The cobblestone streets of the marketplace felt quieter than usual, the weekend bustle dulled by an uneasy stillness. I approached Tessara's shop, eager for our usual exchange of ideas and perhaps a warm smile to dispel the weight of recent events. But as I turned the familiar corner, my footsteps faltered, and my heart sank.

The Grant General Store was in shambles.

Its door hung ajar, barely clinging to its hinges. Shards of glass from the shattered windows glinted on the ground, and the once-carefully arranged goods spilled haphazardly onto the street. The sign above the door, carved lovingly by Tessara's father, Hugh, now dangled lopsidedly as if the shop itself had been wounded.

I rushed forward, scanning the scene for signs of life. “Tessara?” I called, my voice tense with urgency. No answer.

Inside, the destruction was worse. Shelves were toppled, their contents strewn across the floor like the remnants of a desperate struggle. The faint scent of blood mingled with the scent of broken jars of dried herbs. My stomach churned.

Then, a soft groan reached my ears, barely audible over the pounding of my heart. I stepped around a fallen rack of goods to find Hugh Grant slumped against the counter. His face was pale, his breathing labored. A deep gash on his side soaked his shirt with crimson.

“Hugh!” I dropped to my knees beside him, my hands already moving to assess the wound. His eyelids fluttered, and he winced as I pressed a cloth against the injury.

“Illiad…” he rasped, his voice strained. “They… they took her.”

“What happened?” I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the panic bubbling inside me.

He coughed weakly, his head tilting to meet my gaze. “A gang. They came... demanded money for protection. When I refused… they attacked.” His hand trembled as he gestured vaguely to the wreckage around us. “Tessara tried to stop them. She—she wouldn’t leave me. So they…” His voice broke, and his eyes glistened with tears.

I clenched my teeth, forcing down the surge of anger threatening to consume me. “Who were they? Did you recognize them?”

“Snakes,” he murmured. “They all had snake tattoos... Ouroboros.”

The name struck a chord. Ouroboros—a notorious underground gang known for their ruthlessness and ties to shady dealings across the region. My fists tightened at the mention, a storm of rage brewing inside me.

“I’m going to find her,” I said firmly, meeting Hugh’s desperate gaze. “But first, we need to get you stable.”

I worked quickly, tearing strips from a clean sack to bind his wound. My aura, faint but steady, pulsed through my hands, stemming the worst of the bleeding. “You’ll be alright,” I assured him, though I wasn’t entirely certain myself. “Stay here. Keep out of sight.”

Hugh grasped my wrist, his grip surprisingly strong for someone in his condition. “Please, Illiad… bring her back. She’s all I have left.”

“I will,” I promised, rising to my feet. My heart burned with resolve as I surveyed the ruined shop one last time. This wasn’t just an attack—it was a message, one that I intended to send back with interest.

As I stepped outside, my mind raced, piecing together a plan. Tessara’s life was on the line, and there was no room for hesitation. Whoever had taken her would soon learn the price of crossing me.

**

Tracking Tessara’s Kidnappers

The streets of Qalbargh felt unfamiliar, as though they had transformed into something darker since the last time I had wandered them. Perhaps it was the knowledge that Tessara’s life was in danger, or the blood-streaked face of Hugh Grant etched in my mind, but every shadow now seemed like a potential threat.

I retraced the signs left behind at the shop, scanning for any clue. The floor had been scuffed with boot marks, some of them smeared with the same blood I had seen pooling near Hugh. They weren’t careful, or maybe they were confident no one would come looking. Either way, it gave me a trail to follow.

Hugh’s words about the snake tattoo echoed in my mind. Ouroboros. I had heard the name before. They were an underground gang that thrived in the shadows, dealing in extortion, smuggling, and worse. Their influence spread wide, but I’d never thought they would stoop to targeting someone like Tessara. Unless…

My gut twisted. Could the Rithanes have hired them? It wouldn’t be beyond them to use pawns to weaken anyone close to me. A calculated move, one meant to unnerve and isolate.

I stopped at a corner where the cobblestone streets branched into smaller alleyways. Focus, Illiad. Think. The chaos of the ransacked shop had scattered my thoughts, but I forced myself to piece things together. The tracks outside the shop suggested they’d loaded Tessara into a cart or carriage—likely to avoid drawing attention while moving her through the main streets.

The alleys ahead were eerily quiet. A sharp whistle from a passing merchant brought me back to reality, and I realized I needed more information. Going in blind would get Tessara killed.

My feet carried me to a grimy pub I’d spotted earlier—The Rusted Harpy—a known haunt for shady characters. The air inside was thick with the stench of unwashed bodies and stale ale. I kept my hood up, blending into the dimly lit room.

“Another round here!” someone bellowed, slamming their mug on the bar. The patrons roared with laughter, too distracted to notice me. Good. I approached the barkeep, sliding a few coins across the counter.

“I’m looking for someone,” I said, keeping my tone low. “Heard there’s been activity from Ouroboros in the area.”

The barkeep gave me a look, his lips pressing into a tight line. “Don’t want no trouble, boy.”

“No trouble,” I assured him, sliding more coins across the counter. “Just answers.”

He hesitated, then sighed. “They’ve been moving goods through the warehouses near the river. Might find what you’re lookin’ for there. But you didn’t hear it from me.”

I nodded and slipped out, the weight of urgency pressing down on me. The warehouses by the river were secluded—a perfect place for illegal dealings or hiding a kidnapped victim. If Tessara was there, I had to act fast.

**

Infiltrating the Hideout

The warehouse loomed like a beast from my nightmares—hulking, silent, and brimming with menace. The weak lantern light outside barely reached the edges of the building, leaving the surrounding area cloaked in darkness. Every shadow seemed alive, every creak of the wind whispering a warning to turn back. But retreat wasn’t an option.

I moved carefully, my boots pressing soundlessly against the damp ground. The guards were a predictable lot, their patterns of movement sloppy but regular. They didn’t expect anyone to come snooping around; that arrogance would be their undoing.

Sliding against the warehouse’s rough wooden wall, I stopped at a narrow gap between two boards. Peering through, I caught my first glimpse of the interior. The place was as disorganized as it was ominous—piles of crates stacked haphazardly, some spilling their contents onto the floor. Broken barrels leaked dark fluids, their pungent smell wafting toward me even from outside.

My focus shifted to the figures inside. Three men lounged around a table near the center of the room, playing cards and exchanging crude jokes. Two more stood near a doorway that likely led deeper into the hideout. None of them seemed particularly alert.

Good.

The back entrance was my best option. The guards outside were positioned to prevent anyone from sneaking in, but they hadn’t accounted for someone coming over the roof.

Scaling the side of the warehouse was slow, each movement deliberate to avoid making noise. The beams groaned under my weight as I reached the top, but the wind masked the sound. I found a loose panel near the edge of the roof and pried it open just enough to slip inside.

The rafters offered a bird’s-eye view of the chaos below. From this vantage point, I could see the entire layout of the main floor. It was clear the gang used this place as more than a holding site—evidence of their smuggling operations was everywhere.

And there, in a far corner, was what I had been dreading. A makeshift cell, its iron bars out of place amidst the wooden crates. Inside, Tessara sat huddled against the wall, her head resting on her knees. Even from this distance, I could see the fear etched into her posture.

My chest tightened. She was alive, but for how long?

I needed a plan. There were at least five men on this floor alone, and more likely waited in the rooms beyond. Taking them head-on would be suicide, especially in such tight quarters.

Instead, I decided to rely on stealth. Dropping down silently behind a stack of crates, I began moving closer to the cell. Each step was calculated, every breath measured. The faint smell of damp wood and oil filled my nostrils as I navigated the maze of obstacles.

The first obstacle was one of the guards patrolling the perimeter. He was young, his posture lazy as he leaned against a stack of crates. It was almost too easy. Approaching from behind, I clamped a hand over his mouth and struck the back of his neck with precision. He crumpled without a sound.

I dragged him into the shadows before moving on.

As I inched closer to Tessara’s cell, the low murmur of voices grew louder. The men at the table were discussing their plans, their words dripping with malice.

“Boss says she’s just leverage,” one of them sneered, his voice thick with disdain. “Don’t know why he’s bothering with some shop girl.”

“Leverage against who, though?” another asked. “We don’t get paid to ask questions.”

Their laughter grated against my nerves, but I forced myself to stay calm. Tessara needed me focused, not reckless.

Reaching the cell’s edge, I crouched low, blending into the shadows. Tessara hadn’t noticed me yet, her focus inward. The sight of her trembling frame fueled my resolve.

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The guards near the doorway were the next obstacle. Unlike the others, they seemed more disciplined, their eyes scanning the room periodically. I would need to create a distraction to get past them.

I reached into my pouch, retrieving a small glass vial. The mixture inside was something I had crafted for emergencies—when thrown, it would produce a flash of light and a loud crack.

I tossed the vial toward the far end of the warehouse, aiming for a stack of barrels.

The effect was immediate.

A blinding flash illuminated the room, followed by a deafening crack that echoed off the walls. The men at the table leapt to their feet, shouting in confusion, while the guards near the doorway rushed toward the source of the noise.

Seizing the opportunity, I slipped past them, my heart pounding. The path to Tessara’s cell was clear, but I knew my window was small.

**

Rescuing Tessara

The faint rustle of fabric and muffled conversation carried through the dark corridor as I crept closer to the room where Tessara was held. The heavy oak door was slightly ajar, the flickering light of a lantern inside spilling into the hallway. I pressed my back to the wall, steadying my breath, and angled my head to listen.

“Should’ve just left her with a warning,” one gruff voice muttered.

“No. We needed leverage,” another snapped. “The boss made it clear—if her family doesn’t cooperate, we use her to send a message.”

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. My mind churned with anger, but I couldn’t afford to lose control. The room was heavily guarded, with three men inside and others likely patrolling nearby. Charging in recklessly would only get me, and Tessara, killed. I needed to be precise.

Taking one last deep breath, I silently moved to a darker corner where a discarded crate sat. From there, I spotted a broken piece of iron rod—long enough to use as a weapon. I crouched low, picking it up, and returned to the door. Glancing inside, I saw Tessara.

She sat slumped in a chair, her wrists bound tightly behind her. Her head hung low, her usual determined spirit muted by exhaustion and fear. My heart twisted at the sight, anger and guilt warring within me. But her presence also fueled my resolve.

I slipped into the room, pressing my back to the shadows. The guards were distracted, laughing among themselves, unaware of my approach.

“Can’t believe we have to babysit some shopkeeper’s brat,” one of them scoffed.

“She’s tougher than she looks,” another grumbled, rubbing a bruise on his arm. “Kicked me when we grabbed her.”

Tessara—still fighting even after everything. I couldn’t help but feel a small surge of pride for her, though it made me all the more furious that she was in this situation to begin with.

The first man started pacing toward the window, leaving the other two closer to Tessara. This was my opening. I darted forward, striking the first man across the back of his head with the iron rod before he could make a sound. He crumpled instantly, and I caught him before his body could thud against the floor.

The remaining two turned, startled, but I was already moving. I swung the rod into the ribs of the nearest one, knocking him off balance. Before he could recover, I rammed my shoulder into him, sending him sprawling into a stack of crates.

The third man lunged at me, drawing a knife. I barely dodged the swipe, the blade slicing the air inches from my face. Gripping the rod tightly, I parried his next attack and delivered a sharp blow to his forearm, forcing him to drop the weapon. A quick follow-up strike to his temple sent him staggering before he crumpled to the floor.

Breathing hard, I scanned the room. All three were unconscious, and Tessara stared at me with wide, tear-filled eyes.

“Illiad…” she whispered, her voice trembling.

I hurried to her side, pulling a dagger from one of the fallen men to cut her bindings. “I’m here,” I said softly. “You’re safe now.”

As soon as the ropes fell away, Tessara threw herself into my arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Her fingers clutched at my shirt, her body shaking with relief and fear.

“I thought… I thought no one would come,” she choked out.

I held her tightly, letting her cry. “I’ll always come, Tessara,” I murmured. “I promise.”

After a moment, I gently pulled back, wiping a tear from her cheek. “We need to go before more of them come.”

She nodded shakily, her trust in me unwavering despite her exhaustion. Taking her hand, I led her toward the door, pausing only to retrieve the iron rod and a lantern. With Tessara leaning on me for support, we slipped back into the corridor, the escape route already forming in my mind.

**

The Escape

The corridor stretched ahead, dim and labyrinthine, each shadow a potential threat. Tessara clung to my side, her footsteps unsteady but resolute. I kept the iron rod in one hand and the lantern in the other, its dim light guiding us through the oppressive darkness. Every creak of the floorboards and faint rustle in the distance set my nerves on edge.

“We’re almost out,” I whispered, though I wasn’t entirely sure of that myself.

Tessara nodded, her lips pressed tightly together, her eyes darting nervously around. She was trying to be brave, and I silently vowed not to let her down.

The hideout’s layout was more complicated than I anticipated. The passages branched unpredictably, some leading to dead ends while others spiraled deeper underground. I regretted not spending more time mapping my entry point, but lingering wasn’t an option.

A sudden noise—a low, guttural voice—echoed from somewhere behind us. My grip on the iron rod tightened. I guided Tessara to the nearest alcove, pressing us both into the shadows.

“Spread out!” a gruff voice barked. “They’re still here somewhere!”

I cursed inwardly. They must’ve found the bodies I left behind in the storage room. Tessara looked at me, her expression filled with equal parts fear and trust.

“Stay close,” I murmured. “No matter what happens, don’t stop moving unless I tell you.”

She nodded, clutching the sleeve of my shirt as if it were a lifeline.

The sound of boots grew louder, the gang members spreading out to search the labyrinthine corridors. I peered around the corner, spotting two of them heading in our direction. Both carried weapons—one with a club, the other with a short sword.

“Stay here,” I whispered to Tessara before slipping out of the alcove.

I moved swiftly and silently, keeping low to the ground. When the first man rounded the corner, I swung the iron rod hard against his knee, dropping him with a muffled grunt. Before the second could react, I lunged at him, slamming the rod into his stomach. He doubled over, and a quick strike to the back of his head sent him sprawling.

Dragging their unconscious bodies out of sight, I motioned for Tessara to follow. She hurried to my side, her face pale but determined.

“You shouldn’t—” she began, but I shook my head.

“I told you, I’ll handle it. Just trust me.”

The corridors eventually opened into a larger space—some kind of storage room filled with crates and barrels. It was sparsely lit by a few flickering lanterns, their light casting eerie shadows on the walls.

I crouched low, scanning the room for an exit. There—a heavy wooden door on the far side, likely leading to the surface. But reaching it wouldn’t be easy.

Two guards stood by the door, armed and alert. Tessara tensed beside me, her fingers clutching my sleeve again.

“Stay here,” I said quietly, my voice firm but gentle. “I’ll take care of them.”

She hesitated, her eyes searching mine for reassurance. When she nodded, I crept forward, using the crates as cover.

Timing was everything. I waited until one of the guards turned to speak to the other, then slipped closer, keeping my movements deliberate and quiet. When I was within striking distance, I sprang into action.

The first guard didn’t even see me coming. A swift blow to his temple dropped him instantly. The second spun around, raising his weapon, but I was faster. I ducked under his swing and struck his arm, forcing him to drop the blade. A second blow to his head rendered him unconscious.

With the path clear, I returned to Tessara and guided her toward the door.

“This is it,” I said, pushing it open just enough to peer outside. The cool night air greeted us, a stark contrast to the suffocating heat of the hideout.

But the escape wasn’t over yet. The gang’s compound was surrounded by a high wooden fence, and the open yard between the building and the perimeter was well-lit, with more guards patrolling the area.

Tessara’s grip on my arm tightened. “How are we going to get past them?” she whispered.

I scanned the area, my mind racing. There—a stack of crates near the fence, leading up to a weak spot where the wood looked rotted. It wasn’t perfect, but it was our best chance.

“Follow me,” I said, guiding her toward the crates. We kept low, moving from shadow to shadow, avoiding the guards’ line of sight.

When we reached the stack, I helped Tessara climb up, her small frame making it easier for her to stay unnoticed. Once she was on top of the fence, I climbed after her, my muscles straining under the weight of both exertion and stress.

Just as I reached the top, a shout rang out behind us.

“There! On the fence!”

I cursed, grabbing Tessara’s hand and helping her over. We dropped to the ground on the other side, landing in a dense thicket of bushes.

“Run!” I hissed, pulling her to her feet.

We sprinted into the forest, the shouts of the gang members fading behind us as the trees swallowed us whole.

**

Tessara’s Resolve

The forest was still, save for the rustle of leaves underfoot as we trudged through the undergrowth. The adrenaline that had carried us through the escape was beginning to fade, leaving only the ache in my muscles and the weight of Tessara’s sobs against my shoulder. I glanced down at her. Her face was pale, streaked with dirt and tears, but her eyes held a quiet determination that belied the fear she must have felt.

“Are you hurt?” I asked softly, steadying her as she stumbled over a tree root.

She shook her head. “Just… shaken,” she murmured. “But I’ll be fine.”

We found a small clearing and paused to catch our breath. The gang wouldn’t pursue us this far—they had too much to lose if they ventured beyond their territory—but that didn’t mean we could relax.

“I don’t know how to thank you,” Tessara said after a long silence, her voice barely audible. “If you hadn’t shown up…” She trailed off, her shoulders trembling as she hugged herself.

“You don’t have to thank me,” I replied, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. “I couldn’t stand by while they hurt you or your family. You’re safe now. That’s what matters.”

Her gaze dropped to the ground. “Safe. For now.”

I frowned, sensing the weight of her unspoken fears.

“Tessara,” I said, crouching slightly to meet her eyes, “this wasn’t random, was it? Do you have any idea why they came after you?”

She hesitated, her hands clenching into fists. “I… I’m not sure. But it can’t be a coincidence. My family’s been under pressure lately—higher taxes, fewer suppliers willing to work with us. And then this…” Her voice cracked, but she swallowed hard and continued. “I can’t help but feel it’s connected to House Rithane.”

My jaw tightened at the name, anger flaring in my chest. The Rithanes’ reach was long, their methods insidious. They wouldn’t hesitate to use thugs like the Ouroboros gang to further their schemes, especially if they thought it would weaken someone they considered a threat—or a tool to be discarded.

“We’ll figure it out,” I said firmly. “If they’re behind this, they’ll pay for what they’ve done. To your family, to mine, to all the people they’ve crushed under their heels.”

Tessara’s eyes met mine, her expression hardening. “I won’t let them take anything else from me.”

There was a fire in her voice now, a spark of defiance that made me nod in approval.

“I’ll help you,” she continued, her tone resolute. “I don’t know how to fight, but I’ll learn. I can’t just stand by anymore, waiting for someone to save me. My family deserves better than that.”

Her words stirred something in me—a reminder of why I’d taken this path in the first place. The resolve to protect, to fight back against the injustices that had defined my past life.

“You’ve already got the most important part,” I said, offering her a faint smile. “The will to fight back. The rest can be taught.”

Tessara nodded, her expression softening but still determined. “And when the time comes, I’ll be ready.”

The conversation left us both quiet as we resumed our walk. Tessara leaned on me for support, her steps steadier now. The forest began to thin, the distant glow of lanterns marking the edge of the town.

As we approached the outskirts, a chill ran down my spine—not from the night air, but from the sense that this was only the beginning. The Ouroboros gang was a symptom, not the disease. If House Rithane was involved, their ambitions stretched far beyond harassing a small shopkeeper’s family.

And then there was Renar’s warning—a reminder of how easily the past could repeat itself if I wasn’t careful.

“You’re lost in thought again,” Tessara said, breaking the silence.

“Just thinking ahead,” I admitted. “There’s a lot to unravel here, and it’s not going to be easy.”

She smiled faintly, her strength returning little by little. “Whatever it is, you’ll figure it out. You always do.”

Her faith in me was humbling—and a burden I carried willingly.

As we reached the edge of the town, I caught sight of a figure watching us from the shadows of an alley. A flicker of movement, there one moment and gone the next. My instincts screamed at me to stay alert.

The Rithanes weren’t done, and neither was I.