The safehouse turned out to be a modest building wedged between a chandler's shop and a cloth merchant. Its unremarkable exterior gave no hint of its importance until they stepped inside, where the difference became immediately apparent.

Rich carpets covered the floors, and shelves lined with leather-bound books occupied every wall. A large table dominated the central room, its surface inlaid with a detailed map of the known world.

"Sit," Nasir invited, gesturing to chairs arranged around the table. "I'll have refreshments brought."

"Skip the hospitality," Cinder said bluntly. "What was that explosion about? Who's after the same research we are?"

Nasir studied her for a moment, then nodded as if approving her directness. "The explosion was clearly targeted at the Archives—specifically, at the Drowned Vault beneath it. As for who's responsible..." He shrugged elegantly. "Several possibilities present themselves, though Lord Pelliford's trade coalition seems the most likely."

"The spice-fixer from our jail cell?" Kindle asked, brows raised. "He didn't strike me as the 'blow up historical buildings' type."

"People rarely present their full capabilities upon first meeting," Nasir replied with a thin smile. "Particularly those engaged in illegal activities."

"You still haven't explained what this Drowned Vault actually is," Ember pointed out, leaning forward.

"Ah, yes." Nasir paced the length of the table, stopping at a section of the map depicting Ebran's harbor. "The Drowned Vault is exactly what its name suggests—a repository below sea level that floods and drains with the tides. The most sensitive documents are stored there, protected by both water and powerful wards."

"Wait," Ember frowned. "Galen told us the research was misplaced during cataloging in Amaranth. Why would it be in an underwater vault in another city?"

Something flickered across Nasir's face—surprise, perhaps, or confirmation of a suspicion. "Misplaced during cataloging? Is that what Vosk told you?"

The five looked at each other, then back at Nasir. "That's what he told us," Cinder said carefully.

Nasir gave a short, humorless laugh. "The research wasn't misplaced—it was deliberately relocated. The Ebran Harbor Archives serves as a repository for knowledge deemed too dangerous for Amaranth's public records."

"So Galen lied to us," Ember said flatly.

"The Magisterium prefers the term 'security protocol,'" Nasir corrected. "Certain research, particularly regarding consciousness manipulation, is officially listed as 'misplaced' while actually being secured elsewhere. Only those with sufficient clearance know the true locations."

"And you just happen to be among those privileged few?" Cinder's tone made it clear exactly how likely she found this.

"The Mercandi have our ways," Nasir replied, unperturbed. "Information is our currency, after all."

Ash, who had been silent since entering the safehouse, finally spoke. "You recognized us immediately. I find that... curious."

"Very observant." Nasir smiled thinly. "Yes, I knew of you before our paths crossed. I've been watching for quintuplet pyromancers ever since receiving word from our Amaranth contacts about unusual Guild recruits. Your appearance matches descriptions of the Symmetricals."

"The who now?" Pyra asked, eyebrows shooting upward.

Nasir moved to a bookshelf, selecting a slim volume bound in faded blue leather. "A rare magical phenomenon documented by a researcher called the Pattern Weaver nearly a century ago. They produced magical duplicates of themselves for combat purposes."

He opened the book to a marked page, revealing an illustration that showed five identical figures in a pentagram formation, each controlling a different elemental force.

"The Pattern Weaver theorized that elemental energy could be better controlled when distributed across multiple identical vessels," Nasir continued. "The Symmetricals were her crowning achievement—five identical practitioners sharing a magical bond."

"So you think we're... what? Magical combat duplicates?" Kindle asked, exchanging bewildered glances with her counterparts.

"The resemblance is striking," Nasir pointed out. "Five identical women with pyromancy and enhanced physical capabilities. It fits the documented pattern."

"No offense," Cinder said dryly, "but that's not remotely what we are."

Nasir's expression became almost comically disappointed. "You're not descendants of the Pattern Weaver's work? No connection to the Symmetrical research?"

"Not even slightly," Ember confirmed. "Our situation is... different."

The mercantile agent studied each of their faces, as if trying to glean more from their expressions. Finding nothing, he sighed and closed the book. "I suppose it was too fantastical to be true. But you can't blame me for hoping to glimpse living history."

"Happy to disappoint," Pyra grinned wryly.

Nasir placed the book back on the shelf with a rueful smile. "If not Symmetricals, then what exactly are you? Because I assure you, identical quintuplets with pyromancy and superhuman abilities are not an everyday occurrence."

For a long moment, only the soft tick of an ornate grandfather clock punctuated the silence. Five pairs of golden eyes met in unspoken debate until Ash shook her head minutely, settling the matter.

Ember leaned back in her chair, taking on the role of speaker. "Let's just say we're unique and leave it at that."

Nasir arched an eyebrow at her. "You expect me to believe you don't know your own origin?"

"We know our origins just fine," Cinder said bluntly. "We just don't see much point in sharing them with you."

"Especially since you haven't explained how you managed to keep up with our sprint to the Archives," Pyra added. "I don't like unsolved mysteries in my life."

"Fair point," Nasir inclined his head. "I do have my own talents, honed over many years in the Mercanti's service. But for now, it seems we must be content with mutual distrust."

"Sounds like a healthy working relationship," Ember quipped.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Nasir let out an unexpected chuckle. "Indeed. But regarding the task at hand—now that the research is missing, I assume you still intend to search for it?"

"More than ever," Cinder confirmed. "With all the interest that explosion shows, it's obviously important."

"My sentiments exactly," Nasir nodded. "Which is why I'm still offering you my assistance."

"You just said it yourself, we don't trust each other," Ember said bluntly. "How would this even work?"

"A conditional alliance," Nasir suggested. "You clearly have resources that can complement the Mercanti's. Together, we could find the research faster and have a better chance of understanding its significance."

"And what's in it for you?" Kindle asked suspiciously. "What's the catch?"

"The catch," Nasir gave a wry smile, "is that I'll be accompanying you on your search. Consider me an... observer, ensuring everything proceeds according to plan. Until we fulfill this mission, I'm putting your hunt for the missing research above all other affairs."

The five looked at each other, the unspoken communication flying between them rapidly as they reached a consensus.

Ember spoke for all of them. "Fine. We accept your offer of assistance, as long as you stay out of our way and respect our decisions."

"And you stay out of our room," Cinder added flatly. "For any reason."

Nasir gave her an amused look. "I wouldn't dream of intruding. I appreciate the value of privacy."

"Then I guess it's a deal," Ember said, standing and offering her hand. "Partners, until we get to the bottom of this."

Nasir rose smoothly and clasped her forearm in an oathbinding gesture. "Partners. I assure you, you'll find me a capable ally. And perhaps more."

He released Ember's arm and looked over at Ash. Or more particularly, at the object Ash had retrieved from the Vault entrance—a small metal disk she'd placed on the table without comment.

"Is this what you recovered from the Archives?" he asked, glancing between them.

Ash nodded silently.

Nasir reached out and plucked up the disk, holding it up to the light. It was a brass-colored circle inlaid with intricate engravings, though the details were mostly obscured by soot.

His expression darkened as he examined the disk. "These are used by the Silent Hand. I should have known they'd be involved."

"Another cheerfully named secret society?" Kindle asked. "This world has more factions than a high school cafeteria."

"They believe boundaries between worlds are artificial constructs," Nasir explained, his customary composure visibly strained. "They seek to eliminate those boundaries by bringing... things... from other realms into ours."

"Huddle up," Ember whispered, making a subtle gathering motion with her hand.

They formed an awkward clump, five identical heads bent together like a bizarre orange-petaled flower. To Nasir, it might have looked like they were conferring about combat strategy. In reality, they were having a full-blown dimensional identity crisis.

"Did he just say what I think he said?" Kindle hissed, her golden eyes wide. "About bringing things from other realms? As in, people like us?"

"Technically we're not 'things,'" Cinder muttered. "And we weren't 'brought' here so much as 'catastrophically hurled by accident.'"

"Semantics aside," Ember whispered, "this is bad. If these Silent Hand people are actively looking for cross-dimensional visitors—"

"—then we're basically walking around with 'please kidnap me for your creepy experiments' signs taped to our backs," Pyra finished.

Ash tilted her head thoughtfully. "One wonders if our unique energetic signature creates a detectable resonance that marks us as non-native to this realm's vibrational frequency."

Four pairs of eyes stared at her.

"What?" she asked. "It's a legitimate metaphysical consideration."

"Great, so we might be glowing with big flashing 'not from around here' energy," Kindle groaned. "Perfect."

"Do you think Galen knows?" Pyra asked, her voice dropping even lower. "Is that why he sent us on this weirdly specific mission?"

"If he knew, why not just strap us down in his lab instead of this elaborate scavenger hunt?" Cinder pointed out.

"Maybe he's not sure," Ember suggested. "Maybe he suspects but needs proof?"

"Or maybe," Ash offered, "he seeks confirmation through comparing our auric patterns with documented interdimensional entities from historical records."

"In English, Ash," Cinder sighed.

"He thinks we're weird but isn't sure exactly what flavor of weird," Kindle translated.

"Okay, new plan," Ember whispered urgently. "We say absolutely nothing about where we're from. To anyone. Ever."

"So... the exact same plan we've had since arriving?" Cinder asked dryly.

"But with more paranoia!" Pyra added cheerfully.

"And less spontaneous combustion," Kindle suggested.

Ember straightened up, plastering on a smile that had all the authenticity of a three-copper coin. "We should probably respond before he gets suspicious about our suspicious huddling."

She stepped casually out of the group, clearing her throat. "Um, w-what did you mean by things?"

"Entities. Beings. Call them what you will." Nasir set the disk down carefully, as if it might bite. "They consider themselves enlightened scholars, but their experiments have caused significant damage over the years."

Ember quickly moved the conversation back to the task at hand. "So now we have competitors who just bombed a building to get to our target."

"Which brings us to our next challenge," Nasir said, spreading a detailed map of the harbor across the table. "The explosion damaged the Vault's structural integrity. It's likely flooded completely now, rather than only during high tide as designed."

"Underwater retrieval," Pyra surmised, brightening. "That sounds like an adventure!"

"A potentially lethal one," Nasir cautioned. "The Vault contains its own defenses, designed to activate if a breach is detected. Add unstable architecture, complete submersion, and the possibility of Silent Hand agents already inside..."

"Tuesday, then," Pyra quipped. "Sounds like a normal Tuesday for us."

"How would we even access an underwater vault?" Ember asked, studying the map.

"I can provide specialized breathing apparatuses," Nasir offered. "Mercandi agents occasionally require... discretion in their acquisitions. These would allow underwater navigation for approximately thirty minutes—enough time to reach the relevant section of the Vault, if you're efficient."

"And why would you help us?" Cinder asked, the question that had been hovering unspoken since they'd met him.

"In truth? Professional curiosity, primarily. I admit I'm disappointed you're not connected to the Pattern Weaver's work, but you're clearly something equally fascinating. And..." He hesitated, seeming to weigh his next words. "Let's say I have a personal interest in ensuring certain knowledge doesn't fall into the wrong hands."

Before anyone could question him further, the safehouse door burst open. A young man in nondescript clothing stumbled in, blood streaming from a cut above his eye.

"Master Farid," he gasped, "they're coming—the Silent Hand—they've tracked you—"

The rest of his warning was lost as an arrow punched through the open doorway, embedding itself in his shoulder with enough force to spin him around. He collapsed against the wall, sliding to the floor as a second arrow thudded into the doorframe.

"It seems," Nasir said with remarkable calm as he reached beneath the table to trigger some hidden mechanism, "that our planning session will have to be cut short."

A section of the floor slid open, revealing a steep staircase descending into darkness.

"Decision time," he announced, glancing between the wounded messenger and the open doorway where shadows had begun to gather. "Retreat tactically, or face our visitors directly?"

Five identical grins blazed in the dim light of the safehouse, each bearing the particular brand of enthusiasm that comes only to those who secretly welcome a good fight after a frustrating day.

"I vote visitors," Pyra declared, orange flames already flickering around her clenched fists. "I've been itching for some exercise since jail."

"Same," Kindle agreed, golden fire swirling around her hands. "Besides, a tactical retreat feels a bit anticlimactic after 'imminent death-vault retrieval' was on the table."

Ember nodded, falling into battle stance as the first attackers appeared in the doorway—dark-clad figures wearing masks emblazoned with stylized eyes.

"Seems we have our answer," Nasir murmured, stepping back as five women formed a protective line between him and the intruders. "I do hope you're as combat-capable as you are unique."

"Oh," Cinder replied, amber flames illuminating her sharp smile as the first attacker charged forward, "you have no idea."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.