Lyra, predictably, wasn't thrilled about me wandering off alone. "Elias, we found the damn temple. Our *focus* should be getting inside, not gallivanting around looking for… for *what* exactly? More useless lore?"

  I sighed, adjusting the satchel slung across my shoulder. "It's not useless if it helps us understand what the hell we're dealing with, Lyra. We know the temple is important. We know it has something to deal with the God of Souls and his symbol. But… we still don't know what Kael was looking for. And, more importantly, who put a target on his back."

  "We know the royals are on to us, we didn't need any more info about it." Lyra hissed, wrapping her arms around herself. "And that symbol... I'm tired of it. Can we please rest?"

  "Rest is for the dead, Lyra, of which I'll be in a month, maybe less." I scowled, my gaze fixed on the distant horizon. “The old man at the library said this Seraphina might know where the people with the symbols are. Besides, you aren't doing anything to help this investigation while sitting here."

  Lyra huffed, kicking at a loose stone. "You think this… schor is just going to spill her guts to you? Some random mage who comes knocking at her door with a death wish?"

  "Pretty sure she'll spill my guts if I don't py this right" I shrugged, trying for a lighter tone. "Look, someone hired a guard for a bookstore that houses god-knows-whatkind of un-holy books, so that bookshop and that librarian aren't just for show; somebody knows something, and like him, she holds ancient knowledge, and the old man pointed us in her direction. I'll sweet-talk her, bribe her, *whatever*. We need every edge we can get."

  Lyra still looked unconvinced. "Fine," she relented, her voice tight. "But if this turns out to be a waste of time, I'm holding you personally responsible. Don't say that I never warned you."

  "Wouldn't have it any other way." I gave asmile that probably looked more like a grimace, and with a final pat on her shoulder, I turned and headed towards the sprawling, byrinthian district I called the bck market.

  The bck market district was a sensory overload. The air hung thick with the stench of decay, spiced meats, and something vaguely alchemical and unpleasant. Crowds jostled through the narrow alleyways, a mix of hawkers, merchants, information brokers, and the occasional shady character with more daggers than teeth. It was a pce where anything could be bought or sold, as long as you knew the right price and weren't too squeamish about where it came from.

  Finding Seraphina wouldn't be easy. She was rumored to work in a hidden corner of the market, a discreet establishment catering to a clientele who valued privacy above all else. I doubted there would be a fshing neon sign pointing the way.

  After a few dead ends and a couple of dangerously close encounters with pickpockets, I found myself standing before a heavily guarded doorway tucked away in a blind alley. A burly figure with a face like a smacked goblin stood blocking the entrance, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

  "Looking for something, mage?" he grunted, his voice raspy. His biceps were thicker than my thighs, and the glint of steel at his belt wasn't exactly reassuring.

  "I'm looking for Seraphina," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "I have… information she might be interested in."

  The bouncer scoffed. "Seraphina doesn't see just anyone. Waste of time. Go scam those magic tricks somewhere else." He shifted his stance, clearly ready to send me packing.

  "I assure you, she *wants* to see me," I pressed, not wanting to give up so easily. "Tell her Elias sent you."

  "Elias, huh? Never heard of him. Besides, I don't care who sent you, I can see from a mile off you come bearing nothing but trouble."

  I sighed, realizing subtlety wasn't going to work here. "Listen, friend," I said, letting a hint of menace creep into my voice. "It would be in your best interest to let me pass. I am NOT in the mood to repeat myself. I tried the nice way, I hope you were listening."

  The bouncer bristled, his hand instinctively moving towards his weapon. "Are you threatening me, mage?"

  "Consider it a... *firm suggestion*. If I have to get past you by force, things are going to get very messy, and frankly, I'm not sure your employer would appreciate that kind of attention, especially from me and my reputation around this city." I could feel the hum of demonic energy simmering beneath my skin, a promise of unpleasantness if he didn't cooperate.

  He hesitated, evaluating me with narrowed eyes. He didn't look thrilled, but something in my gaze must have convinced him I wasn't bluffing. With a grunt of disgust, he stepped aside.

  "Go on," he growled. "Down the hallway, st door on the left. But if you cause any problems, you'll be answering to me. And believe me, you don't want that."

  "Duly noted," I said, offering a sarcastic bow. "Have a pleasant evening."

  I navigated the dimly lit hallway, the air growing heavier with anticipation. The walls were lined with unmarked doors, each concealing god-knows-what kind of illicit activity. I could hear muffled voices, hushed whispers, and the occasional clink of gss. This was a pce where secrets thrived, and I was about to delve right into the heart of them.

  Taking a deep breath, I reached the st door on the left and knocked. The door opened a few moments ter, revealing Seraphina. She was younger than I expected, with sharp features and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through me. Her dark hair was pulled back in a tight bun, and she wore simple, practical clothing. She didn't look happy to see me.

  "Elias," she said, her voice cool and measured. "I've heard stories. I presume this isn't a social call?" The sight of the brand on my wrist didn't help, as she sneered at it.

  "Straight to the point, huh? Fine by me, Seraphina." I stepped into her workshop, my eyes scanning the cluttered space. Bookshelves lined the walls, overflowing with ancient tomes and arcane scrolls. Alchemy equipment cluttered every surface, bubbling and steaming with strange concoctions. The room smelled strongly of herbs, incense, and something vaguely… metallic? It was a cssic schor's ir, albeit one with a definite edge of danger.

  "I came to see that you know about the symbol. The one connected to that God of Souls," I continued, cutting straight to the chase. "I went to the library that the tavern man spoke about, and that librarian recommended that I find you. I believe that we have something to discover, and would be a shame only one know something and be selfish."

  Seraphina snorted. "You think I'm just going to hand over information to you? You, some random mage who comes barging into my workspace with a demonic brand on his wrist and an expiration date stamped on his forehead? I'd rather talk to the guards than work with you." Her eyes were sharp and scrutinizing.

  "Look, I'm not asking for charity," I countered, keeping my tone even. "This involves more than just me, I am doing this for the kingdom. I have information that *you* might find interesting. Information about the God of Souls, about Soul Weaving, about a hidden history that the royal family would prefer to keep buried."

  I reached into my satchel and pulled out the carefully wrapped texts and documents I'd stolen from the Archives. I id them on her desk, watching her expression carefully.

  Her eyes widened slightly as she recognized the familiar seals of the royal family on the documents. She reached out, her fingers tracing the edges of the parchment. Her expression immediately sharpened and a look of grim understanding washed over her. "Where did you get these?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

  "Does it matter?" I countered. "The point is, I have them. And I'm willing to share them with you… if you're willing to share your knowledge of the God of Souls with me." I held her gaze, my own eyes unwavering. What's the next move?"

  She hesitated, her mind clearly racing. The temptation to examine the documents was warring with her natural caution. Finally, curiosity won out. "Show me," she said, her voice grudging. "Show me what you found."

  I allowed a small, satisfied smile to py across my lips. "That's what I wanted to hear."

  Seraphina devoured the documents with a focused intensity, her eyes darting across the faded ink. She muttered under her breath, deciphering archaic phrases and connecting fragmented ideas. I watched her, trying to gauge her reaction, but her expression remained carefully neutral.

  After what felt like an eternity, she looked up, her eyes narrowed. "These texts confirm my suspicions," she said, her voice low. "The kingdom's history is a lie. They've suppressed the truth about the God of Souls, about the bance between Gods and Demons, about the very nature of magic itself."

  "And the Soul Weaving?" I pressed, leaning forward. "The texts hinted that it might be a way to… circumvent my little predicament." What's your opinion?"

  Seraphina's face hardened. The air seemed to thicken, charged with a sudden tension. She turned away, pacing the small room. "Don't speak that name so lightly," she hissed, her voice barely audible. "Some things are better left forgotten."

  "What are you talking about?" She doesn't like it?" I asked, confused by her reaction. "The texts said it's a powerful form of magic, but dangerous."

  She whirled around, her eyes bzing with an almost frantic energy. "Dangerous? That's an understatement. Soul Weaving is an abomination, a perversion of the natural order. It taints everything it touches, twists the very fabric of reality."

  "But it can also save my life, right?" I was starting to get desperate.

  "Don't you understand?" she said, her voice rising in agitation. "There's always a cost! Every spell you cast leaves a mark, every soul you touch changes you. When Soul Weaving goes wrong, it does more than just fail: it destroys everything it touches".

  "I don't have a choice!" I snapped, frustration boiling over. "I made a deal with a demon, remember? I either find a way to outsmart him, or my soul is toast." She sounds as if she is giving me another choice to pick from.

  Seraphina took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "There are other ways," she said, her voice softer now. "There are always other ways. You don't have to become a monster to save yourself."

  "Like what?" I challenged, my voice ced with sarcasm. "Pray to the Gods? Maybe they have a loophole in demonic contracts I haven't thought of? Write a strongly worded letter to Azazel, asking him to reconsider? Give me a break."

  It was evident that she wouldn't enjoy the mention of the demon. Her posture visibly changed, and an even more grim expression has taken over her. She simply nods to what I said, accepting the truth.

  "Just promise me something," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "If you decide to pursue this Soul Weaving… promise me you'll be careful. Promise me you won't let it consume you." The topic has clearly bothered her.

  I looked at her, seeing the fear and desperation in her eyes. I couldn't promise her anything. Not really. But I nodded anyway. "I'll try," I said, the words feeling hollow on my tongue. "I promise." That was a lie, but a lie that I will act towards.

  Seraphina sighed, running a hand through her already disheveled hair. She looked exhausted, defeated. "You don't understand," she said, her voice heavy with sorrow. "You can't understand what this magic can do."

  "Then enlighten me," I said, wanting to know exactly *what* I might be getting myself into. "What's so terrible about Soul Weaving? What happened to you?"

  Seraphina hesitated, her eyes fixed on some distant point in the room. She seemed to be wrestling with a painful memory and her past before me. The room was filled with a strange silence, but the suspense was enough to know that something was about to drop.

  Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "My family… they were Soul Weavers. The best in the kingdom."

  I raised an eyebrow, "I didn't know your family had connections to weaving. Weren't you meant to be studying the history rather than practicing it?"

  "Weaving runs deeper than just practice, mage," she answered coldly. "For generations, we mastered the art of maniputing souls, of shaping reality with our will only for our family. People came from far and wide to seek our help, to heal their wounds, to mend their broken hearts, to achieve enlightenment." Her voice was grim. "But what happened in the end? They didn't achieve enlightenment, they were left more shattered and mad than before, they just couldn't cope. "

  "But as I said, there's always a price," she continued, her voice trembling slightly. "The more power you wield, the more of yourself you sacrifice. She was broken from day one." My assumption of what her skills could be has shattered.

  "My parents always told us that to py God is to condemn yourself to the devils," she continued. "They spent all their days trying to give some happiness to these people. They were kind, they were true, what they did, no one has replicated. At least they are dead.

  It was the first time I'd heard somebody speak so poorly of the weaving magic, but I also did not want to interrupt her.

  "Over time, they grew estranged, always at each others throats, constantly bickering and bming until they became isoted from the rest of the world. It really does change you. Their minds were poisoned by their craft. Their souls were tainted beyond repair." A look of profound sadness crossed her face. "One day… they turned on each other. Accusations flew, spells were cast. They destroyed our house... and each other. I lived that day, it was hell."

  I was silent for a moment, absorbing the weight of her words. It expined her reluctance to even speak about Soul Weaving, her fear of its power.

  "That is why I can't encourage you to do this, Elias, I will help you, but I will not guide you" she eventually said. "That symbol... I did not knew you was a person that bares it. The temple you're pnning to enter... I was hoping that you would find nothing and give up. I can't promise that it won't destroy you too, or this kingdom".

  Seraphina sighed and turned to pick up the documents again, her interest obviously piqued by the find. “The documents mention a specific ritual, let’s start with that," she mumbled, already pouring over the text again.

  "So we're doing right?" I asked her

  "Someone hired them, the bookstore man, and now you. It means that we can truly unveil what happen with my family. It might also give me resolve" Seraphina didn't looked at me, but I could see that what once was hatred, now was the beginning of companionship and help. "Let's start on the journey towards the ruin".