With a sense of determination, I injected my energy into the brooch, initiating the process of peering into its past. I closed my eyes and focused my mind, channelling the glass bowl into the cold metal in my hands.

As I opened my eyes, I expected to see the familiar webbed fractures that would reveal the hidden history of the brooch. But this time, something was different.

The fractures were there, just as I had anticipated, but the scene they unveiled was not what I had experienced before. It was as if I had been transported to a liminal space, an abyss of darkness. The inky void seemed to stretch endlessly in all directions, devoid of any discernible features or landmarks. It was another space unknown to me, a place I hadn’t experienced with my Watcher abilities.

As I gazed into the formless void, a sense of unease washed over me. It was as though I had stepped into the realm of the unknown, a place where the rules of reality no longer applied. The darkness felt thick and suffocating, like an oppressive shroud that clung to my very being.

But that wasn't the most unsettling part. As I ventured further into this enigmatic void, I felt the presence of something greater, something far more potent than any aura I had ever encountered. It was weaker than when I had looked at myself through the fracture, but vastly stronger than the aura I had felt from meeting Father August.

This presence was immense, a force that exuded power and authority. It was as if it knew I was intruding, that I was delving into the mysteries hidden within the brooch. The feeling was akin to being watched and scrutinized by an entity with a profound understanding of my actions.

It wasn't a malicious presence, but rather a knowing one. I couldn't help but sigh inwardly with relief, knowing that I had the forethought to establish a bounded field. This protective barrier shielded me from the full impact of this mysterious force, whatever it might be.

Yet, despite the unease and the watchful gaze, there was one undeniable fact; I was getting no results from my endeavor. The brooch's past still remained a mystery.

With a sense of frustration and exhaustion from the long day, I deactivated the fractures and the bounded field, returning my room to its initial state and went to bed.

And then, I awoke again.

But this was no ordinary awakening. I found myself in a dreamscape, a world that seemed completely foreign. I was nestled against the trunk of a tall tree, surrounded by long, swaying grass that stretched as far as the eye could see. The scene was picturesque, serene, and bathed in the soft glow of morning sunlight.

I tried to move, but I couldn't. It was as if I had been locked in place, a mere observer in this dreamlike scene. Looking through another's eyes into their reality.

As the scene scanned the surroundings, its gaze fell upon a man seated next to me, leaning against the same tree. His hair was a perfect shade of white, his eyes glowing a bright orange and amber. In his lap, he held a large, leather-bound book, and his focus was on the worn parchment as he meticulously inscribed something I couldn’t make out with the brief moment I saw it.

And then, something otherworldly happened.

The sky, which had been a clear blue canvas, suddenly split with a deafening clap of thunder. It was as if an invisible hand had torn through the heavens, ripping apart the sky. In the gap between the fractured clouds, an ominous darkness began to seep out, spreading rapidly across the once-pristine sky.

The transformation was astonishing. In an instant, the day had turned to night, and the vibrant, sunlit landscape was swallowed by an oppressive darkness. It was as if the very concept of day and night had been upended.

I tried to comprehend the surreal spectacle as the person I was seeing stood up. But before I could fully process what was happening, I was yanked from the dream with a sudden jolt and woke.

I lay there for a moment, trying to make sense of the dream. It was a jumble of confusing images and sensations

Who was I looking through in that dream? What was the significance of the man with the white hair, and why was he so engrossed in that book? And most importantly, what was the meaning of the sky splitting and the darkness that followed?

As I tried to dissect the dream, I couldn't help but wonder if it was connected to the other enigmatic dreams I had been having. Dreams that felt both vivid and elusive, like fleeting glimpses into a hidden world.

But the answers remained frustratingly out of reach. I had pieces of the puzzle but nowhere to even start putting anything together.

With the dream still fresh in my mind, I shook off the lingering disorientation and pushed myself to get up. Today was one of my days off and I had things to accomplish.

I made a mental checklist as I gathered my belongings, ensuring I hadn’t left anything behind again. Seeing as Caius had already left to go do whatever he was doing, I stepped out and locked the place.

The familiar streets of the city welcomed me as I headed to the Den. The cool morning air was refreshing, and the city's hustle and bustle gave me a sense of belonging.

Following a sense of routine, I headed over towards the shooting range for some morning practice to loosen up a bit after yesterday's activities.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Along the way I made sure to pick up my revolver and a few essentials I kept at the Den.

It was customary for me to keep most of my arcanist equipment at the Den, except for a select few materials, my brooch, and my pocket watch. My revolver, in particular, was a contentious item. I'd rather have it at home, but it was technically an illegal firearm and if enforcers found it there while I wasn't on duty, it could lead to trouble. The only reason to consider keeping it at home was for self-defence, especially against those who might pose a threat or even other arcanists.

With my weapon secured, I continued on my way to the shooting range. Morning practice was a routine I found both calming and essential. It allowed me to hone my skills, ensuring that my aim and precision were always sharp as well as a kind of strengthening practice.

After my practice session at the shooting range, I felt invigorated and ready to tackle the day. It was around midday, and I decided to head over to the Red Anchor Bar for a meal and perhaps catch any whispers about the underground event.

The Red Anchor was only a few blocks away from the entertainment district where we had ventured yesterday and was our meeting place. It wouldn’t be a far cry to hear more murmurings there.

As I entered, the comforting aroma of various dishes wafted through the air, making my stomach grow. Finding an empty stool at the bar and taking a seat I ordered the chef's special fish stew and a glass of Aurich apple juice.

As Leode was known for its seafood, most establishments had a variety of fish and other sea life on their menus. It was rather common for travellers and tourists to order such delicacies here when coming from inland. Even though fish and seafood here were common, many restaurants would still mark up the prices for tourists. And seeing as most came here from Goldeen or other wealthy areas, they usually don’t mind spending extra on food here.

As I enjoyed my meal, I couldn't help but keep an ear out for any subtle conversations happening around me. The Red Anchor Bar was quite a popular gathering place so it wasn't unusual for tidbits of arcanist-related information to be exchanged.

An hour and a half passed by quickly as I savoured my food and kept my senses alert. Just as I was preparing to leave, a gentleman with a short top hat and somewhat bronze skin sat down next to me at the bar. He ordered a pint of Aurich Sweet Mead and took a sip, all the while looking straight ahead.

"Eli, isn't it?" he said taking his top hat off and placing it on his lap.

"Just Elias will do," I replied, my tone cautious yet polite.

I recognised the man from a while ago as Deka. He had come to the Den with a message from Haywood Ahern for Darius.

Deka leaned in, his expression unreadable, and said, "You remember me, don't you?"

"Not a clue."

Deka chuckled softly and extended his hand towards me. "Fair enough. Let's start fresh then. I'm Deka. I work for Haywood Ahern, one of the officials in the Leode government."

Without shaking his hand I took a sip of my juice, not breaking eye contact. Deka, apparently undeterred, continued, "I was actually on my way to the Bounty Hunters Den, but when I saw you here and recognised you, I thought I'd pass on a message to Mr. Black.”

I raised an eyebrow. "Go on," I encouraged him.

Deka took a sip of his drink and continued. “There's a certain someone my boss wants taken care of, a fellow by the name of Lorenzo."

I leaned in a little closer, my curiosity piqued. "Lorenzo, you say? What has he done to draw such attention?"

Deka hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting around the bar as if to ensure no unwanted ears were listening. "I can't say for sure, but he’s been involved in some questionable dealings lately. Mr. Ahern tells me he’s a supplier of illegal goods. What kind of goods, I'm not entirely certain just yet."

I nodded, taking in the information. Lorenzo was a name I'd heard before. Back when I went with Fleur to investigate and take down Pandora Boone, we happened upon a list of names. One of the three on the list was the name ‘Lorenzo’. This likely meant that the illegal goods he was dealing with would be arcanist-related, probably materials if he had something to do with Pandora. However, from what Deka is saying, he would be just a supplier meaning it shouldn’t be too risky.

"Thank you for sharing this with me, Deka," I said with a small, appreciative smile. "I'll make sure to pass it on to my boss. He'll want to know about it."

Deka acknowledged my words with a nod, his expression grave. "I hope this information proves useful. Mr. Ahern can be quite determined when he sets his sights on something. Oh, and we can discuss payment after it’s done."

“That shouldn’t be a problem, my boss can deal with that,” I replied.

As we spoke, I finished my drink and motioned for the bartender to bring the bill. Deka seemed content to wait, sipping his mead in silence.

Once the bill was settled, I pushed my chair back and stood up, offering a polite nod to Deka.

Deka grinned as I got up. "Thanks Elias. If you ever need me, you'll probably find me here at the Red Anchor. Working for Mr. Ahern can be a bit… intense at times, so I come here for a drink to unwind."

As I left the Red Anchor Bar, I couldn't help but glance at my pocket watch. It was about half past one in the afternoon.

Deka's request to pass on the information about Lorenzo's dealings with illegal goods played in my mind. Part of me felt responsible for relaying this to Darius, knowing that it would be dealt with easily.

But another part of me, the part that sought autonomy and recognition, whispered a different idea. The job seemed straightforward, perhaps even easy, and taking it on myself could earn me a good reputation and even a significant pay bump from Deka. I weighed the options in my mind, weighing loyalty against ambition.

With a determined nod to myself, I made up my mind. I would handle this task on my own. It was an opportunity to prove myself and prove that I could handle solo assignments. I couldn't deny that my ego played a role in this decision but that didn’t matter.

I tucked my pocket watch back into my vest pocket and turned to walk away, ready to take on the job without informing anyone. As I strode down the crowded street, I felt a sense of determination settle within me.

However, my train of thought was abruptly interrupted as I noticed Caius approaching from a distance. He hadn't seen me yet, and for a brief moment, I considered turning the other way, avoiding an encounter that I was in no mood for. My day off was meant for relaxation, not dealing with Caius's relentless enthusiasm.

I started to pivot away, hoping to slip past him unnoticed, but just as I took my first step, I heard his voice calling out.

"Eli!" Caius's voice carried over the bustle of the street, ringing with the kind of exuberance I had hoped to avoid.

Wincing inwardly, I came to a reluctant halt and turned to face him. Caius was jogging toward me, his expression a mix of curiosity and amusement.

"What brings you to these parts, Eli?" he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes. "You're not the type to go out and have fun. Don’t tell me you were drinking without me?"

His jesting tone grated on my nerves, but I couldn't deny the accuracy of his observation. I preferred quiet libraries and solitude, and the bustling streets of the Entertainment District were a far cry from my usual haunts.

I offered a self-deprecating smile, trying to maintain some semblance of composure. "You never saw me here. Go away."

Caius chuckled to himself, evidently delighted by the situation. "I knew it, you're keeping secrets. Come on, Eli, you can't hide from me that easily." Caius took a glance over where I came from. “The Red Anchor. Don’t tell me you were actually working on your day off?”

“Sorry, now’s not the time. I’ve got business to attend to.” I replied as I started to walk away from the Red Anchor towards Central Leode.

Caius began walking right beside me. “Business? Is it Den business? Like… the special kind?”

I sighed inwardly, realizing that Caius wasn't going to be easily deterred. He was persistent when he wanted to be. All of the time.

"It's not Den business," I replied, keeping my response vague. "Just something I need to handle."

Caius raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Alright, Eli, I won't pry. But I can keep you company, can't I? You never know when you might need a helping hand."

I hesitated for a moment, torn between wanting to be alone to focus on my task and the realization that Caius probably wouldn't leave me be. Finally, I relented. "Fine, you can come along, but stay out of the way and don't distract me. I don’t want to have to babysit you."

Caius grinned, clearly pleased with the arrangement. "You got it, Eli. I'll be like a shadow, you won't even notice I'm there."

I had my doubts about that, but I didn't have much choice at this point. As we continued walking through the crowded streets of Central Leode, I couldn't help but wonder if I had just made a colossal mistake.