Aether and Aetherius Seraphina continued their journey under the sky which was starting to fade from blue to orange, a sign that night would soon come. They walked along a quiet dirt road, surrounded by shady trees and bushes on either side. Even though the trip seemed ordinary, there was tension hanging in the air, especially because of the questions that were still hanging over Aether's mind.
Aether turned his head slightly, looking at the black-robed woman walking beside him. Aetherius walked calmly, her face remaining calm and wise, despite the mystery that surrounded him. Finally, Aether felt that he had to ask something he had wanted to ask for a long time.
"Aetherius," Aether began carefully, "you said that we were connected, that we had a similar destiny. But... I still don't understand who you really are. Where did you come from?"
Aetherius turned to Aether, his lips curved into a small smile filled with mystery. "Aether, my origins are not something that is easy to explain," he answered in a soft but firm voice. "I am not from a world written in history or memories accessible to ordinary human minds. I come from... something unwritten. Something that does not fully exist within your current understanding."
Aether frowned, trying to digest those words. "Unwritten? What do you mean? How can you come from something that is not within our understanding?"
Aetherius sighed softly, as if hse understood Aether's confusion, but had no intention of providing a more in-depth explanation. "Aether, there are things in this world—or beyond this world—that cannot be measured by words or logic. There is a reality beyond what you know. I am a part of that reality. You will understand in time. "
Aether wanted to ask further, but before she could ask another question, they heard footsteps ahead of them. From around the corner, a man in a black robe appeared, carrying a large bag on her back. His dark robes blended into the shadows around him, and his face was hidden behind a deep hood. Under the hood, only a faint glint of eyes could be seen, sparkling full of intrigue and mystery.
The man stopped in his tracks, then casually waved at them. "Greetings to you both," he said in a deep, husky, but friendly voice. "I rarely see travelers on this lonely path."
Aether and Aetherius stopped, staring at each other for a moment before Aether answered. "Greetings too, sir. Who are you?"
The black-robed man lowered his hood, revealing a face full of scars, but with a smile that seemed sincere. "My name is Altajair Al-Aswad," he said, his voice growing kinder. "I'm a merchant who traveled all the way from the middle east, scouring this world to offer rare goods to people who need them."
Aether frowned slightly. "A trader from the Middle East? What are you selling here, in a remote place like this?"
Altajair smiled wider, pulled his bag forward and opened it with a practiced hand movement. "I sell a lot of things, young friend. Magic equipment you can't find anywhere else, weapons you can only see in dreams, and... some unusual items." He winked, giving the impression that the goods were not things that were easy to find in a regular shop.
Aether looked at Altajair's bag curiously, seeing various objects inside—such as magic wands, strange amulets, and weapons that looked very sophisticated and complicated. One of the objects that caught Aether's attention was a rifle with a design he had never seen before, shiny and filled with magical engravings.
"You're interested?" Altajair leaned forward slightly, his eyes shining with hope. "This is one of the finest firearms ever created. It, my friend, can cut through even the most formidable creatures of darkness. But of course, this kind of thing doesn't come without a price."
Aether frowned. "How much does it cost?"
Altajair raised his eyebrows and smiled faintly. "For extremely rare items like this, I don't accept payment in ordinary money. I only accept souls. Souls with a level of at least 100 per item."
Aether stepped back slightly, surprised. "Soul? Level 100? That... that's absurd!" he exclaimed. "How could someone possibly pay with their soul?"
Altajair shrugged her shoulders casually, as if it was normal. "That depends on how much you want my items, young friend. Souls are the most valuable currency in this universe. However, if you feel that's too much, I also have ordinary items—things that are more affordable with money, even though the price is still quite expensive."
Aether squinted, thinking hard. "So, if I just want normal items, I can pay with money?"
Altajair nodded. "That's right. Repairing weapons or increasing strength can also be paid for with money. But remember, the price is not cheap." He took out some of the more standard items—swords, bows, and some basic magic tools—all with prices written on small pieces of parchment.
Aether looked at the objects carefully. The firearms on offer are very attractive, but the price paid is far too high. "I can't pay with my soul," She said firmly. "I won't give up something so important."
Altajair smiled, as if he had expected that answer. "Of course, the decision is yours, Warrior. But remember, in this increasingly dark world, strength is everything. And sometimes, that strength has a price that can't always be paid in gold."
Aether nodded, understanding the hidden meaning of this mysterious merchant's words. While she weighed the usual items on offer, Aetherius Seraphina remained quietly beside him, watching Altajair with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Don't think too much about that now, Aether," whispered Aetherius softly. "Valuable items often carry a greater burden. You don't need to rush into decisions that could harm you in the future."
Aether was silent for a moment, realizing that Aetherius was probably right. She looked at Altajair politely. "Thank you for your offer, Altajair. But for now, I will continue walking without your things. Maybe next time, if the time is right."
Altajair just nodded with a mysterious smile on his lips. "Of course, whenever you need my things, I'm always there. The world is smaller than you think, Warrior. Until we meet again."
With that, Altajair closed his bag, slipping into the shadows of the forest with barely audible steps. Aether felt something was off about the man, but for now, she was relieved to have rejected the dangerous offer.
Aether and Aetherius continued their journey, quiet for a moment after the strange encounter.
And, after Altajair disappeared into the shadows of the forest, Aether felt that there were still many things that had not been revealed. As they continued their journey, Aether suddenly stopped, then turned to face Aetherius.
"Aetherius, do you feel the same way? Altajair... he's not just an ordinary trader. There was something deeper than just the goods he was selling."
Aetherius nodded slowly. "That's right. I've met merchants like her before. They're the type who sell something far more dangerous than just weapons or magic tools. They sell information… and information can be much more deadly."
Aether narrowed her eyes, trying to understand the meaning of Aetherius' words. "Information? Like what?"
Just then, Altajair reappeared, as if she had never really left. She was standing at the end of the street, smiling broadly as if she knew what was being said.
"I heard you are interested in information, young friend," She said in a casual but meaningful tone. "I am also an information trader. Of course, like my goods, every piece of information has its own price."
Aether turned her head with interest. "How much do you mean by price?"
Altajair chuckled, approaching with slow steps. "It depends on the type of information. I have various price levels, depending on how much value you want. Ordinary information, like the location of general items or small details about places around here, you can get for cheap—around 5000 silver or 5 gold pieces per information."
Aether listened seriously. "And if I want something more… valuable?"
Altajair smiled wider. "If you want normal information, like the location of a dungeon or details about a person—for example, a bandit or a commoner—it will cost you more, around 100,000 silver or 100 gold pieces per piece of information."
Aether felt his heart beating faster. Altajair seems to have much more extensive information than just the usual items.
"And what if I need special... specific information?" Aether asked carefully, curious about how far Altajair could give.
"Ah, special information..." Altajair said in a lower tone, as if there was weight behind his words. "It includes everything about the condition of the territory or major conspiracies, as well as secret places to gain experience or rare items. For such information, the price is 1,500,000 silver or 150 gold pieces."
Aether was silent, hard to hear the numbers getting higher and higher.
"And finally, as for top secret information," continued Altajair, "it's not something that can be paid for with ordinary money. It involves state secrets, top world secrets, and perhaps even information about planets or other realities beyond our understanding. Information such as it is valued at ten times its previous price, and cannot always be bought with gold alone. Sometimes, you have to offer something much more valuable."
Aether's eyes widened hearing this. "Ten times? That's an unimaginable amount!"
"That's right," Altajair nodded. "However, to know the world's deepest secrets, there is an even higher one—Knowing Secret. Information about a forgotten past or a future that has not yet happened. This information is not sold for gold or silver. Instead, you must accept one request from Altajair Al-Aswad. One request, whatever it is, that you must fulfill."
Aether felt a cold rush down his spine. The offer is very tempting, but the risks are also very big. "That request... could be anything?"
Altajair smiled faintly. "Anything. But believe me, the price is worth the information."
Aether felt like she had a big decision to make, but one thing was certain: Altajair Al-Aswad was not someone to be trifled with. Although the offer was attractive, the risks were far greater than he could have imagined.
"Thank you, Altajair, but for now I will wait," Aether finally said.
Altajair just nodded politely. "Of course, my friend. I'm not going anywhere. The world is too small not to meet again. Until that time comes."
With That That Merchants Be gone Again. Aether and Aetherius begin to their journey but in some of moment Aetherius speak to aether calmly "Aether I Want To Speak To You Quickly!"
Aether then suddenly stopped her Steps "What it is?"
Aetherius Then, Hug Aether Suddenly And Speak "Aether Now Is The Time, I will leave You....."