Nila woke up slowly, a light sense of laziness weighing on her shoulders. She got out of bed, pulling her blanket around her to stay warm, then headed toward the dark wooden hallway in the attic, where the dim glow of old lamps cast long shadows on the slightly damp floor. Her steps on the old wood made a faint creaking sound, while her eyes searched for what needed to be done during this quiet period in the city.
As she walked, she noticed Liner moving heavily down the hallway, looking tired as he returned to his room after a period of activity. His shoulders were slightly hunched, arms dangling, and his eyes half-closed from fatigue.
Nila (concerned): What's wrong, knight?
Liner (monotone, cold): Get out of my way.
He entered his room and closed the door behind him with a faint creak, leaving the hallway enveloped in silence around Nila.
Nila (puzzled): What's wrong…
Suddenly, she heard a soft, repeated knocking sound coming from the attic. The sound was distinct, as if old wood were moving under someone's steps.
Nila (annoyed, tilting her head slightly): Who's working at this hour… Lorath?
At that moment, Mariah flung her door open with force, her hair messy and tangled, eyes half-closed with anger and disarray.
Mariah (clearly angry): Who woke me up from sleep?
Noticing Nila in front of her, Mariah lunged immediately, hands raised in an attempt to strangle, eyes full of rage.
Mariah (loudly): Why are you ruining my sleep?
Nila (detached, sarcastic, voice almost breaking): Not me… it's Lorath.
Mariah calmed slightly, taking a step back, and drew a deep breath.
Mariah: Lorath? … Heh… doesn't he know the time? Go scold him, I want to sleep.
Nila (light laugh, shrugging her shoulder): I was going to do that anyway.
Nila walked quietly toward the attic stairs, stepping over scattered dust on the wooden steps, each footstep echoing lightly. She reached the attic and found Lorath busy cleaning the small room; he had swept and cleaned the floor completely and was now fixing the cracked walls. Some bricks fell onto the floor as he carefully secured the pieces, tools scattered around him: hammer, screwdrivers, small nails.
Nila (leaning on the door, watching him closely): Do you know what time it is?
Lorath (slightly tired, a bit of sweat on his forehead): Liner… good… bring the screwdriver there.
Nila (annoyed): I'm Nila, not Liner.
Lorath (smiling sheepishly, shaking his head): Oh, sorry… I was busy.
He set his tools aside on the old table, dust still clinging to his clothes.
Lorath: What did you want from me?
Nila (taking a step forward, looking at the clock on the wall): What time do you think it is?
Lorath glanced at his wristwatch.
Lorath: Five o'clock.
Nila (displeased): Do you know people are asleep at this hour?
Lorath (leaning slightly on the table, hand on his head): Did I disturb you? I apologize… I didn't expect this would bother anyone.
Nila (light laugh, hand on her hip): Yes, that's a later concern… Anyway, where's your strange weapon?
Lorath (pulling a small hammer from his pocket, holding it up, turning it slowly in his fingers): You mean this?
Nila (stepping closer, eyes glimmering with curiosity): Is this your weapon? I thought it could only transform into other weapons.
Lorath: Well, it's not exactly a weapon, but it's also not just an everyday tool.
Nila (leaning forward slightly): May I try it?
Lorath (stepping back, hand raised in warning): No, wait! Are you sure you want to touch a weapon of the spiritual class?
Nila (raising an eyebrow, nonchalant): What's the problem?
Lorath (eyes serious): Spiritual weapons are a bit complicated. They choose their owner themselves.
Nila (curious, leaning in): Do I need to be strong… or noble?
Lorath (shaking his head slowly): Not exactly… The weapon absorbs a person's memories. If the owner has good memories with the wielder, it won't harm them. But if they dislike or don't know the person, it will likely cut off the hand of anyone attempting to touch it.
Nila (smirking lightly, leaning back): Has anyone ever been cut by your weapon?
Lorath: Many.
Nila: And what about that Reinhart you told me about before?
Lorath (looking at the ceiling briefly, recalling memories): He was my companion for a time. We traveled to distant cities, including the Northern Rails city, chasing someone with government documents… Those were good days, but…
Nila (curious): But?
Lorath: His character changed later. He became insane, burned down the Remba Library and half the army of the Huntars Kingdom. I was considered a traitor just for being near him, even though I did nothing… So I decided to follow him afterward.
Nila (sighing softly): What a story… Alright, I'll leave you to work quietly now, but continue later.
Nila left the attic quietly, while Lorath took out his old book and began jotting down notes, fingers moving carefully, fully absorbed in his work under the dim lamp light, shadows dancing along the broken walls.
In one of the crowded city streets
The city was covered with thick dark clouds, the sky permanently dark—no sun, no natural light—only the reflection of electric lamps on the wet sidewalks, the roads saturated with old moisture reflecting the lamp light in intermittent, eerie flashes. It was 5 a.m., quiet for the most part, but distant footsteps echoed between the tall walls.
Willem walked deliberately, each step measured, observing every movement around him with sharp eyes, smelling the damp air. Suddenly, an elderly man caught his attention, walking slowly along the main road, carrying some belongings, looking weak and exhausted.
At that moment, a lone thief appeared, slipping through the shadows, watching for an opportunity. He suddenly snatched the man's wallet and dashed toward a narrow alley off the main road, its walls covered in peeling paint, old puddles reflecting the lamps in scattered glimmers.
Willem paused, eyes narrowing, taking a deep breath. Then he vanished suddenly, reappearing in front of the thief, surrounded by shadows. The thief froze, his heart racing, hands shaking, steps faltering on the gravel and wet pavement.
Willem (calm yet deadly): Do you know the punishment for disturbing my mood at this hour?
Thief (terrified, stammering): W… who are you?
Willem raised his sword slowly, its blade glinting with the dim light, every motion precise. The silence of the city grew thicker around them, only the thief's rapid breathing and echoes on the wet ground audible.
Willem: The one who will judge you.
In a flash, the sword appeared in Willem's hand, piercing the thief's stomach with precision. The thief's scream echoed through the alley, bouncing off the walls, reflecting in the puddles, creating small visual waves of horror.
Willem (calmly): You're annoying…
He drove the sword further, then lifted it high, splitting the thief's head in half with chilling smoothness. Blood poured onto the ground, walls, and Willem's boots. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiping the blood clean with precise, controlled movements.
Turning to the elderly man a few steps away, face pale, eyes wide with shock and confusion:
Willem (calm smile): Is this yours?
Elderly man (trembling, grateful): Yes… Thank you… I don't know how to repay you.
Willem: Don't worry… just tell me if you hear anything strange or any rumors about the city these days.
Elderly man: Well… I heard about a very malicious person starting a shady business in the Second Commercial District.
Willem (calm, eyes scanning the surroundings): Thank you for the information.
Suddenly, from the shadows appeared Sherlock Holmes, his steps nearly silent, reflections from the lamps glinting on his shoes. His face tilted, sharp eyes studying Willem intently.
Sherlock Holmes: A shady business… quite interesting, isn't it, sir?
Willem (forced smile, hiding annoyance): Ah… yes… oh, you're the famous detective Sherlock Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes: Don't feign surprise in front of me. We've met many times, and you always react the same.
Willem (calmly, forcing a smile, trying to mask annoyance): Heh… I seem to forget a lot these days… farewell.
Willem slowly left the alley, footsteps nearly silent, light reflections dancing around his feet. The heavy clouds still dominated the sky, blocking any rays of light, leaving the city in an atmosphere of permanent darkness and quiet menace.
Willem arrives at the café
He pushed the door slowly, the metallic sound echoing in the quiet space. Dark clouds loomed over the city, and the dim light from hanging lamps revealed the café's interior.
Lorath was in the kitchen, washing dishes with intense focus. Soap bubbles floated with each motion, the water gleaming in the dim light, trickling slowly into the metal sink with a steady gurgling sound.
Casper sat in a corner at a wooden table, sipping tea slowly, eyes calmly scanning the room as if expecting any unusual movement.
Nila sat as usual, in her familiar chair, book open, not changing her position or spot, almost blending with the furniture.
Liner? No sign. The empty chair suggested he hadn't arrived, or had vanished into the city's dim haze.
Casey was at another table, playing with Mariah, laughing at each other's moves, while Lawrence sat opposite them, watching with clear astonishment and confusion.
Lawrence (astonished): How is this possible…
Casey (confident smile, drawing a card): You didn't see anything.
She placed the card on the table quickly; it gleamed slightly under the artificial light.
Lawrence (shocked): Fifty-five! Since when did you have this?
Mariah (smiling lightly, waving her hand): You have some skills with cards, Casey.
Casey (light laugh): I played a lot during training in Everluna with the others.
Mariah (curious): Oh, really? That's great… Would you introduce me to them in the future?
Casey (simple smile): Sure.
Willem appeared suddenly beside them, steps almost silent, standing and watching their game with sharp eyes, a slight frown giving the impression he noticed every detail.
Willem: You reached fifty-five… a number I haven't seen much lately in card games.
Lawrence (ready to challenge): How about playing against me?
Willem (light smile, calm): If I beat you… maybe.
He sat beside Casper, water from Lorath's sink splashing slightly, but he seemed unfazed, eyes tracking every movement in the café.
Willem: Have you heard the rumors about the person running shady business in the Second Commercial District?
Casper (sighing, wiping the edge of his cup): I have heard… but I'm not sure yet. I'll wait for your investigation.
Willem (serious, staring at Casper): At this time, I'm investigating something else. How about we send Casey to look into this?
Casper (focused, watching Casey laughing with Mariah): True, she hasn't completed training yet, but I think she could handle it if something happens… And as a precaution, we send her with Mariah. What do you think?
Willem (nodding): That's fine with me