As dawn broke, Torrack stirred awake, He had fell asleep just after entering the city, feeling an unusual sense of restfulness. Lyra's presence was warm and familiar, yet something about her had changed. Her voice, once youthful, now carried a weight of wisdom that was almost unsettling.
"Torrack," Lyra's voice echoed in his mind, deeper and more resonant than before. "It's time to get up." "you have the reward to go pick up".
"Morning, Lyra," Torrack murmured, sitting up and stretching. "You sound… older. Have you noticed?"
"Yes," she replied, her tone tinged with curiosity. "It's as if I'm growing, but I don't understand why."
Torrack frowned, puzzled by the rapid maturation of the spirit within his gem. Lyra had always been his companion, but this sudden shift was unprecedented. He pushed the thoughts aside, deciding to focus on the day ahead. "We'll figure it out. For now, let's see what Ravenreach has to offer."
After collecting their payment at the guildhall and registering the finished job—8 silver coins each( this wasn't much, but it would last him a while in the new city) —they decided to explore Ravenreach together. They started with a hearty meal at a local inn, where they shared stories of their recent journey and laughed over close calls. The camaraderie was comforting, solidifying the bond they had formed during their first job together.
Later, they visited a bustling pub, where adventurers and locals mingled, exchanging tales of battles fought and distant lands explored. Torrack listened to his companions' stories, absorbing their experiences. Aric spoke of his time studying under a reclusive fire mage, while Elara recounted her journey across the sea to learn water magic. Joran, ever the stoic warrior, shared tales from his days as a mercenary.
The evening passed in a blur of conversation and laughter, and as the night grew late, Torrack approached the innkeeper. "Do you rent rooms here?" he asked.
"Aye, we do," she replied with a welcoming smile. "Got a few rooms available upstairs."
Torrack nodded, paying for a room. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.
The next morning, Torrack woke early, eager to explore the renowned Ravenreach market. The market was a sprawling maze of stalls and vendors, offering everything from rare spices to enchanted trinkets. As he wandered through the crowded streets, he used his aura to examine the items, searching for anything with a hint of unusual energy. To his disappointment, nothing stood out. The market was vibrant, but the items seemed ordinary.
Just as he was about to leave, he heard a child's cry. A young boy, no more than five or six years old, was standing in the middle of the market, tears streaming down his face as he called out for his mother. The crowd moved around him, some offering sympathetic glances but none stopping to help.
Torrack approached the child, his heart going out to him. "Hey there, little one," he said gently, crouching down. "What's your name?"
"R-Ren," the boy stammered, his voice trembling. "I can't find my mom."
"Don't worry, Ren," Torrack said, offering a reassuring smile. "We'll find her together. I promise."
For the next few hours, Torrack led the boy through the market, asking vendors and shoppers if they had seen a woman matching Ren's description. Eventually, they found her—a frantic woman who had been searching for her son just as desperately. She embraced him tightly, tears of relief streaming down her face.
"Thank you, sir," she said to Torrack, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you for bringing him back to me."
Torrack nodded, feeling a warm satisfaction. "It was no trouble. Take care of each other."
As he continued to explore the market, Torrack's thoughts drifted to the power he felt while fighting. He didn't realize what his gloves were capable of until later that day when he heard a commotion nearby. A crowd had gathered, their voices rising in excitement and concern. Torrack made his way through the throng, using his aura to sense what was happening.
At the center of the crowd, two men were bullying a young woman. They were larger and stronger, and Torrack could sense their magical abilities—one with a faint fire aura, the other with ice. The young woman on the ground had a green magical aura, vibrant but trembling with fear. She was clearly outmatched, and the crowd was doing nothing but watching.
Torrack felt a surge of anger. He couldn't stand by and let this happen.
"Stop," he called out, stepping forward. His voice was calm but commanding. "Two men against a young girl? You're really brave, aren't you?"
The men turned to him, sneering at the sight of his masked face. "And who are you?" one of them taunted. "A blind man with a death wish?"
Torrack slowly removed his mask, revealing his blank, sightless gaze. "This old thing?" he said, his tone almost casual. "I only wear it so people don't get uncomfortable. But yes, I'm blind. And I'm still going to kick your ass."
The men exchanged glances and laughed. "It's your funeral, then," one of them said, charging at him.
The first man, the one with the fire aura, hurled a small fireball at Torrack. It was weak, but fast. Torrack barely had time to react. Instinctively, he raised his hand, and to his shock, the fireball was sucked into his glove, only to be immediately redirected back at the man who had cast it.
"What the—?" the man shouted, staggering back as the fireball singed his clothes.
Stunned by what had just happened, Torrack quickly realized that his gloves had absorbed and redirected the magic. Before he could fully process it, the second man launched an ice spear at him. Torrack raised his other hand, and the ice spear met the same fate—absorbed and shot back at its creator.
Both men fell to the ground, their auras now filled with shock and fear. Torrack loomed over them, his voice cold. "That was for wasting my time. Now, pay up."
The men scrambled to empty their pockets, handing over whatever coins they had. Torrack pocketed the money, then turned his attention to the young woman, who was still trembling on the ground.
"Are you alright?" he asked, offering her a hand.
She looked up at him with wide, green eyes, her fear slowly giving way to relief. "I… I think so," she stammered, taking his hand.
Torrack helped her to her feet and began to walk with her away from the crowd. "Who are you?" he asked gently. "And why were those men after you?"
The girl hesitated, glancing back at the crowd before answering. "My name is Kaelith," she said softly. "I'm from a small village outside Ravenreach. I came here to learn more about magic, but… it's been harder than I expected."
Torrack listened as Kaelith explained her situation. She was young, perhaps a few years younger than him, and possessed a natural affinity for green magic—magic of growth and healing. But her abilities had drawn unwanted attention, and she had been struggling to fend off bullies like the two men from earlier.
"You shouldn't have to deal with that alone," Torrack said, feeling a protective instinct rising within him. "I can help you, if you'd like. At least until you find your way."
Kaelith looked at him, her eyes filled with gratitude and a hint of hope. "I'd appreciate that," she said softly.
As they walked through the streets of Ravenreach, Torrack's thoughts returned to the strange power of his gloves. He now knew that these gloves were more than just ordinary items—they were artifacts, capable of absorbing and redirecting magic. The discovery filled him with excitement and a burning curiosity.
If these gloves had such power, what other items might be out there, waiting to be found? Could he be the only one who could sense and use them?
This thought lit a spark within Torrack. As he walked with Kaelith, he knew that his journey was just beginning.