coincidence

The morning air was crisp as Zinia and Mei made their way toward the guild. The events of the previous night still played heavily on Zinia's mind. The conversation with the mysterious figure had given them their first true lead—whispers about the Valeborne family and its involvement in darker, more dangerous affairs. Zinia had spent much of the night turning over the information, wondering how much of it was truth and how much was just another layer of deception.

Now, as they approached the guild, Zinia's impatience returned. She didn't expect much from this meeting, especially given how little the guild had offered them so far. But they needed resources, information, and—perhaps most of all—time. And for that, they needed to play their part.

As they entered the guild hall, the familiar scent of wood, iron, and sweat filled the air. The building was busy, mercenaries and adventurers bustling about, taking on new contracts or preparing for their own missions. Zinia ignored them, her sharp gaze locked on the guild master's office at the far end of the hall.

Mei followed quietly behind, his expression as blank as ever, but his presence was a steady force at Zinia's back. She could feel the tension building in her muscles, her body coiled like a spring. She hated being here, hated relying on people who were less capable than she was. But for now, she had no choice.

They reached the guild master's office, and Zinia knocked once, sharply. The door creaked open, revealing the guild master—a burly man with graying hair and a face lined with scars. He glanced up from his desk, his expression hardening slightly as he recognized them.

"Ah, Zinia, Mei," he said, leaning back in his chair. "I wasn't expecting you so early."

"We need to talk," Zinia said flatly, wasting no time on pleasantries. "You promised us information. It's been weeks, and we've gotten nothing."

The guild master raised an eyebrow, but there was no hint of surprise in his eyes. He seemed almost... amused. "I understand your frustration. But I may have something for you now. A bit of new information just crossed my desk this morning."

Zinia's eyes narrowed. "And you just happened to receive it now?"

The guild master shrugged. "Coincidences do happen. Or perhaps you've just been unlucky until now." He reached into a drawer and pulled out a small slip of paper, sliding it across the desk toward Zinia.

She snatched it up, her eyes scanning the words quickly. It was a name—a name that matched the description of the person they'd been searching for. The person who had received the letter they had been tracking for weeks. A surge of adrenaline rushed through her veins, but she kept her expression neutral.

"And where did this come from?" she asked, her voice carefully controlled.

The guild master smiled faintly. "One of my contacts in the city passed it along. Apparently, this individual has been asking questions—similar to the ones you've been asking. I thought you might want to know."

Zinia stared at him for a moment, weighing her options. She didn't trust the guild master, not entirely. But this lead was too good to ignore. Finally, she nodded curtly. "Fine. We'll look into it."

The guild master leaned back in his chair, his smile widening. "Glad to be of service. Let me know if you find anything useful."

Zinia turned on her heel without another word, Mei silently following her as they left the office. Her mind raced as they stepped out into the street, her thoughts now divided between the new name and the information they'd learned underground.

They couldn't afford to waste any more time. The Valeborne's secrets were closer than ever, and now they had a name—a potential key to unlocking everything. But Zinia knew better than to trust the guild's leads completely. There was always a catch, always a risk.

"We're going back underground," she said to Mei as they walked through the busy streets. "In a few days. We need more information before we make our next move."

Mei, as always, simply nodded. He never questioned her decisions, never offered his own input unless she demanded it. But that was fine. She didn't need his words—just his presence.

Days later, Zinia found herself once again descending into the underground, Mei at her side. The narrow passages were just as dark and foreboding as before, the stale air thick with the smell of damp stone and decay. The underground was a different world, one filled with people who thrived on secrets and shadows. It was the perfect place to gather information—and the perfect place to get killed if they weren't careful.

Kiva had given them little more than a name, but Zinia knew they would have to rely on more than just her word if they were to uncover the full truth. The mysterious figure from before had mentioned the Valeborne in passing, but they hadn't given nearly enough. Zinia needed something concrete—documents, records, anything that could confirm what she had suspected all along.

They navigated the twisting passages in silence, Zinia's sharp eyes scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger. She was always on edge down here, her senses heightened, her instincts screaming at her to stay alert. But she had grown accustomed to the tension—it was the price she paid for answers.

Eventually, they arrived at the same nondescript door as before. Zinia knocked twice, then three times more, just as Kiva had done days earlier. The door creaked open, revealing the shadowed figure inside.

"I was wondering when you'd return," the figure said, their voice low and gravelly.

Zinia stepped into the room, her gaze locking onto the figure. "You gave us just enough information to keep us interested," she said coldly. "But now I want more."

The figure chuckled softly, stepping forward into the dim light. "I thought you might. But information has a price, and I assume you're ready to pay it?"

Zinia's jaw clenched, but she forced herself to stay calm. "We'll pay, but not in coin. I want something solid this time—no riddles, no games. Documents. Records. Proof."

The figure's eyes glinted from beneath their hood, and Zinia could sense their amusement. "You're bold, I'll give you that. But you know as well as I do that proof is hard to come by down here. Still... I might have something that will interest you."

Zinia waited, her patience wearing thin.

The figure reached into their cloak, pulling out a folded piece of parchment. "This was passed down through many hands before it reached me. It's old—very old. But it references the Valeborne by name."

Zinia's heart raced as she took the parchment, carefully unfolding it. The writing was faded, the ink barely legible, but there it was—a reference to her family, to the power they had once wielded.

"Consider this a gift," the figure said softly. "A gesture of goodwill. But remember, nothing down here comes without a price."

Zinia's gaze hardened as she tucked the parchment away. "I don't owe you anything yet. But if this turns out to be useful, we'll talk again."

Without another word, she turned and left the room, Mei following silently behind her. As they made their way back to the surface, Zinia's mind raced with possibilities. They finally had something tangible—a clue to the Valeborne's past.

But she knew this was only the beginning. The deeper they dug, the more dangerous it would become. And Zinia was ready for whatever came next.