Asher leaned against the rough-hewn wall of the safehouse, eyes locked on Lira as she poured a strange, amber liquid from a small flask into two chipped cups. A dense silence hung between them, filled only by the faint clinking of her bracelets as she moved. Despite the city's echoing hum outside, the room felt stiflingly still, as if it held its breath.

Lira handed him a cup, her expression unreadable. "Drink. You’ll need it."

He took the cup, swirling the liquid thoughtfully. "So, what exactly do I ‘need’ this for? Relaxing’s not exactly on my list of priorities right now."

Her mouth curved in a wry smile. "It’s not about relaxing. It’s about understanding the rules here. Knowing how to wield every weapon at your disposal—including the ones you’d rather ignore."

His eyes narrowed. “Is that so?” He took a sip, letting the bitter, earthy taste roll over his tongue. It wasn’t unpleasant, though there was a faint burn that lingered. “Alright. Consider me interested. Go on.”

She held his gaze, as if weighing her next words. "Look, Asher, this world is unlike wherever you came from. Magic isn’t the only currency here, nor is power only measured by brute force. Influence, alliances… there are countless ways to dominate."

Asher leaned back, his gaze sharp. "You’re talking about more than just surviving, then.”

“Surviving? That’s the bare minimum," she said, shaking her head. "Out here, surviving is as basic as breathing. Thriving, winning—those are different beasts entirely.”

"Let me guess,” he said, his voice dry, “you have a master plan for that, too?”

Lira’s smile was faint, laced with something he couldn’t quite read. "I know how to navigate this world, yes. I know what works and what doesn’t. But you," she paused, her eyes flicking over him, assessing, "you’re unused to the… nuances here. You’re all ambition, no restraint. Power may come naturally to you, but control… that’s a different skill.”

His gaze didn’t waver. “And that’s where you come in, is it?”

“Exactly.” She lifted her cup, taking a slow sip before continuing. “I can guide you—show you paths to strength that don’t rely solely on brute force. But it requires openness on your part. Willingness to do what’s necessary.”

“And what exactly does that entail?” he asked, his tone challenging. “I’m not here to play games, Lira.”

“No games,” she replied coolly. “This is about you expanding your influence. Here, forming bonds is as essential as honing a blade, and sometimes—” she paused, voice softening, “—sometimes, those bonds go deeper. In this world, relationships aren’t just connections—they’re investments. Each one holds potential power.”

Asher raised an eyebrow, intrigued but guarded. “And how far am I expected to take these… ‘investments’?”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

She leaned forward, her voice low. “Far enough to secure your goals. If that means building trust, offering favors, or even… getting intimately involved, then so be it. Sex isn’t just a physical act here; it’s a transaction, a contract in some ways. There are pacts sealed by it, powers that are shared—if you’re willing to go there.”

For a moment, he simply stared at her, processing. “You’re saying I need to… sleep with people to gain power?”

She didn’t flinch, meeting his gaze head-on. “In some cases, yes. Sex here isn’t seen the way you might think. It’s not about lust or conquest, but connection. Sharing a part of your essence, your magic. For some, it’s an exchange of power—a way to strengthen bonds that can become unbreakable.”

Asher chuckled, a hint of disbelief coloring his tone. “I suppose that’s easy for you to say. You’re already familiar with these… customs.”

Her gaze turned steely. “Don’t make assumptions about what’s easy for me, Asher. I know the weight of every choice I make.” She set her cup down, her fingers lingering on it as if drawing strength from the touch. “I’ve learned that this world doesn’t care about your morals. Only your results.”

He considered her words, eyes darkening. “And you’re saying this is one of the ‘necessary’ tools?”

Lira nodded. “It’s a matter of adapting to what’s here, what you have in your arsenal. That drive you have, that hunger for dominance—it will serve you well. But you’ll need allies who are loyal, allies who see you as more than a passing shadow.”

He tilted his head, watching her with a mixture of skepticism and curiosity. “And if I’m not interested in playing by these… particular rules?”

Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile. “Then you’ll be vulnerable. Power alone isn’t enough; without people to shield your back, to give you insight into the intricate web of rivalries and loyalties here, you’re exposed. Weak.” She leaned forward, voice a mere whisper. “You may be dangerous, Asher, but every weapon has a flaw. And in Aetherium, someone will find yours.”

Silence stretched between them, weighted and intense. The room seemed to darken, shadows pooling in the corners as he processed her words.

Finally, he broke the silence. “Say I agree. Say I take your… advice. How do I know it isn’t just another way for you to control me?”

Her gaze didn’t waver. “Because if I wanted control over you, I’d have done it by now. I don’t need deception to prove a point. What I’m offering is simple: knowledge, experience. The ability to stay alive, to thrive. Whether or not you trust me… that’s your decision.”

He studied her, his mind racing. “You speak as if power means everything to you.”

She met his gaze, unflinching. “Because it does. Power means freedom. And in Aetherium, freedom is something most only dream of.”

He exhaled slowly, processing her words. “And what’s your price, then?”

Lira shrugged, a faint, tired smile crossing her face. “My price is survival—mine, yours. If you grow strong enough, maybe there’s a place for both of us in this world. Maybe.”

Her words hung in the air, laced with a strange mixture of hope and caution, an undercurrent of something deeper. Asher’s mind whirled, questions and calculations spinning.

Finally, he nodded. “Fine. But know this: I don’t make promises lightly. If I’m to trust you, there’s a price on your end, too.”

Lira held his gaze, a flicker of something inscrutable in her eyes. “I understand.”

She rose, crossing to the window and staring out over the shadowed city. “Tomorrow, we go to the council of First Light. It’ll be your first real test—whether you’re ready to wield influence in this world, or if you’re just another fool with ambition.”

Her words were clipped, but Asher could sense the layers beneath them. For a moment, he almost asked her what had made her this way, what had instilled such a ruthless clarity in her. But he held his tongue, turning his gaze to the city as his mind returned to the plan forming in his mind.

In Aetherium, survival meant embracing its darkness. And now, he was prepared to do just that.