With a swift motion, he pulled the crimson amulet from his bag, the "Guardian of Innocence" hanging from a simple black leather cord. The gem at its center was a deep shade of red, the color of passion and blood.
Lila's eyes widened in surprise. "What is it?" she breathed.
Aldwyn held out the crimson amulet, the leather cord wrapped around his fingers. "This is the 'Guardian of Innocence'. It protects the wearer from the negative effects of the world.
"It's quite useful and I suspect there's more to it than that. That's why I'm handing it over to you for now. Wear it and consider it a kind of agreement between the two of us...
"As long as you wear it, I'll stay with you. After all, I want to find out what the real benefit is. So you won't have to be worried about me doing something stupid.
"Here, take it and put it on." He said with a slight smile as he offered it to her.
Lila reached out tentatively, her hand trembling slightly as she took the amulet. The weight of it was surprising, like it was more than just a simple piece of jewelry. As she placed it around her neck, the stone grew warmer, pulsing in rhythm with her heartbeat. The warmth spread through her body, filling her with a sense of comfort she hadn't felt in days.
"Thank you," she whispered, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
"Don't thank me yet," he replied, his gaze unreadable. "I'll be back soon. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone."
"Says the right person..." She teased. She paused for a moment, smiled and then nodded. "Don't worry, I won't do anything stupid."
....
3 p.m., Gravel Street. 9.
Aldwyn reached the address Blackwood had given him. It was on the southern edge of the city and was 'outdated' in contrast to the rest of the gleaming city.
The stairwell was narrow and dimly lit, the walls stained with the grime of years of neglect. The air was thick with the scent of dampness and decay, a stark contrast to the opulence of the manor he had just left behind. Each step he took echoed through the empty space, the sound bouncing off the cold, stone walls.
When he reached the third floor, there it was: a metal door, cold and unyielding, standing sentinel before the shadows. It was a stark intrusion in the otherwise ancient architecture, a silent testament to the secrets it guarded. The door was unadorned, save for a small slit at eye level, a thin line that seemed to sneer at him.
Aldwyn took a deep breath, the chill of the stairwell clinging to him like a second skin. He raised his hand and knocked three times, the sound echoing through the corridor like the toll of a funeral bell.
The eye slits in the metal door opened, revealing a pair of emerald eyes that studied him intently. A moment later, the door swung open with a groan.
In front of him stood an Female elf of ethereal beauty. Her eyes a piercing emerald hue and her skin was like alabaster. Her figure a sculpture of grace and strength. It was the Sylvan Siren, Blackwood's partner.
"Welcome," she said, her voice a melodious purr that seemed to wrap around him like a velvet embrace. "We didn't expect you this early."
Aldwyn stepped into the room, his gaze sweeping over the dimly lit space. It was sparse, with only a single wooden chair and a table adorned with a Card game. The walls were lined with bookshelves, their contents shrouded in shadow, hinting at the arcane knowledge contained within. The Sylvan Siren closed the door behind him.
Dorian Blackwood rose from the chair, his surprise at the early arrival evident in the arch of his eyebrows. His piercing black eyes scrutinized Aldwyn, searching for signs of the fear and doubt. "I just have to ask you this... Are you fully recovered? Because it's pointless to fight Riven with only half your strength."
Aldwyn's gaze was as cold. "I'm more than ready. The quicker it's over, the better."
Blackwood smiled slightly. "Very well, I will give you all the necessary information I have gathered."
"I already explained to you that he is close to advancing his Pathway. Stage 5: Werewolf. I'll now give you the stages 1-4 and their characteristics, it will be useful for you to be able to compete with him.
"Stage 1: The beginner of transformation. This stage has two characteristics. It affects the hands and eyes.
"He can transform his hands into a specific animal species. For example, he can transform his hands into the claws of an eagle or the paws of a predatory cat, which gives him different characteristics and possibilities.
"The same applies to his eyes. The requirement is, that he must have consumed the animal before. Here's the problem, we don't know what exactly he possesses, so be prepared for the worst.
"Stage 2 is called 'The Beast'. The first ability he receives is the ability to move silently and inconspicuously. In addition, his agility is on a completely different level compared to that of a normal human, which probably makes him difficult to hit. He is also able to produce a special, invisible scent that can only be detected by other transformable beings. He could use it to call for help, for example, so we should keep it in mind.
"Stage 3: The hybrid form. One of the abilities that comes with this stage is superior night vision, enhanced scent perception and exceedingly fine hearing. In addition, he has quick reflexes, tactical thinking and improvised attack strategies. If necessary, he can also activate a temporary increase in physical strength and speed.
"And last but not least, stage 4: The Soul Walker. Here he gains the ability to understand the basic emotional state and the basic inner thoughts. He also possesses unnatural instincts at this stage, which can warn him of any dangers. He also has near-perfect camouflage and hunting skills.
"I think you should realize that it's going to be anything but easy to compete with him... He has near perfect instincts, intuition and physical abilities." He added.
Aldwyn nodded, his mind racing with the information. "Understood. Any intel on his weaknesses?"
Blackwood's gaze went to the Sylvan Siren. "She!" He replied dryly. "Her illusions are perfect for someone with such sharp senses, combined with your fighting strength, it'll be fine... I'll fight too, as soon as I regain my property."
The Sylvan Siren stepped forward, "We should strike as soon as possible. The faster this matter is resolved, the better."
Blackwood nodded in agreement. "Tonight! We'll strike then."
The room grew quiet as the gravity of the situation settled over them. The Sylvan Siren's eyes glinted with a deadly intent. "Good," Aldwyn said, his voice cold as ice. "I'll need to gather my thoughts and make some preparations."
....