Her long, vibrant red hair, contrasted by the black underlayer, framed her face dramatically. Tattoos adorned her arms and shoulders in intricate patterns, snaking up and down her skin in mesmerizing designs. The ink didn't stop there—tattoos also decorated her chest, sides, back, and even the back of her neck, all in striking black, each with a different theme.

Her septum piercing gleamed under the dim, flashing lights, perfectly aligned with a small stud on her lower lip. She wore a fitted white leather top that accentuated her medium-sized breasts, and oversized black pants that hung loosely around her hips, a stark contrast to her form-fitting upper half. Her figure was athletic, her legs toned, and her backside firm. Freckles dotted her face, giving her a touch of natural charm, while a small mole beneath her left eye only added to her allure.

As she stepped further into the room, her piercing gaze locked onto Vas, her lips curving into a slight smile.

"Vastian Hek," she said, her voice smooth and confident. "I didn't expect to see someone like you here."

Vas remained seated, his eyes meeting hers calmly. "I didn't expect to catch the attention of someone like you, either."

"Please leave us alone," Sarah instructed the barista, who nodded and quickly exited the room.

"So, what's your full name?" Vas asked once they were alone. "Since you know mine, I think it's only fair I know yours."

"Sarah... Sarah Léonie," she answered.

"I'm sorry, but I don't recognize the name," Vas said.

"I know," she replied calmly.

"Then how do you know mine, and why did you want to meet me?" Vas asked, his tone growing more serious.

"Well, anyone involved in the occult knows about the Hek family," Sarah said. "To the public, you're a family of military heroes and esteemed scholars, but in occult circles, you're known to be one of the highest-ranking families—the kind that pulls strings behind the scenes across the solar system."

Vas stared at her, his expression puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Come on, everyone knows you're the pariah of the family, so maybe you're not aware," Sarah continued. "Your family is famous. You could be living in the highest penthouse in The Canopy, but instead, you're in that creepy mansion in the middle of nowhere. Dangerous, mysterious, and let's be real, every member of your family looks like they could be a supermodel—even you, the outcast. It's no wonder people suspect you're involved in all sorts of hidden dealings. The owner of this club didn't even question me when I said I wanted to meet you. He practically ordered me to come to you."

"Okay, I get that," Vas said, processing her words. "But why did you want to see me?"

"Well, since you're the pariah, I figured you might be more open to making a deal," Sarah said, her tone more businesslike now.

"What kind of deal?" Vas asked.

"Occult knowledge," Sarah explained, leaning in slightly. "In exchange, I want your help getting access to your family's private library for a specific book."

Vas raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think I can do that? You've made it clear I'm the black sheep. I wouldn't expect to have access to something like that."

Sarah smirked. "I think you're more resourceful than you let on. You've bonded with a spirit, after all."

At that moment, Morrigan's voice entered Vas's mind, her tone laced with a mix of curiosity and intrigue. "I suspected it, but now it's clear—this girl is the closest thing to a Spirit Forger. Some might call her a Tuner," she said, her words echoing in the recesses of his thoughts.

"A Tuner?" Vas responded, his mind racing to grasp the implications of Morrigan's revelation.

"Not everyone is chosen by gods to be bonded," Morrigan explained, her presence steadying him amidst his confusion. "Some forge connections with spirits instead. Just like the gods, spirits assign an Archetype to the individuals they bond with."

"Archetype?" Vas echoed, perplexed. "I thought gods assigned powers based on personality and the medium they provided."

"No," Morrigan corrected him gently, "the gods assign Archetypes. The Archetype adapts to the medium and the domain of the God that assigned it. The gods keep the details of the Archetype system to themselves, likely out of boredom. It's part of their little game—a bigger one than either you or I truly comprehend. As for this girl, she's a Tuner—someone who resonates with multiple spirits. Whoever bonded with her must be powerful. An Archetype like Spirit Forger is considered Rare."

Stolen story; please report.

"Wait, so what about my Archetype?" Vas pressed, a knot of anxiety forming in his stomach.

"Spirit Forger is a Forbidden Archetype," Morrigan replied, her tone turning serious. "There are only three Forbidden Archetypes, and you are the only one to possess one in probably eons."

Vas felt a chill run down his spine, the weight of her words settling heavily on his shoulders. The revelation echoed in his mind, mingling with the uncertainty of his own journey. A Forbidden Archetype—a gift and a curse entwined in one ominous package. He made a mental note to ask Morrigan more about the subject later, but now, he had to get back to Sarah.

"So, you saw it happen?" Vas asked aloud.

"Of course," Sarah said, smiling. "I was hoping to vibe with that spirit myself, but you beat me to it."

Vas looked at her with renewed interest. She was likely part of some secret society, the kind he'd heard whispered about but never believed existed.

"What's the name of the book you want?" he asked.

"The Emerald Codex," Sarah replied.

Without another word, Vas pulled out his device and accessed the Hek family's private server. He searched for the Emerald Codex, and sure enough, there was a match. He was surprised to find it only had a 1-star rating, meaning it wasn't considered particularly dangerous or restricted.

The Hek family library was extensive, and while every family member had access to most of it, downloading certain books required permissions in the form of "stars" from his grandfather, Gerald. Gerald was the sole member of the family with full access, and he assigned up to five stars to each family member based on their standing. Vas currently had four stars, and he was permitted to download and share books rated 1 star.

He downloaded the Emerald Codex and sent it over to Sarah after requesting her contact info.

"Thanks," she said after receiving it. "I wasn't expecting you to be this cooperative."

Vas shrugged. "Consider it a favor—for now."

"No, I'll give you occult knowledge like I said," Sarah responded, her tone firm.

"Maybe later," Vas replied, already turning to leave.

"Alright, you have my contact info. Let me know when you're ready," Sarah called after him, her voice trailing off as Vas walked away without looking back.

He moved through the corridors, the heavy bass of the party still thrumming faintly in the background. His thoughts were scattered—he hadn't expected the evening to unfold like this, and the idea of Sarah's offer lingered in the back of his mind. But for now, it was something he'd push aside. There were bigger issues ahead.

Meanwhile, Sarah remained in the VIP room, a thoughtful expression on her face as she processed the encounter. Moments later, the door opened again, and a figure stepped in—a tall woman with striking features, her presence commanding.

"So, does the Hek family know about us?" the woman asked, her voice cool and measured.

"I don't think so," Sarah replied, her demeanor shifting, now more serious.

The woman paused, seemingly satisfied with the answer. "Good. Then we're still in the clear." She crossed her arms and gave Sarah an appraising look. "Well done on getting his contact information. Keep working on it—get closer to him."

"Understood," Sarah said, nodding.

The room fell silent for a moment, both women aware of the delicate balance they were navigating. The Hek family's reputation was formidable, and being careless could cost them dearly.

The woman moved toward the door, pausing just before she left. "Be careful with him, Sarah. There's more to him than just being a pariah."

"I'll keep that in mind," Sarah replied, her gaze steady.

As the door clicked shut, Sarah leaned back in her seat, staring at the ceiling. She had her own reasons for pursuing this, but there was no denying the growing complexity of the situation. The stakes were high, and any misstep could have far-reaching consequences.

In the quiet of the room, she replayed the interaction in her mind, contemplating her next move.

In the ancient ruins where the mighty Hekathonkhereis had been felled, a thick, unnatural fog clung to the ground. The crumbling stone walls, once grand and imposing, now stood as eerie silhouettes against the blood-red sky, casting long, twisted shadows. A lone figure moved through the desolation, cloaked in darkness. The air was thick with decay, and the silence was broken only by the figure's slow, deliberate footsteps.

"So this is where they fell..." the voice murmured, low and raspy, echoing off the ruined walls. The figure paused, gloved fingers brushing against the cold stone, as if feeling the death that lingered in the air. "A test... and they failed."

The voice dripped with malice, each word heavy with contempt. Eyes, gleaming with an unnatural light, scanned the desolate battlefield, where once the monstrous Hekathonkhereis had stood in defiance of gods and men alike. Their broken bodies were long gone, but the air still reeked of the battle, of blood and despair.

"They helped those beasts prepare everything in mere years... and then came him," the figure hissed, venom dripping from the word. "Vastian Hek, reeking of that woman's scent. We sent the Hekathonkhereis as bait, as a test. And now we know."

The figure's voice softened to a chilling whisper, filled with twisted amusement. "They learned much that day... about the spirits bound to him. Far too strong for the boy, for now. But the Archivist must have noticed that by now, no doubt working to remedy the weakness."

A cold wind blew through the ruins, carrying with it distant, tortured whispers, as if the souls of the fallen still lingered in the shadows, unable to rest. The figure stood motionless, eyes narrowed as they considered the consequences. Vas was a problem. A looming threat.

"But why...?" The figure's voice took on a thoughtful, eerie tone. "Why does the Hek family keep him hidden? Why leave such potential buried? What are they waiting for?"

The figure chuckled softly, the sound low and menacing, sending a chill through the lifeless ruins. The fog seemed to thicken, swirling at the figure's feet, as if the darkness itself was listening. "No matter. His time will come, and when it does... we'll be ready. He won't be hidden forever."

As the figure began to move again, the shadows seemed to twist and writhe, as if alive, closing in around them. The ruins, already suffocating in their silence, felt darker, colder. Something ancient and malevolent lurked beneath the surface, waiting. Watching.

The figure disappeared into the fog, their final words barely audible, carried on the wind like a curse:

"His path leads only to us."

And with that, the ruins returned to their unnatural stillness, a place where even time itself seemed afraid to move forward.