In the following days, as the dusk settles after the commission’s successful completion, Valencia sits in her apartment with the wooden artifact lying on the table next to her, its dark energy still around it. The tension from handling the ancient thing lingers in her muscles, and she knows she cannot afford to let her guard down or carelessly leave the dangerous material in her place.
It had been a long time since she had needed to perform any form of protective magic, Valencia thought. Her usual focus is on battle—the direct confrontation with spirits, ghouls, and anomalies—purely using her raw ability. For this situation, she needs to ensure that the true nature of the artifact remains hidden from prying eyes.
Valencia kneels beside the table, clearing her mind. It is time to draw a sigil—a protection barrier, something to shield this box from being noticed by anyone except her. The sigil would conceal its presence, keeping it hidden from any who might come searching.
She retrieves a small vial from her closet, containing ink made from crushed obsidian. It has been ages since she had drawn a sigil, and the act requires intense concentration, energy should be channelled into every stroke. All ancient symbols have to be perfect, or the barrier will fail. The blue-haired woman set to work, her fingers moving steadily as she sketches the sigil on the ground with the ink. Each stroke is deliberate, forming interwoven lines that pulse with glowing light as they take shape. As the sigil emerged, she could feel the magic functioning, its protective aura beginning to wrap around the targeted object.
As the last stroke of the sigil is completed, a faint shimmer of white light surrounds the box, its dark energy now veils beneath the protective barrier she has just created. Valencia let out a quiet breath of relief, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.
Just then, her phone buzzes, and it is a familiar contact—Yei. She answers, her voice cool yet very distracted, “Yei, What’s up? Is there another commission already?”
On the other end, Yei’s tone is professional yet laced with slight concern. “No, it’s not about that. I need to talk to you about your new phone. It’s risky to keep using it for calls, especially with a detective like me. You should let Anurak put some security protection on it.”
Valencia sighs, rubbing her temples. She has already been thinking about that. Her life has only become more complicated since the artifact was taken, and keeping her communications and identity safe is, and always, a top priority. “I know. I’ve been meaning to. But honestly, I’m tied up with something else for the next few days.” Valencia glances at the wooden box that now appears to look like a normal container. “I’ll stop by next week to let Mr. Anurak take care of it.”
Yei didn’t press further, but there is an unspoken understanding. “Alright. We’ll talk soon, Valencia.”
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Meanwhile, at an undisclosed location, Robert Hare—known to few as Mr. R—is far from the safe haven he has once thought he’d return to. The door to his small, dim room creaks open, and Theodore steps in. He is a young man, his appearance striking in a way that makes the air feel tense around him. His dark hair is swept back on one side, a few strands falling elegantly over his face. On his right ear, he wears a golden rhombus-shaped earring that catches the faint light in the room. His slender frame is deceptively firm, with the quiet strength of someone who has been honed by more than just physical training. His piercing purple eyes glowed faintly in the dark, piercing through to the very soul of anyone who dared meet his gaze.
Every movement of his is deliberate, his presence commanding attention without the need for words. Theodore exudes an air of both elegance and menace—an unsettling combination that makes it clear to anyone in his proximity that he is not someone to cross.
“Robert. You’ve failed.” Theodore’s voice is sharp, like the edge of a blade.
Robert’s eyes are bloodshot, his face pale and trembling. Robert has been expecting this visit, and he knows it isn’t going to end well. He falls to his knees in front of Theodore, his hands clutching at the floor. “Please, Sir Theodore, I… I didn’t mean for any of this to happen! I didn’t mean to lose the artifact!”
image [https://i.imgur.com/TVyeOvN.jpeg]
Theodore clicks his tongue in irritation, “Tch. I almost get to see the result of my work. Not only has a mere human sorcerer managed to get rid of the spirits, but they dare to steal what is mine,” his eyes narrowing with cold fury. “How are you going to take responsibility?”
Robert’s desperate pleas are lost in the chill of Theodore’s gaze. “Please, I didn’t want to fail you. I-I didn’t know what to do. It was too much. I never thought she’d—”
Theodore cuts him off in a deep stern voice, commanding his subordinate behind him. “Clean him up. Get rid of this…failure.” His eyes flicker with distaste as he turns, walking toward the door.
Before the door closes, Theodore’s voice lingers in the air. “And find the missing artifact the woman sorceress had stolen.”
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The whispers of rumours begin to circulate among the anonymous researchers at the Aether Research Corporation. Robert Hare, once a trusted head of the research team, has supposedly resigned and left the country. His recent erratic in the months prior behaviour was noted, but no one suspected the true reason behind his disappearance.
But in the shadows, Theodore’s wrath is far from over.
In a desolate, forgotten corner of the city, far from people, the body of Robert Hare is disposed of. Another Bounder, silent and efficient, is tasked with ensuring there is no trace left behind. A blast of crimson energy lit up the night as the figure channels its power. With a cold and precise movement, they incinerate Robert’s remains, turning his body to ash. The only remnants of the man were the faint wisps of smoke that disappeared into the darkened sky, leaving no evidence or memory.
The burning of Robert Hare is the final act of cleaning up after the failed delivery of the artifact. Theodore would not let his plans be hindered, and those who stand in his way—whether knowingly or not—would be dealt with swiftly.
Valencia, however, remains unaware of the full extent of Theodore’s reach, and as her footsteps grow heavier with each passing day, the truth will soon catch up with her—whether she is ready or not.