The days in Valtheris were becoming a whirlwind for Alex. Between Selene's rigorous magical training, Elia's combat sessions, Lyria's quiet wisdom, and Kaela's unpredictable escapades, he found himself torn in multiple directions. Yet, he knew this chaotic balance was essential for his survival in a world so harsh yet
That morning, the usual hum of activity in the streets carried a strange undercurrent of tension. Alex could sense it even as he sipped his morning tea in the inn's common room. Lyria sat across from him, quietly munching on a slice
"Something's
"You
"Merchants are too quiet, guards are doubling their rounds, and people are whispering instead of shouting. It's not a festival
Alex nodded, finishing his tea. He was about to head out when Kaela entered, her usual mischievous grin missing.
"Found you," she said, sliding into the seat next to him. "We need to talk. Privately."
Lyria arched an eyebrow but didn't press. "I'll leave you two to it."
As Lyria departed, Alex turned to Kaela. "What's going on? You look serious for once."
Kaela leaned closer, her voice low. "There's trouble in the west district. Rumors of someone using illegal soul-binding magic. Normally, I'd say it's none of our business, but there's a twist—it's linked to something bigger."
Alex tilted his head, intrigued. "Bigger how?"
"The soul-binding traces match descriptions from a century-old text. It's rare, dangerous, and illegal for a reason. But here's the kicker—there's a chance it might tie to you. Your soul, I mean."
Kaela explained the situation as they left the inn and moved through the winding streets of Valtheris. According to her contacts, the west district had recently seen strange occurrences: people vanishing, others speaking of vivid, nightmarish dreams, and strange symbols appearing in alleyways.
"What does any of this have to do with my soul?" Alex asked, trying to keep up with her pace.
"Because the descriptions of the symbols match fragments recorded in an ancient tome. One that talks about unique souls capable of altering the flow of fate. Sound familiar?"
Alex's stomach churned. He hadn't revealed the full extent of his Creator's Soul to anyone, not even Selene. The ability to analyze, create, and alter through his Property Panel was already dangerous enough. If Kaela's suspicions were correct, there might be others seeking to exploit such power.
"Why are you telling me this?" he asked.
"Because I hate being in the dark. If someone's targeting unique souls, I'd rather have you alive and useful than dead or enslaved."
Her bluntness made Alex chuckle despite the gravity of the situation. "Well, thanks for the vote of confidence."
Their investigation led them to an abandoned warehouse near the city's edge. Kaela insisted on scouting ahead while Alex waited near the entrance. As he waited, Selene appeared, her expression a mix of irritation and concern.
"Don't tell me Kaela dragged you into this," she said, crossing her arms.
"More like she gave me the option, and I foolishly agreed," Alex admitted.
Selene sighed. "You're not ready for something like this. Soul-binding magic isn't child's play, Alex. Even a slight misstep could have catastrophic consequences."
Before Alex could respond, Kaela emerged from the shadows. "Well, look who decided to join the party. Selene, always a pleasure."
"It's not mutual," Selene shot back.
Kaela rolled her eyes. "We don't have time for your sass. The warehouse is empty, but I found something you'll want to see."
She led them inside, where faint traces of magic hung in the air. On the floor, glowing runes formed a strange circle. Alex's Property Panel activated automatically, analyzing the scene.
Object Analyzed:
Ritual Circle of Soul SuppressionFunction: Drains energy from nearby souls to empower the caster.Status: Recently used.Trace Residue: 78% match to Creator Soul energy.
Alex's breath hitched. "This… it's linked to me."
Selene narrowed her eyes. "Impossible. Your soul's properties shouldn't be detectable by others, not without…" She trailed off, her expression darkening.
"Not without what?" Alex pressed.
"Without someone or something deliberately tampering with the veil between dimensions," Selene finished grimly.
Kaela whistled. "Well, that's comforting. So, Alex, you've officially been marked as a target. How does it feel?"
"Terrifying," Alex admitted.
As they returned to the safety of the inn, Alex's thoughts were clouded with worry. Selene and Kaela accompanied him, though their constant bickering filled the silence.
When they arrived, Elia and Lyria were waiting. Both women noticed the tension immediately.
"What happened?" Elia asked, setting her bow aside.
"A long story," Alex said, sinking into a chair. "And one that probably complicates everything."
"Great," Lyria said with a sigh, sitting beside him. "Because our lives weren't complicated enough."
As the five of them discussed the implications of the discovery, Alex realized something crucial. For all their differences, these people were becoming his allies—and maybe even friends. But trust wasn't enough; he needed strength, knowledge, and the ability to protect them all.
His resolve solidified as he glanced around the room. No matter what awaited him, he would face it head-on.