Back at the Bastion, the trio made their way to the Lord's chambers. He sat upright, his hands resting on the arms of his chair, as still and commanding as the carved figures that adorned the Bastion's halls. The cursed wound in his stomach might have stolen strength from anyone else, but his posture gave no hint of weakness. He looked at them as they entered, studying each of them in turn before he offered a single nod.

"Have you found a cure, Father?" Liliana asked.

"Not yet. But it's only a matter of time. I've endured worse."

Kale sensed the sinister whisper of Lifedrinker slithering through his mind. "Have you now, old man? My mark isn't some scar. It's a claim. Your life is already mine."

As Liliana glanced at Kale she recognized the faint tension in his eyes. Then she turned back to her father. "We'll find one for you."

The Lord held up a hand, stopping her. "No need. There are greater matters at hand than a small scratch. You have your own mission."

Kale stepped forward. "The problem is, with Serassa gone, we're in the dark on how to find the bladeweaver general in this area. Only the guardians know their locations." He hesitated before adding, "And… there's Lifedrinker. The sword's been… chatty."

The Lord's gaze shifted to the weapon on Kale's back. "It would be." He looked back at Kale. "And what does it whisper?"

"Tell him how I can make you unstoppable. All I need is blood, just one taste, and power beyond your wildest dreams is yours." He pushed the words aside. "It… urges me to kill. Promises strength, whispers about power. But it's more than that, it's like it's starving for something, and it has no intention of being destroyed."

The Lord looked back at Lifedrinker. "That blade… there's no simple answer to its curse. Its origins are shrouded in legend, each tale more twisted than the last. Some say it was forged by Hekkan and Bardek themselves, a weapon of divine power and punishment. Others whisper that a mad wizard crafted it, pouring his soul into the steel until nothing remained of his sanity. And then there are those who believe it was born from a warlord's insatiable hunger for power, that his ambition gave it life."

"Let them wonder. Let them dream up stories to explain me. None of them grasp what I am, Kale… nor the power I can give."

"But one thing is certain," the Lord said. "The warlord who wielded it was unmatched. He used that blade to carve through armies as though they were reeds in his path. But each strike fed not only on his enemies' blood, it fed on him, too, draining his life with every kill. In the end, the very power that made him unstoppable was the power that consumed him."

"So, his spirit…" Liliana said.

"Is trapped within," the Lord replied. "It is no longer just a blade—it's a cage for his ambition, his rage, and his unquenchable thirst for power. Now it whispers to those who dare to claim it, offering strength beyond measure, but at a terrible price. It drains its wielder even as it empowers them, feeding on their essence until there's nothing left. Like the warlord before you, anyone who succumbs to its promises will be devoured, body and soul."

"A cage? That old fool knows nothing. This is true freedom. Flesh is weak, fragile… but steel endures. Steel is eternal. Here, I am boundless. And you, Kale, could be the same. I can give you what you desire. Power without equal, strength beyond comprehension… if you have the courage to wield me."

"To destroy it," the Lord said, "would take more than a weapon or spell. Many have tried, and none have succeeded, Lifedrinker devoured them all. Some seduced by its whispers, others seizing it in desperation, thinking they could wield it just once, that they would be the exception. Each thought they could control it, and each paid the price."

"Yes… but they were weak, unworthy. I knew it from the start. But you, Kale… you're different. I can feel it, the hunger in you, the fear of failing those you would die to protect. The doubt gnawing at you, wondering if you're truly strong enough.

"Imagine a life without those fears. With me, you'd never have to wonder, never watch them fall. I can give you the power to protect them all, to stand unbreakable. No enemy too powerful, no obstacle too great. You want to keep them safe? I can give you that strength, all you have to do..."

Kale's jaw clenched. "You're nothing but a parasite! A leech that feeds on fear and pain. I don't need your strength, and I sure as hell don't need you. We'll find a way to end you, and when we do, I'll make sure you're forgotten."

A dark chuckle echoed in his mind, fading slowly, as if Lifedrinker was savoring the defiance. "We'll see, Kale. In the end, they all come to me."

Kale's outburst drew startled looks. Liliana placed a steadying hand on his shoulder, searching his face. "Kale? Are you… are you alright?"

He exhaled. "Yeah, I can handle it. I'll be fine. The damn sword just won't shut up."

Liliana's eyes lingered on him, her concern ran deeper than the words he could see. Could he handle it? She'd heard the stories of Lifedrinker before, its relentless whisper driving even the strongest to their knees, hollowing them out with promises of power until nothing remained. Was he truly strong enough to resist that kind of pull, that constant, clawing hunger?

Her thoughts drifted to Serassa. She hadn't wielded the sword, at least, that's what they assumed. Instead, she had guarded it, kept it contained. But how? How had she managed to hold back the blade's hunger without falling victim to it herself? Had she truly controlled it, or had she merely kept it at bay, waiting for someone else to shoulder the burden? The question lingered in her mind, unsettling and impossible to ignore.

She considered offering to carry it herself, but she hesitated. If she took it from him, it might seem as though she doubted him, and what would that do to Kale, the one person she was certain of who'd managed to stand firm against Lifedrinker? No, stripping him of the sword might only weaken his resolve, creating cracks that the blade would exploit.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

And yet, the idea of leaving it behind, here or anywhere, was a risk she wasn't willing to take. Lifedrinker needed to be contained, watched, kept far from the hands of anyone weak or desperate enough to wield it. No, it was now their burden to bear, theirs to conquer. And if anyone was strong enough to carry that weight, it was Kale. They would take the sword, and together, they would find a way to destroy it.

In the end, she resolved to trust him. But as they moved forward, the questions hung heavy in her mind, and the weight of what he carried felt almost as burdensome to her as it surely did to him.

The Lord considered them in silence for a moment. He seemed to weigh their unspoken concerns, the shadows of the path ahead lurking in his expression.

"Serassa's death has left us without a lead," Liliana said finally. "We need to locate the bladeweaver general, and she was the only one who might have known where they were. You said you know every soul in Nyridia, if the general is here, can you tell us where?"

The Lord's eyes narrowed slightly as he leaned back. "It's true, I keep close watch over those within my city's walls, and I know the names of nearly every bladeweaver who's passed through the gates of Nyridia. But the general… if they are here, they've taken pains to remain hidden. Such secrecy would require either skill or allies with eyes in all places."

"Do you have any contacts who might know?" Kale asked.

"There are a few who come to mind. Some are informants loyal to the Scarlet Veil, others… merchants of information. I will see that their names and locations are given to you."

"We'll follow any lead we can find," Liliana said.

"There is one contact in particular, known as the Archivist. He deals in information, not only of this city, but of the realm's hidden corners. If the general is anywhere near Nyridia, he would know, or he would know someone who does."

"Then we'll find this Archivist. Where does he conduct his business?"

"You'll find him in the Undermarket, at a tavern called The Watchful Eye, a place where secrets are traded as freely as gold, and caution is wise."

Rika grinned. "Sounds like our kind of place."

The Lord raised a hand. "Remember that information comes at a cost, especially in the Undermarket. The Archivist may offer knowledge, but he'll expect something in return. Guard your secrets, and do not reveal more than necessary."

Kale nodded. "We'll be careful."

The Lord gestured toward the door. "Good. May your search bring you closer to the answers you seek. And be vigilant. The Undermarket is unforgiving to those who wander without purpose."

***

The party descended into Nyridia's Undermarket, but what they found wasn't the shadowed, hidden world they might have expected elsewhere. Instead, the space opened into a sprawling hall, lit with opulent chandeliers that cast a warm, even light over polished stone floors. Elegant stalls lined the paths, displaying everything from rare books and curiosities to fine textiles and shimmering jewels, all arranged with the kind of refinement reserved for royal courts.

Rika looked around, eyebrows raised. "Some Undermarket. Looks more like an overmarket to me."

"We pride ourselves on our cleanliness," Liliana said.

They wove through the stalls, moving toward a grand structure nestled against one side of the hall: The Watchful Eye. It looked far grander than the shadowy tavern they had imagined, more like an opulent lounge where patrons sipped expensive drinks and exchanged words carefully measured and weighted. The moment they entered, a subtle hush fell over the room as curious eyes swept their way, though no one was impolite enough to stare openly.

They found a quiet table toward the back, sitting down and scanning the room, each of them sizing up the patrons in their own way.

"So, bets on who's our Archivist?" Rika asked.

Kale leaned back. "I'm thinking the guy near the window, in the blue coat. Looks too interested in his surroundings to be here for the drinks."

"I'll put mine on the one near the corner, with the journal and ink pen. He's been watching everyone who walks in and out, like he's cataloging them." Liliana said.

Rika chuckled. "Five silver says it's the woman by the bar, the one who hasn't looked at us once. If anyone's got secrets, it's her."

They shared a quiet laugh, each keeping a careful eye on their chosen targets, wondering who would prove correct.

As they continued sizing up the room, a man with a sly grin and impeccable clothing drifted over to their table, a little too friendly and far too confident in his approach. He took a sip from his glass, leaning casually on the back of a nearby chair.

"Well now, you folks are looking a bit… out of place. First time in The Watchful Eye?"

"Something like that. We're here to meet someone," Kale said.

The man's eyebrows raised. "Looking for someone, are we? Must be important if it brought you all the way down here. You wouldn't be looking for… the Archivist, would you?"

"Maybe we are. What's it to you?" Rika asked.

The man shrugged. "Well, the Archivist doesn't meet just anyone. You'll need a proper introduction. But it so happens I know how to arrange that. For a small fee, of course."

"A fee, huh?" Kale said.

The man nodded, grin widening. "For a friend like you, I can offer a friendly deal. The Archivist's time isn't cheap, but I can get you in, smooth, no questions asked. Say… fifty silver?"

"And how do we know you even know the Archivist?" Liliana asked.

The man's grin faltered for just a second, his confidence slipping as he looked around, clearly not expecting this line of questioning. He covered it quickly, laughing it off. "Oh, the Archivist and I go way back. Trust me, you're in good hands."

The man's eyes widened as a slender dagger appeared seemingly out of thin air, floating steadily before him, the tip hovering dangerously close to his nose. He stiffened, the color draining from his face as he stared at the blade.

"You wouldn't be lying to us, would you?" Kale said. "That wouldn't be very… friendly of you."

"H-Hey now… let's not be hasty. No need for, uh, drastic measures." Sweat beaded at his brow. "I… I might've exaggerated a bit."

Liliana leaned back. "Exaggerated? That's a rather diplomatic way of putting it."

The man laughed nervously. "Alright, alright. I don't actually know the Archivist. Just thought… well, you folks look like you could use some help, and I thought maybe—"

Kale nudged the dagger just a fraction closer. "Maybe you should start thinking of where we can find the actual Archivist."

The man gulped, nodding fervently. "He's usually here in The Watchful Eye. I don't know him personally, but I see him around all the time." He glanced over his shoulder, as if half-expecting the Archivist to appear. "Haven't seen him come in yet today, though… But when he does, you'll know him."

"And what exactly does he look like?" Liliana asked.

"Not particularly tall, but you'd notice him. His skin is the color of sand, eyes sharp and green—almost unsettling, like he's always a step ahead. Dresses in this perfectly tailored suit, dark with these strange bell patterns woven into it, subtle but… they catch your eye. And there's this ring on his right hand, marked with a symbol I couldn't place. He's the type you don't forget easily."

Kale didn't blink. "Good to know. And if we find out you're wasting our time…"

The man gave a nervous chuckle, hands raised in surrender. "I wouldn't dream of it. That's all I know, I swear."

Kale dismissed the dagger with a small flick of his wrist, and the man backed away, hands still raised as he melted back into the crowd.

Rika snorted. "Didn't know you could be so intimidating, Kaley. Been taking lessons from Liliana?"

Liliana laughed. "He better be, considering the amount of time he spends staring at me."

Kale threw his hands up, adopting a mock-serious expression. "Purely for research purposes."

Rika burst out laughing. "Research purposes, huh? So what's the hypothesis?"

Kale nodded solemnly. "Trying to determine the exact number of eyerolls before Liliana's eyes fall out of her head. Currently at nine hundred fifty-five, but I need more data."

Liliana rolled her eyes, and Kale grinned. "Nine hundred fifty-six and counting..."

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