Lucian arrived at work with dark bags under his eyes, the weight of sleeplessness dragging him down. The previous night had been consumed by the metallic book, its dark secrets clawing at his thoughts, and the creeping unease about the Ezekiel family gnawing at his mind. He couldn't shake the sense of impending doom that hung over him like a storm cloud.
The maid greeted him as usual, leading him back to his room. As they passed by the adjacent door, Lucian noticed something strange—it was now empty.
"Isaac's duties required him elsewhere," the maid said in her usual flat, emotionless tone, as if anticipating his question before he could even ask.
Lucian wisely chose not to press further, though the gnawing sense of dread inside him deepened. The day's task was the same as before—copying down tax records, a dull and repetitive job that seemed increasingly irrelevant. No one came to check his work, no one cared whether he completed it or not. It felt like he was being watched for something else entirely. Why was so much emphasis placed on his "purity" while his actual tasks were neglected?
When he finally finished the day's work, the maid returned, speaking in that same cold tone.
"This is your pay for the week. Enough time should have passed for you to perform another ritual of Charity, and an extra five silver for your daily living." she said, placing a gold coin and five silvers in his hand. "Master Aron expects his employees to be free from taint."
Lucian stared down at the coins, but instead of the satisfaction of earning an honest wage, a deep unease settled over him. It was all too convenient, too calculated.
Concern gnawed at his gut. He needed to see Isaac again. Isaac had given him his new address the night before, so Lucian rushed out, drawing a few curious glances as he half-ran through the streets. As he arrived at Isaac's house, a wave of relief washed over him. Everything seemed... normal. A woman, likely Isaac's wife, was outside, holding a baby while a toddler ran playfully around her feet.
Lucian took a deep breath, reassuring himself that he was simply overthinking. Through the window, he saw Isaac, and Isaac saw him. Their eyes met, but instead of a smile, Isaac's face drew into a frown. He stepped outside.
"What are you doing here?" Isaac asked, his tone a mixture of irritation and concern.
"You weren't at work this morning. I was worried," Lucian replied, feeling a bit foolish now.
"I'm fine," Isaac said curtly. "They gave me something else to do." He glanced around quickly before continuing in a lower voice, "Don't come here again."
And with that, Isaac turned and went back inside, leaving Lucian standing in the yard, feeling unsettled. Maybe he was reading too much into things… or maybe not. Either way, he had no choice but to return to his small dwelling.
Later that week, Lucian gave in and used the gold coin for the ritual of charity, just as the maid had required. His body felt lighter, his skin healthier, but his spirit felt no less burdened. Something was terribly wrong, and he could feel it creeping closer with each passing day.
Another week passed, and Lucian's anxiety grew sharper. He tried to bury it under the monotony of his work, but it always bubbled back up. Then, one day, Master Aron appeared for an unexpected inspection.
"Very good," Aron said, his voice smooth but cold. "You're almost ready. One more ritual should cleanse the taint from you."
Lucian forced a smile. "Thank you, sir."
Aron nodded and left, leaving Lucian to exhale in relief. But the moment was short-lived. The maid appeared soon after, handing him two golden coins.
"This is for this week and next. Use both for the ritual. And do it today," she said. "Master likes his employees to be fully purified."
The eagerness with which they advanced his pay only deepened Lucian's dread. They weren't being generous. Shaken, he decided to check on Isaac once more.
When he arrived at Isaac's house, he found it empty. The yard was abandoned, no laughter, no children running. A cold pit formed in Lucian's stomach.
Thinking quickly, Lucian bought a small parcel—a simple pie—from a nearby shop and knocked on a neighbor's door. A butler answered, his eyes scrutinizing Lucian with practiced indifference.
"How may I help you?" the butler asked.
"I have a package for Mr. Isaac next door, but the house seems empty," Lucian said, feigning casualness.
"The Isaac family has vacated the property due to unfortunate circumstances."
"Do you know where I might find them?"
The butler hesitated, then responded. "They were removed from the inner district for failure to pay taxes. You can probably find the wife at the refuge."
At that moment, a well-dressed nobleman approached the door. "What's this about?"
"This boy is looking for Mr. Isaac," the butler explained.
The nobleman sneered, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. "The peasants who thought they could become one of us. They didn't know their place. Got what they deserved. They're sheep, and we're the shepherds. How can a sheep ever think it could be a shepherd?"
Then, as if noticing Lucian for the first time, the nobleman stepped forward, grabbing Lucian's arm. His grip was cold and firm.
"I know you," the nobleman said, sniffing the air near Lucian. "Ah, Aron's new one, aren't you?"
"Sir?" Lucian stammered, his heart racing.
"I can smell the fear on you," the nobleman said with a sick grin. "Be on your way. We don't like those who know too much. Or maybe… we do." He licked his lips and shoved Lucian away.
Lucian didn't hesitate. He turned and fled, running until he reached the safety of his small, cramped dwelling. He paused outside, looking down the street toward the refuge, unable to shake his growing dread. The refuge, the home for the homeless and beggar were quite nearby. It is where one learns to Ritual of Charity to become a beggar.
Unable to dismiss his concerns, Lucian made his way to the refuge. The sight that met him was heart-wrenching. Isaac's wife was there, no longer dressed in the clean, elegant clothing he had seen before, but in ragged clothes. Her hair was disheveled, and her face hollow with despair. The children were nowhere to be seen.
Lucian approached carefully. "I'm a friend of Isaac's. What happened?"
"They took them!" she cried, her voice breaking. "He went to work one day and never came back. They said he went gambling, but I know he wouldn't. He'd never! Then the guards came… they took everything, my children…"
Her words dissolved into hysterical sobs. A nearby beggar snickered. "She's a mad one. Thinks she's from the inner district. That dream liquid's rotting her brain."
Lucian reached into his pocket, feeling the weight of the gold coin. He thought better of it, aware of the eyes watching them. Instead, he took out a silver coin and slipped it into the parcel. He handed her the pie. "There isn't much I can do, but I hope this helps."
With a heavy heart, Lucian returned home. As he stood before the flimsy door of his small room, he realised it offered him no real protection. No safety. No way to keep out the darkness creeping ever closer.
Lucian looked at the metal book, his thoughts spiralling. It hadn't been enough to save his father, so why would it be enough to save him? His only hope seemed to be the crystal...
A soul for a soul, untouched by blight,
With power to cheat the darkest might.
The price of power, the soul must pay,
Speak the name, summon, and it will obey.