Tia sat on the wooden stool in her clock shop, her head resting in her hands. Her thoughts swirled like the gears of the timepieces that surrounded her. The pocket watch lay on the counter, silent and unresponsive. Across from her, Kian leaned casually against a shelf, his sharp eyes studying her.
"So," Tia began, breaking the silence, "are you going to explain what just happened, or do you prefer leaving people confused for fun?"
Kian's lips quirked into a smirk. "I find confusion keeps people on their toes."
"Well, I prefer answers," Tia shot back. "Start talking."
He straightened, his expression turning serious. "The watch is part of a much larger system. It's not just a tool—it's a fragment of something ancient, something powerful. And when you activated it, you woke up things that should have stayed asleep."
Tia blinked at him. "You mean like that wraith thing that nearly ate us?"
Kian nodded. "Among other things."
"Great," she muttered, running a hand through her hair. "So, what? I'm some kind of target now?"
He hesitated before replying, "Not just you. The watch is tethered to you, but it's also a beacon. It's calling out to anyone—or anything—that might want its power."
Tia groaned. "This keeps getting better and better."
Kian's expression softened, a rare flicker of sympathy crossing his face. "You're not alone in this, Tia. I'll help you."
She raised an eyebrow. "Why? What's in it for you?"
"Let's just say I have a vested interest in keeping that watch out of the wrong hands," he replied cryptically.
Tia leaned back, studying him. There was something about Kian that didn't quite add up. He was too polished, too calm, as if he'd seen and done things far beyond the scope of normal life. "You're not exactly an open book, are you?" she said.
Kian chuckled. "I find a little mystery adds to my charm."
"Oh, please," Tia said, rolling her eyes. "If charm were a currency, you'd still be broke."
His laughter was genuine this time, a low, warm sound that made Tia's cheeks heat up. She quickly turned her attention back to the watch, pretending to examine it closely.
"So," she said, desperate to change the subject, "how do we fix this? Or at least stop more wraiths from showing up?"
Kian's gaze grew distant. "The watch needs to be stabilized. To do that, we'll need a rare material called starweave. It's… not exactly something you can pick up at the local market."
"Let me guess," Tia said dryly. "It's guarded by some terrifying creature in an impossible-to-reach location."
"Close," Kian replied, his tone light. "It's hidden in the Riftwood Forest. The trees there don't obey normal rules. Time bends and shifts within the forest. One wrong step, and you could end up lost for decades."
Tia's stomach sank. "And you think this is a good idea?"
"It's the only idea," he said simply.
She sighed. "Fine. But you'd better have a map or some kind of plan, Keeper."
Kian grinned. "Don't worry. I've navigated the Riftwood before."
"That's supposed to make me feel better?" she muttered. "You're not exactly overflowing with reassuring vibes."
As they prepared to leave the shop, Tia grabbed a small toolkit and a satchel of supplies. Kian watched her with mild amusement. "What?" she said defensively. "I like to be prepared."
"Good," he said. "You'll need that. And a lot of patience."
"Patience isn't exactly my strong suit," she admitted.
As they stepped outside, the air seemed heavier, as if the world itself was holding its breath. The streets were unnaturally quiet, the usual bustle of the town eerily absent. Tia glanced around, a prickle of unease crawling up her spine.
"Is it just me," she said, "or does everything feel… off?"
Kian's expression turned serious. "We need to move. The In-Between might not be as sealed as it should be."
They hurried through the empty streets, the silence pressing in on them like a tangible weight. Tia's mind raced with questions, but before she could voice them, a figure appeared in their path.
The man was tall and gaunt, his eyes sunken and glowing faintly. His presence felt like menace, and Tia instinctively stepped closer to Kian.
"Well, well," the stranger said, his voice smooth and chilling. "The Keeper and his new little friend."
Kian's posture stiffened. "What do you want, Malric?"
The man—Malric—smiled, revealing sharp teeth. "Oh, you know me. Always looking for interesting relics. And that watch… it's calling to me."
Tia tightened her grip on the watch, her heart pounding. "Over my dead body," she said before she could stop herself.
Malric's smile widened. "That can be arranged."
Kian stepped forward, placing himself between Tia and Malric. "You won't touch her."
The tension crackled in the air as Malric's glowing eyes locked onto Kian. "We'll see about that, Keeper."
Before Tia could blink, Malric vanished, leaving only an ominous laugh echoing in the stillness. She looked at Kian, her voice trembling. "Who was that?"
Kian's jaw tightened. "Trouble. And he's not going to stop."
Tia swallowed hard, her grip on the watch tightening. "Then we'd better find that starweave fast."
As they continued their journey, Tia couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Kian walked beside her, his usual calm masking an undercurrent of tension. Whatever lay ahead in the Riftwood, Tia knew one thing for certain—her life had just become infinitely more complicated.