Morning in Vaelor brought with it an unusual silence, broken only by the clinking of coins being counted on wooden tables and the lingering smell of mold that seemed to seep into every crack of the inn. I sat at the corner table, staring at the three silver coins left in my pouch — our entire "fortune" after the fiasco at the Scarlet Rose Brothel. The debt of 700 coins owed to the madam hung over us like a sword, and the pawned staff I'd borrowed meant I was unarmed for future missions.
"Mortals and their obsessions with numbers," muttered Liriel, spinning her empty wine cup. "If they allowed me to use a fragment of my divine power, I'd settle these insignificant debts in an instant."
Elara looked at her with concern. "But you said using divine power here could destabilize local reality…"
"Exactly!" Liriel took a dramatic sip from the empty cup. "That's why we remain stuck in this pathetic cycle."
Vespera, meanwhile, examined her bow with an unusually serious expression. "We need a big job. Something that pays enough to cover this debt and still have leftovers for the next disaster."
It was then that the inn's doors opened, and an impressive figure entered. He was a tall elf, with silver hair cascading over his shoulders like a waterfall, dressed in light-blue silk robes embroidered with silver runes that seemed to pulse softly. His green eyes gleamed with an intensity that even made Liriel raise an eyebrow.
"I'm looking for Takumi and his… group," said the elf, his melodious voice carrying a hint of disdain. "I am Kaelen, Ambassador of Lytheria."
I stood, feeling the weight of every gaze in the inn. "How can we help you, ambassador?"
Kaelen studied us one by one, his gaze lingering a moment longer on Liriel before returning to me. "I've heard of the fragments you carry. Those relics belong to my people. They were created by the first elves millennia ago."
Liriel let out a dry laugh. "Created by elves? Those fragments emanate divine power, not common elven magic."
The ambassador didn't seem impressed. "History can be reinterpreted, goddess. The fact remains that these artifacts are dangerous in the wrong hands. My people are willing to pay 1,000 silver coins for all the fragments in your possession."
The number made my eyes widen. It was more than enough to pay off the brothel debt and still afford months of lodging and decent equipment. But something about Kaelen's attitude bothered me.
"Why are these fragments so important to you?" I asked cautiously.
Kaelen smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Historical concern, nothing more. These artifacts are part of our cultural heritage."
Elara, who had been quiet until then, spoke softly: "Takumi, the fragments… they're reacting to his presence. They're getting warmer."
She was right. I could feel a faint warmth emanating from the backpack where we kept the collected fragments.
"Before we decide," I said, "we need more information. Where were these fragments created? What were they originally for?"
Kaelen seemed irritated for the first time. "That knowledge is restricted to the high elven circles. I cannot share such secrets with… outsiders."
That was when Vespera decided to intervene. She approached the ambassador with her characteristic gait, a teasing smile on her lips. "Perhaps we can reach a different kind of agreement, ambassador. Some of us have… special talents."
Kaelen stepped back as if she were poisonous. "Keep your distance, succubus. I am not impressed by cheap tricks."
The tension in the room rose noticeably. Liriel positioned herself at my side, her eyes fixed on the elf. "There's something you're not telling us, ambassador. These fragments aren't just historical relics, are they?"
The elf seemed to weigh his options for a moment before replying. "Very well. The fragments are part of a greater artifact known as the Heart of Lytheria. When whole, it can open portals between realms. We were studying it when it was stolen and shattered into pieces."
"Stolen by whom?" I asked.
"By servants of the Demon King," Kaelen replied, his voice graver. "They seek to use the Heart to bring their master into our world."
Liriel frowned. "That explains the connection I felt. These fragments aren't just tools — they're pieces of an interdimensional lock."
The information was alarming. If Kaelen was telling the truth, we had pieces of a catastrophic weapon in our possession.
"And why should we trust you?" Vespera crossed her arms. "How do we know you're not the one who wants to use that so-called Heart for something worse?"
Kaelen looked genuinely offended. "My people have protected these artifacts for centuries! We are the only ones who understand how to contain them properly."
Elara touched my arm. "Takumi, the fragments… they're emitting a low hum. I think they don't like him."
She was right again. A barely perceptible hum emanated from the backpack, slowly growing in intensity.
"We need time to consider your offer," I said to Kaelen.
The elven ambassador seemed irritated but kept his composure. "I have an appointment at the Sunken Temple tomorrow. Meet me there at noon with your decision. But know that this offer is limited." He handed us a small blue crystal. "This will guide you to the temple."
As soon as Kaelen left, Liriel picked up the crystal and examined it with disdain. "Basic elven magic. But useful."
"What do you all think?" I asked the group.
"He's hiding something," said Vespera immediately. "No elf is that polite without a reason."
Elara agreed. "The fragments reacted negatively to him. I think we shouldn't hand them over."
Liriel twirled the crystal in her hand. "If this Heart can really open portals between realms, maybe I can use it to go back home. But I don't trust that pompous elf."
That's when we noticed a figure watching us from the dark corner of the inn. It was Ragnar, the bard we had met in the village of shadows. He approached silently.
"Be careful with Kaelen," he whispered. "He's not just an ambassador. He's a Sorcerer of Lytheria's Inner Circle."
"What does that mean?" I asked.
Ragnar glanced around before continuing. "The Sorcerers of the Inner Circle are responsible for handling dangerous artifacts. They say they… experiment with forbidden magic."
Liriel seemed intrigued. "Forbidden magic? What kind of magic?"
"Magic that tampers with the essence of reality," Ragnar replied softly. "There are rumors that Kaelen is trying to recreate the Heart of Lytheria not to protect it, but to use it."
That changed everything. If Kaelen was lying about his intentions, handing the fragments to him could be catastrophic.
"Why are you telling us this?" Vespera asked, suspicious.
Ragnar smiled enigmatically. "Maybe I have my own reasons. Or maybe I simply prefer that the power remain in the hands of… well, people who break expensive vases out of jealousy rather than in those of ambitious elven mages."
I sighed, feeling the weight of the decision. "We need to go to that temple. But not to hand over the fragments — to discover the truth."
Elara looked worried. "It's dangerous. If Kaelen is a powerful sorcerer…"
"We all have our talents," Vespera interrupted, winking at me. "Some of us are especially good at creating distractions."
Liriel examined the crystal again. "The Sunken Temple is located in the Ruins of Aquendra. They say it's a place where the barrier between worlds is thin. Interesting…"
As we prepared to leave, I couldn't help but notice how each member of the group reacted to the situation. Elara, nervous but determined; Vespera, eager for action; Liriel, curiously excited by the prospect of powerful magic. And me, trapped between the fear of another catastrophe and the need to do what was right.
"Remember," I said as we packed our few belongings. "We're not handing over the fragments. We're investigating. And try not to… well, you know."
"Destroy everything?" Vespera suggested with a grin.
"Something like that," I replied, feeling that no matter what I said, disaster was inevitable.
The path to the Ruins of Aquendra would take us through the Whispering Forest, a place said to have trees that told secrets and shadows with lives of their own. It was familiar terrain in its strangeness — just another stage for our blunders.
As we left the inn, Kaelen's crystal began to glow with a soft blue light, pulsing rhythmically like a heart. It seemed to pull us in a specific direction, deeper into the forest than I would have liked.
"At least we don't owe anyone… yet," muttered Elara, adjusting the strap of her backpack.
Liriel laughed dryly. "Give it time, little mage. Give it time."
And with that comforting thought, we set off on yet another adventure that would likely end in debt, disaster, and potentially transparent clothing. Some things never change.