“What’s going on out there?” asked Vivian. The fighter splayed out on the floor. Uncertain whether it was the drinking or the sudden quake that hit the tavern that put her there.
Red-faced, Torrik looked to her. Managing a shrug before wiping the suds from his face. His latest drink spilled by whatever was causing the commotion outside. “Whatever it is,” Torrik dropped his empty cup,” someone owes me a drink.” Vivian belted out a laugh as the dwarf helped her to her feet. “That is unless you want to buy it.”
“You have plenty of coin,” she managed to steady herself. “Come now, we should see what happened.”
Outside, the people stood frozen. Eyes turned toward the sky. When she looked up, Vivian saw nothing out of the ordinary. Had they missed it? Not satisfied with that answer, he approached the Lacerian running the tannery. “Excuse me,” Vivian spoke, managing to stifle a belch. “What happened just now?”
He seemed not to hear her. After a repeat of the question, the tanner acknowledged her, “A dragon.”
Vivian’s face paled. Her tipsy nature washed away.
“Headed toward the north end of the island,” the Lacerian continued. “Hope it was just flying by. Not much we could do if it turns out to be hostile.”
“Did you say—?”
“A dragon, yes,” the tanner interrupted. He let out a low groan with a shake of his head, “We were supposed to be safe here.” Gathering himself, the tanner excused himself and returned to his shop. Leaving Vivian alone to think about what she’d just been told. A dragon. Despite being the most powerful creature in all the lands, dragons were a rarity. Things of legend. And there was one on Karo at that very moment.
Turning back, she found Torrik standing by her side. Even he was paler than usual. Nothing ever seemed to scare the dwarf. But even Torrik could not deny the terror and power possessed by a dragon. “We need to go,” he said, barely speaking over a whisper. Vivian agreed with him, but their team was trapped on the island. Even if Kai and Mira were right there with them, they would have no way of escaping the island. The airship meant to carry them home still had a day before arrival.
“We need to find my brother.” Reuniting with Kai and Mira would do little to help with the situation, but it would put her heart at ease. Knowing the two of them—or at least her twin—was safe. As they pushed into the city's heart, she could do little to stop wondering if this had something to do with the Eye they had stolen for Jorn. If that bastard knew more than he led on.
Kai and Mira had been found in the market district. Judging from their expressions, they had witnessed the dragon themselves. Sparing Vivian the need to explain their situation. “Take Mira,” her twin ordered the moment they crossed paths. “And the three of you, get somewhere safe.” Kai handed a strange black book to the half-elf. “I’ll find you all when I return.”
“Excuse me?” Vivian placed a hand on her hip. Glaring daggers toward her brother, “This is not the time to be barking orders as though you are in charge. In case you forgot, there’s a dragon on the island.”
“I haven’t forgotten,” answered Kai. His attention was drawn away from his team. As Vivian followed his gaze, she found he was looking toward Jorn’s manner. “I’ve got a feeling our gnome friend knows something.”
“Then we should come with you,” Torrik suggested. “We all know he’s got plenty of men.” Brandishing his hammer, the dwarf gave a curt nod.
Vivian cut in, “He’s right, brother. Going alone would be foolish. At least take me with you.” Her brother turned to her. Eyes pleading for her to let him do it alone. “You need someone there, brother.” Vivian took his hand. Cupping it like their mother, “You need me by your side.”
“And I don’t want to miss a good fight,” bellowed Torrik.
Kai looked to the dwarf, then to Mira. And finally, he turned to his sister. He gave a defeated sigh, “Alright, come on Viv.”
Vivian smiled. Her attention then turned to Torrik and Mira. “You two,” she said, “go back to the inn and wait for us.”
“What?” Torrik slammed his hammer into the cobblestone. “I just said I don’t want to miss the fight.”
“And it’s not safe to split up,” interjected Mira.
Kai turned to them, “We’ll be fine. And there won’t be any fight if we’re lucky. I just want to talk with Jorn. And let’s be honest, neither of you two are great at the whole sneaking thing. My sister and I will have a better chance getting in without you.” Torrik grained. Vivian watched as her brother knelt before the dwarf. Dropping any façade of calm he had as his hand rested on Torrik’s shoulder. “Strength is not what we need at the moment. But someone is needed to keep Mira safe. We don’t know if that dragon will come back. But if it does, I know you’d give your own life to keep her safe.”
Torrik nodded, “I would.”
“And that’s what I need from you right now.”
Torrik pushed away Kai’s hand. Pulling him into a tight hug, “Count on me. But you owe me for this.”
“Of course,” Kai said, barely managing to push himself free. “Next three rounds are on me.” With the deal set, the twins gave one another a knowing glance. It had been a while just the two of them worked together. Breaking into the home of a wealthy man of power had a nostalgic ring to it. Though, she hoped that it would be easier than that. After what they had done, she hoped they would be welcomed with open arms. And she hoped Jorn would know of the dragon before they arrived. Having that as a common enemy surely would allow them easier passage into his home.
“You sure know how to get us into trouble, brother,” said Vivian, playful in nature. Gently punching her brother’s arm as she did so.
What was gentle for her seemed too much for him. Kai winced, “Ouch. Hey, careful now. And how is any of this my fault?”
“How?” Vivian gave him another loving jab. “We wouldn’t be in this situation if it wasn’t for you?”
“So, it’s my fault I got cursed?”
“No one told or asked you to sneak out back in Arasta.”
Kai fell silent.
“But none of that matters. We’ll get through this.”
Kai sighed, “We always do.”
As they reached Jorn’s manor, they found security had been increased. A half dozen Aranea members stood guard at the front entrance. Others could be seen patrolling the length of the wall surrounding the compound. Chances were, there would be guards around the entire estate.
“Safe bet, they have guards on the roof as well,” Kai said, almost sounding impressed by the way Jorn was handling things.
Vivian had more of an annoyance in her voice, “Even if we jump the wall, there will be guards on the other side. And with no idea about the pattern of their patrol—”
“Jumping the wall is foolish.” Sighing, Kai shrugged his shoulders, “We could always try the direct approach. Walk up and ask to be let in.”
Vivian curled her lips. Her shoulders dropped as well, “We can try, brother. I hope you left a good impression with the gnome. Otherwise, we need a plan.”
“Trust me,” her twin marched ahead. “I’ll get us in.”
“No visitors,” barked the guards. The same two who had let Kai into the manor during each previous visit.
“It’s fine,” said Kai. He tried to slip beneath their spears, only to have them lowered to his level. “Jorn and I have a working partnership. And I need to see him.”
“No visitors,” the guards once again answered him. As they blocked the path, the attentional men lined up behind the twins.
“Let’s go, brother,” Vivian said. “Clearly Jorn has something to hide.”
“Clearly,” her brother scoffed before taking off. She followed close behind him. Once they got out of earshot, Kai began ranting. Pacing back and forth as he went on, “After all we risked for him. When we need him, he just ignores us! I should have never taken his deal.”
“You accepted his offer?” Vivian raised an eyebrow. “Well, I should honor your word. I’ll keep from harming him once we get in. I hope you appreciate the restraint.”
Kai leaned against a building parallel to Jorn’s manor, “We need a plan. I wish father had taught us that teleportation spell about now.”
“If we could just get a vantage point,” chimed in Vivian. “Watch the guards from above, we might be able to learn their patrol patterns.” Her brother gave a smirk. “What?” she was hesitant to ask.
“You might have solved our problems.”
“And how did I do that?”
“Wait here.” Kai took off with no time for Vivian to question what he was scheming. She just had to trust he knew what he was doing.
Stolen story; please report.
When he returned, he wore a cocky grin. “East wall, that’s how we’ll get in,” said Kai. Trusting her brother, she followed his every movement. The two of them silently shifted from shadow to shadow; neither made a sound as they took a roundabout path to the eastern side of the manor. From a distance, they watched the guards patrol the wall.
Where they stood, the twins were invisible to Jorn’s men. “Now what?” whispered Vivian. “We can scale the wall here, but on the other side—”
“We’ll be safe,” Kai reassured her. Never taking his eyes off the wall. Counting the steps, the seconds between the movements. When the time was right, he would signal for the two of them to make their move. She wished her brother would explain the plan better. Putting faith in him was no ordeal. Many times before, they had found themselves in this very situation. Back then, Vivian had faced the same problem.
A flick of the wrist. Their usual cue. Steps matched in perfect unity, the twins reached the wall and easily vaulted over it. The bushes they fell into gave no indication of being disturbed.
Kai chuckled, “I took your advice. I scoped out the perimeter from atop a few of the neighboring buildings. Guards ignore this end of the manor.” With security having been increased at other ends of the estate, there had to have been sections less guarded. Jorn did not have unlimited manpower. Kai had found the weak point in the gnome’s defense and attacked it. No different from how he would have done an enemy on the battlefield. Vivian was almost impressed. Almost.
“Now we just need a way inside,” she reminded him. Ignoring her, Kai slipped up against the wall. There were windows on the ground floor. He tested one. It slid up with ease, having not been locked from the inside. Vivian slipped over to his side, “This is too easy, brother. This feels like a trap.”
“You’re right.” Kai made his way into the estate.
“Usually we avoid traps,” scolded Vivian as she did the same. No guards were stationed in the hall they entered. Both twins stayed on alert. Footfalls soft as they made their way through the corridor. They were at least not far from the library where they initially had met with Jorn.
They met no resistance as they reached the library. Finding it empty of all life. “It’s never easy,” Vivian lamented.
Kai made his way over to the window at the back. “Well,” her twin said, “the Eye isn’t in the garden.”
“He was keeping it in the garden?” questioned Vivian. “Of all the places, why there?”
“Hiding in plain sight. Amateur.” He made his way back to his sister’s side, “Now what?”
“Well, he’s either in his room or a secret bunker. The trouble being—”
“We wouldn’t know how to find the bunker if it exists. Fuck, we may need to capture a guard.” Vivian watched her brother sit at Jorn’s desk. Rummaging through the drawers.
“What are you doing?” she asked, sitting on the edge of the desk. “Hoping to find clues?”
“Hoping to find anything,” he furrowed his brow. “There’s so much clutter. I can’t tell what’s trash and what might be impor—well, hello.” From the mess of papers, Kai produced an illustration of some ancient stone gateway. Alongside the structure, the page had illustrations of five items. A sword, shield, staff, helmet, and finally, the final item was the Eye of the Storm they had been sent to collect.
“Can you read it?” Vivian sighed, unable to decipher the runes scribbled in a hasty hand.
“No.” The search for answers had only brought more questions. “Did father ever say anything about dragons?”
“Only to never get on their bad side.” Vivian slipped from the desk and proceeded toward the door, “Come on, let’s check for Jorn elsewhere.” She watched her brother tuck away the page he’d found before following her out.
The pair snuck their way through the estate. Dodging guards when possible, and quickly rendering others unconscious before they could alert the others. Jorn had been nowhere they searched. Bedroom, kitchen, garden; wherever they looked, they were greeted by emptiness.
“Never imagined I’d find you scurrying about here,” a familiar voice beckoned from behind. Standing there was Tibius. The Brimborne was worse for wear than the last time they had seen him. “I must ask you to leave, as Jorn is not taking visitors at this moment.”
“That’s unfortunate for him,” said Kai, closing the gap between the two of them. “We just saw a dragon fly over the island, and it was headed towards the ruins. He owes us an explanation for why a dragon might be after the very thing we just got for him.” Tibius stood shocked. Before he could collect himself, Kai continued, “We know he knows more about the orb than he led us to believe before. So, take us to him.” Instinctively, Kai went for his bow. Only realizing he had left it at the inn before going on his date.
“What do you know?” barked the Brimborne.
“We’ll share what we know with your boss,” Vivian chided. “Take us to him.” Even with her brother unarmed, the two of them would be more than enough to handle Tibius. Not only was Vivian confident with her abilities in unarmed combat, but the Brimborne’s disheveled and bruised appearance let her know he’d be fighting at only half his own capabilities.
After a brief moment of consideration, Tibius agreed. Leading the pair back to the library. Revealing a hidden passageway concealed behind a bookcase, triggered by pulling a lever hidden within a sconce.
Kai narrowed his gaze, “You have to be fucking kidding me.”
“Don’t worry, brother,” Vivian patted his shoulder. “Not everyone can be clever enough to be original.” Outwardly she was calm. But in her heart, she was as mad as her brother. Angry that she had also failed to consider the possibility. “After you,” she waved Tibius down the tunnel. “Guide us safely if you please.”
Gemstones embedded into the walls illuminated the passage. Ending at a small door painted black. “Through here,” Tibius said, “you will find Jorn.” Neither twin tried to stop him from leaving. Vivian felt a pang of remorse as he went on his way. Since they arrived, her and her friends had witnessed him betray not only his boss but his brother as well. No time to dwell on her growing concern, she pushed forth. Entering the small chamber they had been led to.
It was a circular room not much larger than a foyer. Unfurnished aside from the desk at which Jorn sat reading. The Eye of the Storm nested within his reach. When Vivian cleared her throat, Jorn pulled from the tome in his hands. “How did you, never mind,” the gnome grumbled.
“We need to talk,” Kai said as he approached the gnome. A faint click echoed as he stepped forward. Followed by the rapid unfurling rattle of chains.
Dust swept over the room as an iron cage slammed down from above. Nimble Kai having narrowly avoided capture. He lay across stone, wide-eyed with held breath.
“Go away,” commanded Jorn. “I have enough issues with—”
“With the dragon,” said Vivian with a snide tone. “We know about it, but the question is, what do you know about it? And does it have something to do with that pretty little bauble you had us swipe?” Gliding across the chamber, Vivian ignored her brother, pivoted around the cage, and found herself before the gnome. Murder in her eyes, “And what does this orb have to do with that gateway?”
At the mention of the gate, Jorn lowered his gaze. “How do you know of the gate?” he asked, snatching the Eye into his lap.
“Don’t worry about that,” Kai called from across the room. Nerves no longer shook, he managed to return to his sister’s side. “Just tell us what that thing is, and why a dragon might be after it.”
No other choice, Jorn indulged their questions, “Have you heard of the Primordial Beasts?” A questioning glance between the two gave him his answer. Jorn went on, “Long ago, there were powerful titans. Beasts with power beyond even the gods we serve to this day. Primal beings who only sought destruction.
“But the gods of today rose to challenge the Primordials. Locking them away, sealing them within a realm only accessible by the divine.” Jorn coddled the orb. Despair lingered in his eyes. “Five keys were created to ensure no single god could free the Primordials. Each key was then entombed in a temple. Those who locked them away, their lives were forfeit so the locations could never be revealed.”
“So, the Syndicate uncovered the location of one of these keys,” said Kai. “Shit, how many have you people found?”
“Two, including this one,” Jorn answered.
“And you plan to unleash these Primordials? Then what? You can’t possibly believe you can control them.” Jorn was silent. “You can’t be serious. Your organization is going to cause the end of the world. How can you all be so blind?”
“Unleashing them is not our intention,” Jorn said with little confidence. “We only plan to weaken the barrier. Enough so that we can siphon their power.”
Vivian’s heart sank; breath held, “You don’t wish to free the ancient gods, you wish to become gods.”
“That can’t—” Kai caught himself and turned to Jorn. The gnome’s aura had shifted. His sister was right. “Surrender the orb, now.” Instinctively, Kai went for his daggers. Having once more forgotten he left those behind. “We need to lock that away where no one will find it. Or destroy it, no one must be allowed to possess this key.”
“That won’t matter,” smiled Jorn. “Even if you manage to take this key, we only need four to fulfill our plan.” His smile soon faded, “And the two of you are just as blind as Alister. Unable to see the good that can come from obtaining this power.” His mention of their father caused Vivian to grab hold of his collar. Lifting the gnome from the floor, unfazed by the weight of his mechanical lower half. “Put me down,” he demanded.
With some effort, she tossed him back. Jorn fell to the ground. Spindly legs wriggling around for the ground, not beneath them. The Eye had fallen from his grasp and rolled to the far end of the room. “Help me up, dammit,” he barked. Unable to keep his calm demeanor up.
Kai squatted over the gnome, “So, this orb of yours is a key to unleashing primeval titans upon the land. And your Syndicate wishes to steal the powers of a god for themselves. But what of the dragon? Is it one of yours? Silver scales, dwarfs cities, breathes lightning.”
“The Syndicate has no dragons, fools,” Jorn spat. “Too volatile, unpredictable.”
The twins shared a look. “Brother,” Vivian feared for the worse, “that dragon. It likely was sent by the same people who sent the shadows.” Fear pooled in the eyes of her twin. “Someone else might be after the keys,” she continued. “Someone wishing to free these Primordials.”
“And if they get the keys, the world ends.”
“But if the Syndicate obtains them—”
“Then they control the world. Which leaves only one choice. We need to find them first.” Kai turned his sights back to Jorn, “Where can we find the other key?”
“I cannot share that with you,” Jorn scowled. “Help you get revenge, fine. I can do that. But what you ask now is far too great a betrayal. I would die before telling you.”
Vivian saw it in her brother’s eyes. If he had the means to, he would have done so that very moment. She went to collect the Eye. As he held it in the palm of her hand, it was hard to believe such power existed in such a simple object. A thing of divinity. And yet, it seemed to serve no purpose beyond looking gorgeous.
“Brother, we should go,” she said. “There’s nothing more we can do here.”
“Not with my orb,” Jorn barked. His eyes began to shimmer with violet light. Returning to normal after only a brief period. “I’ve warned my men, they will soon be on their way. You have no means of escape. Footfalls echoed just beyond the door. Trapping them within the chamber. Vivian caught her brother’s attention before tossing him the Eye. Without his weapons, there was little he could do in their current situation.
“Keep it safe,” she readied herself for the incoming onslaught of Aranea members. “This will be a well-needed workout.”
“So, that’s why you wanted the orb,” smiled the Brimborne. Tibius had returned. Alone.
“Capture them, now,” said Jorn. Still struggling to get off the ground. When Tibius made no effort to heed his orders, Jorn’s eyes once more began to glow. Tibius stared blankly ahead. Sweat beaded the gnome’s forehead. “Impossible,” cursed Jorn. “No one can defy the mark of Aranea.”
With a flash, Tibius was replaced by his brother, Lucian. “The illusion worked perfectly.”
Vivian couldn’t help but smile at this revelation. “You escaped your brother.” The Brimborne before them shot Vivian a look. He was still not pleased with what they had done. Her smile dropped at the tension, “We need to get out of here before the Syndicate members trap us.”
“And how will we do that, sister?” asked Kai as he joined the other two. The key in hand.
Lucian reached his hand out to Kai. “Hand me the orb,” Lucian said. “I’ll get us out of here. Trust me.” Based on the last time they had interacted, it was no wonder why Kai hesitated. Her brother had tried to kill Lucian, and Lucian had tried to kill all of them with a demon.
“Please,” Lucian’s voice grew soft.
“You better get us out of here,” Kai lamented. Once the orb was in Lucian’s hands, the air crackled with magic. Sparks of power crawled across their skin; their hair stood on end as though static ran through each strand.
And in the blink of an eye, the three found themselves standing in the heart of Karo’s market. Lucian collapsed to the ground. Having overwhelmed himself. Exhausting all of his magical energy in a single go. The Eye rolled away from his now-limp grasp.
The twins let out a sigh of relief. They were safe, for now.