachyderms. Those big monsters that roam the deserts. I¡¯m gonna turn you into one of those right in front of ¡¯em!¡¯¡±


    Rowan¡¯s arms began to mimic the scene, playing it out in the air as they walked. He wasn¡¯t sure if Nyve was watching, but he didn¡¯t care.


    ¡°So I go out there, thinkin¡¯ it¡¯s a great plan¡ªget to be a big monster? Sounds fun! But Cal still hadn¡¯t worked out every kink of his power yet. I¡¯m standin¡¯ there, hammer in my hand, yellin¡¯ threats at them, and then... I feel it comin¡¯ on. As they get closer, my arms start changin¡¯, and¡ªhah! It didn¡¯t go so well. My arms turned into Pachyderm legs!¡±


    He balled his fists and stomped his foot to emphasize the memory. ¡°Dropped my hammer right then and there¡ªno damn fingers left!¡± Rowan started to heave, laughter catching on his words as he continued. ¡°So there I am, waitin¡¯ for the rest of it to kick in. I¡¯m thinkin¡¯ I¡¯m about to turn into a big ol¡¯ beast and chase ¡¯em out! But nothin¡¯ else happens. I¡¯m just standin¡¯ there with Pachyderm arms and no fingers.¡±


    He wiped a tear from his eye, still grinning. ¡°The Garruhm are starin¡¯ at me, dumbfounded, tryin¡¯ to figure out what they¡¯re lookin¡¯ at. And now I gotta figure out how to knock ¡¯em out before they find Cal hidin¡¯ in the bushes.¡±


    Rowan chopped at his own arm, acting it out. ¡°Those arms were awkward as hell, but they were real damn strong. So I go in there, big ol¡¯ hand-feet swingin¡¯, ready to scare ¡¯em off and lay a beat down on ¡¯em. It goes pretty well at first¡ªI knock out one lizard, then another. But the last one... he gets the jump on me.¡±


    Rowan shook his arm, mimicking the scene. ¡°Next thing I know, he cuts my arm clean off!¡± He threw his elbow back, imitating the limb flying off. ¡°I¡¯m standin¡¯ there with one Pachyderm leg-arm, and Cal¡¯s losin¡¯ his mind, screamin¡¯ and runnin¡¯ toward me, even though the last Garruhm is still up and ready to fight.¡±


    He let out another laugh. ¡°The Garruhm got distracted by Cal¡¯s shoutin¡¯, and that¡¯s when I clocked him, the lights went out real quick with that kick? Punch? Whatever it was he got it in the head!¡±


    Nyve¡¯s voice was incredulous. ¡°Your whole bloody arm came off?¡±


    ¡°Yep!¡± Rowan beamed proudly. ¡°We learned somethin¡¯ real valuable that day. Turns out, I don¡¯t feel much pain when I¡¯m bound, and if somethin¡¯ goes wrong¡ªlike, y¡¯know, my arm gettin¡¯ chopped off¡ªonce the bind fades, it¡¯s all back to normal!¡±


    ¡°Oh, what marvelous sight my little Callahan has¡­ Lughren would be so proud!¡± Nyve was really getting into the story, Rowan could feel her leaning off as far as she could, trying to make eye contact with him, or maybe she was watching his hands, ¡°I¡¯m surprised you don¡¯t know this, Nyve. Thought you were supposed to be some magical fairy goddess! You¡¯re tellin¡¯ me you don¡¯t know all there is to know about Bindin¡¯?¡±


    He felt a little tap on his forehead¡ªa tiny punch from her, no doubt.


    ¡°Well, excuse me! It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve seen the grander world! Lots has changed since then! Gwyndadoraoralaeolye doesn¡¯t have the same influence as it once did. We can¡¯t all see the whole world like we used to. Only Lughren now.¡±


    ¡°Ah, our god, right? Or so you say.¡± Rowan¡¯s tone was curious, more curious than Callahan ever was. It delighted Nyve. ¡°What¡¯s he like?¡±


    Nyve brightened at his interest. ¡°Oh, he is indeed! He was magnificent! The grandest, most marvelous, most loving of the Six Eternal Ones!¡± Her voice became dreamlike, filled with reverence. ¡°He brought the flow to rivers, the green to the grasses. The rains wept when he did, and the sky cleared at his command. He watched over you all endlessly as you scurried about, with love and patience.¡±


    She drifted into memory, her voice tinged with a soft melancholy. ¡°He was ever so welcoming, too. When you all began to think bigger, to dream grander... your worship, your love¡ªoh, it shaped my brothers and sisters. It shaped even me, your lovable Nyve.¡±


    For a moment, her voice hung in the air, carrying with it a longing for a time long past.


    ¡°He loved us too, every one that came. From your warriors who ascended into divinity through their ferocity, to your poets and writers who inspired generations. The grandest of them all flourished under his influence, in his realm... in the beautiful Gwyndadoraoralaeolye.¡±


    ¡°Huh... so you weren¡¯t always a fairy? And so little?¡±


    ¡°Oh, not all of us, Rowan. Some of us were born from folktales, like me!¡± Her voice grew playful, lightening for a moment. ¡°The trickster! The playful fairy you might find in the forest. Will I lead you astray, or will I guide you out of nature¡¯s cold, violent grasp? Who can say! Me and my sisters... oh, we could be troublesome!¡±


    She giggled, a wistful sound, and for a moment, she longed to show him¡ªto weave illusions of her old home, to dance among the fractal lights like she once did. But the streets were full of eyes that she¡¯d rather not let see.


    ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re a sibling too, eh? Well, you should know better than anyone¡ªCal doesn¡¯t stay mad forever. He¡¯ll come around.¡±


    Nyve¡¯s laughter faded. ¡°A sister no longer, I¡¯m afraid, Rowan.¡± She felt her tiny chest tighten, the weight of an ancient sorrow pressing down.


    ¡°What happened? I know some of it¡ªCal told me bits and pieces. But I always say, you can only get the story right from the one who lived it.¡±


    Nyve¡¯s eyes turned to the sky, searching the colors for ghosts long gone. ¡°Gods like us... the lesser ones, the ones who didn¡¯t spring from the will of the universe itself... Without your worship, without your stories and reverence to keep what we are stable, we cease to be.¡± Her voice quivered, fragile as the dying light. ¡°I still wonder every day... why I¡¯m the last one here.¡±


    There was a pause, heavy and quiet, before Rowan¡¯s voice broke through, warm and bright as the sun.


    ¡°That¡¯s easy. You¡¯ve got a job to do, obviously! You¡¯re comin¡¯ with me and Cal. We¡¯re gonna go on adventures, make some money, get Ma all better... and she¡¯s gonna love you. She always told us stories¡ªher grandpa¡¯s stories¡ªabout fairies like you.¡±


    ¡°That would be grand. I¡¯d love to meet her... but there¡¯s more to do still, Rowan. Gwyndadoraoralaeolye, Lughren... one day, they¡¯ll both be be gone. And even I won¡¯t survive that.¡±


    Rowan¡¯s face softened. As gentle as he could, he raised a finger to his head, then to hers. It was like a mountain petting an ant. He tried his best to be comforting. ¡°Ah, we¡¯ll add it to the list of things to do then¡ªsave your home, save our Ma. Cal¡¯ll come around.¡±


    Nyve blinked, dumbstruck by how easily he agreed. She found herself second-guessing if he and Callahan were even brothers. ¡°Do you even know what you¡¯re agreeing to, Rowan?¡±


    He rubbed his chin, pretending to think it over. ¡°Ah, not really, to be honest. But hey, Cal¡¯s binds, and your breaks¡ªif that ain¡¯t special enough to save your home, then what is?¡±


    If she were anyone else, she might have been lost for words. But she was Nyve, after all. ¡°You¡¯re really are a big idiot... a big lovable idiot.¡±


    He felt a tiny squeeze on his head and smiled. ¡°Ah, if you say so.¡±


    They finally made it back. Kiki¡¯s bar was packed to the brim. Tense stares were exchanged all around, eyes red from weeping, voices raw from crying out. It was different from the usual noise.


    ¡°Well, we¡¯re here. Let¡¯s go find out what¡¯s goin¡¯ on,¡± Rowan said, his voice softening. He waded through the crowd, his broad shoulders parting the sea of worried faces. Hopefully, Kiki had some idea of what was to come.

 The Consequences of Your Actions

    <div>


    The room was dark. He could barely see. Even if the lights were on, it wouldn¡¯t have mattered. One eye was completely dissolved, his face swollen and burned, as if drenched in acid. The other eye was only half-working, making out black, blobby figures shifting in front of him. His ears were mostly deaf, but he could still hear it¡ªthe chittering. The same he¡¯d heard on that wretched island. Their claws clanged against thick iron bars. The Wailers, blinded and muzzled. They skittered, smashing into the walls, blindly thrashing in their cells. He almost wondered what they were doing down here, with him. But his mind could never complete a thought, not without¡ª


    THUMP


    ¡°Speak, you bastard! Tell us who you¡¯re working with.¡±


    Vantus struck him in the face, putting his full weight into the blow. ¡°Bear-fucking, cretin.¡±


    THUMP


    Another swing, harder this time. Blood splattered across the dungeon wall. But Ollie barely felt it. He was already half-dead, half-rotting from the inside out. ¡°You¡ªtouch him up. He¡¯s not dying yet.¡±


    Vantus pointed at the young woman standing beside Aurelio. A healer. Her job was to keep Ollie alive just long enough to endure the next round of torture. ¡°Pointless questions.¡± Aurelio was unimpressed. ¡°I have the records. He was on Galvos¡¯s ship.¡±


    Aurelio approached Ollie, whose skin was slowly mending under the Alleviator¡¯s hands. She molded the flesh back to a healthy state, cured it of the rot that had formed from the anima, and reset his broken jaw once more after Vantus had shattered it again with his violence.


    ¡°You think Galvos is involved? You really think that idiot could, or would, even consider attacking his own like this?¡± A smirk curled on Vantus¡¯s face. His anger was for show¡ªhe just enjoyed hurting Ollie and loved the theatrics of playing the ¡®bad guy¡¯ to Aurelio¡¯s ¡®good guy.¡¯


    ¡°Would be quite convenient for you to have your brother-in-law finally headed for the pits.¡±


    ¡°If I wanted Galvos gone, he¡¯d be gone,¡± Aurelio replied, cold and steady as always. ¡°What I want to know is how he managed to hide the Crucible. Nobody saw him with it until he started his ranting in the markets.¡±


    Aurelio tapped the Alleviator on the shoulder. ¡°Fix his mouth. I can still smell the rot. He can¡¯t talk like that.¡± The girl nodded and did her best to mould a new, less ruined tongue so Ollie could speak.


    ¡°How¡¯d you do it, Olesk? How¡¯d you get the Crucible off the ship?¡±


    Ollie weakly lifted his head. He still couldn¡¯t see, could barely hear. ¡°Did you see them?¡± he asked, his voice drained and raspy. ¡°Did you get a good look?¡±


    Vantus¡¯s fist twitched, itching to crush his skull again, but Aurelio was growing tired of both of their acts. ¡°Yes, I saw it. Your pitiable revenge,¡± Aurelio replied, holding his arm out to block Vantus from breaking Ollie¡¯s jaw once more.


    ¡°Do you know what¡¯s going to happen in return, Olesk?¡± Aurelio continued, his voice as cold as the winds of Moravyr. ¡°We¡¯re going to march further into your lands. We¡¯re going to take more and more every day. And whenever your people resist, we¡¯re going to do exactly what you did in the Aurifex.¡±


    Aurelio knelt to meet his eye level, his grip tightening as he seized Ollie¡¯s head, forcing him to look directly into his eyes. ¡°But you see, our weapons won¡¯t be weak or unrefined like the Crucible.¡±


    His fingers dug into Ollie¡¯s skull, the pressure growing as he watched the prisoner struggle to hold back his pain. ¡°When we reach Sevrasil¡ªand we will get there¡ªI¡¯ll make sure they know. They¡¯ll know that the cruelty we inflict upon them, the absolute devastation they¡¯ll experience, is because an impotent man lashed out at his betters.¡±


    His voice dropped to a whisper, each word a dagger. ¡°They¡¯ll be the ones crawling, gasping, crying out for release, Olesk. And they¡¯ll curse your name for the wrath you brought down upon them.¡±


    He could see the tears forming in Ollie¡¯s malformed eyes. ¡°FUCK YOU!¡± A disgusting amalgamation of fluids coalesced in his mouth and flew out, splattering across Aurelio¡¯s cheek.


    ¡°You think this is the last time this will happen?¡± A new fire sparked in Ollie¡¯s chest, whether from the Alleviator¡¯s hands or his anger, no one could be sure. ¡°This was just the start!¡±


    Aurelio wiped the mucus from his face, his expression unchanged. Behind him, Vantus snickered.


    ¡°Spirited, aren¡¯t you? What do you plan to do in here, Olesk? You¡¯re not getting out of here alive. You know that, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Ollie didn¡¯t respond.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t tell us how you snuck the Crucible off the ship, we¡¯ll just have to start making assumptions.¡± Aurelio motioned to the Alleviator, who obediently stepped outside the cell to retrieve the documents waiting for him.


    ¡°Look at this mess,¡± Aurelio continued, unrolling the report. ¡°Was the attack on Harmonia part of your little plan, or was that unrelated, Olesk?¡± His eyes narrowed as he scanned the report, the words and images drawn with uncanny precision, as if taken straight from the witnesses¡¯ minds and inked onto paper.


    ¡°Apparently, there was some sort of monster attack¡ªa creature of the Mire suddenly appeared and began attacking guests at Harmonia. How¡¯d that happen, Olesk? How did you manage to get a fourth Wailer?¡±


    It was faint, almost inaudible, but Aurelio heard Ollie whispering a prayer to his goddess.


    ¡°She can¡¯t hear you,¡± Vantus said, his voice mocking. ¡°Not in His domain.¡± He leaned lazily against the cell wall, a look of boredom crossing his face. ¡°Come on, make him squeal already.¡±


    Aurelio ignored him. ¡°So be it, Olesk. If you won¡¯t tell me, I know others who might.¡± He unfurled the bottom of the report, revealing a detailed drawing of two men¡ªone a giant, half-naked and lying on the floor, the other a scrawny figure lurking in the shadows of an alleyway, keeping lookout.


    ¡°Are these your men? Did you plan this with them?¡±


    Ollie¡¯s breath hitched, his jaw tightening as he fought to keep his face expressionless. But his silence spoke louder than words.


    ¡°Look at him. He knows who they are!¡± Vantus laughed.


    ¡°They¡¯re Dregs like you, aren¡¯t they, Olesk? Is it just a coincidence they were also at the scene of disruption at the Bathhouse, just before you pulled your little stunt? Or were they the distraction? Did they give you the time you needed for your pathetic speech by smuggling that Wailer into Harmonia?¡±


    Aurelio kept his gaze locked on Ollie, his golden eyes unblinking. Ollie did his best to meet his stare, his swollen eyes filled with defiance and pain. ¡°Did they sneak the Crucible off the ship for you, Ollie? Were they crewmembers of Galvos?¡±


    ¡°Fuck you,¡± Ollie spat, his voice hoarse and broken. ¡°Just kill me already. Get it over with, you piece of shit.¡±


    Aurelio¡¯s breath changed, just for a moment. ¡°We¡¯ll get to that eventually, Olesk.¡± His voice was calm, almost gentle. But there was an eagerness lurking beneath the surface, a desire to end this pitiful excuse of a life in front of him.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t tell me something, I¡¯ll go down to the Dregs myself. I¡¯ll find these two and then I¡¯ll come back. With their severed heads. To keep you company.¡±


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    It wasn¡¯t a bluff. Ollie could see it in Aurelio¡¯s face¡ªthe hatred he held for him, his people, for everyone in the Dregs. He didn¡¯t understand what kept Aurelio from taking his blade and carving the Amalgamate to pieces already. If he didn¡¯t say something, Callahan would surely be killed. Ollie knew it. He knew how strong Aurelio was. Those Kraken limbs would be torn apart. The things Callahan could do with Rowan¡ªthey were nothing compared to Aurelio¡¯s power.


    The man who walked out of the Mire without a single blemish. The man who put fear into the hearts of anyone who saw him enter the fray. It was a mercy to all that he was kept to guarding the homelands of Onoria and not unleashed upon foreign fields, where he could cause tragedies of untold proportions. His Bind, one of the mind¡ªabsolute arrogance and pride in his abilities. The countless battles he had won had made him invincible. A truly terrifying power.


    Ollie¡¯s chest tightened. He could feel the panic crawling up his spine, see the flicker of interest in Aurelio¡¯s golden eyes. Damn it, why was he there? Stupid kid... I knew that was him... screaming... Why? Why did you follow me to the Aurifex? Was it the pendant? Because I pulled you out? Why the hell do you keep showing up in my life... damn it, boy... always underfoot... Kova...


    His thoughts scattered. He couldn¡¯t understand his feelings. He knew he had to keep quiet, knew he was meant to be a sacrifice, to spark something new, a retaliation against Onoria. But could he die in peace knowing he had set this monster upon two innocent boys? They were somebody¡¯s sons, caught up in a mess they didn¡¯t understand. Morna... damn it, what did she do, and why did she get them involved? I knew...


    He couldn¡¯t finish his thought. Aurelio was turning to leave, Vantus watching, unmoving.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Ollie¡¯s voice cracked, his spirit breaking. ¡°Wait, please... they had nothing to do with this. They¡¯re just kids.¡±


    Aurelio paused mid-step, waiting, expectant.


    ¡°It was just me... I snuck the Crucible out.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to have to prove that¡± Vantus sneered, his lips curling in a sadistic grin.


    ¡°Give me something... a stone, anything,¡± Ollie pleaded, his voice cracking as he wriggled in his restraints, arms and legs lashed tight to the cold stone chair. Aurelio turned slowly, his eyes narrowing with interest. Ollie¡¯s palm was held open waiting.  Aurelio looked around, then picked up an unused, broken cuff lying on the cell floor. He placed the cold iron cuff in Ollie¡¯s bound hands.


    ¡°Show me,¡± he commanded.


    Ollie gripped the cuff tightly, his fingers trembling as he massaged the metal, squeezing it tighter and tighter. With every squeeze, the cuff became smaller, its form remaining perfectly consistent and unbroken. When he was finished, the cuff was no larger than a pebble¡ªsomething one could easily hide if they wanted to.


    ¡°So that¡¯s how, eh?¡± Vantus chuckled, his laughter dripping with mockery. ¡°That would be a good trick for our mules to have. Is that common in Moravyr?¡±


    Ollie shook his head, his shoulders sagging. ¡°Not the way mine works¡­¡± His voice was hollow, defeated. He knew he was giving too much away, but he hoped it would be enough to satiate them. ¡°Mine keeps everything intact... that¡¯s how I was able to sneak the Crucible off the ship without breaking it.¡±


    Aurelio picked up the minuscule cuff between his fingers, examining it with cold fascination. ¡°I¡¯m assuming you¡¯re also the one who can revert these changes?¡±


    Ollie looked up at him, his swollen eyes full of exhaustion and dread. Reluctantly, he nodded. ¡°Yeah... I am.¡±


    ¡°Can you make things larger than they originally were?¡± Aurelio¡¯s asked,


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    Aurelio flicked the pebble-sized cuff away. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you.¡±


    Aurelio¡¯s sword sang as he unsheathed it, the sharp, metallic ring echoing in the cell. The blade was gilded, mesmerizing, its edge impossibly sharp. The light danced along its length, a cruel, hypnotic shimmer. Ollie¡¯s body seized in fear, his mind screaming.


    ¡°Go on, do it. DO IT.¡±


    Ollie¡¯s heart thundered in his chest, his pulse echoing in his ears, he did his best to choke down his terror. He knew this would be the end, and he would go out fighting. He would be the example of what was to come. The swing came swiftly. Ollie barely felt a thing as the sword severed his hands from his wrists. Then a second¡ª


    SWISH. SWISH.


    His hands fell to the floor, lifeless, useless things. When the realization finally came, when the pain crashed into him, the dungeon filled with his screams.


    ¡°Uuh... ah... AHUUGUH¡ªYOU BASTARD! JUST KILL ME!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t let him bleed out,¡± Aurelio commanded, sheathing his sword.


    The Alleviator rushed to Ollie¡¯s side, she molded the flesh at the end of his arms, leaving two smooth, fleshy stumps. At Aurelio¡¯s nod, she tightened his restraints, binding him even more securely.


    ¡°As much as I¡¯d like to, Olesk, you¡¯re not going to die here. Not in this dark, lonely dungeon.¡±


    Aurelio kicked the severed hands away, watching them tumble across the cold stone floor. ¡°No, your death is going to be a spectacle in the Luminarc for all to see. So the kin of those you murdered in the Aurifex can have their cathartic release as they watch you burn.¡±


    A twisted smile spread across Aurelio¡¯s face, cold and cruel. He was taking so much pleasure in the thought of Ollie¡¯s painful demise. ¡°We¡¯re going to fix you right up, Olesk, to make sure you feel every second. And just as you¡¯re about to fade away, we¡¯ll put you out and start over.¡±


    Vantus laughed, ¡°You¡¯re going to be up on that stage for a long time, Olesk.¡± He leaned in, his hand heavy on Ollie¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You¡¯ll burn for every single person you killed in the Aurifex. The Luminarc¡¯s going to be packed for months, watching you scream yourself hoarse.¡±


    Ollie¡¯s eyes widened in horror as the reality set in. There would be no mercy. No end. Only pain. Over and over again.


    ¡°YOU¡¯RE FUCKIN¡¯ MONSTERS! COWARDS! YOU¡¯LL PAY, I SWEAR TO AUREHA, YOU WILL ALL PAY!¡±


    A burst of anger made him fight with everything he had against his restraints. ¡°YOU BASTARD, AURELIO! WE WILL FIND A WAY¡ªWE¡¯LL FIND A WAY TO KILL YOU!¡±


    Aurelio sighed, sounding almost bored. ¡°Stop playing at righteousness.¡±


    He slapped Ollie across the face. Teeth came loose, and another spurt of blood hit the floor.


    ¡°You¡¯re no better than us, Olesk. Women, children¡ªeven innocent men from all over the world who had no ties to us died in that market. Don¡¯t display your hero nonsense in front of me again, or I¡¯ll add even more suffering to your plate. Do you understand?¡±


    Ollie went to yell again, to scream with everything he had at this monster in front of him, but Aurelio struck him down with his mighty hand.


    ¡°You know what? Shut him up until he¡¯s ready for the Luminarc.¡±


    The Alleviator approached. Ollie squirmed and fought, his voice echoing out, pained and raw.


    ¡°YOU¡¯LL PAY¡ªFOR MY SON, FOR MY FATHER, FOR MY HOmmhgphp¡ª¡±


    The flesh of his lips began to bind together, sealing his words behind an impenetrable wall of flesh. His eyes widened in horror, his body convulsing against the restraints as he tried to scream, but no sound came out.


    ¡°The quiet is nice, but how are we supposed to ask him questions now, Aurelio?¡± Vantus asked, his tone casual, almost mocking.


    ¡°We already know all we need. The rest will come to us when he¡¯s up on stage.¡± Aurelio turned and he motioned for the others to follow him out of the dungeon.


    ¡°You¡¯re putting a lot of faith in the Dregs to come rescue one of their own,¡± Vantus said, a smirk curling at his lips. ¡°Especially one they deemed sacrificial. I didn¡¯t think you could attribute such loyalty to those ¡®animals.¡¯¡±


    ¡°If the beast¡¯s cries don¡¯t call his kindred to his aid, they¡¯ll serve as a warning for them to flee. Either way, I¡¯ll know who it is when he¡¯s up on that stage. I already have my men in the Amalgamate keeping an eye on things.¡±


    Vantus scoffed, feigning offense. ¡°You wound me, Aurelio. Do you not trust the Silver Guard to keep the Dregs in check?¡±


    Aurelio¡¯s steps halted. He turned slowly, his golden eyes cold and unblinking. ¡°The Silver Guard were nowhere to be found when I alone confronted Olesk.¡± His gaze locked on Vantus, his words deliberate and heavy. ¡°Why did all your men go to check on Harmonia? Did you really deem it necessary to leave the entire district defenseless because of one mire beast?¡±


    Vantus¡¯s eyes narrowed, his smile gone. ¡°Are you accusing me of something, Aurelio?¡±


    ¡°I would never think to accuse the Left Hand of conspiring against the Right¡­ or the Whole. But I do question your judgment.¡± Aurelio¡¯s voice was calm, unyielding. ¡°Is the Silver Guard too weak to handle a single Wailer without an entire retinue of district guards?¡± Aurelio pounded his fist against the Wailer¡¯s cell. The creatures inside scrambled, crashing into the walls, their muzzled faces clanging against the bars.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like your tone, Aurelio,¡± Vantus warned. ¡°You should remember¡ªwe are equals. That gold running through your veins doesn¡¯t give you the authority to question mine.¡±


    Aurelio¡¯s expression remained solid, unchanging. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t think of it, Vantus. It was just a curiosity of mine.¡±


    ¡°Good. Here, let me sate it for you.¡±


    Vantus pulled a flower from his pouch. Its petals reflected the dim light in mesmerizing fractals. ¡°My men may have been a little late to the scene, but they at least properly surveyed it.¡±


    He handed it to Aurelio, who spun the stem between his fingers, the petals catching the light, swirling in iridescent patterns.


    ¡°Where did you find this?¡± Aurelio asked, his eyes narrowing as he examined the flower.


    ¡°Right at the epicenter of the explosion. I¡¯m surprised you missed it, Aurelio.¡± Vantus¡¯ smile returned. ¡°I¡¯ve already sent one to the Holy Host. After he addresses the city tomorrow, he plans to call a meeting.¡±


    Aurelio¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°So he still has a pawn on the board. I would¡¯ve thought he¡¯d be too weak by now.¡±


    Vantus turned to leave but paused beside Aurelio. ¡°Well, as always, it was a pleasure working with you, Aurelio. Can¡¯t wait to watch the show together.¡± He sauntered off, disappearing into the darkness of the dungeon¡¯s halls.


    Aurelio watched him go, his fingers tightening around the stem of the flower. ¡°Who was it, and what did they do?¡±


    His eyes lingered on the swirling, fractal lights. ¡°Did you set off the Crucible? Did you become cruel?¡± The colors danced, enchanting and haunting. ¡°We will find you.¡± He tucked the flower into a pouch and turned, his steps echoing as he left the dungeon behind.

 A Bargaining Eye

    The bar¡¯s atmosphere was thick with that same tense dread that had overtaken the streets of the Dregs. Rowan could feel it on the shaky breaths of the patrons. They whispered to each other, worrying over lost loved ones who might have been in the Aurifex during the attack. Cries would break out, raw and heart-wrenching, as fears became reality. Others broke into anger, shaking and cursing, unable to control themselves when faced with loss. ¡°Hurry, Rowan! We¡¯re almost there!¡± Nyve urged, her voice tinged with worry. She bounced in his hair, tiny fists pounding to spur him forward through the crowded bar. Rowan muscled through as hard as he could, cutting through the crowd like a fish through water. When he reached the kitchen, it was empty, but from the stairs leading up to the loft, he could hear soft knocking.


    ¡°Callahan? I brought you some food! Open the door, hun!¡± Kiki stood outside, a plate of savory meat and vegetables balanced in her clawed hand. Rowan came up beside her. ¡°Smells good! Once he gets a whiff of that, I bet he¡¯ll be right out!¡± Kiki turned to him, her frills flaring in a mock show of aggression. ¡°Where were you two? Callahan came in here pale as a ghost, didn¡¯t say a word, and locked himself in his room¡­¡±


    Rowan tried to keep a lighthearted smile. There was no way to explain what happened without making Kiki upset. He hesitated, then softened his voice, painting a picture of what Callahan might¡¯ve seen¡ªbut he kept Nyve out of the story. As he spoke, Kiki¡¯s frills drooped lower and lower, her expression darkening. ¡°Horrible¡­¡± She placed the plate on the step just outside Callahan¡¯s door. ¡°If I had known something terrible was going to happen today, I would¡¯ve insisted on keeping you boys here¡­¡±


    Rowan shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, Kiki. He just needs a few days.¡±


    She gave him a look, eyes filled with guilt that Rowan didn¡¯t quite understand. Her head hung low. Without anymore words she took the steps down, there were many more guests to serve at the bar, and it seemed she didn¡¯t want to talk about whatever was weighing heavy on her heart.


    ¡°Go on, Rowan, open it! Open it!¡± Nyve burst from his hair, frantic and fluttering, her wings a blur of movement. ¡°He¡¯s right behind the door! Quick, quick!¡±


    ¡°Hold on, lemme find the key first,¡± Rowan grumbled, patting himself down while Nyve flitted about, her frantic energy buzzing around his face. ¡°Hurry, Rowan!¡±


    He finally found the key, fumbling to get it into the lock as Nyve buzzed around him like an impatient bee. The door barely squeaked open before she shot through the gap, darting around the room.


    ¡°Oh¡­ Oooh¡­ No, no¡­¡± She searched frantically, from the bed to the closet to the shadows in the corners, but Callahan was gone. ¡°He left us! I knew it, he really truly hates me!¡± Her voice was impatient and flustered, laced with heartbreak.


    ¡°I told you it was gonna take some time! That means longer than the walk from the markets to home, Nyve!¡± Rowan stepped in, his body melting into a chair, exhaustion weighing him down. ¡°Phoo, rough day that¡¯s for sure.¡±


    Nyve retreated to her tiny bed of fractal light, curling into the shimmering blankets. ¡°I don¡¯t want to wait! I want to fix things now! Why must we prolong this silly thing! I saved him, after all! He was right! He should be thankful!¡±


    Rowan sighed, his eyes scanning the room. Callahan wasn¡¯t the type to leave on his own, at least not too far from the bar. And he hadn¡¯t seen him outside, though the crowd was thick¡ªmaybe he missed him? His eyes drifted to the table, catching on a familiar shape. ¡°Ooh, looky here!¡± He picked it up, rolling it between his fingers. The petal twine wrapped around his hand.


    Nyve peeked out from her blankets, the sheets curled around her head like a shawl. ¡°OH! He abandoned it! Oh, such a rude, rude boy! AWFUL BOY! OOH, I can¡¯t believe him¡­ First he threatens to shatter it and then! He just leaves it on the table, after all the heart I put into it! I can¡¯t believe him, OH!¡±


    She shot from her bed, petals scattering as she burst into the air. She darted straight to the Eye, inspecting it with frantic fingers, searching for scratches or scuffs. ¡°Well¡­¡± She rubbed her fingers over its surface, eyes narrowed in focus. ¡°At least he didn¡¯t try to hurt it¡­¡±


    ¡°¡®Cause he was bluffin¡¯.¡± Rowan leaned against the table, arms crossed. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t break somethin¡¯ you made for him. Like I said, he just says stupid things sometimes.¡±


    Nyve was quiet, her chin resting on her thumb as she twirled slowly toward the window, lost in thought. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± She stared out at the crowded streets below, her eyes flickering with worry. ¡°It¡¯ll be dark soon. Why would he leave alone? Tonight will be dangerous! Look at the streets¡ªthey¡¯re full of people!¡±


    Rowan reluctantly pulled himself from the chair and joined her at the window. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s not lookin¡¯ too nice. The Goldy ones are real pricks. They don¡¯t like havin¡¯ to come down here and deal with us.¡±


    Nyve spun around, wings buzzing frantically. ¡°We have to go look for him, Rowan! I would¡¯ve kept quiet and hidden if I knew he was here, but surely we can go and look for him and he won¡¯t get even more mad for checking on him, surely!¡±


    Rowan let out a chuckle. ¡°You burst through the door before I could even peek in! I¡¯m not so sure you would¡¯ve kept hidden.¡±


    Nyve¡¯s face flushed red, and she darted up to his nose, kicking him right on the tip. ¡°Not the point, you big idiot! You¡¯re not really going to leave your brother out in the dark after all that¡¯s happened, are you?¡±


    ¡°Of course not!¡± Rowan sighed, rubbing his nose. ¡°We¡¯ll go look for him. I¡¯m bein¡¯ serious though, Nyve¡ªyou should maybe just stay in my hair and not come out until he starts feelin¡¯ better.¡±


    Nyve¡¯s wings slowed, and she nodded reluctantly. ¡°I will! I promise!¡±


    Rowan¡¯s rolled his eyes, suspicion flickering across his face. His mother¡¯s tales of trickster fairies played in his mind, reminding him never to trust a fairy¡¯s promise. And the way Nyve¡¯s eyes sparkled with impatience, he knew she wouldn¡¯t resist trying to fix things. ¡°Alright¡­ but stay hidden, ya hear? The real shady types¡¯ll be out soon.¡±


    Nyve¡¯s wings buzzed, excitement radiating off her. ¡°Yes! Quick, before the darkness falls! I¡¯ll help you search any and every hall!¡±


    Rowan headed for the door, ready to start the search, but Nyve tugged on his collar, stopping him. ¡°Don¡¯t forget the Eye! We might need it.¡±


    He looked at her, confusion flashing across his face, but he didn¡¯t argue. The petal twine felt soft against his skin as he slipped it around his neck. He gave Nyve one last look before heading out the door, determined to find his brother.


    ?? ?? ??


    Callahan had never been out on his own in the city so late before, especially not in this part of the Dregs. It was far from Kiki¡¯s bar, more rundown than anywhere else in the city. Trash littered the streets, piled high against crumbling walls. Rats skittered past in packs, their eyes gleaming as they disappeared into the shadows. People were everywhere, but none of them seemed fully alive. Some wandered aimlessly, faces hollow and eyes glazed, moving like shadows in the dark. Others lay crumpled against walls, looking half-dead. There was a hierarchy of scum you could clearly see down here. If the Dregs proper were the worst of Onoria, then this place was the bottom of the bottom, the refuse of the refuse. The city¡¯s forgotten ghosts, drifting in filth and despair.


    This place was the living Mire, and there are some things that can only truly live and thrive in such a rotten place. People with important information who didn¡¯t want to be caught by authorities would make their homes here, in these sorts of dark places, hiding like insects among the other reprobates, murderers, and thieves. Callahan kept a tight grip on his belongings; he didn¡¯t want to get robbed before he could find what he was looking for. He wanted so desperately to know who that person was that almost drowned him in the bathhouse. He had little to go off¡ªbandages, black hair, a binding sight. But those traits, as few of them as he could glean, were niche; easy to find in a place like Onoria.


    The darkest hair an Onorion could have was a dirty gold or a dull silver. Sight binding was also something very rare for them as well. If the culprit wasn¡¯t here themselves, surely he could pay for someone to tell him who they were.


    What am I going to do when¡ªif¡ªI find them? I need answers, but I doubt they¡¯ll tell me if I don¡¯t have a way to threaten them.


    His fingers tightened around his wallet, strapped securely to his belt. I need something to make them talk.


    His knowledge of this place was second-hand, gathered from eavesdropping at the bar, listening to whispers of the hidden etiquette that governed the Living Mire. He knew that peddlers liked to leave breadcrumbs, markers for those clever enough to find their hidden shops in the most dilapidated alleys. They were all unique to each merchant¡ªsome used broken bells wedged into cracked bricks, others left painted marks behind signs or piled garbage.


    But Callahan was looking for something more peculiar. A more erratic sign. A shop that moved often, never staying in one place for long, its breadcrumbs often mistaken for trash itself. You had to watch the ground carefully. If you were lucky, you might catch a glimpse of shattered blue glass, scattered among the refuse. It came from foreign phials, delicate and strange, filled with exotic scents from lands unknown. They were owned by a peculiar people called the Tomtei.


    No one knew exactly where they came from, and they spoke little about their homes or methods of travel. But they always came with the strangest tools and weapons, devices so powerful and simple to use that they could turn a peasant into a deadly threat. They were almost impossible to replicate, crafted from mysterious materials and foreign techniques that eluded even the most skilled Onorion smiths and tinkerers. Callahan didn¡¯t know how much it would cost, but he knew he needed something dangerous. Something that could protect him and threaten his attacker if he was going to confront them and get the answers he needed.


    He would follow bits of debris into the darkened streets; every dead end would leave him with less time in the twilight. A search in the dark would make this far worse, and he was getting worried about the people he passed by. They kept to themselves for the most part, but wiry eyes would take quick glances at him. He wasn¡¯t sure if they were sizing him up, thinking about how they might attack him, or if they were being cautious, unfamiliar with who he was.


    Callahan eventually felt a crisp, glassy crunch under his boot that reflected that unique dark blue he had heard of. It led him down a dark, empty alley. It was quiet¡ªat first, no rats or even people were around, and the further he went down, the cleaner the alley got. That broken trail of glass eventually led to unbroken phials laid haphazardly in a line toward some strange light at the end of the alley.


    When he finally made it past the last phial, a burst of sound came bellowing out from the light in the distance. He could hear hammers, pops, whirling gears, and cranks. It was like a city coming to life. It frightened him at first; he stood back reflexively, almost falling backward past the phial he had just passed. When he did, the sound disappeared again. It was dead quiet once more.


    ¡°Oh great¡­ I¡¯m already getting flashbacks.¡± It reminded him of the water in Gwyndadoraoralaeolye. It seemed the more time he spent far from Rindle, the more the world showed him its strange ways. He knew he had found what he was looking for. It was unmistakably strange, and that was as good a sign as any that he was on the right path. It wasn¡¯t a long walk before the light began to take shape. A strange cart, cluttered with all sorts of peculiar devices, stood at the end of the alley. There was no mule or horse to pull it, but at the very top, horns vibrated, playing musical notes that echoed into the night. On the alley floor, tiny puppet men skittered about with brooms in hand, sweeping up broken glass, steel shavings, bolts, and screws. In the corners, he saw some of them armed with needles, fighting off rats with surprising ferocity. He watched, entranced. It was like watching a living toy box come to life. It was sickeningly whimsical. He couldn¡¯t help but think Nyve would be right at home here, but that thought quickly turned to frustration. He didn¡¯t want to think about her.


    The puppets didn¡¯t seem to notice him, nor did they pose any threat, so he took another cautious step forward. The humming grew louder, drifting from inside the cart. The voice was playful and erratic, and it made his skin crawl.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°Twist, tweeble, twim, twop, hmm¡­ That isn¡¯t working. SMASH IT!¡±


    He could hear whoever was inside the cart beating something to bits. The parts came flying out of the cart¡¯s window soon after; whatever it was before, he couldn¡¯t tell, but it was just strange scrap now, quickly swept up by the little puppet men.


    He heard someone climbing to their feet. He expected to see a face pop out from the window to greet him, but instead, he was met with the tip of a pointy blue hat. He watched the tip of the hat scramble from one side of the cart to another. He could hear the owner scuffling with tools and bits and bobs, and then the tip descended once more as the twisting and clanging of tools commenced again.


    ¡°Hey! Uh¡­ I¡¯d like to buy something,¡± Callahan called out, and in an instant, the noise inside the cart stopped.


    ¡°A customer! At this hour? It¡¯s damn near midnight!¡± He could hear the man jumping up onto a stool to see over the counter of the cart.


    ¡°Hello there, stranger! I didn¡¯t expect somebody so late!¡±


    He was odd looking. His hat bent against the ceiling of his cart when he stood upon the stool. It was at least four feet tall on its own. Callahan wasn¡¯t sure if it was cultural garb or if the little man was compensating for his height. He was also quite welcoming, despite the late hour, ¡°Welcome to Grimmwald¡¯s Boggle Box, what did you have in mind to buy?¡±


    Callahan looked around the back of the cart at the chaotic displays the man had set up. Everything was a jumbled mess, piled high without any sense of order. Callahan couldn¡¯t even begin to guess what most of these strange contraptions were supposed to do, let alone pick out something useful.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m lookin¡¯ for something¡­ you know, maybe long range, but easy to hide?¡± Callahan asked.


    ¡°A weapon, eh? Long range and easy to hide,¡± Grimmwald repeated, scratching his chin thoughtfully. ¡°And what may I ask are you planning to use this weapon for? Big fights? Assassinations?¡± His eyes sparkled with curiosity and mischief. ¡°Or are you just looking for something for self-defense?¡±


    ¡°Uhm¡­¡± Callahan hesitated, realizing he hadn¡¯t fully thought it through. ¡°Well, I guess¡­ something that looks scary? Something loud, maybe?¡± He looked away, his voice dropping to a sheepish murmur. ¡°Also¡­ preferably cheap too¡­¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ cheap, loud, and scary,¡± Grimmwald mused, his grin widening. He hopped off his chair with surprising agility and burrowed into the piles of junk, muttering to himself as he searched.


    Callahan¡¯s eyes wandered over the cluttered displays again, trying to make sense of the bizarre gadgets. Most looked like toys gone wrong¡ªspring-loaded oversized fists, wobbly swords that jiggled like jelly, and crossbows with absurdly large boxes where the bolts should be, making them look impossibly awkward to use.


    But something in the back caught his attention. It was half-finished, its components exposed and wires dangling, but that wasn¡¯t what set it apart. It looked strangely familiar. Before he could ask about it, Grimmwald popped back up onto his stool, a blue phial clutched in his hand. His eyes sparkled with excitement. ¡°I got just the thing! But not here! If you¡¯d wait just a moment, I¡¯ll be right back!¡±


    With a quick motion, he popped the phial¡¯s lid, releasing a strange aroma that curled through the air. Callahan¡¯s nose crinkled as he caught the scent¡ªmetallic and burning, with a faint undertone of salt and meat.


    ¡°Wait¡ªwhat are you doing?¡± Callahan asked, his eyes widening as Grimmwald¡¯s form began to blur. His body shimmered, the colors fading and melting into the air as if he were an illusion dissolving before his eyes. He was gone. Callahan stood there, suddenly alone with only the tiny puppet men and the strange musical hum of the cart to keep him company. ¡°Where the hell did he go? Hello? Did you go invisible?¡± He looked around, feeling a bit foolish talking to thin air. Was he just ditched?


    I guess I would sort of deserve it¡­ A pang of guilt nagged at him, thoughts of how he¡¯d left things with Rowan. I should¡¯ve at least left a note so Rowan would know.


    He glanced up at the sky. Night had fully fallen, and the stars twinkled overhead, their light casting faint shadows across the alley. The street felt safe here, but Callahan knew once he left, he¡¯d have to navigate back through the more dangerous parts of the Dregs. He was half-regretting this whole plan. Even if I end up buying whatever this guy has for me, I still don¡¯t know who I¡¯m looking for¡­ I need to know why though. Why attack me? And the timing¡­ it was too perfect.


    ¡°Ah, sorry ¡®bout that!¡± The voice made Callahan jump, spinning around to see Grimmwald suddenly standing there as if he¡¯d never left. ¡°Wife was botherin¡¯ me! Said I don¡¯t spend enough time with the kids, yadda yadda yadda. Family, right? Such a hassle. Well, I¡¯m back now! And I got somethin¡¯ I think you¡¯ll like!¡±


    Callahan¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Oh¡­ uh, welcome back? Where¡¯d you go?¡±


    Grimmwald laughed, his belly bouncing with each chuckle as he fiddled with a strange contraption. ¡°Ah well, I leave some things back home, y¡¯see. Especially the more experimental types! Don¡¯t wanna clog up the shop with stuff that might not sell!¡±


    ¡°You went all the way back home? That quickly? What kind of bind is that?¡± Callahan¡¯s curiosity was piqued, his eyes glued to the odd gadgets Grimmwald was setting on the counter.


    Grimmwald lifted a chubby finger to the tip of his rosy red nose. ¡°Ah, that¡¯s a Tomtei special!¡± He flipped open his coat, revealing rows of deep blue phials, each one topped with a differently colored cap. ¡°We keep the scents of home and places we been in these little containers, see?¡±


    He began to show off his collection, each phial shimmering in the dim light. ¡°This one¡¯s the jungles in Yth, humid and spicy. These ones are all the cities in Vallara, they all smell different y¡¯know. Got this one for Great Gila¡ªooh, that place is rancid, but lots of really unique leathers are there. And this one¡¯s for Moravyr¡­¡± Grimmwald¡¯s words became animated ramblings as he recounted his adventures, his hands waving excitedly as he displayed each phial. Callahan was captivated, realizing just how far this tiny man had traveled.


    ¡°Wow¡­¡± Callahan couldn¡¯t hide his amazement. ¡°That¡¯s a really impressive ability¡­ I always thought scent bindings were a bit¡­ well, useless, y¡¯know.¡±


    Grimmwald chuckled as he pieced together the strange weapon. ¡°Ah, well, our particular bind rarely awakens in those who aren¡¯t Tomtei. I can see how you might think that way if all you¡¯ve ever met were Onorion Harmonies or the occasional perfumer! But we¡¯re quite gifted in this particular school of binding.¡± He slapped the final component into place with a satisfied grin. ¡°Ah, there you go! I think this will suit you nicely!¡± He handed Callahan a peculiar device. It had a fat barrel like a miniature cannon and a thick, sturdy handle with a trigger mechanism. The design was odd, almost playful, with curling engravings that danced along the metal. It looked more like a toy than a weapon.


    ¡°You¡¯ll want to load these into the front end,¡± Grimmwald said, passing him the ammunition. They were round, blue orbs, shimmering like glass. Callahan hesitated, noticing they were made of the same material as the phials that led him here. He couldn¡¯t help but feel uneasy about firing off glass rounds.


    ¡°Is this¡­ a gun?¡± Callahan asked, his brow furrowed.


    ¡°Yes! Though it¡¯s not exactly the best at killing, but it sure is loud and cheap! I call it Jubilee! Every shot¡¯s a celebration with this thing!¡± Grimmwald¡¯s eyes sparkled with mischief. ¡°Go on then, try it out! First shot¡¯s on me! Don¡¯t worry about the mess¡ªmy pups will clean up afterward.¡±


    Callahan turned the device over in his hands. It felt heavier than it looked, and the orbs clinked softly as he loaded one into the barrel. Like all of Grimmwald¡¯s gadgets, it had an air of whimsy, almost too harmless to be dangerous. Yet the potential power inside those sparkling blue orbs made him uneasy. ¡°Okay¡­ I¡¯ll give it a shot. Just anywhere?¡±


    Grimmwald¡¯s grin widened. ¡°If you want the best light show, point it up!¡±


    Callahan raised his firing arm to the sky and gently squeezed the trigger. A sharp click echoed, followed by a strange pop. The blue orb shot out of the barrel like a cannonball, leaving a sparkling trail that sizzled through the air. It soared high, the light growing ever brighter as it climbed into the night sky.


    ¡°Here it comes! Get ready!¡± Grimmwald shouted with gleeful anticipation.


    Callahan braced himself, eyes locked on the shimmering orb. When it exploded, it was nothing like he expected. In every direction, fireballs burst forth, dancing across the sky in a dazzling array of colors. They twirled and zigzagged, each spark following its own chaotic path. The sound was deafening, a rumbling blast that rattled his eardrums as if the explosion had gone off right beside him. Then came the smell¡ªrancid and revolting, like rotten eggs mixed with sour milk. The stench assaulted his nose, making his stomach churn.


    ¡°Oh, you picked one of the nastier smelling ones!¡± Grimmwald pinched his nose, barely containing his laughter. ¡°Jubilee doesn¡¯t discriminate, you know! Scent, sight, sound, taste¡ªit¡¯s the whole palette!¡±


    Callahan staggered back, gagging as the smell hung heavy in the air. His ears were ringing, and his vision blurred with afterimages. But despite the discomfort, he realized the potential of this weapon.


    I don¡¯t want to kill anyone¡­ but this? If things go bad, it¡¯ll definitely buy me some time.


    ¡°This is almost perfect,¡± he admitted, coughing as the stench lingered. ¡°And you said it was cheap, right? But uh¡­ I heard you don¡¯t really stay in one place for long. How am I supposed to get more ammo?¡±


    Grimmwald¡¯s eyes sparkled with intrigue. ¡°So you are going to buy! Well, I always keep a good relationship with my customers. Where¡¯s home for you? I¡¯ll keep tabs!¡±


    ¡°Oh, I live at Kiki¡¯s. Do you know it?¡±


    ¡°Of course I know it! Bit too crowded for my taste, but I¡¯ve got a phial for it!¡± Grimmwald quickly scribbled in a little notebook. ¡°Say, could I get your name? For my records, of course.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s Callahan.¡±


    ¡°Call-ah-han¡­¡± Grimmwald repeated, his voice lilting with curiosity. He snapped the notebook shut, stuffing it back into his clothes. ¡°Right then! So, how much would you like to start with?¡±


    Callahan emptied half his wallet onto the counter. ¡°However much ammo this will buy me. And Jubilee, of course.¡±


    Grimmwald¡¯s eyes gleamed as he counted the coins, muttering to himself as he sorted through a bag of the blue orbs. ¡°Some surprises would be good¡­ Ooh, that¡¯ll be fun¡­¡±


    While the Tomtei was distracted, Callahan¡¯s eyes drifted to the back of the cart. His gaze fell on the half-finished device that caught his interest before, even among the chaos of gadgets and gizmos. It was different from the rest¡ªbroken, incomplete, but unmistakable.


    ¡°Hey, Grimmwald¡­ what¡¯s that thing back there?¡±


    Grimmwald¡¯s head snapped up, nearly dropping a handful of orbs. He glanced at the device Callahan was pointing at and shrugged. ¡°Oh, that thingy? Some weird contraption my friend Morna had me trying to reverse engineer for her. It¡¯s Onorion make, you know? I was surprised by how complex it is. Couldn¡¯t quite figure out how it works, though. It¡¯s missing an important part I just can¡¯t seem to replicate.¡± Callahan¡¯s heart skipped a beat. That terrible device, it was almost following him now, first the Island, then Ollie, now here.


    ¡°Oh¡­ this Morna¡­ you know her well?¡± Callahan asked, keeping his voice steady.


    Grimmwald¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Ah, she¡¯s my number one customer! Always buying weapons or having me figure things out for her. Fine woman, that one. I may not have been able to fully replicate the contraption, but I sure as hell figured out how to make it go boom.¡±


    A chill crept up Callahan¡¯s spine. This man, whether he knew it or not, was partly responsible for all the death in the Aurifex. Callahan couldn¡¯t help but wonder how far his involvement went. Who was this Morna? Did Ollie know her? Were they working together?


    Grimmwald doesn¡¯t seem to know what happened in the market¡­ Maybe he just doesn¡¯t care.


    The little Tomtei began packing things up, neatly arranging the weapon and its accessories. Jubilee came with a special belt that held six orbs securely, ready for quick reloads. Callahan noticed some of the orbs were different colors than the usual blue. He wondered if they had different effects, but his mind was weighed down by more pressing questions.


    ¡°So¡­ how did you make it go boom, exactly?¡± Callahan asked, trying to sound casual.


    Grimmwald¡¯s eyes lit up, his excitement palpable. ¡°Ah! Now, that¡¯s a good story! When Morna first brought me that contraption, it still had the component I couldn¡¯t figure out¡ªthese white stones inside, ones that sucked up Anima like a sponge. Couldn¡¯t identify them for the life of me, but they just kept absorbing the stuff! So, I took them to the Great Mire in the Ryvakar, where anima¡¯s thickest. Even without all the mechanisms, the stones would just enrich themselves with soul energy until they were fit to burst!¡±


    Callahan¡¯s stomach twisted in horror.


    Grimmwald¡¯s grin grew wider as he recounted his experiment. ¡°Now, I wanted to figure out how to get the anima back out, so I tried all sorts of things. Eventually, I hit the jackpot with electricity. At the right amp and voltage, the anima just comes spilling right back out!¡± He looked genuinely proud, his chest puffed out.


    ¡°So, I gave Morna the good news, told her I figured out something interesting about the device! And wouldn¡¯t you know it, she brings me another one, asks me to modify it so it could release all its contents with a trigger.¡± Callahan¡¯s fingers went cold.


    ¡°So¡­ does Morna live nearby? Maybe in the Dregs?¡± He tried to keep his voice even, his heart pounding.


    Grimmwald tilted his head, a curious glint in his eye. ¡°Oh, she never told me exactly where. Says I¡¯m too much of a blabbermouth. But she¡¯s Lughari, so I¡¯d bet she¡¯s somewhere around here.¡±


    Lughari, the word struck Callahan like one of Rowan¡¯s slaps to the back. How does he know that word¡­?


    ¡°You are too, aren¡¯t you, Callahan?¡± Grimmwald¡¯s smile was wide, his eyes full of innocent curiosity. ¡°You¡¯re quite rare around these parts. Always sticking to your islands. We¡¯re quiet kin, the Lughari and Tomtei.¡±


    He knows. He knows what I am.


    Callahan stared at Grimmwald, heart racing, mind spinning with possibilities. He wasn¡¯t just buying a weapon anymore. He was unraveling a mystery far deeper than he¡¯d realized. Grimmwald¡¯s smile never faltered. ¡°Small world, huh?¡±


    ¡°Uh, yeah, I gotta go now¡ªpromised some people I¡¯d be back for a drink, you know¡­ the boys love drinking, can¡¯t get drinking if I¡¯m not there to pick up the tab.¡± Callahan¡¯s words tumbled out in a panic, stumbling over themselves as he backed away, clutching the newly acquired weapon. His heart raced, each beat thudding against his ribcage like a drum. I need to get out of here.


    He barely noticed how messily he grabbed the weapon, knocking over the neatly arranged packaging Grimmwald had been putting together. He almost tripped on one of the puppet men as he bolted from the cart. ¡°Sorry! Thank you! I really gotta go!¡±


    Grimmwald¡¯s cheerful voice followed him. ¡°Oh, well come again soon, Mr. Callahan! It¡¯ll be a pleasure!¡±


    But Callahan was already gone, his footsteps echoing down the dark alley. His only thought was getting past that strange sound barrier. Once I¡¯m through, I¡¯ll be safe. He ran, his breaths coming out in ragged gasps, his mind racing.


    The binder in the water¡­ that frame was so slim¡­ maybe it was a woman.


    And those eyes¡­ green, just like mine.


    What if¡­ what if they¡¯re working with Morna?


    What if they are Morna?


    His mind reeled with questions, every thought spiraling into another. What the hell is going on?


    He burst out of the alley, back onto the main street of the Living Mire. The air was heavy, stagnant. The lamps here were rarely lit, leaving the world shrouded in shadow. His eyes struggled to adjust, the darkness wrapping around him like a suffocating blanket.


    I need to get back to Kiki¡¯s. I need to find Rowan.


    His heart was still racing. He could still feel Grimmwald¡¯s curious eyes, that eerie, knowing smile. Was that an innocent curiosity, or¡­ something else? I need to get home.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯chu got there, buddy?¡±


    The voice came from the darkness, just behind him. The kind of voice you never wanted to hear in the Dregs, let alone in the middle of the night, when shadows moved like living things and predators hunted in silence. His grip tightened on Jubilee, Damn it¡­ not now.