Princess Nara and Elsa walked side by side through the grand corridors of Elshire's castle. The weight of their mission was palpable in the air. They were on their way to meet Gandolf, the Archmage who had recently arrived. Nara was focused, though an underlying anxiety gnawed at her. They needed help, but asking an Archmage—especially one of such repute—meant risking much. Meanwhile, Elsa's worry about Rain's disappearance was written across her face. She had already grown close to him, and the thought of losing him without a trace was unbearable.
As they reached Gandolf's quarters, a thick, heavy pressure filled the air. It was almost suffocating. Nara, a 3rd tier mage, immediately felt her mana core tremble, a reaction to the overwhelming power before them. Elsa, a 4th tier, stood a bit steadier but couldn't hide the subtle discomfort. This Gandolf wasn't just any mage; his very presence exuded dominance.
Rain, under the guise of Gandolf, watched them enter with a faint smirk hidden beneath his long, grey beard. The tension in the room pleased him.
'Ah, nothing like the good ol' golden core pressure to keep people on edge.' He kept his expression neutral, but inside, the sarcasm flowed. 'Seriously, how do they expect me to find myself? Should I start passing out "Missing Elf" posters?'
Nara offered a stiff but respectful nod. "Archmage Gandolf, we appreciate you granting us this audience. We've come to ask for your assistance in locating one of the summoned heroes—an elf named Rain."
Rain raised an eyebrow, feigning interest, but inside, he was already amused by the absurdity. 'Yeah, about that… the elf is sitting right in front of you.' He crossed his arms, leaning back slightly, eyes narrowing as if in deep thought.
"Rain, you say? Missing heroes are not exactly uncommon in times like these." His tone was smooth, almost dismissive, though he took note of Nara's hesitancy. She wasn't one to spill all her cards at once—good. He preferred a challenge.
Elsa stepped forward, her voice soft but urgent. "He's not just any hero. He's my friend, and we've been searching for weeks without any sign of him. You're our last hope."
Rain kept his composure, but inside, his thoughts were sharp. 'Friend, huh? Glad to see I made an impression, Elsa. Though, technically, I'm still here. Maybe try looking under the table.'
He tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair, letting the silence stretch for a moment. "I understand your desperation, but heroes don't just disappear without reason. And finding them isn't exactly a walk in the park. What makes you think I would risk my time and resources to find this... Rain?"
Nara shifted uneasily. She wasn't the type to beg for favors, but they needed him. Still, she wasn't about to trust Gandolf entirely. Not yet. "You're an Archmage of renowned power. Surely someone of your status can aid in this matter. However, I understand if you require... something in return."
Rain's lips curled into a slight smile. 'There it is. The negotiation starts.' He stroked his beard, looking thoughtful, but in his mind, the pieces were already falling into place. 'What would it take to find me? Maybe a mirror?'
"You understand well," he said, leaning forward. "I don't work for free. You're asking for a favor that requires more than just a simple spell. And if I'm to assist you, I'll need something valuable in return."
Nara's eyes narrowed slightly. She had expected this, but she wasn't going to offer too much, not without knowing his true motives. "What exactly are you asking for?"
Rain's gaze flicked between them. He knew he had to play this carefully. Too much pressure, and she'd back off; too little, and they wouldn't take him seriously. "Information. I'm interested in the other summoned heroes—their capabilities, their whereabouts. You provide that, and I'll consider taking on this task."
Nara stiffened. This was no small request. Information about the heroes was sensitive, and sharing it could endanger lives. "That's... a steep price, Archmage. These heroes are still fledglings. They're vulnerable, and their safety must come first. I can't just hand over their details."
Rain kept his expression stern, though inside he appreciated her caution. 'Smart girl. Can't say I'd trust some random Archmage either. But let's see how far I can push this.'
He rose from his chair, towering over them, the weight of his golden core pressing down even harder. "I understand your hesitation, Princess. But you must understand mine. You're asking me to chase down a hero who's vanished without a trace—someone who could be dead, for all we know. If I'm to waste my time on this, I need assurances that the risk is worth it."
Elsa, sensing the negotiation slipping, pleaded again. "Please! Rain is still out there. I know he is. We just need your help to find him."
Rain glanced at Elsa, feeling a brief pang of guilt. 'I'm right here, Elsa. Sorry for the drama, but I can't make this easy for you.'
He sighed, pretending to weigh his options. "Very well. I'll search for this Rain, but only after I'm compensated. Information on the heroes doesn't have to be extensive. Just a few names and their current locations will do for now. That, and I'll need payment before I take any further steps."
Nara's jaw clenched, but she nodded slowly. "I'll consider your terms. But understand this, Archmage: if you betray us, you will answer for it."
Rain gave her a small, knowing smile. 'Betray you? I'm the hero you're looking for, Princess. But you'll figure that out eventually.'
"Trust is a two-way street, Princess Nara. Provide me with what I need, and I'll bring your hero back. You have my word." He paused, then added with a smirk, "For a price, of course."
With that, Nara and Elsa bowed slightly before turning to leave, the tension lingering in the air as the door closed behind them. Rain leaned back, his amusement finally bubbling to the surface.
'How the hell am I supposed to find myself? I'd better start taking notes on how long I can keep this act up.'
Hours later, Nara returned with a small stack of papers in hand. Her expression was carefully neutral, but Rain could sense her wariness. She handed him the documents, a mixture of real and fake information about the heroes, hoping to protect some while giving enough to satisfy him.
Rain took the papers, his eyes scanning the names. He smirked inwardly. 'Let's see what you're hiding, Princess.'
As he flipped through the pages, his eyes narrowed. There, in the middle of the list, was a name that made him pause. His sarcastic thoughts faded, replaced with genuine surprise.
'Wait... this can't be right.'
Rain's smirk vanished as his gaze locked onto the name of a hero he hadn't expected to see.
The name of someone who wasn't supposed to be here. Someone who could change everything.
His grip on the paper tightened.
The game had just become far more dangerous than he'd imagined.