“Ayia Tiberius.”

The name was carried across the wind guided by the lips of the people in the marketplace. There wasn’t a soul who hadn’t heard her name within the city of Tiber and all who were present had grown quiet, except for the odd child who giggled until they were hushed. Ayia Tiberius. Daughter of the patriarch of the Tiberius Households, Parelius, and sister of the future heir, Jasper.

When Christoff Tiberius had passed away, she had stepped back from the fight for the throne of House Tiberius and left the city of Tiber. All knew where she’d gone, but they didn’t dare say the destination for fear of being watched.

Now, she had returned to her birthplace.

There are four pillars holding up the reputation of House Tiberius. Dollar recalled. The twin brothers, Marcus and Parelius, who participated in the Tournament of Kings. The genius symbologist, Jasper Tiberius. And finally, Ayia. As far as the world is concerned, while they exist, House Tiberius’ present and future are secure.

Ayia Tiberius, the last of Dollar’s first cousins and the only one he had yet to meet in person, was far more beautiful than he remembered. She also hadn’t aged a day since he’d seen her in Ength’s vision, and that was seven years ago. Long strands of auburn hair cradled a thin neck, two hands rising to brush it away and revealing peachy pink skin between the folds of her black robes and her silken silver gloves.

As her gaze fell onto him, Dollar’s mind raced. The Unseeing. I don’t know anything about them, other than what my mother told me. Which was that she was a candidate to join the organization.

In Dollar’s hand, the notebook of the Unseeing trembled, its eye wavering between the trio of robed women. It was the only keepsake his mother had kept from the organization, and one of his most important possessions.

Except it wasn’t truly his because he’d never gained levels from owning it. He’d always wondered if the Unseeing were its true owners, but from the way the notebook trembled, Dollar could swear it was angry, or maybe even challenging them.

“Lady Tiberius, aren’t you supposed to be at the Tournament of Kings?” Dollar asked the sole question that came to mind.

A gasp escaped the lips of the crowd, and Dollar saw several looks of warning shoot toward him. Gherm was the closest, his eyes leaving the Unseeing trio to meet Dollar’s gaze. There was a caution within them that didn’t suit the man’s laid-back personality. Tiny the hunter was shaking his head, his hands lowered. He had been willing to fight the Geist, but the Unseeing were out of his pay grade.

Uinso the Geist and the four Accensi were the only exceptions. The Accensi stayed kneeling, each waiting for orders and the Geist’s eyes were narrow as he stood tall. His hands rested against his sword, but he made no move to stop Dollar’s actions. That only worried Dollar more.

“He speaks to us.” The Unseeing to the left of Ayia spoke. She was young, though no longer in her teens, and at least six feet tall. Unlike Ayia, she had short, cropped blue hair, and each word she spoke echoed with the sound of her companion within it, as though two voices were melting into one.

Dollar shivered as he felt a gaze fall onto him and the symbols within the silver tape around her eyes whispered a tale of warning to him.

“Will we speak to him?” The Unseeing to the right of Ayia asked. She was taller than both Ayia and her other companion, with long hair the color of polished silver coins falling down her shoulders. There was a jitter to each of her movements that seemed unnatural, and her skin was smeared with a pale gray tinge.

A series of chimes resounded as they spoke, and Dollar saw the warrior, Merry, stepping back. The tunic of knives and chainmail that donned his chest was reacting to the Unseeing’s voice, each word causing the daggers to twist as though they would fly off the suit and into the surroundings.

Curious. Dollar thought. Their words hold power, but not in the traditional way.

Dollar could feel his common sense once against taking a hit, but he ignored the gasps and caution of the people around him. He was in a precarious situation and they had no effect on the outcome.

The trio before him would decide if his actions were too much.

“He carried the notebook of an acolyte potential.” “He earned its trust.”

The two women spoke in turn. Goosebumps ran along Dollar’s arms as their voices echoed through him, and the notebook of the Unseeing ceased its trembling, turning its eye toward him as he held it up.

“He is acceptable.” The two Unseeing spoke as one.

As their voices died down, Ayia stepped forward. Her eyes never left Dollar, just as the eyes of those gathered never left her.

“We see the Unseeing at the tournament, but not this tournament,” Ayia replied, a coy smile on her lips. “Seven years from now, I will still qualify. It will be interesting.”

Her way of speaking is strange. Can she see the future? Dollar wondered. Wait. She can’t qualify for the Tournament. She must have been at least sixteen when I saw her in Ength’s vision. She was almost as old as Christoff.

Without waiting for her to continue, Dollar activated his aura sense, a cacophony of color splashing across his vision as the crowd shifted and changed. With all of them together it was hard to tell flesh and aura apart, so he closed his eyes, trusting his mask to hide the action. The physical world melted away, but his vision remained lit by the auras in front of him.

Uinso was the brightest, his dark-gold aura barely restrained. Tiny, the hunter, glittered with green and red light, followed by the Accensi. Lady Nestin’s aura was swathe of silver with a rosy tint added to it. Bill sat still in front of Dollar, guarding him protectively, his body filled with silver and gold light.

Everyone present had an aura.

All except the Unseeing.

A chill ran down Dollar’s spine as he gazed upon the trio. There was an absence present where the women stood, a wrongness that felt discordant with the world around him. His eyes saw nothing where there should be something. It wasn’t just a lack of aura, their very beings felt like they were detached from the very concept itself.

The very sight made Dollar nauseous, his fingers clenching involuntarily as he gazed into the abyss of their existences.

What are they? Dollar wondered. He feared the answer would break his mind.

Ayia Tiberius was the exception. It had been difficult to spot her at first, but once he concentrated on the absence before him a new light revealed itself to him, silver in color. It was Ayia’s aura. Unlike the other aura’s he’d seen, all of her light was gathered within her eyes, taking the shape of a tiny human within each pupil.

Within the first pupil was the same girl he’d seen five years ago in Ength’s vision, skinnier and paler than the true Ayia before him. As though the reality of Ayia Tiberius had been confined within her aura, never to be released.

In the other pupil was another woman. Confident, and strong, the second Ayia watched out into the world without a care, as though time were nothing but a breeze. She was similar to the Ayia Tiberius before him, with one exception.

She has no eyes. Dollar shivered.

The eyeless Ayia lifted her head and turned to face him, a smile lingering on her lips. Her mouth moved, ever so slightly, and he heard the echo of a voice along his being.

Hello. I see you.

Dollar recoiled as his [Aura Sense] slammed shut. The world returned to normal around him and his back chilled as the afternoon breeze swept into a sheen of sweat that had formed along his back. His tunic was drenched in it, but he didn’t let the Unseeing leave his sight.

The two Unseeing women stared at him, each flanking Ayia.

“He senses.” “He sees.”

There was a glimmer of curiosity within their words and it tickled at his ears as their blinded attention bore into him.

A slender hand rose, and Ayia Tiberius once again commanded the attention of the gathered crowd.

“You interest me, disciple of Master Grisham,” Ayia said.

“Oh?” Dollar’s reply was noncommittal. His body was already tense, but he tried to hide his growing wariness.

She’s not human. None of them are. Or maybe they are, and simply something more at the same time. The thought chilled him to the bone.

“Yes. It is not often we meet someone who may see. You view me as I saw myself. But that possibility was not yet fulfilled. Now, it never will be, for I have surpassed it,” Ayia interjected. “And yes, I am fifteen.”

“You’re reading my mind,” Dollar said.

“Perhaps. Perhaps not. What is seen and what is heard are shackles. You cannot place certainty onto that which is uncertain.” Ayia stepped forward, her hand tracing a path within the air. Whenever she moved, the breeze moved with her, brushing over Dollar until she was only a few steps in front of him.

“Oink,” Bill squealed, his body trembling as he stepped in front of the girl, but he refused to let her take a single step forward.

For a moment, Unseeing and grec stood in silence.

And Ayia smiled.

“A worthwhile companion is hard to find. Let alone one so cute,” Ayia said. “May I pet your fur?”

The uni-pig paused, then Bill’s mouth widened into a cheerful smile and he bobbed his horn up and down.

Ayia laid her hand on his shoulder, running it along Bill’s fur. Her fingers passed over his symbols, and Dollar saw her paused as she did so.

“I like placing certainty onto things,” Dollar said, his voice dragging Ayia’s contemplation to him. “That’s the essence of seeing something.”

Ayia giggled, a mirthful sound reminiscent of jingling bells. “To truly see you must go beyond the physical that drowns out thought, and through the reality transposed over madness. To truly see, you must be Unseeing. That is our creed. That is our path.”

A hushed whisper carried across the crowd at her words, some confused, others simply horrified. A few glanced at the two women beside Ayia, gazing at the silver bands covering their eyes. Conversations could be muffled, and secrets hidden, but it felt like all was unveiled under the gaze of the Unseeing.

Though Dollar hadn’t taken his eyes off his cousin, he could feel the tension in the air. It cut at him like a knife. There was a shuffle of steps as several people retreated, the footfalls muted and respectful. Dollar didn’t blame them.

The two women beside Ayia tilted their heads in unison as they watched him, though their eyes were covered by the silver tape that covered their eyes.

“You see. But you do not see. This is an oddity. A rarity. A strangeness.” They spoke in unison, both emotionless in expression, but curious in tone. “Who are you?”

“Your companion said it herself,” Dollar answered. “My name is Ength.”

There was a shuffle of movement to Dollar’s side as Uinso reacted to the name, not with anger, but with surprise, but Dollar couldn’t afford to spare the Geist any more attention. The two Unseeing women looked at Ayia, their blinded eyes lingering on his cousin. Ayia reached into her pocket, and within it Dollar could see a bronze band tucked away, identical to the ones worn by her companions except for the color. The fact that it wasn’t draped over her eyes drew Dollar’s curiosity.

When Ayia removed her hand, she unveiled a slip of paper that she unfurled. Dollar saw his own handwriting on it.

That’s the commission instructions I wrote for Magician’s Bane. Dollar recognized it instantly.

His lips curled into a frown. “I’d like to know how you got hold of that paper.”

Ayia glanced at him and gestured with her gloved right hand.

A faint flicker of movement drew Dollar’s attention as two people appeared behind the Unseeing trio, both moving with poise and calm that was at odds with the tense atmosphere. One was a young woman dressed in a dark tunic, twin bands holding golden hair in place and a rapier at her side and a plain bronze cloth wrapped around her forehead. Next to her was an elderly man who was the spitting image of a butler, with a navy suit and white shirt underneath.

“Lady Olivia. Tuhoa.” Dollar kept his voice low. “You work for the Unseeing.”

“That’s one way of putting it,” Lady Olivia replied, her demeanor was cheerful, but there was an edge to her voice. “My trial is yet to come, but I hope to join the ranks of the Unseeing one day.”

At her words, the bronze cloth on her forehead shimmered, revealing a single caged orange eye in the middle of the fabric. The eye twitched, shifting around and watching the crowd.

The eye was identical to the one on Dollar’s notebook.

“I wish you the best of luck.” The words escaped Dollar’s mouth as his instincts kicked in. Cultivating good relationships with customers was the key to success. “And you, Tuhoa? Are you also an Acolyte?”

Tuhoa bowed low. “I am still naught but a humble attendant.”

Ayia held her hand up, and Tuhoa rose. The old man’s eyebrow twitched, and Dollar knew that the man was barely keeping it together. He was just as afraid of the Unseeing as the rest of the crowd, and only Lady Olivia was calm. Dollar didn’t judge the old man for his fear. That meant Tuhoa was the smart one.

Both fell quiet as Ayia stepped back, and Lady Olivia trailed behind Dollar’s cousin like a servant, keeping her head down.

Now, Dollar knew how Ayia had gotten a hold of his commission. Tuhoa delivered Olivia’s request to me at the auction, but she was working for the Unseeing.

“I would not participate in an auction without observing the seller beforehand,” Ayia’s voice was dry.

“I’ve got the feeling that you’re messing with me,” Dollar shook his head.

To get that commission, she had to have known I would be selling artifacts at that auction in the first place. But why? Why would she need that item and go to so much trouble to obtain it? A thought struck Dollar as he eyed the paper in Ayia’s hands. If her attendants hadn’t increased the bidding price of Magician’s Bane, I would never have been able to afford the Greil Petals and saved Bill. I would also never have angered Uinso.

Ayia’s smile broke through his train of thought. “The Unseeing will participate in this auction.”

Her words were a prediction, not a command, but Dollar could see that nobody was going to argue with her.

“I don’t know much about the Unseeing, but you vouched for myself and my master, and that is enough to earn a place in the bidding war. Master Grisham will always reward those who defend his honor. Especially from thieves,” Dollar said. “For this favor, my master will repay you tenfold.”

At his words people once again turned toward Uinso Tiberius and his four Accensi.

The Geist was expressionless, and Dollar could see the tension draining away from his body. With a single nod, Uinso stepped back, and the Accensi stood up in unison, breaking their respectful kneels and gathering together. Their every step was coordinated, and they fit into the crowd with ease, finding space in the packed area and not disturbing a single patron.

Their movements were a reminder that each Accensi was a deadly warrior, regardless of what rank they had been assigned by House Tiberius.

“We will allow the auction to continue,” Uinso said. “But House Tiberius will act as a participant.”

Interesting. Dollar noted the Geist’s words. Does that mean Ayia isn’t considered to be part of House Tiberius?

“Very well,” Dollar replied. He didn’t see the need to fight further if they didn’t.

“And what of us? Will we be allowed to bid?” Alphea Nestin called out loudly, her smirk revealing the intentions behind her words.

Her questions were aimed at the Geist, and Uinso turned to her cooly, his eyes lingering on the silver hunters badge that had appeared on her chest.

Uinso glanced at Ayia, then at Dollar. “House Tiberius will not use its influence to stop bids. But we will use our resources to crush you if we must.”

Several people sighed in relief, including the symbologists of the guild. Earl had stepped back when Ayia arrived, and Dollar could see from his tensed shoulders that the silver-ranked symbologist was still cautious. But his curiosity was getting the better of him, and Earl leaned forward, examining the four items on the dispensary closely.

I hope he doesn’t have a [skill] that can see through veils. Dollar thought. I had to confront a divine to get mine.

“We will be there.” Ayia pointed lazily toward a random section of the marketplace.

The throng of people in her way split apart like an ocean under the command of a god, and the trio of Unseeing walked past the distracted crowd, ignoring the frightened gazes sent toward them. Lady Olivia skipped behind them, reveling in the attention, while Tuhoa scanned the surroundings for threats.

They stopped beside Alphead Nestin. The woman once again had her ax in her hands, but it was positioned downward, showing her peaceful intentions.

“Ayia Tiberius,” Lady Nestin said, straightening as she spoke to the group. “It is lovely to make your acquaintance.”

What a respectful tone. Dollar observed with a smile. But she’s not moving away in fear like the others did. Exactly how I’d do it.

It was the Unseeing on Ayia’s left that replied. “We greet you Lady Nestin.”

“We congratulate you, Lady Nestin.” The second Unseeing replied.

Dollar saw Lady Nestin’s eyes widen at their words. She glanced at the dispensary, curiosity blazing within her. Her hand twitched in acknowledgement, and stepped back.

“Oink?” A whisper hit Dollar’s ear.

A breath of hot air ran through Dollar’s neck as Bill nudged his side, and Dollar patted the grec’s pink fur comfortingly.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he admitted.

The Unseeing settled into their corner of the market, and Dollar shuddered as they turned their posture to him. He had spent too much time worrying about Parelius, Jasper, and the other household members that he had never considered Ayia. Now, he knew he’d made a grave mistake.

She was the most dangerous one of all. Dollar thought. How long has she been entangled with me?

Even if they had no eyes, he had a feeling that seeing past his mask wouldn’t be an impossibility for the Unseeing.

“I’m excited to finally take part in one of these,” Ayia said. Her voice came out strangely normal, a hint of childish youth tucked away within it.

The two Unseeing women looked at Ayia and she gave them a light shrug. One shook their head, and the other repressed a smile.

In unison, the trio turned toward Dollar, staring at him.

Staring at him…

Staring…

“Oh,” Dollar coughed. “Yes, well, I believe it’s time to start this auction.”

“Wonderful,” Gherm commented from the side.

There was a puff of smoke as Bill activated his flames and then turned them off again. The sight drew all eyes toward him, and Bill once again donned the visage of an innocent pig. He let out a joyful oink and used his snout to pat the dispensary where the four artifacts for sale had been spread out. The people around the dispensary weren’t intimidated by his presence, but they kept a respectful distance. Many had already fled, but those that remained were the kind of people who were willing to be in the presence of greater powers than a grec who could conjure flames.

The symbologists trembled with excitement, and some even shuffled toward Bill, bravely moving in reach of his horn to get a better look at his mask.

Bill soaked in the attention like a sponge, the grec switching poses so that the crowd would see his better angle. His antics caused smiles to crack, and several children squealed with delight, their cheers bringing back the lighthearted atmosphere that had disappeared before.

Thanks, Bill. Dollar smiled.

“We’ve had a couple of unexpected interruptions, but it appears that Master Grisham’s enemies have become yours in the form of potential bidders,” Dollar’s voice eclipsed the crowd. “Such is the power of Master Grisham.”

His words caused those around him to tense, and each interested party eyed their opponents with wary expressions. Nobody had considered the implications of the two new parties joining the battle, but Dollar could see coins spread out before him in a buffet of money.

Bill shuffled to the side as Tiny rejoined the security of the dispensary. The grec gave the hunter a nod of acknowledgement as a bead of blood dripped down Tiny’s knuckles. Uinso and the Accensi had stepped back, but Tiny and Bill’s presence were focused on their side of the crowd, the two working together to ensure that Dollar was covered in a net of safety.

On his other side, Gherm once again sat down in his chair, lazing about as though he didn’t have a care in the world.

There’s still tension. I need to replace it with interest. Dollar thought.

“So, you all want to enter the lake.”

Dollar’s declaration caused the marketplace to still, but he wasn’t done.

“There’s no use keeping it a secret. I have no doubts as to why Master Grisham created these items,” Dollar continued. “All of you wish to find the symbol within the depths. To be the first to grasp that which has echoed across your minds for a month. And why wouldn’t you? We know its power can shake the world. Maybe those on the street and around the world can’t sense it, but that’s just their bad luck. A symbol of this rank has the power to change the world. And you who reach it first will have the best chance of claiming it.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Dollar waved his hand toward the first artifact, the Boots of Silencing, and smiled.

“We do not know what lies in the depths of the lake. Clearly, it is something strange, especially since House Tiberius has not yet found it despite living here for years. Perhaps there are guards. Perhaps there are monsters. These boots will help you go undetected. An invaluable ability when trying to come out alive in a sea of enemies. Master Grisham did not create these for show. He made them to save your life.”

Next, the Robes of Darkness fluttered in the air. It took Dollar a second to realize that Bill was lifting the fabric with his horn, squealing in surprise as the robe activated and covered him entirely in shadows. The startled uni-pig shifted his head from side to side, blinded, until the robe slid off and fell onto the dispensary, which promptly disappeared into darkness.

BIll stepped back sheepishly among a sea of chuckles, and Dollar smiled.

“Rivalries bear wonderful fruit, but grudges are forever. Those who claim the symbol may want to hide their features from their enemies for fear of being hunted for the rest of their lives for it. But there is also no guarantee that the symbol will enter a storage artifact without breaking. Should you be confident in your ability to reach it, you may wish to drape the symbol itself in darkness to hide its appearance. By their nature, an artifact’s symbol array will also interfere with sensing other symbols. So these robes could hide both the physical and symbol nature of the treasure.”

That got their attention. Dollar smiled as Lady Nestin leaned forward, the soles of her shoes indenting the ground where they pressed deep. Earl and the symbology guild representatives smiled and nodded, having already worked out this application of the robes, but they looked similarly interested.

Dad always said that darkness was a rare element for symbologists to learn. Dollar examined the growing excitement closely. Looks like he was right. Nobody here seems to be able to replicate this feat. Even if they could, they wouldn’t do so as well as I have.

“How is that possible?” A voice called out. “The darkness array within the robe is a low ranked symbol and the symbol in the lake is far superior to it. There shouldn’t be a way to hide the presence of one with the other.”

It was Uinso, the Geist.

The four Accensi around him were calm as their leader spoke out, and unlike their prior conversation, Uinso’s aura was placid, but his eyes were as sharp as ever. Dollar didn’t feel hostility or conflict behind the question. Instead, the Geist seemed to be genuinely curious.

“A good question. Ordinary symbologists spend lifetimes studying the concepts behind symbols in order to bring them to life. And with each new discovery, they can adjust the symbol further, creating a variation of it. This variation will often fail, or be weaker than its counterparts,” Dollar’s eyes twinkled as he spoke. “It can also take just as much time to master a single variation as it did the original. But Master Grisham has perfected an interesting variation of the darkness symbol. One which hides the nature of that which it covers. Does anyone here have an artifact or symbol they’d like to hide?”

Several people shuffled forward in response, including Lady Nestin and Earl. Each could barely contain their excitement, but to Dollar’s surprise it was Tuhoa the butler who made it to the dispensary first. In his hand he held a single bronze cloth with an eye embroidered into it.

It was Lady Olivia’s bandana.

“My mistress would like to test the depths of this claim,” Tuhoa said, much to the chagrin of those around him. Nobody dared turn toward the Unseeing, nor did they dare challenge one of their members.

“Very well,” Dollar said. “But please wait a moment. Remember, the Robes of Darkness require a five minute cooldown before they can be used again.”

Dollar expected disappointment at his words, but instead he felt renewed excitement. Five minutes was nothing for a cooldown, and for once he was experiencing the true depths of his skill in comparison to others.

I’ve vastly underestimated how powerful knowing a symbol’s full concept and meaning is. [Language - Symbols] is epic-ranked for a reason. Dollar mused. It might be the [skill] that’s saved me the most time in learning symbols and will likely continue to be.

As the crowd waited for the object to recharge, Dollar spun an elegant tale of how Master Grisham had spent his younger years studying the grand design of ancient symbol arrays, and scaled the mountains of the five continents in search of new concepts.

It was all lies, but it excited the crowd.

As he wove his heroic tales, Dollar recalled the true story behind the robes. The darkness symbol was a complex one, with many subtleties added to its concept beyond simple shadows. When making the robes, he’d re-examined his notes on the darkness symbol closely to figure out a useful feature for the auction.

Darkness symbol translation: Darkness, shadow, shade, obscurity, veil, hidden, closed, comfort, loss, and memories.

Obscurity. Veil. Hidden.

It was these aspects of the darkness symbol that Dollar focused on, and [Symbol Variation] had helped Dollar pick out symbol variations that fit them perfectly. He hadn’t experimented with them yet, since he hadn’t had time, but that was something he would have to research one day, not just with the darkness symbol, but for all his symbols. Each had a multitude of concepts that he had yet to explore.

I’ve only scratched the surface of symbology, Dollar sighed in contentment. I don’t know why I enjoy that, but I do.

“—And meditating on the highest peak, among a sea of clouds, and surrounded by nought but silence and nature, did he discover that which he sought. Obscurity.”

Dollar finished his story with a triumphant flourish, and Bill squealed loudly, clapping his hooves on the ground and causing the dispensary to shift and move. Most of the crowd were stunned by the tale, and they clapped as well, cheering at the magnificent tales of Master Grisham.

“Wonderful,” Earl breathed a sigh of contentment. “How I wish I could take a few years to simply revel in nature and study the symbols around me.”

“What a fantastic life he has led,” Tuhoa agreed, and Dollar was surprised to see a tear forming in the corner of the old man’s left eye. “To be so unrestrained by fate and rules. It is a blessed boon, truly.”

“And he’s strong, too,” Merry said, the warrior’s daggered suit jingling as he spoke. “For even before his lesson, he feared not the monsters of the mountain. Even those which would tear a trained adventurer party asunder with a single glare.”

They can do WHAT? Dollar screamed internally as murmurs of agreement echoed across the marketplace. Why does Mitsy even try to be an adventurer? No, wait. She’s crazy. That’s why.

“Ahem,” Dollar coughed. “Those are the origins behind the Robes of Darkness. But now, let’s see them in action.”

With a swift movement he grasped the Robes of Darkness firmly, gathering the fabric in his hands and placing it over the bronze cloth. To ensure his demonstration was perfect, he spread out his senses toward the cloth to make sure it truly did have symbols within it. Symbol sensing was only able to be done passively when the symbols were strong, or when they were nearby and fully revealed, but among all these people and adding to it the call of the symbol in the lake, Dollar needed to listen intently to hear the call of the symbol within the small cloth.

A moment later he felt a faint presence tickling his mind, and looking up he could see that the other parties had sensed it as well.

“[Activate].” Dollar said.

Earl smiled at his word, and the ground creaked as the crowd stepped forward to witness the activation of the artifact. Darkness sprung forth from the robes, choking the bandana in their grasp, and there was a moment of silence as the tendrils of shadow wove through the dispensary, and spread out across the floor.

The presence Dollar had sensed abruptly fell silent. With bated breath he probed the robes gently with his mind, trying to break through. There was a strangled gasp and he realized it was his own. Dollar pulled back, his shirt darkening where a puddle of sweat was forming. He’d broken through the veil created by the robes, but it had pushed his mental fortitude to the limit.

A bead of sweat ran down Dollar’s forehead behind his mask. [Ength’s Touch] amplified the veiling concept as well as the darkness. Crap, it’s grown a little too powerful. I should save it for only my own artifacts from now on.

Despite his worries, the success of the demonstration lit a fire within the would-be bidders. Earl’s face was glimmering with shock, and the symbologists surrounding him groaned as they tried and failed to breach the veil. Those few who did break through received tired claps on their back, and several compliments.

“A breakthrough meditating on a mountain…” Earl murmured. “I could use a vacation.”

On the other side, Uinso’s eyes blinked in surprise and let out a growl as sweat poured down his forehead. To Dollar’s surprise, he had broken through the veil as well.

Near him, the faces of the Unseeing were expressionless, but a faint smile tinged Ayia’s lips, and behind her was a stricken Lady Olivia. The girl’s skin had grown pale, and Dollar suspected he had blocked more than the sight of the bandana from her.

She’s part of the Unseeing, and I doubt they let their artifacts go unbonded. If the darkness symbol has the power to hide bonds, well, that would be horrifying. And useful. He looked down at the notebook of the Unseeing in his hands. Do you have a symbol array within you as well? I feel like I would have sensed it, but there’s a lot about you that I don’t know.

The eye of his notebook looked back up at him and blinked. Then it lowered and continued watching the Unseeing with uncanny focus.

“I didn’t realize how powerful my master’s array would be,” Dollar chuckled weakly. “I apologize, perhaps I shouldn’t have taken the prerogative to demonstrate it without his guidance on the matter. But as you can see, his artifact works as advertised. Perhaps even better than that.”

He deactivated the Robes of Darkness before their twenty second timer ran out naturally and allowed Tuhoa to take back the cloth. The butler was met with a panicked Olivia, who grabbed the artifact and hugged it tight to her chest before returning to the Unseeing.

Nobody watched her leave. They were too interested in the robes before them.

Dollar took a deep breath and brushed aside his fatigue. “Finally, we have the most useful item. The Rings of Water Breathing. I have already gone over these, and there are no secondary applications to their use. The symbol is within Lake Tiber, and you don’t want to die. These will help you accomplish that goal. The first item up for sale is the Boots of Silencing,” Dollar declared. “Gherm, please make sure they’re guarded.”

“After all of that you’re not going to get a single thief. Especially not under their eyes, trust me on that,” Gherm glanced at the Unseeing. Then he shuddered as Dollar’s intense gaze fell onto him. “I mean, yeah, sure. Tiny, come help me.”

The fisherman guild’s representative took the boots off their stone pedestal, lifting them up for the crowd to see. Tiny the hunter flanked his side, leaving Bill to guard the other artifacts, and Gherm’s dismal frown at having to do work elicited chuckles among the crowd.

Dollar smiled as the mood finally returned to its normal cheer and cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention.

“As a reminder, these boots provide sound suppression for your footsteps for five seconds, with a cooldown time of thirty seconds starting from the end of the silencing period. They can be yours if you have the coin. We’ll start the bidding at one gold.”

His words were met with silence as everyone looked toward the Unseeing. The trio of women ignored the stares, gazing ahead toward Dollar. Their silver bands shimmered as the sun began to fall, the afternoon careening into twilight, and Dollar twitched as the symbols etched into them once again displayed their warning.

“We will not bid.” “We have not bid.”

The Unseeing duo spoke in unison, and Ayia Tiberius stood silent between them, her gaze revealing nothing of her emotions or plans.

“Two gold,” Alphea Nestin shouted, her hand rising high above the others.

“Four gold,” Merry said. “This and the dark robe are my intended gains for the day.”

Crack.

Dollar saw a splatter of dirt smack against the side of the dispensary as Bill’s hooves dug into the ground and kicked upward. The uni-pig’s large pink tail thumped against the stone in excitement as Bill’s opal eyes swung from Lady Nestin to Merry, a puppy-like grin spreading across his face.

Ha. Looks like I’m not the only one who appreciates the value of money. Dollar thought. Good.

The two bidders glared at each other, both unwilling to back down, but Dollar could see others stirring. Normally, everyone would think twice about clashing with the noblewoman, but the Unseeing’s presence had disturbed the natural order of things. And their words had left an even bigger impact.

Dollar could see a lingering question in their eyes, and upon their lips.

Who was Master Grisham, that man that could draw the attention of even the Unseeing?

“Five gold,” Uinso’s voice spread across the surroundings, steely and grim.

“If that is your bid, then I bid six,” Earl joined in, his fellow symbologists nodding intensely.

The four Accensi glared, but the guild members ignored House Tiberius, focusing on Dollar and Bill. Unlike the other bidders, they weren’t interested in the Boots of Silence, they were bidding to counter House Tiberius.

I have to find out everything I can about the Unseeing. Dollar resolved. I don’t like how much they already know about me.

His greatest source of information was the notebook in his hands. Its eye had stopped moving between the trio of Unseeing, settling on his cousin. Ayia gave the notebook a curious look, and a tiny wave, but otherwise ignored it.

Dollar felt like the notebook appreciated the silence more than the gesture.

“Eight gold,” Lady Nestin’s voice boomed out. “And I have more to give.”

“Nine gold, and we will allow Master Grisham participation alongside us within the lake!” A new voice called out. “If we find the symbol, he will be allowed to learn it alongside us.”

Curious eyes turned toward a group of people on the left side of the marketplace. They were composed of five symbologists, each wearing household emblems, and several golems, much to Dollar’s shock. Unlike the golems of House Tiberius, these artifacts took the form of flying books and floating swords, each made of stone and clay. They were less wieldy than the humanoid golems of House Tiberius, and couldn’t hold a candle to their dog-like golems, but the ability of flight was something Dollar hadn’t considered.

Is it magic, or are they using symbols of flying? Dollar wondered. I need that symbol. No. I need one of those swords.

The man at the lead grinned as the eyes of the gathering fell onto him, and Dollar noted a silver symbologist badge on his chest. He was skinny, and short, but his confidence was his main draw, his auburn eyes searching Dollar’s mask for any signs of emotion.

One of the foreign factions. I don’t know them, but that offer for an alliance…That’s new. Dollar thought. And smart.

“I love it,” Dollar replied. “May I ask your name?”

“We are House Luoja, from the other side of the southern continent, in the country of Tal,” The man replied. “I am Yoz.”

“Yoz,” Dollar repeated the name, memorizing it. “All offers for alliances must be made after the auction is over. I’m sure my master will appreciate it, and maybe even offer a trade of artifacts, as he enjoys novel things, and owning one of your golems will bring him joy,” He smiled underneath his mask. “I will ensure that Master Grisham appreciates the timing of your offer and your belief in his abilities.”

“Many thanks, attendant,” Yoz nodded.

Dollar turned toward his audience. “The bidding stands at nine gold.”

The bidding war was starting to get heated now. Silencing was one of his most valuable symbol effects, and now that he was able to unleash his artifact-creating prowess, he was reaping the rewards.

Making Magician’s Bane’s silencing effect last an hour was clearly the wrong choice. Dollar licked his lips in anticipation, fixing his mask so that it was firmly in place. Silencing in itself is powerful no matter how long the effect is, but less materials were needed to contain the array’s power since I used fewer symbols, which made the artifact creation far cheaper.

“Twelve gold,” Merry said.

“Seventeen gold,” a new voice called out. “And an invitation for Master Grisham and his attendants to have tea at my house.”

A woman stepped forward, wearing a fine black wig and matching puffy collar. She looked like she’d lived in luxury all her life, and she was surrounded by guards, much like the other factions, but they left a bad impression on him. The guards weren’t uniform in their movements like the Accensi, and each held different weapons and pieces of armor, so Dollar assumed they were hired mercenaries or adventurers.

“I’m afraid an invitation to tea is not acceptable currency,” Dollar replied. “However, we will happily take the coin used to buy that tea.”

A ripple of laughter followed Dollar’s words, but it wasn’t unkind. Dollar gestured at the woman appreciatively, and she smiled in return.

“I will amend my offer to eighteen gold, then,” the woman said. “Make it out to Ernatia Hogswaffle.”

That is an unfortunate name. Dollar thought.

“Definitely a name I will remember,” he said out loud.

The auction participants glared at each other as the bids flooded in. Each one was a rival and competitor, and they were bidding not just to gain the artifact, but to keep the boots from those who could use them in battle.

They’ll be my enemies too, if they find a way through the lake, Dollar mused. But we should make it to the symbol well before anyone else, though I have a backup plan if anyone using my artifacts reaches us.

As Ghermactivated the Boots of Silence once again to keep the bidders excited, Dollar activated [Symbol Negation] and smiled as the sounds of Gherm’s footsteps hit his ears. The [skill] negated the effects of all of his symbols, including those that were part of symbol arrays. Which meant that any artifact that he made could never be used against him.

It was the ultimate failsafe.

Excellent. Dollar smiled. And it looks like we’ve reached the final bid.

“Twenty-eight gold,” Lady Nestin declared. “And I can go higher.”

The northern noble growled victoriously as her competitors backed down. Those who looked like they wanted to continue paused as they viewed the other artifacts on display, and shook their heads. They needed to save their coins for more important bids.

“Going once…Going twice…Sold!” Dollar clapped his hands happily. “Congratulations, Lady Nestin. You have made a smart decision today, and no doubt earned Master Grisham’s appreciation.”

“Thank you, Ength,” Lady Nestin bowed lightly.

She dropped the coins owed onto the dispensary, and Gherm tapped each one and placed a couple between his teeth as he tested their authenticity. With a nod, he handed her the artifact and Lady Nestin clasped the boots with reverence as Gherm passed them to her. Both boots quickly disappeared into thin air. Dollar couldn’t see which item was her storage artifact, but he noticed that she’d pushed her ax back onto her back, and it glowed ominously with green light as Lady Nestin made her way back to her attendants.

Always prepared for battle, even when she looks like she’s lowered her guard. What kind of place is the northern continent? Dollar wondered as he pocketed the coins. Blue boxes appeared in his vision, but he pushed them aside.

Dollar turned back to the dispensary and swept his hand over the robes grandly. “Next, we have the Robes of Darkness—”

“—Thirty gold!”

Uinso’s voice echoed across the marketplace, chilling the jovial atmosphere that had formed. The Geist was the last person that the bidders wanted the robe to go to. The soldier was already powerful, and if he was hidden then he would undoubtedly slaughter them all.

Even worse, he was not the strongest soldier of House Tiberius, but he was one of the most talented. Paired with an artifact that suited him, it was possible that he’d grow strong enough to challenge minor households at once.

“Thirty-five gold,” Merry called out. The warrior’s dagger glimmered with faint silver light, and he had a desperate look on his face.

He’s nearing the end of his funds for this, Dollar frowned. Maybe it's best if Uinso ends up with the robes. After all, I can see through them. His confidence might give him the boost I need to counterattack him. He shook his head and brushed his selfish thoughts away. No. What if he goes after Bill or Mitsy instead? That’s too dangerous.

“Forty,” Uinso countered immediately.

“Forty-five,” Earl replied. “The guild’s pockets are deep. We doubt any of you can compete.”

Unlike the boots, this was a wildfire of a sale that continued to rise heavily with each bid, but Dollar knew that it couldn’t last. The robes were valuable, but people had limits to what they could spend.

Uinso’s eyes bore into Earl, and if looks could kill then the symbologist would already be dead. “Fifty gold.”

“Fifty-two gold,” Earl responded immediately.

“Do you know what you’re doing?” Uinso asked, his voice low and calm.

“I’m buying an artifact,” Earl said. “And if you’ve got no bid, I believe I’ve won it.”

Uinso’s smile dipped. “Fifty-four gold.”

“Fifty-five.” Earl said.

Dollar laned forward, pushing the tips of his shoes together with his palms in anticipation. The Geist tilted his head to the side, frowning. Then shook his head.

“Going once…Going twice…Sold! The symbologist guild has made quite a decision today, Master Grisham appreciates it,” Dollar said.

As he handed the robes to Earl personally and received his payment in turn, Dollar shot the man a questioning glance. The symbologist smiled, and stepped back. They both knew what had been done today wasn’t a part of the auction. Each guild was constantly fighting for dominance over the city of Tiber, and though it was minor, this was another victory under their cap. More importantly, it was a triumph witnessed by the important groups present at the marketplace. They would spread the word, and some would consider allying with the symbologist guild after seeing that they wouldn’t back down when confronted by the city’s leaders.

Tiny the hunter shifted, making room for the symbologist to move to the side of the marketplace that was opposite the House Tiberius party. Dollar noted the hunter’s respectful expression and posture, and wondered how deeply the guilds had been forced to work together in this city where they were oppressed.

While the symbologists cheered for Earl and crowded around the robes, Dollar could sense a tension among them. Each clearly wanted to leave with their prize as soon as possible and reach the safety of the symbology guild halls, but one factor was stopping them.

The Unseeing had yet to make their move.

“What a fascinating sight.”

As though she had read his mind, Ayia Tiberius’s voice interrupted the celebrations. With a shudder, the symbologists and Uinso turned to face the former heir to House Tiberius, and soon the marketplace fell quiet.

“They are truly wonderful works,” Dollar replied, his eyes never leaving his cousin’s face. “Master Grisham will never create an artifact which could tarnish his reputation.”

“I know a little about artifacts,” Ayia smiled. “To me, it looks like they were made in a few minutes.”

The air sharpened as Ayia’s words hit the air. Hisses and chokes hit the air as people looked at her with complicated expressions. Some wanted to laugh in derision, but held back their tongues. Others murmured as they tried to figure out the reason behind her actions. All could tell that she was insulting the creator of the artifacts, and yet none knew why.

Only Dollar was quiet, goosebumps creeping along his arms. He composed his posture in an instant, but the sensation of her gaze lingered upon his soul.

“If such fine artifacts were created so quickly, then Master Grisham’s talents are truly boundless,” Dollar replied.

“We agree,” Ayia said, her gentle voice carrying directly into his ears.

Ayia’s two Unseeing companions stepped forward, each footfall leaving the earth underneath them undisturbed. Like a breeze upon a plain, they settled softly in front of Dollar, each one facing the Rings of Water Breathing.

“These artifacts will sell for thirty-two gold.” “We will buy them for thirty-two gold.”

Their voices echoed out across the marketplace, certain and absolute. Dollar frowned. He had estimated how much he’d likely earn for each artifact before the auction took place. Thirty-two gold was more than reasonable, and in fact, it was a price he would have happily agreed to a few seconds ago.

How do they know? He thought.

Dollar glanced at the crowd and saw them stepping back. None wished to fight against the Unseeing.

No. They didn’t dare to.

“A more than fair price,” Dollar agreed. “Congratulations, the Unseeing have made a wise decision today.”

The duo looked at him, their eyeless gazes piercing his soul, and he met them with a confident smile.

Then, in unison, they nodded.

There were no more words to be spoken.

With a sweep of their robes, the two rings disappeared, and the Unseeing returned to their group. Ayia smiled, a sweet and gentle expression, and then moved into the crowd, ignoring the fearful stares as people parted for her and her kin. Lady Olivia, waving goodbye to Dollar, though he saw the girl’s fingers trembling as they left.

Only Tuhoa stayed behind, and Dollar knew that the old man would pay the debts owed to him by the Unseeing.

Dollar watched Ayia Tiberius leave with narrowed eyes. From beginning to end, she hadn’t given a single hint as to why she’d appeared at his stall. It was unnerving and left him wondering if he’d missed a vital clue.

“Oink,” Bill said.

The grec stepped up to Dollar, his eyes shining. If Dollar didn’t know better, he’d say that Bill’s eyes had widened into coin shapes. The uni-pig wasn’t the only one to make a move. All around Dollar, the Unseeing’s passing was the signal that others could breathe. A collective sigh of relief rose among the crowd, and once the trio of Unseeing left everyone began to follow.

“I’d like to speak to you,” Dollar eyed Gherm. “In private.”

“Oink,” Bill agreed.

Dollar collected the dispensary into his storage ring and with a hop he climbed onto Bill’s back, his view of the world changing as the grec rose to full height and waddled forward. With each step of Bill’s hooves Dollar could sense his companion’s growing excitement, and Tiny the hunter accompanied them as they walked through the marketplace and into the streets, making their way toward the fisherman’s guild. Dollar had no intention of staying out in the open when so many enemies lurked around the shadows, but thankfully, the Accensi and Uinso were preoccupied with another target.

The Geist was entirely focused on the symbology guild’s entourage. With a subtle movement of his hands, the Accensi moved in different directions, disappearing into the city. All of them seemingly went in different directions, but Dollar recognized the hand gesture from his father’s lessons. It was House Tiberius’s sign language.

‘Follow them.’ Uinso signed.

“I’d watch out for your symbologist friends,” Dollar said. “Not everyone is happy with the auction winners.”

Gherm paused, then shot a look at Tiny.

“Your contract is fulfilled,” Gherm said. “You can do what you’d like, now.”

“I’d like to visit the symbology guild,” Tiny’s lips pursed. “I believe I’ll accompany the symbologists there.”

With those words, the hunter disappeared into thin air. Quite literally. One moment he was there, and the next he was gone. All that denoted his presence was a small spattering of mist that quickly disappeared as it was hit by the breeze.

Some kind of teleportation ability? Dollar questioned. No. Maybe invisibility? Or super speed? What just happened?

His mind tried to make sense of the hunter’s disappearance, but common sense was failing him more and more in this new world. Instead, he shifted his attention to Bill and Gherm. The guild receptionist had his hands behind his head, and was whistling a tune, but Dollar knew the man could sense an opportunity brewing.

Hmm. And I can see our own follower with my [Aura Sense]. Dollar glanced back over his shoulder, but all his eyes saw were empty streets. Tuhoa, why do you want to pay me when no eyes are watching?

“Twenty gold coins for any information you can tell me about the Unseeing,” Dollar said the moment they entered the fisherman’s guild.

“Answer two questions about your master and we’ll call it even,” Gherm replied instantly.

“Fine, but I reserve the right to give incomplete answers where I believe Master Grisham would want me to,” Dollar replied.

“Good enough,” Gherm nodded.

“Who are the Unseeing?” Dollar asked.

“They’re an organization,” Gherm said.

Dollar snorted. “A grec could have told me that, no, maybe not you Bill, I meant another grec.”

Gherm shot Dollar a look, a single, reserved glance that spoke volumes about the caution the man was feeling.

He’s too afraid to even talk about them. Dollar realized. Just like the people in the city who refused to answer my questions about Ayia. Now I know why.

“Are you sure you want to know more?” Gherm asked, his normally indifferent demeanour broken by a twitching eye as he failed to hide his nerves.

Dollar paused. There was a hint of caution in Gherm’s tone, just as there’d been throughout the auction with the other participants. Whether it was House Tiberius or the foreign households from other continents, all had heard of and feared the Unseeing trio. That alone was enough to clue Dollar about their reputation and power, or at least that of the organization behind them.

But the Unseeing were unknown, and Dollar couldn’t afford to have unstable variables walking around and ruining his plans.

“Tell me,” Dollar said. It was an order.

“Fine. Listen closely, kid.” Gherm gestured at Dollar, and leaned forward, his voice almost a whisper. “And keep what you hear today silent.”

Dollar lowered himself to listen closely, and from the corner of his eye he saw Bill’s head rising at the same time, the Grec’s opal eyes twinkling with curiosity that was mixed with a glint of worry. Even though Dollar’s companions had never encountered them before, the sole greeting that Ayia had given the grec was enough to make Bill nervous.

“When a city falls, the Unseeing witness its destruction. When gods die, the Unseeing view their passing. When the Dethrakil ruins open, the Unseeing are present. When a new powerhouse is born, the Unseeing are there. The Unseeing are those whose hands turn the world. Even those who see all and those who know all have found themselves lacking in one area. They cannot avoid the gaze of the Unseeing.”

“Manipulation and force aren’t weapons exclusive to one faction,” Dollar said, his confidence clear in his tone. “I can see the reason for concern, but any powerful household could do the same.”

Gherm glanced around, looking out for any hooded figures.

“That’s where you’re wrong. The empire uses force, and the fisherman’s guild uses information, but the Unseeing tread fate, and none dare to doubt that claim. People see the Unseeing as a storm, sweeping away nations in their wake. But that’s not how it works. They are a thousand tiny twists of chance cascading into an avalanche of consequences. The Unseeing are the origin, the catalyst, and the reaction all in one. They are coincidence. They are accidents. They are intrusive thoughts. Like a butterfly flapping its wings, each one influences the world in subtle ways, their every step shifting the tides of power and their voices changing the hierarchy of the world. Those they send out might not know why they’re moving, or where they are, they just know that they have to be there, and that they always have been there.

When those who fall from grace look back to see where they went wrong, they see the hand of the Unseeing moving pieces on a board nobody knew existed. Now, they have appeared at your master’s auction, and if they have a plan for you or him, then all the information in the world wouldn’t help you figure it out.”

Gherm’s voice echoed through Dollar’s being, his every word mired with reverence and apprehension.

Dollar’s mouth twisted, and he rested his chin against the back of his hands. “Then I suppose we’ll find out what it was twenty years from now.”

“Maybe,” Gherm replied. “Or maybe they’ve just made sure you’ll be dead long before then.”

Dollar frowned at the man's words.

What are you planning, cousin?