Aria's words of reassurance did little to ease Eryndor's concerns. He couldn't shake the feeling that Lyrien's warning had awakened a deep-seated fear within him.

  As they walked back through the winding streets of the ancient city, Eryndor noticed that Aria seemed more alert than usual. She kept glancing over her shoulder, as if she expected someone to be following them.

  "Who do you think Lyrien was talking about?" Eryndor asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

  Aria's eyes narrowed. "I'm not sure," she said. "But I have a few ideas. There are several factions within the city that might see you as a threat, Eryndor."

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Eryndor's eyes widened. "A threat? Why would I be a threat to anyone?"

  Aria hesitated, as if unsure of how much to reveal. "You have a certain... potential within you, Eryndor. A potential that could be very powerful if harnessed correctly."

  Eryndor's mind reeled as he tried to process Aria's words. What kind of potential was she talking about? And why would anyone see him as a threat because of it?

  As they approached Aria's mansion, Eryndor noticed that the guards seemed more alert than usual. They eyed him warily, as if they too sensed that something was off.

  Aria led Eryndor to a small room deep within the mansion. The room was filled with strange devices and artifacts, each one emitting a faint hum of magic.

  "This is my workshop," Aria said, a hint of pride in her voice. "Here, I can work on unlocking the secrets of your potential."

  Eryndor's eyes widened as he took in the array of devices and artifacts. He had a feeling that he was in for a wild ride.