Kael stepped back cautiously, lowering his blade slightly but keeping it ready. His deep blue eyes scanned the woman in front of him, studying her with the precision of someone who had learned to trust no one. She was tall, though still a head shorter than him, with a lean, athletic frame that suggested years of hard travel. Her auburn hair was tied back in a loose braid, a few strands falling around her sharp features.
Her face was striking—not traditionally beautiful, but memorable. A faint scar ran along her left cheekbone, the kind that came from a fight rather than an accident. Her green eyes were sharp and unyielding, meeting his gaze without a hint of fear. She wore a worn leather jacket reinforced with bits of metal plating, practical for both protection and movement. Her belt was lined with small pouches, likely holding tools or relic-hunting gear. Every detail about her spoke of experience and survival.
"She looks capable," Kael thought, his grip tightening slightly on his sword. "But confidence and skill aren't always the same."
Her expression remained calm, even under his scrutiny. "I told you—I want to help."
Kael's tone was sharp. "People don't just offer help for nothing, especially not here. So, what's in it for you?"
She sighed, glancing toward the crowded market behind her as if checking for prying eyes. "My name's Lira. I'm a relic hunter—or at least, I was. The Riftforge isn't just some random ruin to me. I have a reason to go there, and I think you're my best chance of getting in."
Kael's expression remained guarded. "You want me to get you past the wards."
Lira nodded. "Partly. The wards are dangerous, and the constructs inside will tear apart anyone who's not prepared. But you've already made it farther than most scavengers ever do. Word of what happened in Tyrellos is spreading."
Kael's jaw tightened. "And what exactly did you hear?"
"That you killed a Shard Beast," she said bluntly. "Alone. I don't know how much of that is true, but the fact that you're standing here tells me you're not just another scavenger."
Kael exhaled sharply, lowering his sword completely but not sheathing it. "And if I say no?"
"Then you'll be on your own," Lira replied with a shrug. "The Riftforge isn't kind to loners. You might have the skills to get inside, but I doubt you'll make it far without someone who knows the layout—or how to handle what's waiting."
Kael glanced at Velis, the grimoire hovering silently by his shoulder. Velis's voice slipped into his thoughts, calm and analytical. "She's resourceful and cautious, and she's not lying about her knowledge. She could be useful."
Kael's eyes flicked back to Lira. "Why are you so interested in the Riftforge? What's there for you?"
Lira hesitated, her green eyes flicking toward the ground for a moment. When she spoke again, her voice was softer. "There's a relic inside. One that belonged to my family before the Shattering. It's not powerful—just a Lesser Relic—but it's all that's left of them."
Kael studied her closely. "You're risking your life for sentiment?"
Her gaze hardened. "You don't know what it means to me."
Velis chimed in, its voice almost amused. "She's telling the truth. Her motivations are emotional, but that doesn't make her useless. She knows the Riftforge better than you do."
Kael let out a slow breath, sheathing his sword. "Fine. You can come. But if you slow me down or get in my way, you're on your own."
Relief flickered across Lira's face, though she quickly masked it. "Fair enough. But don't think this is one-sided. I can help you, too. The Riftforge isn't just guarded by magic and constructs. It's full of traps—ones that would kill you if you don't know what to look for."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "And you do?"
"I've studied the stories," Lira said. "I know where the traps are likely to be, and I know how to disable most of them. I'm not some amateur."
Kael nodded reluctantly. "We leave at first light. Make sure you're ready."
As they walked toward the edge of town, Velis's voice returned, sharper now. "You're taking a risk, Kael. Allies can be valuable, but they can also be liabilities."
"She knows the terrain," Kael replied silently. "And if she's telling the truth about the traps, I'll need her. Besides, I've been on my own long enough. Maybe it's time to take a chance."
Velis's pages fluttered faintly. "Perhaps. But watch her closely. People are rarely as simple as they seem."
Kael didn't respond, his focus shifting to the horizon. The Riftforge loomed somewhere beyond the jagged peaks of the next floating islands. Its reputation was enough to send most scavengers running, but Kael felt a growing determination in his chest. He wasn't just going there to survive—he was going to grow stronger, to claim what he needed to face the challenges ahead.
As they reached the outskirts of town, Lira spoke up again. "You know," she said, glancing at him, "for someone who doesn't trust me, you're surprisingly calm about letting me come along."
Kael smirked faintly, pulling his cloak tighter against the cool evening breeze. "Calm isn't the same as trust. Just don't give me a reason to regret it."
"Fair enough," Lira said with a wry smile. "And for what it's worth, I think you made the right choice."
Kael didn't reply, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The sun had dipped below the edge of the island, painting the distant floating peaks in shades of red and orange. For a moment, the world felt vast and quiet, the looming danger of the Riftforge forgotten.
"Get some rest," Kael said finally. "We'll need it."
Lira nodded, her expression turning serious. "You too."
As the night settled over Falbridge, Kael sat near a small campfire, his thoughts drifting. He didn't fully trust Lira, but something about her felt familiar—a determination born of loss, the same kind that had driven him for years. Whatever her reasons, she was here now, and for better or worse, they were in this together.