Umbriel and Carter walked side by side through the winding streets of Tratiari, the weight of their mission heavy on their shoulders. The city bustled with life around them, its people completely unaware of the dark forces gathering in the shadows. They had been searching for hours, asking anyone who might know the whereabouts of Antonio Tratiari, the man they called the Thousand-Eyed. He was rumored to know everything that happened in the city—every whisper, every secret. If anyone could help them find Martel and Keno, it would be him.

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets as Umbriel glanced over at Carter. His face was set in a deep frown, his eyes scanning the streets as though he might spot their missing comrades any moment. But there was no sign of them, only the endless flow of merchants, vendors, and townsfolk going about their business.

Finally, after a series of cryptic directions and half-truths from suspicious locals, they found it.

Antonio Tratiari’s mansion loomed before them, a grand structure nestled in the heart of the city. It was enormous, easily the largest building they had seen in Tratiari. The mansion was unlike anything they had expected—its walls were draped in lush vines, with vibrant flowers blooming in every corner. The air here was different too, carrying the sweet, heady scent of exotic plants, mingled with the soft fragrance of finely aged wood. It was a world apart from the chaotic energy of the city outside.

The mansion’s doors were a marvel unto themselves, made of polished, dark wood, their surface engraved with intricate patterns of tiny dots. As Umbriel and Carter stepped closer, they realized the dots were actually small seeds embedded into the wood—seeds that pulsed faintly, almost as if they were alive. It was as if the mansion itself was breathing.

Carter whistled softly, his eyes wide. “So this is the Thousand-Eyed’s home? I expected something... darker.”

Umbriel nodded, equally awed by the mansion’s beauty. "If nothing else, it proves he’s as connected as they say. This is no ordinary man’s house."

They stood at the door for a moment, exchanging a glance. The rumors about Antonio Tratiari were as bizarre as they were varied. Some said he had eyes everywhere, in the form of spies, animals, even enchanted objects. Others claimed he had sold his soul in exchange for the ability to see into the minds of others. No one really knew the truth, but Umbriel and Carter were about to find out.

Umbriel took a deep breath, then stepped forward and knocked on the door. The sound echoed, deep and resonant, like knocking on the trunk of an ancient tree.

They waited, and for a long moment, there was only silence. Umbriel’s heartbeat quickened. She could feel something in the air, a sense of being watched, though she saw no one. It was as if the house itself was studying them, judging whether they were worthy to enter.

Carter shifted uneasily beside her. "You think he knows we're here?"

"If the stories are true, he’s probably known since we set foot in the city," Umbriel replied, her voice low.

The door creaked open.

A man stood in the doorway, dressed in fine, dark robes embroidered with gold thread. He was older, his hair silver, but his posture was straight, and his presence commanded respect. His eyes—striking and sharp—were the first thing Umbriel noticed. They gleamed with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. It was as if he could see right through her, into the very depths of her soul.

“Antonio Tratiari?” Umbriel asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

The man’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. “In flesh,” he said, his voice smooth and calm. “I’ve been expecting you. Umbriel, Edmund, come in.”

He stepped aside, motioning for them to enter. Umbriel exchanged a quick glance with Carter.

“How in the heavens did he know my name?” Carter whispered to Umbriel, amazed.

Before stepping over the threshold. The moment they entered the mansion, the scent of flowers and herbs intensified, a wave of calming aromas washing over them. Inside, the mansion was even more breathtaking. The walls were lined with shelves filled with rare plants, books, and artifacts from distant lands. Soft, golden light filtered through stained glass windows, casting intricate patterns on the polished wooden floor.

Antonio closed the door behind them and led them down a long, ornate hallway. As they walked, Umbriel couldn’t shake the feeling that the house was alive, its walls watching them, listening to every word they said.

Finally, Antonio led them into a sitting room, a large space filled with lush greenery and strange, flickering candles that gave off an otherworldly glow. A massive window overlooked a courtyard garden, where even more exotic plants flourished.

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Antonio gestured for them to sit. "You’ve come far, and I believe I know why," he said, sitting opposite them, his gaze unyielding. "You seek Martel and Keno."

Umbriel felt a spark of hope flare in her chest. "You know where they are?"

Antonio leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers. "I know much of what happens in Tratiari, but seeing their fate is... complicated." His voice dropped to a murmur, barely louder than a whisper, but it held an air of gravity that made both Umbriel and Carter lean in closer.

He continued, "Martel has fallen into dangerous hands. He was taken by a man who deals in things far darker than you can imagine. This man is no mere criminal—he is part of a web that stretches far beyond this city, into the realms of the ancient and the forbidden."

Umbriel's heart sank. "Is he... alive?"

"For now," Antonio said, his expression unreadable. "But the man who took him is taking him not far from here… there is an old part of the city where shadows grow long, and the past does not stay buried. He intends to wait there, to lure you and Carter to Platea Verdi."

Umbriel clenched her fists. "So it's a trap."

Antonio nodded. "Indeed. And Keno... he is close, but blinded by the same forces that cloud your path. He searches for Martel, but his own anger clouds his judgment. I would caution you both not to walk this path blindly."

Carter, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "And what about the Chaos Devices? We've heard rumors that they're involved."

Antonio’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "Ah, yes. The Chaos Devices... powerful artifacts indeed, each with a will of its own. It is no coincidence that the man who holds Martel possesses not one but two of them. The amulet and the boots, to be specific—cursed trinkets indeed” Said Antonio.

Umbriel felt a cold chill run down her spine.

Antonio rose from his seat, walking to the window and looking out over the garden. "You are not the only ones searching for these Devices. Dark forces are moving, drawn by the power they contain. You must tread carefully, for one wrong move could doom not just Martel, but all of you."

Umbriel stood, her resolve hardening. "We can't let this man keep Martel. We'll go to Platea Verdi, trap or not."

Antonio turned to face her, a shadow of a smile on his lips. "I expected nothing less. But know this: the man you face is not alone. Others will come for you—those who seek the Devices for their own gain. Be prepared for what lies ahead, Umbriel."

Carter rose beside her, his expression grim. "We'll be ready."

Antonio’s face darkened as he turned from the window, his fingers trailing over the leaves of a strange, glowing plant on the windowsill. “There is something else you should know,” he began, his voice lower now, weighted with a memory that seemed to stir something deep within him. “I once possessed one of the Chaos Devices.”

Umbriel and Carter exchanged glances, their eyes widening in surprise.

Antonio continued, his gaze distant. “Years ago, when I built this city, I found one of these artifacts—an object of great power. I kept it hidden, used it to... make others see things, feel things beyond reality itself. It was how I gained the title ‘Thousand-Eyed.’ I could see through everyone's eyes in the city, every secret in the streets, every plot before it was spoken aloud. But it came with a cost.”

He paused, his voice taking on a bitter edge. “One night, it was stolen from me. Taken by a man who I thought was an ally. He wore a hood, and I only saw his face once before he vanished into the shadows.”

Umbriel’s brow furrowed as she listened, something about the description sparking a familiar image in her mind. She leaned forward, her voice cautious but curious. “A hooded figure with red, shimmering eyes?”

Antonio’s reaction was immediate. His eyes widened in shock, and he stood upright, his calm composure slipping for the first time. “Red eyes?” he repeated, disbelief coloring his words. “You’ve seen him?”

“Yes,” Umbriel replied, her pulse quickening. “He approached us not long ago, before Martel went missing. He mentioned you—said you were the one to find in Tratiari if we wanted information. But he never gave a name.”

Antonio’s face twisted with recognition and something close to anger. “That thief... He is no ordinary man. He’s the one who stole the potion from me.” He exhaled sharply, pacing the room as though the weight of the revelation bore down on him. “I knew he was dangerous, but I didn’t realize he was still lurking here in Tratiari. I’m Sorry… I’ve lost some of my power. But I was lucky enough I could brew some… “

Antonio Stopped talking.

“Nevermind,” Said Antonio.

That man has lived in the shadows of Platea Verdi for years, hiding, scheming. He’s more than just a thief—he’s a collector of powerful artifacts, obsessed with gathering the Chaos Devices.”

Umbriel stood up, a sense of urgency surging through her. “Then that’s where we have to go. Platea Verdi.”

Carter rose beside her, his face set with determination. “If this man has Martel, and a Chaos Device, we can’t waste any more time.”

Antonio nodded gravely. “You’re right. The longer he has Martel, the worse the situation will get. He’ll try to use the Object to bend reality to his will, to trap you, maybe even to manipulate your minds, like he did with me. He’s waiting for you. But be careful—the power of his Device can corrupt even the strongest minds.”

As Umbriel turned to leave, Antonio spoke again, stopping them in their tracks. “There’s something else. If Keno is still searching for Martel, then he’ll likely head to Platea Verdi too and if that thief realizes that Keno has two devices, then Keno is in danger as well.”

Umbriel clenched her fists. Platea Verdi was now their inevitable destination. She couldn’t afford to think of anything else. But a nagging thought tugged at the back of her mind—Alura. Alura, who was also tangled in the mysteries of the Chaos Devices. But no. Not now.

“Martel comes first,” Umbriel said under her breath, almost as if to remind herself of her priorities. She turned to Carter, her face set in stone. “We need to move fast.”

Antonio nodded one last time, stepping aside as they made for the door. "Go, and may your mind be stronger than the chaos that awaits. I’ll see what I can do from here, but remember—once you enter Platea Verdi, you will be playing his game. Be ready for anything."