Stealing that old book had been easier than expected.

As Nyu looked at the stained tome in her hands, she wondered why anyone would pay such a high price for retrieving it. But then again, it wasn't like her to ask too many questions. The money was good — that was enough for her.

She shoved the tome in her bag as she reached the end of the ravine and pushed herself through a fissure in the wall. Darkness consumed her, and the air turned cold and damp. She could hear the echo of water dripping in the distance.

Watching her step, she moved deeper into the cave. Here and there, narrow shafts to the surface would shed pale sunlight onto the wet rocks to her sides, but for the most part, everything around her was pitch-black. Luckily, her eyes were well accustomed to darkness.

Just when it seemed like the long tunnel would stretch on forever, Nyu saw the faint glow of torches in the distance. Picking up her pace, she reached a clearing in the cave. The ceiling was so tall, the light of the fire did not even reach it, and naturally formed stone pillars were lining the walls on either side.

In front of her was a dark oaken portal, covered in elaborate ornaments made of blackened metal. The large hinges looked old as time, and the wooden planks were smooth as leather. Nyu felt like she could hear noise from the other side of the door, but the echoes in the cave might as well have been playing tricks on her ears.

"Who goes there?" A stern voice emerged from the shadows behind a pillar to her right, and with it, a tall guardsman dressed in a dark robe with blue embroidery. In his left hand, he was holding a long wooden spear, while his right hand was pointing accusingly at Nyu.

"Someone who belongs here," she droned out the code phrase while rolling her eyes. What seemed fun and secretive at first had turned into a time-consuming and silly ritual.

"Indeed, you do," the guard said and gave her a wink. "Come on now, you know the rules." He patted her shoulder and unlocked the door with a key from his hefty keychain.

"I heard you are expected."

"That so?" Nyu muttered sourly. She didn't like the attention this mission had brought to her.

The portal door swung open, and the guard ushered her inside.

Another few steps and Nyu found herself at the edge of the main cavern, overlooking a sea of gray stone buildings that had been carved directly into the rocky walls. Dim lanterns were spread across the settlement, casting eerie shadows on ragged houses and ragged people. Disembodied voices were echoing through the chamber, and a musty odor filled the air.

For the longest time, the underground city of Morathen had been all she ever knew — and she had loved it. But as she grew older, her talents had taken her on trips outside the dark tunnel system. The first night she bathed in glistening moonlight, a part of her had been lost forever, left behind in the caves she henceforth dreaded. She still adored the darkness, but these days she preferred it under a sky filled with stars, which is why she had waited until dawn to return from her nightly endeavor.

As she walked down the gravel path that led through the center of the settlement, she could feel pairs of darting eyes on her. People stopped talking as she approached, only to immediately start whispering again once she'd passed. They knew where she was coming from, and they did not approve. In their minds, nothing good had ever come from the outside world. Little did they know that Nyu secretly admired this distrusted outside world.

As she got closer to the center of the cave, Nyu tried her best to get lost in the crowds. People were walking with purpose, carrying grim faces that were scarcely illuminated by lamps along the alleyways. She kept bumping into dark-hooded figures and soon had to actively push herself through the masses that were condensed in the narrow streets. All the while, she was making sure to keep a firm grip on her bag with its valuable cargo.

More than once, could she feel other thieves eyeing her with interest, could she sense sharp daggers being grasped in deep pockets of dark robes. She tried her best to avoid trouble before it even started, and stayed clear of the smaller alleyways, which were notorious for being the death of anyone carrying valuable cargo.

A tall, parchment-white palace was towering above the main square, not quite fitting in with the gray tristesse that was the rest of the settlement. The complex overlooked the entire city, and almost reached the ceiling of the cavern with its rectangular towers that reminded Nyu of the lighthouses she had seen topside. The facade was richly decorated with ornaments and intricate statues on marble pedestals, the tall windows encased in golden frames that shimmered green where the lantern light from far below would reach them. Spoils from the outside world had been put to good use to make the residence of their leader, Malvorn, look like a true palace.

Nyu walked up the wide stairs that led to the main entrance and was once again stopped by a guard, this one she didn't know — and clearly, he didn't know her.

"Halt," he bellowed and scowled at her raggy clothes and dirty hands. "Scum like you has no business in the palace."

"Wanna bet?" Nyu put her weight on one leg and let her fingers drum on the bag that was hanging over her shoulder.

The guard looked at the bag, and his eyes narrowed.

"What's in there?" he barked.

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"I'm afraid that's above your pay grade," Nyu said with a hollow smile.

"You little shit!" The guard took a step towards her, and his hand moved closer to the grip of his sword. "I should throw you in the dungeon for your insolence. Although it would be a shame. Pretty faces like yours never last long down —"

"Except you won't do that," Nyu cut him off with a calm but firm voice. She was growing tired of this. "Because if any harm comes to me or the cargo I carry, the dungeon will be the least of your worries."

The guard looked rattled for a moment, but then regained his confidence.

"Or maybe I just take what you carry and deliver it myself. How about that?" He grinned like this had been his brightest idea in months.

Nyu chuckled menacingly. "You could try," she said with a mocking voice — and flicked two daggers into the palms of her hands faster than the guard could blink. "But I would cut off your hand before it even reached your sword. And I'm sure Malvorn doesn't want us to sully his beautiful palace stairs."

The guard stood frozen and gave her a horrified look. He didn't dare to reach for his sword and instead slowly raised his hands. His voice sounded wary when he spoke.

"Easy there, hotspur. No need to get carried away."

Nyu scoffed. "Whatever. Now let me in already."

For a moment, the guard looked like he had more to say — but then he seemed to think better of it and opened the palace doors.

#

To say that Malvorn's throne room was the greatest display of wealth in the entire underworld city was an understatement — it was the beating heart of it, the center of power, and the birthplace of every important decision that shaped the path of the Fateless. Riches from around the world had been gathered here between rows of marble columns, offering glimpses of what life on the surface must look like. Rare artifacts and ancient scrolls adorned the tall wooden shelves that lined the walls on both sides, and three large chandeliers along the middle aisle bathed the room in golden light.

At the end of the room stood a wooden and surprisingly humble throne atop a few short stairs. A couple of steps next to it was a large table covered in books and loose papers, which seemed to have caught Malvorn deep in thought. He had his back to the rest of the room and was leaning on the crowded table with both of his strong arms.

When Nyu's steps echoed through the hall, he slowly turned around.

"Nyu," he exclaimed and spread his arms, "I've been eagerly awaiting your return."

Malvorn gestured for her to come closer, half inviting, half demanding. His dark eyes kept tracking Nyu as she made her way across to him. She stopped a few steps short of the table he'd been working on, holding Malvorn's gaze. The silver strands in his long, dark hair were reflecting scattered candlelight, and the pale skin of his face was blending in with the stone wall behind him. He was smiling, but it didn't seem genuine.

"Tell me," he said after a moment, "did you bring me what I sent you to get?"

His eyes looked her up and down, and came to a halt when they saw the bag she was carrying.

Instinctively, she pushed it behind her back.

Malvorn chuckled. "Come now, there is no need for games between us, is there?" He looked her in the eyes, and his demeanor grew harder.

Finally, Nyu broke her silence.

"I got the book, yes. Looks old and dusty, but —"

"Show it to me!"

The words burst out of his mouth and echoed through the room. The guards that were posted between the columns seemed to take a step forward. Then, with a calmer voice, Malvorn added: "Please?"

Hesitantly, Nyu pulled the tome out of her bag and handed it to him. He grabbed it with both hands and inspected it carefully, but did not open it. Nyu remembered the green shimmer every page of the book emitted when she had peeked inside the night before. She didn't actually get to read any of it, though, before someone had interrupted her.

"Do you know what this is?" Malvorn asked without taking his eyes off the yellowed book in his hands.

Nyu shook her head, but he continued without even looking at her.

"This is a fate tome." His words were heavy with meaning as he lifted the book into the light. "This is how the pretenders enslave everyone around them, even themselves. This is how they bind and bend a being to their will — and weed out the ones they deem dangerous. These books mark the very shackles of our existence, one for every soul they can get their hands on."

Nyu had always detested pathos. And metaphors. Come to think of it, she really preferred it when people just spoke plainly.

"So … about that reward you —"

"With this very tome in our hands," he continued without paying attention to her words, "we can shift the tides in our favor. What you have brought me is no less than the key to our well-deserved revenge. They forced us into the dark — and from the dark we will strike them down." He closed his fist and looked at Nyu with eyes full of determination.

"Right," she said and nodded. "I would be fine with either gold or silver, up to you."

Malvorn smiled sourly.

"You don't believe in the cause of our people, do you?" He carefully put the book on the table next to him.

Nyu shrugged. "I believe in more … tangible things." She glanced at the abundance of wealth spread around the throne room. "Seems like not too long ago you did, too."

"Careful now," Malvorn growled, "I'm in a cheerful mood today and thankful for your services, but don't overdo it. The loudest leak is first to get stuffed."

Nyu sighed quietly. "I'm sorry, oh Malvorn the benevolent. I meant no disrespect."

The corners of Malvorn's mouth twitched. Then, he clapped his hands twice.

"Neither did I, young Nyu. You shall have your reward, and your contribution to our cause shall not be forgotten."

A servant hurried towards Nyu and handed her a small ornamental coffer. When she peeked inside, she was greeted with a shiny golden glow.

"I hope," Malvorn continued as he watched her count her earnings, "that you, too, will in time see the righteousness of our cause — we have need for people with your skills, now more than ever."

"Well," Nyu said casually and closed the coffer, "you always know where to find me. And how to entice me." She made the gold coins tinkle and turned to leave.

She had almost reached the door when Malvorn called out: "See you very soon." The words echoed through the room.

For a split second, Nyu slowed down her stride. She wanted to respond, but then thought better of it and kept walking.

She knew she could go a long time without seeing this place again. Unfortunately, something told her she'd be back sooner than she liked — and that Malvorn's ominous farewell turned prophecy was indeed going to come true.

She jammed open the doors to the throne room and was glad to leave it behind, at least for now.

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