Vas's expression hardened a little, more serious now. "Lots of things."

Sarah chimed in, grinning as she spoke. "You know, Vas, you're lucky to have him working on you. Robbie here is one of the best—his work is legit. Not everyone gets a piece done by him."

"I don't know who he is," Vas replied flatly, but before Sarah could respond, Zola stepped forward.

"I do," Zola said. "Robbie Flynn. He's won several awards for his tattooing. He's known all over the world."

"Oh, that's… different," Vas said, his tone shifting just slightly, but not enough to change his demeanor.

Robbie raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So, now am I worthy of some answers?"

Vas didn't miss a beat. "No. Still no. I'm here because Anya said you could be trusted. Apparently, I was mistaken. So, I'll be leaving now."

Robbie's eyes narrowed, his tone sharpening. "I don't take it lightly when someone erases my art."

"Robbie, stop," Sarah interjected, getting up from her station and walking over to him. She leaned in and whispered something in his ear, too low for Vas or Zola to hear, but whatever she said had an immediate effect. Robbie's expression softened, his posture relaxing.

"Alright," Robbie said, exhaling as he ran a hand through his hair. "Follow me. I'm sorry for that."

Vas nodded, his gaze flicking toward Zola, who met his eyes with a subtle frown, and they followed Robbie toward the back, tension hanging in the air like a shadow.

"Okay, so, you need some time alone again this time?" Robbie asked, glancing at Vas as he prepped the equipment.

"Yeah, just me and the ink," Vas replied, his voice steady.

Robbie nodded. "No problem. Just… try not to erase my art this time." There was a teasing edge to his voice, but a hint of seriousness lingered beneath.

Vas gave him a short nod in response. As soon as he was left alone, he reached for the nanobyte ink and felt the subtle shift as he prepared to enter the forge.

"This time, the heavier part of the forging process will be the tattooing itself," Morrigan's voice echoed in his mind. "It's going to hurt, Vas, but that pain is how you'll forge this spirit. You'll have to endure it, shape it through every needle stroke."

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The words settled in him, and he took a slow breath, steadying himself for what was to come. He'd done this before, but each time was different. This time, the pain would serve as the catalyst to bind the spirit within the ink.

Not long after, Robbie returned, rolling up his sleeves and eyeing the tools he'd set out. "So, what's the design this time?"

"I'm thinking something fluid and intricate," Vas explained. "Like energy lines or veins of light, weaving across the skin. Elegant curves, flowing shapes—something alive, almost organic."

Robbie raised an eyebrow. "That's gonna take some time. And you're doing this all in one go?"

"We have to," Vas replied, no hesitation in his voice.

Robbie started setting up, glancing over his shoulder. "What about the girl you came here with?"

Vas paused, studying Robbie's expression before asking, "Are you part of The Scribes?"

Robbie froze, his hands hovering over his tools. His reaction was answer enough.

"I was right then?" Vas smirked. "That's probably what Sarah whispered to you. About me meeting Elliot."

Robbie sighed, realizing there was no point in denying it. "Yeah, I am."

"Then Zola stays," Vas said, his tone final.

"Fine." Robbie sighed again, a little reluctant. "I'll let her in."

Moments later, Zola entered the room, her eyes darting between Vas and Robbie, trying to gauge what was happening.

"They're part of a secret society called The Scribes," Vas explained to Zola, unfazed. "Their founder's teaching me some things, so they're helping me too."

Robbie's face tightened with frustration. "You're not supposed to tell anyone that!"

Vas shrugged. "Don't care what you think. Elliot won't care either."

Robbie shot him a look, clearly irked. "We'll see about that. He's on his way here."

Vas didn't flinch. "Good. Zola already knows him."

Sure enough, before long, the door opened, and Elliot stepped in, his presence as composed and commanding as always. "Young Vastian," he greeted, his voice rich with curiosity. "Care to tell me what exactly you're doing here?"

"Sure," Vas said, voice steady as he met Elliot's gaze. "I'm trying to forge a spirit into a nanobyte tattoo. Robbie here was recommended by a friend of mine. Oh, and I told Zola about The Scribes and that you found them."

Elliot raised an eyebrow. "You trust her enough?"

In that moment, Sarah entered the room, immediately zeroing in on the conversation. "Wait, what? The Scribes? What's this Void and Archivist you're talking about?" she asked, her tattoo needle still in hand.

"I can't say, Sarah," Elliot replied, his tone calm but resolute.

Robbie, still prepping the tattoo equipment, joined in. "Why not? Why does he know something we don't? We've followed you for years."

Elliot's expression hardened, his usual calm giving way to a stern look. "I can't tell you. It's not because I don't want to—it's because all information about…" He trailed off, eyes narrowing in thought.

Vas interrupted, eyebrow raised. "Can't even say it to them?"

"No," Elliot answered, his voice flat.

"So, is it because of Amrita or The Archivist?" Vas asked, watching Elliot's reaction closely.

"The Archivist," Elliot confirmed.

"Can I tell them?" Vas pressed.

"Apparently, The Archivist allows you to share some information," Elliot said, crossing his arms.

Vas nodded. "Yeah, she does. So, here's the deal. The Void is the realm of all that's Forgotten or that humanity is Forbidden to remember. The Archivist is the god in charge of managing the place."

Sarah's eyes widened. "Wait, what? That's… what does that even mean?"

Vas shook his head. "That's all I can say. We should get started with the tattoo now," he said, turning to Robbie.