Morning arrived with the faint glow of sunlight breaking through the shifting mist over Falbridge. Kael stood at the edge of the camp he'd made just outside the town, sharpening his sword. The faint hum of magic in the air was a reminder of the journey ahead.
Velis hovered beside him, its pages flipping lazily as though it had just awoken. "You're unusually quiet this morning," it remarked. "Nervous about the Riftforge?"
Kael smirked faintly. "Not nervous. Just focused."
Lira approached from the other side of the campfire, her gear neatly packed. She raised an eyebrow at the sight of the floating grimoire. "I have to ask," she said, crossing her arms, "what's the deal with the book? It's not exactly subtle."
Kael glanced at Velis, whose cover glowed faintly. "Velis is… complicated."
"I'm not complicated," Velis interjected, its tone sharp. "I'm efficient. And vastly more useful than anything she's carrying."
Lira tilted her head, clearly surprised to hear the grimoire speak. "It talks?"
"I do more than talk," Velis replied, its voice haughty. "But yes, I'm sentient. I guide, teach, and occasionally save Kael from his own recklessness."
Kael sighed, wiping his blade clean. "She's got a point, though. You're not exactly inconspicuous. The last thing we need is more attention."
Velis's glow brightened slightly. "I'm aware of my… noticeable nature. Fortunately, I've accounted for that. I was going to tell you eventually."
Kael frowned. "Tell me what?"
Velis's tone grew smug. "That I can change form. I don't have to hover around as a book, you know. I've been waiting for the right moment to mention it."
Kael blinked, his annoyance flaring. "And now seems like the right moment?"
"Obviously," Velis said. "You're heading into one of the most dangerous places in the Shattered Lands. Discretion will be essential."
Kael stood, crossing his arms. "All right. Show me."
The grimoire's pages fluttered furiously, a faint blue light radiating from its cover. Slowly, its form began to shift, folding and compressing into itself. The light grew brighter, until finally, the book vanished, replaced by a simple blue earring. The small piece of jewelry glimmered faintly in the sunlight.
Kael reached out instinctively as the earring floated toward him. "This is… different," he muttered, holding it up to inspect it.
"Practical, isn't it?" Velis said, its voice now echoing directly in his thoughts. "You can wear me, keep your hands free, and avoid drawing attention. I'll still be able to guide you telepathically."
Kael clipped the earring to his left ear, adjusting it carefully. It was small and light, barely noticeable once it was in place. "Not bad," he admitted. "Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?"
Velis chuckled. "You never asked."
Lira watched the exchange with a mix of fascination and skepticism. "I'll admit, that's impressive. But it's still strange, traveling with a talking earring."
Kael smirked. "You get used to it."
With Velis in its new form, the group began finalizing their preparations. Kael secured his supplies, checking and rechecking the contents of his satchel. Lira studied the map she had sold him the day before, pointing out key landmarks on the route to the Riftforge.
"The closer we get, the more unstable the terrain will become," Lira explained. "There are reports of floating platforms that shift unpredictably, and the wards around the forge can't be seen until you're practically on top of them."
"And the traps?" Kael asked, glancing at her.
"They're layered," Lira said. "Some are magical—runic triggers that will send spikes or flames your way if you step wrong. Others are mechanical. Pressure plates, hidden tripwires. You'll need to stay sharp."
"Sounds fun," Kael muttered, his grip tightening on his sword.
Velis's voice hummed in his thoughts. "She's well-informed. Either she's telling the truth, or she's studied the Riftforge extensively. I'd wager on the former."
Kael nodded slightly, acknowledging Velis without speaking aloud. Lira's knowledge was useful, but he still couldn't shake his wariness. Trust was a luxury he couldn't afford.
As the sun climbed higher, the three of them set out, leaving Falbridge behind. The landscape grew rougher as they moved west, the ground beneath their feet cracked and uneven. In the distance, the Riftforge loomed—a jagged silhouette against the horizon, shrouded in faint magical light.
Lira broke the silence as they walked. "So, Kael, what's your deal? You don't exactly strike me as a typical scavenger."
Kael glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "What makes you think that?"
"Your gear, for one," she said, gesturing to his sword and reinforced cloak. "Your skills, for another. People are already talking about what you did in Tyrellos. Killing a Shard Beast isn't exactly common."
Kael shrugged. "I've had a lot of practice surviving."
Lira raised an eyebrow. "That's vague."
Kael smirked faintly. "It's enough."
She sighed but didn't press further. Instead, she turned her attention back to the horizon. "Fair enough. But if we're going to be traveling together, I'd rather not be in the dark. You already know my reason for going to the Riftforge. It'd be nice to know a little more about you."
Kael glanced ahead, his jaw tightening slightly. "Maybe later. Right now, let's focus on getting there."
Velis's voice chimed in his mind, amused. "Deflecting, are we?"
"Not now," Kael thought back.
As they continued walking, the tension in the air grew. The Riftforge loomed closer with every step, its faint glow pulsing like a heartbeat. Kael adjusted the earring on his left ear, feeling its faint warmth. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready.