Kellen sat in his study working on the new and improved anti-air systems for the automatic turrets, for the noble, from the border of the kingdom. He was actually pretty impressed, that a noble of his status could afford such expensive equipment, one would say that he is noble, so of course, he has the resources to buy defensive turrets for his estate. But there are huge gaps between various nobles all over Bulataria. One noble might be really wealthy while others just have the title to live with, while others judge them as nobles considering that they don't have extreme wealth and power like other nobles. But despite all that this lowly noble found the money from somewhere and just because of his low status among nobles, Kellen was gonna do his job regardless. Making systems for these turrets is incredibly hard and takes a lot of time to do since there is no way to duplicate the already working systems onto the other hex-crystals meaning Kellen have to do the same for every automatic turret and even has to do extra because of the added upgrade to the anti-air.
It was getting late in the afternoon and Kellen decided to finally go and deliver the package he promised the professor. Kellen started to clean up the study and slowly started to feel the tiredness from all the programming he did on all the 12 turrets, plus upgrading their anti-air. After tidying up his study he went down the wooden staircase into the professor's study which strangely was also where the counter was. Kellen always found that odd since the professor had enough money to build out this place but he never did, "looks like the professor already left for his meeting with the court probably another commission, can't he ever say no to those guys, I mean work is work and all but..."
Kellen started walking over to the noticeboard looking for the delivery that he had to deliver in person for some reason. 'Hopefully, not another one of those who beg for a discount or wants a partnership' Kellen thought all the while rummaging through the drawers, picking up the delivery of tracking darts. Kellen walks out into the shop showing people out after he made sure everything was in order he locked the door and turned the sign to "Closed".
Standing outside the shop looking at the address of the person he was supposed to deliver the tracking darts to, 'looks like it's close to the outskirts of the capital over by the old shrines, the old monks and paladins made use of at the beginning of the first war, most people don't even know that they are there in the first place even though they have lived here their entire life.' "Well it is a long walk so I better get going before it gets dark," Kellen said as he started walking toward the place that would change his life forever.
Kellen stood in front of a giant mansion with an entryway full of guards dressed in red and black from head to toe, looking more like executioners than standby knights, Kellen stood outside of this mansion kinda intimidated, why did this have to be the one client who wanted him to deliver in person. As he stood there looking at the creepy mansion he didn't even realize that their house butler had come to show him inside, following alongside the butler they made it past the guards and into the antre looking around the place looked a little rundown if he had to be honest, but then again he couldn't really see much anyway since it was a closed antre.
"this way please mister Kellen" the butler hurried on him
Walking through the long halls seemed to take much longer with the bad feeling in Kellen's stomach. 'What kinda person lives here?' Kellen didn't have to wait for long since the butler opened up a door signaling him to go inside. Once inside Kellen sat in front of a beautiful lady dressed in red and black clothes the same as the guards outside. "Mister Kellen you're finally here"
'Why did this lady want me to deliver this package in person?' Kellen asked himself before he sat down on the couch the butler gestured to.
"I am, may I ask as to who you are and your reasoning for requesting me instead of our delivery service?" Kellen said trying to keep his professionalism while talking to a client.
"Oh my, such a straightforward man. Well, my name for starters is Shalquoir. As for why I put forth my request... I hear that Kellen Cellric, hextech engineer apprentice of Professor Qwill, has a specific problem and I have a very peculiar proposition for you If you accept."
"And how would you know about that "Shalquoir"." Kellen said putting extra emphasis on "quoir" thinking that Shalquoir was probably just a cover-up name and definitely did not ring any bells of any noble named Shalquoir.
Looking a little annoyed she replied, "I have eyes and ears everywhere, dear. Now before we continue would you kindly give the package to my butler so he can confirm that everything is in order". The butler who had been standing in the corner of the room during their talk, now firmly stood beside Kellen's couch ready to receive the package not even looking at him just straight in front of him as if he was a soldier on the frontlines of war. Kellen thought nothing of it and just handed to package to the butler, who opened it afterward giving a slight nod to Shalquoir. As he exited the room he bowed and now it was just Kellen and the mysterious woman sitting in front of him.
Kellen was the first to speak "Now continue, why do you know so much about me? And of this so called problem of mine". Shalquoir began to look more serious and gave her answers "First of all the reasoning for my Intel, I can not answer. But as for my proposition... Kellen Cellric, you have something called the Shadowmark on the side of your neck right?" giving no response she continued "The Shadowmark as far as we can tell from other subjects are afflictions from demons who have anchored itself in your body. Side effects include the vanishing of one's mana and magic". After observing Kellen's reaction and waiting for a response... Shalquoir waited for a response.
"Why should I trust you? Please do tell" Kellen said after thinking the situation over.
"Because I have heard a little birdie sing, that you are out of options... The place you are looking for is the old shrines just yonder here... I have said enough now would you kindly take your leave?". After finishing her sentence the butler returned and gestured him to follow. Kellen stood up and was about to follow, but looked back at the woman and asked in a dark tone "What will I find at the old shrines, It's a place of holy rituals. This is not something that can be purified".
Shalquoir only said, "See for yourself, the old shrines have changed a lot in recent years."
As Kellen left with the butler he started to feel the pain coming from the back of his neck after they exited through the door into the hallway, finding nothing was out of the ordinary, he left with the butler. Again outside Kellen could see it was almost nighttime now, but Kellen had one more appointment left to go, 'the old shrines'.