Forest Clearing – One Kilometer from Stronghold – Morning (Day 4)Ethan's boots crunched softly on fallen leaves as he moved deeper into the forest. Each step was measured, deliberate. Twenty-two minutes from the stronghold—far enough to avoid casual patrols, close enough for a believable "scouting" excuse.The canopy above formed a natural ceiling, blocking aerial observation. No straight sightlines back to the lake. Perfect.He stopped in a small clearing ringed by ancient oaks. Pulled the stolen communication crystal from his jacket's inner pocket. His fingers brushed the wooden necklace at his throat—the simple pendant Yama had given him on Day 1 of the Trial, back when Ethan was still radiating uncontrolled otherworldly energy like a beacon.Keep this on always, Yama had whispered in the darkness of the sealed forest, pressing the necklace into Ethan's palm after their confrontation by the massive tree trunks. It masks what you are. Hides the energy signature of someone who doesn't belong to Tera. The wizards will sense it otherwise. They'll dissect you to find your world.That necklace had saved Ethan's life a hundred times already. Hidden him from every scanning spell, every detection ward, every curious instructor. Yama's family heirloom. A grandmother's protection for a stranger.Now Ethan needed to repay that debt.NEXUS. Full spectrum surveillance. Six hundred meter radius. Alert on any magical signature.[MODE ACTIVE. NO THREATS DETECTED.]Ethan activated the crystal. Static crackled, then cleared."Crow?" The voice was young, male, familiar. Controlled tension beneath professional calm.Ethan's pulse spiked. He knew that voice anywhere."I'm here.""This is Yama." Precise pause. Then: "We met in the hall where the test happened."Ethan nearly smiled. Code confirmed. Yama had recognized him instantly—through crystal distortion, through the alias "Crow." The "hall where the test happened" wasn't just verification for listeners. It was their shared memory: the Trial's entrance examination in the massive stone hall, where Yama had identified Ethan's foreign soul signature with those strange silver eyes and slipped him the necklace in a shadowed alcove.Yama knew exactly who "Crow" was. His friend from the Trial. The otherworlder he'd protected.And Yama said nothing. Protected him still.Others were listening. Yama was playing his part perfectly."I remember the hall," Ethan matched the formality."Good." Subtle emphasis—message received. I'm covering for you. "You mentioned important information."Ethan spoke crisply. "Detailed map of Principal Victor's chambers. Full architectural layout. Three infiltration routes marked: main corridor with guard rotations, servant passages with ward schedules, maintenance shafts with minimal security leading to adjacent storage chamber. Door to Victor's quarters is mechanical lock only—no magical wards."Background murmuring. Yama wasn't alone. Command tent. Officers listening.Yama's voice shifted—more official. "Others need to hear this. Continue."Warning acknowledged. They're listening. Be careful."Storage chamber connects directly to Victor's private quarters," Ethan continued. "Exact measurements. Patrol blind spots. Emergency exits. Complete schematic."More murmuring. Ethan pictured Yama standing rigid among School of Elements brass, face impassive, protecting the friend who'd saved Nira during the Frost Wolf attack."What are your terms?" Yama asked."One hundred thousand magic stones. Space-type artifact—casting enhancement or dimensional storage."Animated whispering. Then a new voice—older, smoother, calculating."Wello speaking. Yama's handed this to me. Negotiation specialist." Level 2 wizard pressure filtered through the crystal. "Let's discuss reality.""Terms are reality," Ethan said. "One hundred thousand stones. Space artifact."Wello chuckled. "Bold. But verification first. How do we confirm this isn't a School of Runes trap? Suicide mission intelligence?""Map precision comes from architectural archives cross-checked with personal recon. Victor wears the beacon openly—black crystal pendant, silver chain. Your assault three days ago failed for lack of internal layout. This provides it."Dead silence. Urgent sidebar conference.Wello returned. "If verified—and that's uncertain—we offer two hundred stones upfront. Space artifacts are rare. Impossible to procure casually.""No deal.""Two hundred stones is substantial for—""Stones I can earn through contracts. Space artifacts are unique." Ethan's tone: final. "Non-negotiable."Frustrated whispering. Wello's voice tightened. "I'm Level 2 without personal artifact. You grasp the scarcity?""Negotiation ends.""Crow—"Ethan's thumb hovered over deactivation."ONE DAY!" Wello snapped. "Consult command and logistics. Intelligence merits exception, but artifact demands authorization."NEXUS. Vocal stress?[73% genuine artifact frustration. 81% legitimate interest.]"One day," Ethan said. "Same frequency. No commitment, information goes elsewhere.""Done."Ethan killed the connection.Yama had risked everything—silence amid listeners could mean his execution if discovered. Loyalty from the boy with silver soul-seeing eyes.Debt growing heavier.
Stronghold Quarters – Midday
Van's gaze tracked Ethan entering. Knife sharpening paused. "Northern ridge?""Sightlines clear. No activity.""Hm." Blade resumed whispering against whetstone. Death affinity gleam. "Watch in forty-five. Thoroughly."Ethan nodded. Van suspected something. Always watching.
Bedroll – Night (Day 4)
No sleep. Ceiling stones mocked him. Yama's risk. Wello's desperation. Victor's beacon one betrayal away.School of Elements would assault using the map. Chaos at Victor's chambers. Ethan needed presence there—not this mine.NEXUS. Van patrol gaps?[4.1 hours max night window. 39% undetected escape odds. High risk.]Desertion meant Van's rotting death. Needed legitimate recall.Solve tomorrow.Forest Clearing – Morning (Day 5)"Western valley recon," Ethan told Vidal. Nonchalant."Thrilling," Vidal muttered.Twenty-three minutes. Crystal activated."Crow." Yama—clipped. All business. Listeners present."Wello."Negotiator's tone transformed. Precise. "Terms accepted. Full compliance."Ethan tensed. "Detail.""102,000 magic stones. Void Ring: 51 cubic meter storage, 15% space spell mana reduction. Valued at 152,000 stones alone. Total: 254,000 equivalent."Excessive. Trap flag."Explanation?""Command corroborated beacon claim via scouts. Map detail fills critical gap." Pause. "Priority target."NEXUS. Trap odds?[Overpayment 148% above norm. 62% legitimate, 38% capture pretext.]"Exchange parameters," Wello continued. "Stone of Cat. Dawn tomorrow. You solo. Us: myself, security. Map verification, payment transfer."Trust verification: "Post-exchange elimination risk?""We trace crystals. Strike surgically. Offer fair trade for live asset value."Permanent informant pitch."Future cooperation possible," Ethan lied. "Dawn. Stone of Cat. Third person visible, deal voids.""Agreed. Final note."Ethan stilled."Thank you, Crow," Wello said. "Courage noted. School of Elements remembers allies."To Yama listening: I owe you.Crystal dark.
Pre-Dawn – Exchange (Day 6)
Gear minimal. Map pocketed. Crossbow ready. Necklace secure.NEXUS. Max scan. 1.3km.Forty-one minutes northwest. Stone of Cat loomed mist-shrouded—granite predator silhouette.Two figures.Wello: tall, lean, Level 2 aura. Blue-trimmed robes.Guard: broad, fire affinity heat haze.NEXUS. Clear?[TWO SIGNATURES. NO AMBUSH WITHIN 1.4KM. 17% threat.]"Payment first," Ethan said.Wello nodded. Satchel extended. Stones glittered—fortune incarnate.NEXUS. Count.[101,800 stones. Accurate.]"Artifact."Wello displayed Void Ring. Black void-iron. Central crystal warping light.Ethan donned it. Perfect fit. Vast emptiness unfolded in mind.NEXUS. Verify.[AUTHENTIC. 51m³ storage. 15% mana efficiency. Perfect.]Map exchanged. Wello scanned—eyes widening. "Exquisite. Centimeter precision. Unknown passages." Refolded reverently. "Command mobilizes immediately.
Ethan turned toward the stronghold path—Van stood there.Level 2 wizard pressure crushed the air like a vice. Knife in hand, death affinity gleam pulsing along the blade. Eyes cold as the grave."Interesting meeting," Van said. Voice conversational. Deadly.