Scene 1: A Meeting of Minds
The underground library was not what Eve had expected to see. She had imagined to see rows of polished wooden shelves and a dizzy smell of leather-bound books. Instead, the air was filled with dust, and the books were not arranged in order across every available surface. Unsteady overhead lights casted long shadows, and the faint hum of a generator was the only sound beyond their footsteps."It is quite pleasant," Eve muttered, cleaning a cobweb from the sleeve of her dress. Cassian, who had been silent for most of their journey, finally spoke. "Marcus does not look big when you see physically. His value lies elsewhere.""Like where?" she asked. "Hoarding junk?"Before Cassian could respond, a voice rang out from the shadows. "Junk? These are artifacts that you cannot quantify its value from civilizations older than your idea of time."
A man came up, wearing a old coat that hung off his tough frame. His eyes, are sharp and calculating, moving between Eve and Cassian."Marcus," Cassian said curtly. "We need your good advice."Marcus crossed his arms, clearly showing he is unhappy. "And what brings you to my sanctuary? I thought you preferred to work alone these days."Cassian's jaw tightened. "This is not about me." He gestured to Eve. "She has the artifact."Marcus's face turned to Eve, his curiosity roused. "Let me see it."Eve insists, instinctively holding tight the artifact, a small, metallic object carved with intricate symbols. Its surface felt warm, almost alive, when holding it in her palm."It's not going to bite," Marcus said with a smugy smile. She handed it over, and Marcus's demeanor changed at once. His fingers trembled as he traced the carvings. "This... this is extraordinary."Eve exchanged a glance with Cassian, who looked impatient.
"What do you know about these carvings?" she asked. Marcus placed the artifact on a littered table and began searching through a pile of old books. "This is not just any other relic. It's part of a three people group connected to the Goddess of Fate. Legend says she was betrayed by her human lover and cursed these artifacts to bind his soul to her own for ever."Eve felt a tightening effect in her stomach. "Bind his soul?"Marcus nodded. "The symbols suggest a binding ritual. Whoever holds this artifact is tied to its power, and its curse."Cassian's voice was low, almost a growl. "Skip the mythology. What does it mean for her?"Marcus didn't care about what she was saying he continue with the book he was flipping through. "It means she is in serious trouble."Before Eve could ask what kind of trouble, the artifact began to glow faintly. A pulse of energy poured through the room, and she staggered back, holding her wrist as the symbol burned brighter.
Scene 2: Visions of the Past
That night, sleep came in full force. When Eve finally slept off, she found herself standing in an unfamiliar place. The air was thick with incense, and golden light covered everything in a warm brightness. Before her stood a huge altar, carved with the same intricate patterns as that of the artifact. A man was knelling before it, Cassian. But this wasn't the Cassian she knew. His face was softer, not even showing he has suffered for centuries. He wore ceremonial robes, and his expression was one of desperation."Please," he said, with a trembling voice. "I did not mean for this to happen."A figure emerged from the shadows.
The Goddess of Fate. Her presence was overwhelming, her eyes burning with divine fury."You betrayed me," she said, her voice sounding like a thousand whispers. "And now you will suffer as I have suffered."Cassian looked up, tears streaming down his face. "I only wanted to save her."The goddess raised her hand, and a bright light engulfed them both. Cassian screamed as the curse took hold of him, his body dissolving into shadows. Eve woke up with a gasp for air, the symbol on her wrist shining fiercely. Cassian was already standing by her side, his facial look was dull with worry."What happened?" he asked.She shook her head, unable to look at his eyes. "Nothing happened. I Just had a bad dream."
Scene 3: A Dangerous Proposition
The next morning, Marcus did not waste any time going into the artifact's history. He spread out maps, books, and sketches, each one adding another level of information to the mystery."This is where things get interesting," Marcus said, pointing to a map. "The second relic is here."Eve leaned closer, her eyes narrowing. "Where is this place'' exactly?""The place is under the control of Lucien Valtor," Marcus replied. "He is the Leader of the Black Viper Syndicate."Cassian swore under his breath. "Lucien is a dangerous man. He won't give up the relic without us putting up a fight."Eve sat with her arms crossed. "Then we will take it by force."Marcus raised an eyebrow. "That is bold. And suicidal.""She's not going anywhere closer to Lucien," Cassian said sharply. Eve opened her eyes at him. "You do not have to make that decision for me."Their argument escalated, as one voice tries to overtake the other, as frustration boiled over. Finally, Marcus spoke in a high-pitched sound sharply, cutting through the tension."Enough," he said. "I can arrange a meeting with Lucien. But you'd better be ready to pay the price."
Scene 4: Into the Lion's Den
The nightclub was like a meeting point of shadow and light, its heartbeat of music blocking out any coherent thought. Eve felt a cold effect run down her spine as she and Cassian moved through the crowd. Lucien was waiting for them in a private lounge, his well kempt outlook hiding a dangerous edge."So," he said, his face focusing on Eve. "You're the one causing all this trouble."Eve remained quiet and still, refusing to show fear. "I'm here for you to give me the relic."Lucien spoke as if under his throat. "You're bold enoughl. I like that."He turned to a glass case behind him, where the second relic rested. Its surface shined with an extraordinary light."You can have that also," he said, "if you do something for me."Eve's pulse increased its beat. "What do you want?"Lucien leaned forward, with an unfriendly smile. "If you can help me unlock its power."Cassian stood without moving, and his fists clenched. "We're done here."Eve held his arm, speaking with a steady voice. "Wait."She turned back to Lucien. "Give me 24 hours to think about it."Lucien smiled more than before. "I'll be waiting."
Scene 5: Fractured Loyalties
The rooftop was quiet, the city lights covering out above them like a sea of stars. Eve leaned on the rail, and her mind was racing."That was reckless," Cassian said, in a low voice but with anger. She turned to face him. "I did not see you coming up with any better ideas."Cassian's eyes got hot with frustration. "Do you have any idea what Lucien is capable of doing?"Eve came closer, while her anger was burning. "Stop treating me like I am helpless. I can handle this."For sometime, they stood quiet, as the tension crackled between them."I've lost too much already," Cassian said at last, with his voice hardly heard like a whisper. "I can't lose you too."Eve's breath caught. "Then trust me. Trust that I know what I'm doing."Cassian paused, then agreed. "Fine. But we will do this together."As they turned to leave, the artifact pushed violently, sending a wave of energy into Eve. She fell, struggling for air as a new vision came over her, a temple soaked in blood, with her standing at the altar.And in her hands was a knife.