Aran, Lyssa, and Edward stood before the portal, its swirling energy casting a faint glow across their faces. The battle had been brief, but it left them with more questions than answers. Who was pulling the strings behind these assassins? Why now, just as they had sworn their Oath?
"We can't step back into our world unprepared," Lyssa said, her voice steady but laced with the tension of their situation. "If these assassins found us here, they'll be waiting on the other side. We need a plan."
Edward paced, the glow of his staff fading as he siphoned off the excess magic he had channeled during the fight. "We've already taken the first step by accepting the Oath. The balance will guide us, but I agree. This is only the beginning."
Aran, deep in thought, ran a hand through his hair. The Oath had given them power, yes, but it had also placed a target on their backs. Whoever these assassins were, they understood the stakes—and they were willing to kill for it.
"We need allies," Aran finally said, turning to face the group. "We can't fight every enemy alone. Not anymore."
Lyssa raised an eyebrow. "Allies? You think there are people out there who would side with us in protecting the Balance? Most of the powerful factions will see us as a threat. Power always breeds fear."
"Perhaps not directly," Aran replied. "But there are those who seek to maintain order in the shadows, even if it means playing a dangerous game. They may not be aligned with the Balance, but they also won't want chaos to reign. We can use that to our advantage."
Edward stopped pacing, his eyes narrowing in curiosity. "I assume you have someone in mind?"
Aran hesitated for a moment. He had been thinking about this ever since they learned the true scope of the Oath. There was one name that had come to mind—a figure so steeped in mystery that even mentioning them invited whispers of conspiracy and intrigue.
"Orlan," Aran said quietly. "The Shadow Broker."
Lyssa's eyes widened. "Orlan? You're serious? That man is a myth. Even if he does exist, he's as likely to stab us in the back as he is to help us."
"Orlan is no myth," Edward said, surprising both of them. "He's real. I've encountered traces of his influence before. He controls vast networks of information, trade, and power across multiple realms. If anyone can help us navigate this dangerous new territory, it's him."
Aran nodded. "Exactly. Orlan may be untrustworthy, but he's pragmatic. He has a stake in maintaining some semblance of order, even if it's only to continue his operations. If we can convince him that the Oath—and the balance it protects—is in his best interest, he may assist us. Or at least give us information."
Lyssa crossed her arms, skeptical but thoughtful. "So how do we even find him? Orlan doesn't just appear to anyone who asks. His network is designed to be invisible."
Aran looked past the portal into the distant horizon. "We go to him."
***
Hours later, the trio found themselves in the heart of Arcathia, standing in the alleyway of a hidden district far from the opulent spires and grand towers. This part of the city was dark, its streets narrow and winding, the kind of place where secrets were traded like currency. The buildings leaned inward as if whispering to one another, their shadows deep and full of unseen eyes.
"This is it," Aran said, nodding toward a door at the end of the alley. The door itself was unremarkable, but the symbols carved into its frame were unmistakable to those who knew what to look for: a circle with lines crossing through it in intricate patterns, the sigil of the Shadow Broker.
Lyssa placed a hand on the hilt of her sword. "I hope you know what you're doing, Aran. Dealing with people like Orlan never ends well."
"That's why we're not dealing," Aran replied. "We're negotiating."
Edward stood silently, his eyes scanning the alley for any signs of a trap. "He'll know we're coming. He always does."
They approached the door cautiously. Before Aran could knock, it swung open on its own, revealing a dimly lit room. The smell of incense filled the air, along with the faint rustle of papers being shuffled in the back. Inside, a figure sat at a table, cloaked in shadows, only the faint outline of his form visible in the flickering candlelight.
"Aran," the figure said, his voice smooth and calm. "Lyssa. Edward. I've been expecting you."
Lyssa tensed. "Of course, you have."
Aran stepped forward, meeting the man's gaze—or at least, where his gaze would be beneath the hood. "Orlan."
Orlan leaned forward slightly, his hands folding on the table. "You've made quite an impression. Accepting the Oath of the Balance, defeating assassins… It's not every day someone piques my interest like this."
Edward took a step closer. "Then you know why we're here."
"Indeed," Orlan said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "But what you're asking is no small favor. The balance you now protect is something far beyond most people's comprehension. It threatens to destabilize a lot of things, including my operations."
Aran remained calm, though he knew Orlan wasn't going to make this easy. "You understand the stakes, then. If the balance collapses, chaos will follow. And chaos is bad for business."
Orlan chuckled softly. "You catch on quickly. But there's more to it than that, isn't there? You're not just here for information. You want protection. Allies. And you think I can offer that."
Aran nodded. "We can help each other. The assassins are just the beginning. If they're willing to come after us now, they'll come after others who stand to benefit from the balance."
Orlan was silent for a moment, then he leaned back in his chair. "I can offer you information, perhaps even some assistance. But make no mistake, Aran—this is a delicate game we're playing. One wrong move, and everything falls apart."
Lyssa, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. "We're not here to play games, Orlan. We're here to ensure that whatever's coming doesn't destroy everything we've fought for."
Orlan's smile was almost imperceptible beneath his hood. "Then you'd better be ready for what's next. Because the shadows are already in motion."
And with that, the real negotiations began.