As I left the tent, the vibrant and chaotic world greeted me once again. But my mind was far from the present moment. The future that the soothsayer had described was both cryptic as expected and concerning too.

Leaving the entertainment district behind, I made my way to the familiar pier. The bustling atmosphere of the city slowly faded as I walked, replaced by the soothing sounds of lapping waves and the cries of henen birds.

The pier stretched out before me, a weathered promenade of sun-bleached wood that jutted into the cerulean expanse of the sea. The henen gulls, their wings and feathers glistening white in the sunlight circled gracefully in the sky, their caws echoing across the horizon like the seagulls of the world I left behind. It was a timeless scene, one that felt both foreign and familiar.

My footsteps fell in rhythm with the gentle lapping of the waves against the dock's wooden pylons. Fishermen bustled about, their calloused hands expertly sorting through nets teeming with their morning catches. The air was thick with the briny scent of the sea, mingling with the earthy aroma of freshly caught fish.

Merchant stalls lined the boardwalk, their wares displayed in an array of colours and textures. Fishmongers loudly touted the freshness of their seafood, while vendors hawked trinkets, jewellery, and other oddities. The rich tapestry of sights, sounds, and smells enveloped me, a reminder of the vibrant life that thrived in this coastal city.

I watched as sailors meticulously maintained their vessels, their sun-weathered faces etched with years of seafaring adventures. The boats themselves were a testament to Leode's maritime history, each one possessing its uniqueness. Some were more sleek and modern, while others boasted ornate carvings and intricate details. Though most were made of wood and aluminium much like in the 1800's as fibreglass wouldn't have likely been invented yet.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace as I strolled along the pier. It was a world away from the hustle and bustle of the entertainment district, a world where time seemed to slow, and the horizon stretched endlessly before me.

As I continued my leisurely walk, I found myself lost in contemplation. My new life in this enigmatic world had brought me both challenges and opportunities. I had abandoned the known for the unknown, and in doing so, had embarked on a journey that held no guarantees.

I gazed out at the seemingly endless expanse of the ocean, its deep blue waters stretching out to meet the sky. It was a sight that stirred something within me, a longing for exploration and discovery. What lay beyond the horizon? What secrets did this world hold, waiting to be uncovered?

As I pondered these questions, my attention was drawn to a commotion by one of the fishing boats pulling up to the wharf. A fisherman was unloading box after box of freshly caught fish as the pungent smell of the sea wafted through the air, assaulting my senses.

The burly fisherman with weathered skin called out to me. "Hey there! Could use a hand with this, if you're willing!"

I hesitated for a moment. I hadn't come to the pier to help with manual labour.

Just as I was about to leave, the fisherman called out again. "Help me out, and we'll make sure you go home with a nice catch for dinner!"

That settled it. The prospect of a free meal was enough to sway my decision. I made my way over to the fishing boat.

"Sure, I can give you a hand," I replied, rolling up my sleeves and grabbing a box filled with fish. The weight was substantial, but it was a welcome distraction from my thoughts. The fisherman nodded his thanks, and together we began unloading the boxes onto the pier.

As we worked, I couldn't help but steal a glance at the sea. I wondered if this fisherman had seen the other side of the horizon.

The thought gnawed at me, and I found myself curious about what lay across the ocean, beyond the reach of my vision. I knew my abilities allowed me to glimpse fragments of the past so I figured I could I use my power to see the history of these fishing crates.

I set down the box I was carrying and glanced around. The pier was busy, but I had honed my ability enough to not attract attention. With a deep breath, I activated my ability, the world around me shimmering as illusory webs and fractures danced in my vision.

Focusing on one of the fish crates, I saw its past unfold before me. It was like peering into a static scene frozen in time. I saw the crate on dry land, not on this pier in Leode but a different one. The landscape was unfamiliar. It had the possibility of being another land entirely, across the vast ocean.

Intrigued, I looked further. I saw the fisherman I was helping, engaged in conversation with another man. The newcomer had a colder demeanour, dressed in a black tie and white shirt, tactical suspenders clinging to his frame, and a jacket draped over his shoulders. Despite his youthful appearance, there was a gravitas about him.

The two men could be seen discussing something, the fisherman looking apprehensive as he listened to the man in the tie as he was holding a few worn looking pages in his hand. It was clear that this stranger held some authority over him, giving orders and instructions that the fisherman reluctantly followed.

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The scene was brief, and I couldn't glean much more information. But the implication was clear—the fish crates had come from a different land.

The sun still hung high in the sky, casting shimmering reflections across the water's surface. I deactivated my watcher ability and pulled out my pocket watch, its familiar weight a comforting presence in my hand. The brass-like case gleamed in the sunlight as I popped it open to check the time.

Midday.

A sense of unease gnawed at me as I considered how I was spending my day off. The soothsayer's words lingered in my mind, her cryptic prophecy casting a shadow over my thoughts. Was there something more productive I could be doing? A sense of duty compelled me to return to The Den as I felt I could be working instead.

Reluctantly, I put my pocket watch away and turned back to the fisherman. He had finished loading the crates onto his cart and was now wiping his hands on a rag.

"Thanks for the help," he said. "I appreciate it."

I returned the nod, offering a small but sincere smile.

The fisherman eyed me for a moment before a curious expression crossed his weathered face. "Say, you still interested in taking a fresh catch with you?"

I paused, considering his offer. But I couldn't help but think it would be more of a nuisance to carry around with me, especially if I was heading back to The Den.

"Thank you for the offer," I replied, "but I think I'll pass this time. I've got some other errands to run, and I wouldn't want the fish to go to waste."

The fisherman shrugged, seemingly understanding. "No worries, lad. If you ever change your mind, I'm usually around these parts."

With a heavy sigh, I made my way back towards the heart of Leode. As I walked off, the lively sounds of the pier faded into the background, replaced once more by the city's constant hum of activity.

Once I arrived at the Den I was greeted with hustle and bustle. My other coworkers were rushing around in their active uniforms as if they were prepared to be put out to work on an important mission.

I approached Daruis who was looking over a piece of parchment. "Boss, what's going on?"

"Elias," he greeted me. "I didn't expect to see you today. It's your day off, isn't it?"

I nodded, a sense of responsibility tugging at me. "It is, but I felt like I should be doing something more productive."

Darius chuckled, his greyish-blue still with a serious look. "Actually, Elias," he began, "I received some crucial information this morning."

I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. "Information about what?"

Darius folded the parchment and tucked it into his coat. "An artifact has been stolen, Elias. A rather important one, from the Goldeen Vault of Artifacts."

My eyes widened at the mention of the Goldeen Vault. I had briefly skimmed past it when reading Alexei's book he gave me. It was known to house some of the city's most powerful relics, as such things were not only forbidden but far too valuable to be destroyed.

"The culprit," Darius continued, "is believed to be hiding out at the Leode Old Theatre."

A shiver ran down my spine as the name of the old theatre rolled off his tongue. Memories of our recent investigation there resurfaced, along with the haunting scene I had witnessed with my ability—a scene that still filled me with a sense of unease.

I couldn't help but recall the words of the hooded figure I had encountered on my way home last night. The Theatre... The outsider... Be careful.

I pushed aside my inner turmoil and focused on Darius. "What artifact was stolen?"

Darius shook his head, his expression grave. "That's the thing, Elias. I'm not entirely sure. The vault guards reported a break-in, but they couldn't determine what was taken. It's causing quite a stir."

"Why the urgency then? If they don't know what's missing, shouldn't we wait until they figure it out?"

Darius glanced over his shoulder, where the rest of the team was busy prepping equipment and supplies. They looked focused and determined, ready for whatever lay ahead.

"That's precisely why everyone is busy," Darius replied, his voice low and measured. "Who knows what power the stolen artifact possesses? It could be something of immense magnitude, something that should never fall into the wrong hands. We can't afford to wait."

I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. The uncertainty surrounding the artifact only added to the sense of urgency.

Darius shifted his gaze back to me, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Elias, I received this information in a rather peculiar manner. It was delivered in a sealed scroll casing marked with a 'W.' Such casings are typically reserved for high authorities within the Churches, those with access to the most classified information."

I furrowed my brow. "A 'W'? Do you know who it belongs to?"

Darius shook his head. "I have no idea. The letter inside was concise, urging us to act swiftly and discreetly. It's a letter too important to ignore."

The 'W' could belong to anyone within the Churches, which meant it would likely be an ally. The Church of the Keeper of Time that was directly above us would be on our side, but who knows where it's really from?

Darius glanced at the assembled team, his expression resolute. "I've already begun assembling our crew for this mission. Lucas, Fleur, Jean, Jo, Mar, and myself will be going. Erick will stay behind to look after The Den."

I nodded, taking in the names of my colleagues. They were all capable individuals, and I had worked with them on various assignments. Each brought a unique set of skills to the table.

"Oh, and since you're here now, Elias," Darius said, "you're coming too."