She lifted her gaze, and her curiosity reignited. "Perhaps emotions are the key?" she mused aloud, her tone now tinged with intrigue.
Mize nodded slowly, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "That's one of my theories. What if we find a suitable body, craft a story for them—one filled with the highs and lows of life—and then guide their emotions, subtly manipulating them to see how this theory plays out?"
"Such as?" Elara prompted, her interest piqued.
"Such as the pain of losing someone you love, heartbreak, deep sadness, and so on..." Mize responded, his smile widening, the idea clearly appealing to him.
Elara, however, wrinkled her nose in mild distaste. "Aww, why can't it be happiness instead?" she pouted, her tone playful yet with a hint of genuine curiosity.
"Well... because it's boring," Mize replied, tilting his head slightly to the side, his tall frame casting a shadow over Elara's much smaller figure.
His playful tone contrasted sharply with the gravity of his words, emphasizing the twisted logic that guided his thoughts.
The three stood in silence once more, each contemplating the implications of this new idea.
"Then... each one of us will separate, establish a force in this empire, the followers can be from our own or even from normal mortals" Mize began...
"And let's have a nice game" Elera chimed from the side.
And even the dark knight on the side took a slight interest in this idea, and he echoed his thoughts to the two. "This world... is now our chessboard. A game against each other and also against those pesky prying eyes"
"hahahaha! Splendid! What a nice performance we will orchestrate for this world!"
Below them, the city continued, unaware of the dangerous minds that plotted its future from above.
The scene shifted back to Illira, as she strolled through the lively streets, now a bustling hub of activity.
The narrow cobblestone streets were lined with a myriad of stalls, each one brimming with exotic goods, magical artifacts, and strange curiosities from across the empire and beyond.
Beside her walked the old woman from before, the formidable second pillar of the empire.
The streets were alive with the sounds of haggling and the vibrant chatter of merchants and buyers alike.
A young mage in a dark cloak argued with a merchant over the price of a shimmering crystal, while a group of armored warriors examined an array of weapons displayed on a thick hide laid out on the ground.
"Step right up! Finest potions you'll find in all the empire!" one vendor called out, waving a vial of glowing liquid in the air.
"Don't miss this! Rare beast hides from the Southern Marshlands! Perfect for crafting armor that'll withstand any spell!" another bellowed from across the street, his table laden with thick, leathery skins.
Illira moved through the crowd with the grace and poise of royalty, her green cloak fluttering behind her.
The sunlight caught the strands of her reddish hair, making her stand out among the throng despite her attempt to remain inconspicuous.
Few recognized her, as the bustling city had attracted people from all corners of the empire, many of whom had no idea who she was.
But those who did know quickly averted their gaze, whispering amongst themselves as she passed by.
She paused at a stall displaying an assortment of enchanted jewelry, her fingers hovering over a delicate bracelet that shimmered with a soft blue light.
"This one's beautiful," she murmured, almost to herself.
"Only the finest for you, young miss!" the merchant said eagerly, rubbing his hands together. "This bracelet is imbued with a minor protection spell—perfect for someone of your stature, if I may say so!"
Illira didn't say any words, but before she could respond, Calina interjected with a chuckle. "Be careful with your words, merchant. You might not know who you're talking to."
The merchant blinked in confusion, looking between Illira and Calina, clearly uncertain but sensing the need to tread carefully. "Of course, of course… only the finest for the finest, I always say!"
Illira shook her head indifferently. "I'm just browsing," she said, moving on to the next stall.
Calina followed closely, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
As they continued down the street, the sights and sounds of the market grew more intense. A group of performers danced in the center of a square, drawing a crowd with their swirling cloaks and bursts of magical light.
Nearby, a food vendor roasted skewers of meat over an open flame, the smell mingling with the scent of spices and fresh bread.
Illira stopped again, this time at a stall selling finely crafted scrolls and ancient books. "These are from the archives of the old kingdom," the vendor claimed, holding up a weathered tome. "Priceless knowledge, only for those who can afford it."
"Priceless, you say?" Calina asked, raising an eyebrow as she leaned on her stick, peering at the vendor. There was a glint of amusement in her eyes.
"Indeed, madam!" the vendor replied, though his voice wavered slightly under Calina's deep gaze.
Illira picked up one of the scrolls, unrolling it carefully to reveal intricate diagrams and runes. Her eyes gleamed with interest. "This might be useful," she mused.
"Planning to switch your path already, child?" Calina asked, her tone both teasing and serious.
Illira shrugged, her expression thoughtful. "Why not? The path of the Sun Divinity is more promising. And besides, It's a human path"
Calina nodded, her expression softening. "Just remember, no matter how promising a path may seem, it's still a long journey. Don't rush."
"Don't worry, Grandma. I know what I'm doing."
Calina shook her head with a smile. "You're just like your mother—always chasing after the next great thing. Just make sure you catch it when you do."
And to that, Illira simply gave a short nod, slipping the scroll back into its place and moving on, her gaze wandering over the vast array of items and people.
As Illira and Calina meandered through the vibrant streets, their arms already burdened with the spoils of their shopping spree, they stumbled upon a stall that was markedly different from the others.
It was a simple setup, almost forlorn, with a dirty white blanket spread across the ground and just a few items laid out on it.
The stall exuded an air of desolation, a stark contrast to the bustling energy of the market around it.
Behind the stall sat a man, shrouded in a dark cloak that concealed most of his features.
His posture was relaxed but distant as if he was only half-present in the moment.
The hood of his cloak covered his face almost entirely, leaving only a hint of dark brown hair and a glimpse of his chin visible in the dim light filtering through the cloth.
His demeanor was indifferent, his voice deep and somewhat distant as he spoke.
"See what you may like," he said, his tone flat and almost dismissive.
Illira's first instinct was to ignore the stall, dismissing it as another junk sale that littered the side streets of the city.
The items on display were few and appeared unremarkable—a collection of worn trinkets faded scrolls, and small, dusty objects that looked like they had seen better days.
She frowned slightly, her disappointment evident, and was about to move on when something caught her eye.
There, among the pile of seemingly worthless objects, was a pendant. It was small, almost unnoticeable at first glance, but something about it drew her in.
The pendant was made of a dark, smooth stone, with intricate carvings that seemed to glow faintly with an inner light.
It had an otherworldly aura as if it didn't quite belong in the ordinary world.
"Say, Mister," Illira spoke up, her curiosity piqued, "Can you tell me what is that pendant that you are holding?"
The man, who had been staring listlessly into the distance, suddenly showed a flicker of interest.
He lifted his gaze slowly, and as he did, the hood of his cloak fell back slightly, revealing his face in the warm light of the sun.
His features were striking, almost unnaturally so. His deep brown hair fell in loose waves around his face, contrasting sharply with his pale skin.
His jawline was sharp, yet softened by a hint of stubble that added a ruggedness to his otherwise refined appearance. But it was his eyes that truly captivated the two. They were a dark golden green, the color of an ancient forest, deep and mysterious, with flecks of gold that seemed to catch the light and dance in the sunlight.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still as their eyes met.
Illira felt her breath catch in her throat, as she struggled to find words or sentences to get out of this deadlock.
The man seemed to notice her reaction and the corner of his lips curved into a subtle, almost imperceptible smile.
He held up the pendant, letting it dangle from his fingers as he examined it with a casual indifference.
"This?" he said, his voice now carrying a hint of amusement. "It's just a simple trinket. Nothing more than a relic from a forgotten time. But for you take notice of this little thing, how sharp... "
But there was something in the way he spoke, a subtle undertone that made Illira doubt his words.
For a moment, she was at a loss for words, still caught up in the intensity of his gaze.
But Calina who was on the side, stepped in, her sharp eyes narrowing as she scrutinized the man.
"Doesn't seem like 'just a trinket' to me, boy" Calina said, her tone measured. "You wouldn't be so quick to show it if it wasn't worth something"
The man's smile widened ever so slightly, but he didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he let the pendant swing gently from side to side, almost hypnotically. "Perhaps you're right," he finally said, his voice smooth and composed. "But what it's worth… that's for you to decide"
Illira forced herself to look away from the man's eyes and back to the pendant.
"What's your price?" she asked, her voice steady despite the lingering fume.
The man paused, his gaze lingering on Illira for just a moment longer before he looked down at the pendant.
"For you, Princess Illira ignis" he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper, "it's not about the price. It's about what you're willing to give up to possess it."
Illira's heart skipped a beat.
"How did you know?"
*It's so obvious* Calina on the side secretly thought within.
Before she could question him, he let go of the pendant, letting it fall back onto the blanket, and pulled his hood up once more, shrouding his face in shadow.
"Take it or leave it," he said, his voice returning to its earlier indifference. "The choice is yours"
Illira hesitated for a moment, her eyes trailing over the other items on the blanket before returning to the mysterious man before her.
Something about him drew her in despite the unease bubbling in her chest. Her lower lip curled slightly as she mustered the courage to speak up.
"I like this pendant," she finally said, her voice steadier than she felt. "Name the price."
Calina, standing silently beside her, seemed almost invisible in the interaction.
Though her presence was calm and composed, she was watchful, ready to step in if necessary.
But for now, she allowed Illira to handle the situation as she wished, confident that nothing would go amiss with her there.
The man chuckled lightly at Illira's words, a soft, almost teasing sound. He lifted his gaze again, and their eyes met.
This time, Illira felt a surge of bravery, trying to hold his gaze without flinching. Yet, after a moment, she found herself averting her eyes in embarrassment.
"Y-yes," she stammered, her face scrunched up in an awkward attempt to look confident. "Stop wasting time, name me the price already," she urged, trying to sound more assertive.
The man's smile deepened as he picked up the pendant, rolling it between his fingers. His voice was soft, almost gentle, as he replied, "The price… is…"
Illira leaned in slightly, her curiosity piqued. "What is it?" she asked, her impatience growing.
"Are you fond of a riddle?" he asked, tilting his head slightly, his dark green eyes gleaming with mischief under the shadow of his hood.