The forest stretched endlessly around Ethan and Lyra as they made their way toward Eldrin. Each step deeper into the wilderness was accompanied by the constant rustle of leaves and the faint calls of nocturnal creatures. The moonlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting fragmented shadows on the forest floor.
Lyra moved with practiced ease, her every step deliberate and silent. Ethan, on the other hand, stumbled over roots and loose stones, his boots crunching noisily against the ground.
"You're not exactly built for stealth, are you?" Lyra said over her shoulder, her tone half-teasing, half-critical.
"Sorry," Ethan muttered, wincing as another twig snapped beneath his foot. "I wasn't exactly trained for this."
"Clearly," Lyra replied with a smirk. "But you'll need to learn fast if you want to survive out here. The Guild isn't the only danger in these woods."
"Great," Ethan muttered. "Anything else I should be worried about?"
Lyra paused, scanning the area before turning back to him. "Plenty. Wild beasts, rogue bandits, and, if you're really unlucky, one of the forest's guardians."
"Guardians?" Ethan asked, his interest piqued.
"Powerful creatures bound to protect certain parts of the forest," Lyra explained. "Most of them won't bother you unless you trespass on their territory. But if you do…" She trailed off, giving him a meaningful look.
"Got it," Ethan said, gripping his staff a little tighter.
They continued in silence for a while, the weight of Lyra's words settling over them. As they walked, Ethan couldn't help but feel the constant hum of his system beneath the gloves. The vines around his staff twitched occasionally, as if sensing his unease.
"Do you think we'll find someone in Eldrin who can help with this?" Ethan asked, breaking the silence.
Lyra glanced at him. "If anyone can, it's the artificers in Eldrin. They're known for dealing with rare and powerful systems. Just don't expect their help to come cheap."
"Of course not," Ethan said with a sigh. "Nothing ever does."
The next morning, they emerged from the forest and onto a dirt road that wound its way toward Eldrin. The town loomed in the distance, its stone walls and towering spires glinting in the sunlight.
"Finally," Lyra said, stretching. "Civilization."
Ethan couldn't help but feel a sense of relief as well. The open road felt safer than the oppressive forest, though he knew danger could still be lurking anywhere.
As they approached the gates, Lyra motioned for Ethan to stop.
"Listen," she said. "Eldrin is a busy place, and it's not uncommon for Guild agents to be stationed here. Keep your head down and let me do the talking."
"Understood," Ethan said, pulling his hood up to hide his face.
They joined the line of travelers entering the town. Merchants with loaded carts, farmers, and other wanderers all filed through the gates, watched carefully by the guards stationed there.
When it was their turn, a guard stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he took in Lyra and Ethan.
"State your business," he said gruffly.
"Just passing through," Lyra replied smoothly. "We're traders looking to resupply before heading to the next town."
The guard's gaze lingered on Ethan for a moment, but he seemed satisfied and waved them through.
Once inside, Lyra led Ethan through the bustling streets, weaving between merchants hawking their wares and townsfolk going about their day.
"This way," she said, pulling him into a quieter alley. "There's a contact of mine who might be able to point us toward an artificer."
Ethan followed her without question, his eyes darting to every shadow and unfamiliar face. The energy of the town was overwhelming, but he couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
They arrived at a small, nondescript shop tucked between two larger buildings. A faded sign above the door read Arcanum Relics. Lyra pushed the door open, the bell above it jangling softly.
The interior was dimly lit, with shelves crammed full of strange artifacts, dusty tomes, and glittering trinkets. Behind the counter stood a wiry man with sharp features and a pair of spectacles perched on his nose. He looked up as they entered, a smile spreading across his face.
"Lyra," he said, his voice warm. "It's been a while."
"Good to see you too, Marek," Lyra replied. She gestured toward Ethan. "We need your help."
Marek's gaze shifted to Ethan, and his smile faded slightly. "Interesting," he said, stepping around the counter. "Very interesting. I can feel the power coming off of you."
Ethan tensed. "That's… what we're here to fix."
Marek raised an eyebrow. "Fix, you say? That's no small request. But perhaps I can be persuaded."
Ethan sighed. "Of course. What do you want?"
Marek chuckled. "Let's discuss the details in the back. This kind of power draws attention, and not the good kind."
As Marek led them into the back room, Ethan couldn't help but wonder what kind of deal he was about to make—and whether it would be worth the cost.