She wasn’t certain how long it had taken her to fall asleep, but she eventually woke to the morning. She hadn’t gotten great sleep, but instead had tossed fitfully and had woken several times. She felt anything but rested, but she was anxious now that morning was here to start on the journey to the Silver Cathedral that Xerith had mentioned last night.

She slid out of bed and made her way quietly down the hall to the bathroom to get washed up. The hallway was dimly lit by the pale gray light filtering through the cracked windows, casting long shadows that danced across the faded wallpaper. The floorboards creaked softly under her feet, a testament to the mansion's age and the many stories it held within its walls.

Entering the bathroom, Vre was greeted by a space that, despite its wear and tear, still retained a certain old-world charm. The porcelain tub, claw-footed and slightly discolored with age, sat beneath a small, frosted window that allowed a sliver of morning light to stream in. She turned on the water, the old pipes groaning and creaking to life as the water splashed into the tub. After a long moment, the water finally grew hot enough to create a thin veil of steam, filling the room with warmth.

Vre slipped into the tub, letting the hot water envelop her. She reached for one of the glass bottles of soap perched on the edge of the tub, the old-fashioned label faded but still legible. The soap's fragrance, a blend of flowers and earth, filled the air, grounding her in the present moment. She lathered the soap in her hands and washed herself and her hair, the familiar ritual providing a sense of normalcy in an otherwise strange world.

After cleaning herself, she stepped out of the tub and dried her body with a thin, worn towel. The fabric was rough against her skin but served its purpose. She wrapped the towel around herself and tip-toed back down the hall, her wet hair dripping slightly as she made her way back to her room to get dressed. The hallway felt even cooler now against her damp skin, the chill of the old mansion seeping into her bones.

Black, tight pants hugged her legs, offering both comfort and mobility. She paired them with a white blouse featuring a delicate ruffle on the collar, the neckline slightly lower cut than what would be considered modest. Her trusty, well-worn boots, scuffed from countless journeys, completed the ensemble, and she pulled on a black jacket that hugged her form snugly. These simple clothes, though not too different from what she would have worn in the regular world, felt almost out of place in the eerie, timeless setting of the mansion.

She glanced at herself in a tall, antique mirror in her bedroom after getting dressed. The mirror's surface was slightly tarnished and cracked, but it still reflected her image clearly enough. Though it was still her face that looked back at her, she could see the loneliness in her own eyes, the weight of her isolation etched into her features.

This world wasn’t her home. She thought about Liam, her boyfriend back home. They’d been dating so long she considered him more than just her boyfriend—they’d been together for five years. While Vre was the quiet and curious one, Liam was charismatic and handsome. She pictured his wide smile, his beautiful teeth, and the way his warm brown eyes looked at her with a mix of affection and amusement. His presence had always been a comforting anchor in her life, a stark contrast to the unsettling uncertainty of the World Between

She had been hoping one day they’d get married. They’d talked about it a few times, but Liam always said he wasn’t ready. That was OK. She could wait.

Her heart clenched when she thought about him now though. Was he waiting for her? Did he think something happened to her? Where was he, now?

She shook her head rapidly to dispel the bad thoughts entering her head. She could feel her emotions rising and anxiety starting to creep in. No. She had to stay focused. It might be possible to leave this hell of a world now, with Xerith’s help.

After getting dressed, she made her way downstairs, finding Drake already in the kitchen, absorbed in his notes and books. The kitchen, like the rest of the mansion, had an air of faded grandeur. The once-polished wooden countertops were now worn and scratched, and the cabinets, though intricately carved, showed signs of age. A large, cast-iron stove dominated one corner of the room, its surface cluttered with various pots and pans. Herbs and dried flowers hung from the ceiling, their fragrant scents mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

In the center of the room stood a heavy wooden table, scarred from years of use, with papers, open books, and various scientific instruments strewn across it. Drake sat at the table, deeply engrossed in his work, a furrow of concentration on his brow. He had a pot of coffee already brewed, the rich, dark liquid filling the air with a comforting warmth. Vre walked over to the old, slightly chipped ceramic mugs hanging on a hook by the stove and selected one.

As she poured herself a cup of coffee, the steam rising from the mug, Drake looked up from his notes, his expression curious. “Morning, Vre,” he greeted, a hint of surprise in his voice. “You seem... different today. You’re washed up and dressed like you’re leaving. Did you sleep well?”

“Morning, Drake,” Vre greeted, trying to sound casual. She hesitated for a moment, then decided to be straightforward. Drake’s research was primarily on the other beings who came to the World Between, so he might be the best one to talk to about what happened. “Yeah, I think I am going somewhere. I met someone last night. Someone... not from this world.”

Drake raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Oh? Who did you meet?”

“Well…”

Before she could respond, Xerith materialized in the room beside her through tendrils of black smoke. His black armor glistened in the dim light, his black hair framing his striking gold eyes and that fearsome jaw and long fingers. The suddenness of his appearance made Vre jump, spilling some of the coffee she had just poured.

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“Ah!” She yelped as some of the hot liquid hit her hand.

Drake was startled too. He pushed back from the table, the chair he was sitting at screeching across the wood floor. He stood up, staring at Xerith hard. His eyes were scanning him from head to toe, assessing if he was a foe.

“Oh, Vre—” Xerith was laughing to himself. “I’m sorry—I hope you didn’t get burnt. Are you alright?”

Initially fuming, she checked herself to make sure she didn’t get any on her white blouse but after a moment chuckled and sighed. “Oh, yes. I’m alright. You’re going to be nothing but trouble, aren’t you?”

“Who is this?” Drake asked warily.

“Sorry.” Vre turned to face him, holding the mug in her hand more tightly now. “Drake, this is Xerith. I know this is sudden, but do you remember when you came to find me in the basement last night, when the rain men were outside? Well... Xerith was the reason you found me in that room. He…called me in there. I heard his voice. Long story short, he says there might be a way to get out of the World Between and possibly help the taint from spreading. He’s a guardian. He says if we go to the Silver Cathedral, we can get some sort of key that will unlock more of the World Between.”

“He was in the mansion?”

Vre tried to recall more of what Xerith had said. “I can’t say I understand it all, but I think it’s worth a shot. He said he could help.”

“A guardian…?” Drake narrowed his gray eyes thoughtfully, and the atmosphere in the room grew tense.

Xerith watched Drake calmly, a small smile on his face as he waited for Drake to size him up. He extended one of his long, dangerously curved hands towards Drake. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Drake. I’ve been watching over this realm for a long time, and Vre has piqued my interest. I believe we can help each other.”

Drake looked at Xerith's extended hand, then back to his face, his eyes narrowed to slits. “You may call yourself a guardian, but you can’t fool me. You are covered in taint, Anunnaki. You are an abyss watcher. You are too close to the darkness to be trusted. Vre, I would be very, very careful around this being. If he is already lying to you by calling himself a ‘guardian,’ you can’t be sure what his motives are.”

Vre felt her heart drop. “What?”

Xerith made a deep noise in his throat, no longer smiling. He dropped his hand. “Your understanding of my role is not unlike my own understanding, Sir Drake, no matter what you may call me. I would behoove you not to cast doubt on my intentions so quickly. I mean no ill will and am sincere in my desire to help.”

Drake's eyes remained sharp, filled with suspicion. “I know what the Anunnaki are capable of. They are manipulators, beings who dwell too close to the Abyss. If you think I’ll let Vre wander into the dark with you, you’re mistaken.”

Xerith’s expression turned serious, his voice low and resonant. “I understand your caution, Drake. It is wise. But know this—I have guarded the veil against the Abyss for eons. Though I may guard against the darkness, my intentions are pure, and my commitment to maintaining the balance is unwavering. Vre is crucial in this fight against the spreading taint, and it is her choice if she will proceed into the darkness to learn more. She already chose to once. I, for my part, will protect her with my existence.”

Drake looked between Vre and Xerith, his face a mix of concern and contemplation. Vre could see the wheels turning in his mind as he weighed his options. She felt a surge of determination, despite the confusion and fear gnawing at her.

“Drake, I need to do this,” she said, her voice steady. “I need to find a way back home, and if Xerith can help me, I have to try. We can’t stay here forever, just surviving.”

Drake sighed heavily, running a hand through his long hair, slicking it back. “Well, I can’t stop you. I want that, too. But be cautious, Vre. The Anunnaki are ancient beings not from this world, or our world. Keep your guard up. And you, Xerith—if you harm her in any way, I will find a way to end you no matter what you say you are.”

Xerith nodded solemnly, as if in agreement. “I understand your concern, Drake. Your mistrust is not unfounded. I swear on my existence, I will protect Vre.”

Drake’s tension seemed to ease just a fraction, but the wariness in his eyes remained. “If you are unopposed, I would like to come with you. I have heard of this Silver Cathedral but never ventured there myself. Together with this Anunnaki, if he should really deem to help us, I believe we will be sufficiently guarded against the rain men should they resurface. We may do well to encounter the militiaman of Demure, too.”

“You mean Jonah?” Vre asked, surprised.

“Yes, I believe that was his name. He frequently deals with the celestial messengers who come from the Silver Cathedral and would be interested to know we are going there. He may be of assistance to us.”

Xerith’s eyes flickered with a dangerous intensity. “You know, I offered to help Vre, but not you. And now the preacher man, too?”

The tension in the room thickened, the air heavy with unspoken challenges. Vre watched the two men stare each other down, daggers in their eyes. Xerith stood tall and intimidating, his presence a blend of otherworldly power and menace, but Drake met his gaze unflinchingly, his stance unwavering.

As Vre observed them, she couldn’t help but recall Xerith from last night. The tender, playful demeanor he had shown in her room starkly contrasted with the rippling, almost palpable power emanating from him now. She much preferred the first version.

Without a word, she reached out and gently touched Xerith’s arm where the sleeve of his armor met his gray skin. The contact sent a jolt through her fingers, as if she were touching raw electricity. Instantly, she felt the intense energy he was exuding dissipate as he turned to face her, his eyes softening.

“Please, Xerith?” Vre met his gaze as fully as she could manage. Though Drake may not have been afraid of him, she still was. But not enough so to not reach out to him.

The look in his eyes was unrecognizable then. He stared at her fully, eyes tracing over the details of her face. Then he smiled, a laugh escaping him with only a twinge of bitterness. “If that’s what you wish, Vre.”

She smiled up at him, feeling a mix of gratitude and hope. “Thank you.” Vre felt a sense of relief wash over her. With Drake and Xerith both on board, their chances of success seemed higher. “Thank you, both of you. We should prepare and leave soon.”

Drake nodded, though his wariness seemed to double after watching their interaction. His eyes flicked between her and Xerith, a mixture of concern and determination etched on his features. “...Agreed. Let’s gather what we need and find Jonah. The sooner we leave, the better.”