Clara twisted the metallic strip on her breast for what felt like the one-hundredth time with her eyes on the attendees in the ceremony that was kicked off in anticipation of the International Conference on Ancient Artifacts. Considering the great gathering of scholars from different countries, the air was filled with anticipation and expectation, as well as discussions and sharing of theories and findings. With her head held high, she struggled to make her way through the multitudes of people who were all trying to be associated with the group.

 "Clara, over here!" A voice I knew well called out, and my sister Clara came running up to me.

 She quickly shifted to find Leo a charming historian beckoning at her from the opposite side. The messy hair and the half-opened shirt gave an impression that he had not slept for days …well could be given his win in the historical research competition recently held.

 That is; 'Hi there Leo,' she went to approach him shyly, yet self-confidently. "So you entered this competition? Greetings sir/madam, Is this the type of audience you are used to taking on?"

 Leo grinned. "You don't even know it. Not to mention when Ethan is in the middle. "

 "Ethan?" Clara clasped her hand on her chest as she could not believe her ears for the man standing in front of her was the same boy she grew up with. Ethan was an important archaeologist the same as Leo and at the same time, he was main Leo's rival, who was considered to be unbeatable.

 "Uh, yeah," Leo added a bit proudly, "I managed to beat him by a mere of difference." "Speaking of, do you see him?"

 The last letter I received was from Clara where she glanced across the room and saw Ethan looking straight through the crowd. About six feet with thick black hair frames his lively black eyes, the man, Ethan resembled more a film star than an archaeologist. He looked into her eyes and Clara averted her eyes immediately; she felt so embarrassed with what she was feeling.

 "You should say hi," Leo said jokingly. "He has been having many things to say about your research."

 Clara looked at him angrily. "What if we will concentrate on the artifact presentation, do you think?"

 As they moved into the conference room, Clara's attention shifted back to the reason she was here: the artifact from the days of antiquity which is on display. Some people believed that it possessed certain magical features that would help to foresee or search for hidden information that was in some way concealed in time. Clara thought the strategy was perfect for her this was what she had always looked forward to doing.

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 "Shoot!" thought the girl, as she overheard a man's voice that asked her, "Is this seat taken?"

She glanced up to observe a middle-aged man dressed in a black suit, tie, and eyeglasses. He looked very composed and in a chuckle, seemed to be concealing a certain kind of mystery. To her mind, there was another identity of the man; he was called Gabriel and he was a linguist. She knew his writings–stylistic and rather non-conformist.

 Carla smiled then shook her head slightly, pointing at the empty chair beside her, "No, go on," she said.

 There Gabriel took his seat still looking at the relic placed at the front of the classroom. "Incredibly interesting, isn't it? The scripts are in a language that has become obsolete, something which was in use before known historical civilizations. "

 Clara raised an eyebrow. "You can read it?"

 "I have been on it," he replied with a wicked smile across his lips.

 She did not have a chance to reply as the lights went off and the presentation went on. There was a piece of miniature that was sculptured in the past and this was unveiled with a spotlight. Shushes echoed in the hall as the scholars spoke about where it came from, why it was so strong, and why people could not understand it.

 Forcing my attention to the presentation, I could not help but get creeped out thinking that this is not just a simple research study. Her legs were moving towards the relic as if there was a string attached with instinct being the hook.

 Following the presentation it was Clara, Leo, Gabriel, and, to her astonishment, Ethan, who were standing together near the artifact.

 "It seems we all have that thing in common," He replied, and there was a hint of competitive tension in his words. He looked from Leo to Gabriel then at Clara. "Well, hello stranger, so I've been told that you're quite a sensation these days, Clara"

 She looked at him squarely in the eye in order not to be out powered. "It's mutual, Ethan."

 Leo paused, 'Well said Linda, but still let's continue with the game' as he waited for his turn to answer. "Well, it looks like the dream team is assembled so what do we do now?"

 Looking at the relic, there was a brief moment that Gabriel … "To achieve this, there is a need to fuse our knowledge so as to uncover the secrets of the preferred concept."

 Ethan only agreed to that, but his face was still skeptical. "Right on that. But that does not mean we are here for the same reasons. "

It was the kind of moment that put Clara on edge. It was no longer work rivalry and it was no longer personal rivalry. But it was different, there was something between them they shared and the artifact, and that was friendship.

 "Let's get to work, "the young lady said interrupting the silence making her way around the table. "We will know soon. " 

 The group went on the road with every member making his contribution to decode the relic's secrets. However, these lines of professionalism began to fade out as days went by. The conflict between Leo and Ethan was getting higher and higher; Gabriel on the other hand entranced Clara more and more.

 Late one day, when Clara was searching for some information, she found herself face to face with Leo. A force of unsaid lines hung in the space they occupied.

 "You are different when you work in the field," he whispered looking her straight into the eyes.

 "Different how?" she said the words the rhythm and tone of her voice showing how much it bothered her that he was different.

 "Committed. Enthusiasm in one's area of interest… Yes, you notice that it is… sexy. "

 She was speechless expecting the next words out of her mouth, Ethan walked into the room. One of them has to go on telling him the bitter truth, "We need to talk," he said darkly looking at them being intimate.

 This change in the mood was overwhelming and it was evident in Clara who looked dizzy as she stood. This was between their increasing interest in each other and the increasing obscurity of the artifact, it all felt chaotic.

 But one thing was certain: this journey would be the beginning of change, the change that would affect the lives of all the main characters either for the better or for the worse.