The blood was warm and thick, its metallic tang clinging to Lisan’s tongue long after she swallowed. The ritual was complete, binding her to a stranger whose very presence radiated danger. She stared at the faintly glowing rune on the back of her hand, its intricate lines pulsing faintly, as though it had a heartbeat of its own. The reality of what she’d done weighed heavy on her chest.
What have I gotten myself into? The question echoed louder with each passing second. She flexed her fingers, half-expecting the mark to vanish like a bad dream, but it remained—a stark reminder of the blood pact she’d made with this enigmatic outworlder.
She glanced sideways at Dreven. He was crouched nearby, methodically coiling the length of rope that had bound her during the ritual. Each movement was precise, deliberate, as though he had done this a thousand times before. The pale light filtering through the forest canopy highlighted the sharp lines of his face. His expression betrayed nothing—no satisfaction, no regret. He worked in absolute silence, which was somehow worse than words.
Lisan exhaled slowly, her breath clouding faintly in the cool morning air. She had been a bronze rank 1-star adventurer for years. She had faced beasts that could rip a man apart with a single swipe, negotiated with brigands who would slit her throat for a coin purse, and even survived the treachery of rival adventurers. But this? This was something entirely different.
“So,” she finally said, her voice barely steady, “what do you want to do now?”
Dreven didn’t answer immediately. He finished with the rope and rose to his full height, his black cloak shifting like liquid shadow. When he turned to face her, his steel-gray eyes locked onto hers with unnerving intensity. “How would I know?” he replied, his tone cold and flat. “You are of Ultima. I am not. If I am to survive in this world, you will need to guide me.”
Lisan clenched her jaw, the weight of his words settling like a stone in her stomach. Of course, it fell to her to figure things out. What did I expect? She folded her arms, ignoring the slight tremor in her fingers. “We need a cover story,” she began, forcing her voice into something resembling confidence. “The authorities will be suspicious of us no matter where we go. And if the outworld inquisitors catch wind of you…”
Her words hung in the air. She didn’t need to finish the thought.
Dreven’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Explain.” His command was soft but carried an edge that made her heart race.
She took a steadying breath, choosing her words carefully. “Two thousand years ago, people who died in other worlds started showing up here in Ultima. At first, it seemed harmless—new magic, new knowledge. Some of them even founded new races. But it didn’t take long for things to spiral out of control. Outworlders brought chaos, war, and death on an unimaginable scale. Nations fell. Cities burned.”
She paused, watching him closely. His face was unreadable, but his stillness was unnerving. It was the kind of stillness that spoke of restrained power, like a predator biding its time.
“In the end,” she continued, her voice quieter now, “the nations united. They formed the Outworlder Inquisition with the blessing of all the churches. Their sole purpose is to hunt down outworlders who pose a threat—or even those they think might pose one.”
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
“Eliminate them,” Dreven said softly, the weight of his words cutting through the air like a blade. “You mean they kill them.”
Lisan nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. “Yes. Most of the time, they don’t ask questions.”
Dreven tilted his head slightly, his gaze piercing. “Then I was right. Turning me over would have been a death sentence.”
The accusation stung, though she knew it wasn’t unfair. “Probably,” she admitted reluctantly. “You’re… different. Not like the others.”
His brow arched faintly. “Different how?”
How could she put it into words? She hesitated, her thoughts churning. “You’re cold,” she said finally, glancing away. “But not reckless. Calculated. Most outworlders who cause trouble are wild, unpredictable. But you… you think things through. You’re dangerous, yes, but you’re controlled.”
For a moment, Dreven said nothing, his gaze sharp and unyielding. Then, to her surprise, he nodded. “And what is your plan, Lisan Emberton?”
The sound of her name in his mouth sent a shiver down her spine. She shook it off and focused. “We need to make you seem… normal,” she said carefully. “Or as normal as possible. If we treat you as a poisoned elf from maybe the city of UnderMount it might get us through the authorities in Brightwood. From there, we resupply and head to the Kurs Kingdom which neighbors Norran. Once we reach Ports Free, I can get you registered at a guild. With a guild token, not even the Inquisition can touch you easily.”
“A UnderMount Elf?” Dreven repeated, his tone laced with faint skepticism. “And you think they’ll believe that?”
Lisan forced a shrug. “It’s the best option we have. Elves come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s not unheard of for occasional elf to make their way down to Norran.”
For a long moment, silence stretched between them. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the only sound the faint rustle of leaves overhead. Finally, Dreven nodded. “Very well. It will suffice for now.”
His agreement brought little comfort. If anything, it made the weight on her shoulders feel heavier. He’s trusting me with this, but why does it feel like I’m the one on the edge of a knife? She adjusted her pack and followed as he started walking.
“I’ll need to know more,” Dreven said, his voice breaking the quiet. “Tell me about Brightwood. What should I expect?”
“Brightwood is a small town,” she replied, choosing her words with care. “Friendly enough, but they don’t take kindly to strangers. If anyone asks, you’re my familiar, summoned to help with guild work. Stick close, don’t draw attention, and let me do the talking.”
“And the guild?” he prompted.
“One of the largest in the region,” Lisan said. “If we can get you registered there, it’ll give us protection. A guild token is like a passport—it’ll let you travel freely without too many questions.”
Dreven’s eyes darkened slightly. “And the inquisitors? How likely are we to encounter them?”
She hesitated, a chill creeping down her spine. “Hard to say. They’re always watching, especially in border towns like Brightwood. We’ll have to keep a low profile.”
His lips pressed into a thin line, and she thought she saw a flicker of something in his eyes—concern, maybe? But it was gone in an instant. “Understood. Then we proceed with caution.”
The command in his tone left no room for argument. Lisan fell into step beside him, her thoughts swirling. What am I doing? She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. His expression gave nothing away, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was in way over her head.
As they walked, the forest grew denser, the shadows deeper. Lisan tried to focus on the path ahead, but her mind kept wandering. She had made her choice. Now, all she could do was hope it wouldn’t lead to her downfall.