Night had fallen over Eldros, but the city did not sleep. Lanterns flickered in alleys, and the echoes of whispers traveled faster than any wind. Rumors of the "Watcher" had taken root, twisting through the streets like unseen vines.
Arin Vale moved quietly through a narrow passage, unnoticed by most, observed by few. He did not need to hurry; patience was one of his greatest weapons. The people of Eldros were already acting according to his unseen will, though they did not realize it.
Riven met him at a hidden courtyard, eyes bright with anticipation.
"They are talking about you everywhere," Riven said. "Even the temple guards hesitate to speak your name openly. The people are… frightened, but they are listening."
Arin nodded, his gaze distant. "Good. Fear is the first step. Curiosity is the second. And belief… belief is the seed we will grow."
Riven bowed. "What do you want me to do next?"
"Observe," Arin replied. "Learn what they desire, what they fear, and what they will follow. Influence does not come from words alone—it comes from understanding."
A few hours later, the first visitor arrived. A young merchant named Kael, cautious and nervous, approached the hidden courtyard. He had heard the whispers, had seen the strange events, and curiosity had driven him here.
"You… you are the Watcher?" Kael asked, voice trembling.
Arin looked at him carefully. Every twitch, every hesitation, every glance revealed more than words ever could.
"Yes," Arin said calmly. "And you are here because you seek understanding."
Kael swallowed. "I… I want to serve. I do not know how, but I want to help. Please, tell me what to do."
Arin's lips curved into the faintest smile. This was the first true follower. The first thread of the Veiled Doctrine.
"Then learn," Arin said. "Watch, listen, and act when the time comes. Your role will not be visible, but it will be essential. Influence grows quietly, Kael. We will begin by planting the smallest seeds."
Kael nodded eagerly, absorbing every word. Even in his ignorance, he had already begun to shape the city.
Authority +15
Arin stepped back into the shadows, letting Kael leave the courtyard. The merchant would return tomorrow, carrying subtle messages, observing the reactions of those around him, preparing the minds of the people without ever revealing the hand that guided them.
Outside, the city murmured and shifted. Unseen, unnoticed, a power was beginning to grow—one that relied not on swords or armies, but on belief, fear, and the careful shaping of perception.
Arin gazed at the night sky. Stars hid behind clouds, indifferent. But the world below was already bending. The first seed had been planted, and it would grow beyond anyone's control—except his.
Silence reigned, but it was no longer empty.
It was listening.