Naomi cradled the bundle in her arms—the corrupted sword wrapped tight in old cloth. Its presence buzzed under her skin, cold and heavy as stone. She adjusted her grip as Dan led them through narrow streets, his breath visible in sharp white puffs against the frigid night air.
"He sure made us meet him in the middle of nowhere," Dan muttered, glancing over his shoulder. "Gotta say, I'm liking this guy already."
Naomi exhaled sharply, exhaustion pressing down on her temples. Victor's death, Elias's disappearance, the sword humming like a parasite in her hands—it all coiled inside her, wound tight. She didn't have the energy for Dan's banter.
"Middle of nowhere's his style," she replied, voice lower than she meant. "Let's hope he knows something."
Dan just nodded, his expression hardening as they rounded a corner into a darkened alley. Streetlights flickered, casting uneven shadows against the brick walls.
At the far end of the alley, a figure waited.
Lucius.
He leaned casually against the wall, hands tucked into his pockets, eyes sharp behind a disarming smile. No weapons, no grand gestures—just a thin man with the look of someone who knew far too much.
"Ah, Miss Faraday and Miss Martinez," he greeted smoothly, nodding at Dan. "And you must be Mr. Stratton. A pleasure."
Dan gave a low chuckle, hands shoved in his coat pockets. "Heard you give the best riddles in town. Didn't expect a know-it-all, too."
Lucius's gaze flicked over to him, smile widening. "Humor—good. You'll need it."
Naomi stepped forward, adjusting the sword in her grip. Even wrapped, the blade's presence gnawed at her mind, feeding her doubt. "We don't have time for games," she said, her voice edged with frustration. "We need your help."
Lucius's smile deepened, as if he'd been waiting for that. "Of course. I'm here to help, Naomi. I only wish you'd come sooner." His tone softened as he glanced at the sword. "That's not a burden meant for you."
The concern in his eyes caught her off-guard. The sword felt heavier in her hands, almost resentful. She tightened her grip, forcing herself to focus. "It's not mine," she said. "It belongs to Elias. And he'll carry it—once we bring him back."
A flicker of pride crossed Lucius's face. "Such conviction," he murmured. "Very well. Shall we discuss how you'll help him?"
Ava's voice broke through, raw and urgent. "How?" She shrank a bit under their gazes, but continued, quieter. "He's out there somewhere. Alone."
"Don't worry," Lucius replied, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. "He's where he's meant to be. And his friends"—he gestured to them all—"are doing what they can."
Ava nodded, sharing a determined look with Dan and Naomi.
Naomi's voice cut back in, focused and serious. "How do we cleanse this sword? Elias almost died trying to control it. There has to be a way to get rid of the corruption."
Lucius tapped his temple. "You already know the answer," he said, his tone maddeningly confident.
Naomi's patience wore thin, the hum of the sword sharpening under her skin. "No. I don't. That's why I'm asking you."
Lucius stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "What did the quest say, Naomi, when you first received it?"
The words dropped between them like stones. Naomi stared at him, her heartbeat loud in her ears.
Dan's voice cut in, puzzled. "Quest? What quest?"
Lucius's gaze stayed on Naomi. "Go on. Don't keep him in suspense."
She frowned, recalling the words, then turned to Dan with a wry smile. "When Elias asked me to help him in the game, he received a quest. Not to 'find' the sword but to 'forge' it."
Lucius's smile returned, satisfied. "Exactly."
Naomi swallowed, her hands tightening on the bundle. The sword thrummed louder, as if it understood.
"Wait—but it's already made," Ava interrupted, her brow furrowed. "How do you forge something that's already there?"
Lucius's smile deepened. "To answer that, you'll need Elias." He paused, looking around at each of them. "And when we find him, I'll be there to do my part."
Lucius led them out of the alley, towards their car parked under the washed-out glow of streetlights. Dan leaned over to the others and whispered, "Uh… does he know we don't have a clue where Elias is?"
"I can hear you, Mr. Stratton," Lucius said with a hint of amusement. "But you already know where he is. Or rather"—he pointed to Ava—"she does."
"Me?" Ava asked, startled.
Lucius nodded. "Think deeply about Elias as we drive. Also, let the ring guide you—she is by far the most fitting person to help you in this."
Ava's breath hitched, caught off guard by the gentle yet direct instruction.
Dan chuckled, unlocking the car door. "Damn, Lucius, where've you been all my life? We'd have been great buddies."
Lucius raised an eyebrow. "It's not too late, Mr. Stratton. Not too late at all."
Naomi rolled her eyes but smiled, exasperated. "Alright, enough with the bromance. We've got a guy to find."
Dan grinned, sliding into the driver's seat. "You're just jealous."
She didn't respond, but her smirk flashed as she settled in beside him.
As the engine started and the car rumbled forward into the night, Naomi leaned her head against the window, the blurred city lights bleeding into the darkness. Ava fidgeted with her ring, thinking of Elias.
And somewhere out there, he was waiting.
She just hoped they'd reach him before the government—or the Devourers—did.