A loud crash from the shop's entrance jarred Kael from his work, his hand freezing mid-stroke over the intricate runes he had been engraving. His latest invention—finally nearing completion—was now a mess of scattered tools and half-finished parts. Frustrated, he slunk away from his workbench, pushing through the heavy curtains to face the commotion at the front.

"How can I help you?" he asked, masking his annoyance as best he could. Before him stood three figures, each exuding an air of danger and exhaustion. The tallest, a grizzled man clad in spiritual-infused plate armor, seemed to radiate divine energy. The sight of him, all muscle and brute strength, made the air in the shop feel heavier. To his right, a hunter cloaked in weathered leathers held an expression of constant wariness. On the left, a woman in robes crackling with arcane energy surveyed the shop with cold, calculating eyes.

"We need this gear fixed," the armored man said bluntly. "Now."

Suppressing a groan, Kael approached the counter, inspecting the armor and gear they dumped on it. His curiosity got the better of him. "Spirit-infused? You don't find this kind of craftsmanship around here. What kind of trouble have you three stirred up to ruin gear like this?"

"Not your business, kid. Can you fix it or not?" The armored man's patience was as thin as his temper.

"Fix it?" Kael scoffed, lifting a gauntlet that weighed like a boulder. "This thing's seen more battle than my father's old warhammer. It'll take days, maybe longer."

"You've got three days," the paladin growled, a hint of threat in his voice.

Kael shot him a sidelong glance. "It's not that simple. You've damaged more than just the physical parts—these runes are fried. I'd need high-level spiritual stones, and it's not cheap. And besides, I'm not exactly eager to drop everything for you."

Before he could argue further, the sorceress stepped forward, her voice soft but commanding. "You're coming with us, Kael. We don't have time to wait, and neither do you."

Kael barely had time to process her words before darkness engulfed him.