The pendant sat heavy in Kaelyn's palm, its glow dim but steady. She wrapped it in a piece of cloth and tucked it into her pouch, her mind racing. Whatever this thing was, it had drawn the attention of dangerous people—and now, it was her problem.
The temple ruins were eerily quiet as she made her way back toward Eldergate's main streets. The tremor had stopped, but the air felt charged, as if the world itself was holding its breath. She glanced over her shoulder, half expecting the cloaked figure to reappear, but the ruins remained empty.
By the time Kaelyn reached the outskirts of the Old Quarter, the sun had vanished, leaving the city bathed in shadows. Lanterns flickered in the windows of nearby homes, and the hum of life in Eldergate returned, grounding her in the mundane once more.
She didn't head straight home. Instead, she veered toward the market district, where the city's night crowd had taken over. Street performers juggled fire, vendors hawked skewers of spiced meat, and a trio of musicians played a lively tune. The chaotic energy of the crowd helped mask her unease.
Kaelyn slipped into a narrow alley and entered a tavern through a side door. The Rusted Crown was a dingy place, but its ale was cheap, and its patrons knew to mind their own business. She found a seat in the corner, her back to the wall, and ordered a drink.
As she sipped the sour brew, she couldn't stop her hand from drifting to the pendant tucked in her pouch. The pull it exerted on her was unnerving, like an itch in her mind she couldn't scratch.
"You look troubled, Kaelyn."
She stiffened, her gaze snapping to the figure now sitting across from her. Darian Thorne was the last person she wanted to see—former knight, current bounty hunter, and all-around pain. His easy smile and disheveled charm didn't fool her.
"What do you want, Darian?" she asked, her voice flat.
He leaned back in his chair, nursing his own drink. "Heard there was trouble in the Old Quarter. Thought I'd check on my favorite courier."
Kaelyn rolled her eyes. "I'm fine. Go bother someone else."
Darian's gaze sharpened. "You sure about that? Word is, someone unleashed a bit of… unusual magic over there. Thought maybe you'd know something about it."
Kaelyn's fingers tightened around her mug. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Darian smirked, clearly unconvinced. "You're a terrible liar, you know."
Before she could respond, a loud crash shattered the din of the tavern. The front door burst open, and three figures in dark cloaks stormed in. Their faces were obscured by masks, but the energy crackling around them left no doubt—they were mages.
The tavern fell silent as the lead figure stepped forward, their voice cold and commanding. "The girl with the pendant. Hand her over."
Kaelyn's heart dropped. Every head in the room turned toward her, and she cursed under her breath. She sprang to her feet, but Darian was faster, yanking her behind him as he drew a dagger.
"Sorry," he said with a grin, "but she's not going anywhere with you."
The lead mage raised a hand, and a bolt of lightning shot across the room. Darian ducked, dragging Kaelyn with him, as the bolt struck the wall, sending splinters flying.
"Run!" he shouted, pushing her toward the back door.
Kaelyn didn't need to be told twice. She bolted, weaving through the chaos as patrons scrambled to avoid the fight. Behind her, she heard the clash of steel and the hiss of magic, but she didn't look back.
The cold night air hit her like a slap as she burst out into the alley. She ran blindly, her boots pounding against the cobblestones, until her lungs burned and her legs threatened to give out. Finally, she ducked into a shadowy alcove and pressed herself against the wall, struggling to catch her breath.
She reached for the pendant, pulling it out to examine it more closely. Its glow had grown brighter, and the air around it seemed to vibrate. Kaelyn's brow furrowed. What was this thing? And why was it worth risking lives to claim?
A sudden rustling made her freeze. She turned, her heart hammering, only to see Darian step into the alcove. His shirt was singed, and a fresh cut marred his cheek, but he was alive.
"You're welcome," he said, leaning against the wall and catching his breath.
Kaelyn glared at him. "I didn't ask for your help."
"No," he said with a smirk, "but you clearly needed it."
Before she could retort, the pendant flared brighter, and both of them froze. A voice—deep and resonant—echoed in Kaelyn's mind once more:
"The balance is broken. Restore the Pillars, or the realms will fall."
Darian raised an eyebrow. "Please tell me I'm not the only one who heard that."
Kaelyn swallowed hard. "We need to get out of the city. Now."
Darian's smirk faded, replaced by a seriousness Kaelyn rarely saw. "Then you'd better tell me what we're running from. And fast."
Kaelyn hesitated, but the pendant's glow pulsed insistently, urging her onward. Whatever secrets it held, there was no escaping them now.
~To Be Continued~