The Archivist regarded her for a moment, then gave a slow nod. "Granted."

Morrigan stepped closer to the Archivist, her playful demeanor gone. "I want your permission to bond with some humans," she said, her voice smooth and deliberate. "It would be a good way to increase Vas's allies while maintaining a certain level of control over them."

The Archivist's eyes narrowed as she considered the request. After a long pause, she finally spoke. "You may bond with no more than five."

A wicked grin spread across Morrigan's face, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Thank you," she said, before disappearing into the shadows.

Now alone, The Archivist looked down at the book she held in her hands, her expression inscrutable. The cover was ancient, the pages filled with knowledge long forgotten. "Interesting," she murmured to herself, her fingers tracing the spine. "Things are taking an unexpected turn."

With that, she closed the book and vanished, leaving the Void in silence once more.

Vas woke up the next morning, the sunlight streaming through the blinds casting fragmented shadows across the room. His first thought was to text Zola and Lily. He needed them today, and it couldn't wait. With a few taps on his CipherSync, he sent out a brief message asking if they were free. When both responded that they were, he didn't waste any time.

Meet me at this address, he typed, sharing the location of Elliot's apartment. It was the safest place he could think of. Sigils and wards guarded the space, ancient and powerful ones Elliot had spent years crafting. Whatever Morrigan had in mind, it had to be done somewhere secure. He paused for a moment, leaning against the edge of the bed, before asking the question that had been on his mind since he woke up.

"What's your plan, Morrigan?" he asked silently, knowing the spirit would hear his thoughts.

A soft hum echoed in his mind, Morrigan's voice materializing like a whisper woven into his thoughts. "The time has come to form a group, Vas. You're going to need more than strength. You need influence, eyes, and ears on society—people who can gather information, fight when necessary, and support you in the mission to find the Forgotten."

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Vas frowned. "And you think Zola and Lily are enough for that?"

"They are the first step," she continued, her tone calm, calculated. "You have others in your orbit—Morgan, Axel. They show promise. And there's Nyra and Sarah, despite your reservations. Elliot entrusted you with their care. You can't abandon that, can you?"

Vas felt a knot tightening in his chest. He wasn't fond of Nyra and Sarah. He remembered last night, the chaos, the mess they were involved in. Still, Elliot had asked him to protect them, and turning his back on that request didn't sit right with him. He sighed and picked up his CipherSync again, texting Sarah. He kept it direct.

"I know what happened last night. You and Nyra need help. There's a price, though. Meet me here before we discuss anything further." He sent the location of Elliot's apartment.

Sarah's response was almost immediate, a rush of relief flooding her words. She was ecstatic, believing somehow she had charmed her way into Vas' good graces. Excitedly, she told Nyra about the message.

Nyra, however, was less convinced. She stared at Sarah with a raised brow. "If Vas knows what happened last night, why isn't he mad at us? This feels off."

Sarah shook her head, her nerves betraying her. "Do we have a choice? He's our best shot. If we don't take this, we're on our own."

Nyra's lips tightened into a thin line, but she nodded. Reluctantly, they agreed to meet him.

Meanwhile, Vas sent the same text to Morgan and Axel. Elliot's apartment, a specific hour. Axel, ever the enthusiastic one, practically jumped at the opportunity. He had been waiting for a moment like this, and the text from Vas was all the motivation he needed to get moving.

Morgan, on the other hand, was in the middle of a bath when she saw the message. She paused, wiping a bead of water from her brow, her expression tightening with concern. She had reasons for wanting power, deep-seated ones, but this felt bigger than what she was ready for. Still, she couldn't back out now. She stood up, drying herself off and beginning to get ready.

As she slipped on her clothes, a sudden presence made her freeze. The air grew thick, the atmosphere changing. She turned slowly to see a towering figure standing near the doorway, almost too large to fit comfortably in the space. His imposing figure was hard to ignore—muscular, tall, with skin the color of pale light, and waist-length hair the shade of icy blue. Tattoos snaked up his arms and across his broad chest, intricate designs that seemed to move with his body. He wore dark blue shorts and black fingerless gloves, his expression confident, a slight smirk on his lips that radiated a dangerous energy.

"Morgan," he said, his deep voice reverberating through the room like a low growl, "what are you up to?"

Morgan swallowed hard, her voice steady but cautious as she met his gaze. "I'm going to meet someone. His name is Vas."

The man's smirk widened, but his eyes remained sharp, calculating. "Sounds important. I think I'll come along. Can't have you going alone, now can I?" His words were both protective and possessive, a mixture of dominance and concern that Morgan couldn't quite decipher.

She wanted to refuse but knew it would be pointless. When he made up his mind, there was little room for negotiation. So, she nodded. "Alright, let's go."

Back at Elliot's apartment, Vas stood outside, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on him. Morrigan's presence was ever-constant in his mind, her voice like silk wrapping around his thoughts. "They will come, Vas. And when they do, you must be ready. This is more than just building alliances. It's about control. Lead them, or they will slip from your grasp."

Vas exhaled slowly, steeling himself. "And if they don't trust me?"

Morrigan's voice was a whisper against his soul. "Then make them. By any means necessary."