The air inside The Curio Vault felt different today, thick with the promise of new beginnings. Elliot had spent the first half of the day acclimating to his new role behind the front counter. The shop was quieter than he had expected, with only a handful of customers drifting in and out, casually inspecting the trinkets and knickknacks that filled the shelves. The constant ticking of a small clock by the counter and the faint rustling of a few stray pages of paper on the desk gave the shop a peaceful yet unnerving feeling, as if time itself was stretching between moments.
Despite the calm atmosphere, his mind had been preoccupied with one thing—the Talisman of Oblivion.
He couldn't shake the strange sensation it had given him. Its unsettling presence lingered in the back of his thoughts, like a faint whisper brushing against the edge of his mind. Every time his eyes passed over the counter where it lay, its purple eye seemed to stare back at him, as though trying to speak, trying to pull him into something deeper. Why had Marlowe, a man who seemed to understand the value of mystical objects, place it out here so casually? He had to know it was more than just an ornamental piece. The talisman was dangerous—more dangerous than anything else Elliot had seen in the shop.
Maybe Marlowe doesn't recognize it for what it truly is, Elliot mused. Or maybe he's hiding something, deliberately downplaying its significance. But then again, why would he do that?
Elliot's fingers drummed absentmindedly against the counter as his gaze lingered on the Talisman of Oblivion. Unlike the other items in the shop, this one stood apart. He had encountered sealed artifacts like it before—powerful, otherworldly objects that, when wielded correctly, could display amazing abilities. But the talisman was different from the others. Through his [Observation] skill, Elliot knew its true nature. It wasn't some trinket or curiosity, something to be brushed aside or admired from a distance. No, this was a Grade 2 sealed artifact—its power far more dangerous than anything he had come across before. And yet, here it was, resting casually on the counter, as if it were no more significant than any of the countless baubles scattered throughout the shop.
The faint jingling of the bell above the back door signaled Marlowe's descent from upstairs. The old man's footsteps were slow but purposeful, each one deliberate and controlled. Elliot looked up as Marlowe entered, his usual stern expression set in place, though there was a glint in his eye now that Elliot hadn't noticed before. It was a subtle change, but it made Marlowe seem more… present, more alive.
"How's it going, lad?" Marlowe asked, leaning casually against the counter. His voice was rough, but there was something almost amused in the tone, as if he knew exactly what Elliot had been thinking.
"It's going well, sir. Quiet day," Elliot replied, forcing himself to focus on the present moment. His gaze flicked to the shelves, to the other oddities scattered about the room, but his mind was focused on the talisman. "I've been thinking about a talisman I found in the shop."
Marlowe's gaze followed his, landing on the counter where the talisman rested. Its purple eye glinted in the light, almost as if it were waiting for someone to finally take notice of it. "Ah, that thing," Marlowe muttered, shaking his head with a dismissive chuckle. "It's been sitting on a shelf here for years, gathering dust. I honestly can't say why I haven't gotten rid of it sooner. It's nothing special."
Elliot's brow furrowed. The dismissiveness in Marlowe's tone was almost unnerving. "You don't think it's a real mystical item?"
"Real?" Marlowe repeated, his dry laugh cutting through the tension in the air. "Please. It's a cheap trinket at best. Some half-wit probably tried to sell it as a mystical object at some point, but there's no real value in it. It's just a piece of wood with a painted eye on it."
Marlowe seemed so utterly certain of his dismissal, as though he had seen a thousand similar objects and had learned to judge them all the same. It was the kind of certainty that could only come from years of experience—and perhaps, from years of ignoring the true mysteries lurking just beneath the surface.
Elliot's fingers tightened on the counter. He needed that talisman. Not for its immediate power, but for the potential it held.
"Well," Elliot began, carefully keeping his voice steady despite the turmoil inside, "I was wondering if it might be available for sale. I'd like to buy it."
Marlowe raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "Buy it? Are you sure, boy? You've got some odd taste if you're willing to spend your wages on that thing. It's not worth a pence, trust me."
Elliot nodded, though his thoughts were far from the shop. Marlowe's casual dismissal of the talisman only confirmed what Elliot had suspected: The man had no idea of what he was dealing with. He had no idea just how dangerous it was.
Elliot's pulse quickened as he stared at the Talisman of Oblivion, torn between his instincts and the opportunity that lay before him. He knew exactly what it was—a sealed artifact, potent and dangerous. He didn't want it for the power alone, but for its potential use. If he held it, he could wield its abilities against his enemies, or even sell it for a small fortune.
I need to take it, Elliot thought, the weight of his decision settling heavily on his chest. It's too dangerous to leave here. I can't let some random person destroy their life with this thing.
"I don't mind," Elliot said, keeping his voice calm, though his thoughts were beginning to race. "I just… I think it's worth more than it appears."
Marlowe studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable, before shrugging with an almost indifferent sigh. He reached across the counter and grabbed the talisman, placing it carefully in front of Elliot. "Well, if you're so keen on it, take it as a gift for your first day on the job. Consider it a token of my appreciation for your hard work."
Elliot's heart skipped a beat, but this time it wasn't from concern. It was a feeling of exhilaration, a surge of adrenaline. He had no illusions about the value of the Talisman of Oblivion. He knew it was a Grade 2 Sealed Artifact, an extremely useful one at that. The thought that he had gotten it so easily—without anyone else even noticing what he had just acquired—made his chest tighten with a mixture of excitement and disbelief.
"Thank you, sir," Elliot said, his voice full of genuine gratitude. He carefully slipped the talisman into his inventory, acting as though he had placed it in his coat pocket.
"Don't mention it," Marlowe replied with a gruff smile. "Just do your job and keep things running smoothly."
As Marlowe moved toward the back of the store, preparing to count the day's earnings, Elliot stood by the counter for a moment longer, reflecting on the exchange.
I can't help but feel lucky. A grade 2 sealed artifact, one that many Beyonders would kill for, and I've got it in my possession, without anyone even knowing. This is a chance most wouldn't get. And I'm not about to waste it. I'll figure out what to do with it. For now, it's mine, and no one can take that away.
With a final glance at Marlowe, who was busy behind the counter, Elliot turned toward the back of the shop. He ascended the stairs to his new living space, his heart still pounding in his chest.
The room above the shop was modest but cozy. A simple bed was pushed against one wall, a writing desk sat near the window, and a wardrobe provided ample space to store clothes. It wasn't much, but it was his—his new home. For the first time in a long while, Elliot felt a sense of stability wash over him as he stepped inside, setting his belongings down carefully.
He moved to the window, gazing out at the street below. The city stretched out before him—a maze of cobblestone streets, towering buildings, and flickering lanterns. It was a world full of possibilities, full of mysteries waiting to be unraveled.
This is where it starts, Elliot thought, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. I have a place here now. A purpose.
As he unpacked his things, arranging them neatly around the room, Elliot couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation that continued to build inside him. The Talisman of Oblivion was only one of many mysteries that awaited him in this strange, unpredictable world. Each step he took was a step closer to uncovering the truth.
Whatever lies ahead, I'll face it head-on, he thought, resolute. I'm not just a player in this game anymore. I'm a part of it.