Chapter 2- Part 3 "Thalia Runecrafter"

[Mine Entrance- Time 12:35 PM]

Vivek and Malchior emerged from the mine, the tension of the battle finally fading as they reached the open air.

Malchior turned to Vivek, a faint smile on his face. "It's been a pleasure working with you, Vivek. As promised, here is your tier-2 magic crystal and 1,000 F.C. (Federal Coins)."

Vivek accepted the reward but paused, his brows furrowing in confusion. "Wait, you're giving me 200 coins extra. Wasn't the agreement for 800 F.C.?"

Malchior chuckled softly. "Ah, you're right. I made a mistake in my initial judgment." He waved a hand dismissively. "I didn't realize your magic crystal was running low on mana. I should have cast some enhancement spells on you before the battle started. Consider the extra 200 coins a bonus for handling that situation so well despite the circumstances."

Vivek nodded, still processing the battle and the strange circumstances surrounding Malchior. Why would a mage, capable of such precision, need someone like me to protect him? He thought. Mages usually cast both protective and offensive spells in combat. Maybe the crystal extraction required so much concentration that he couldn't focus on fighting the monsters while gathering it. That could explain why he hired a bodyguard.

He glanced at the magic crystal in his hand, its soft glow a reminder of the power it held. Whatever the reason, there's more to Malchior than he's letting on. Perhaps I'll learn more in time.

"Thank you," Vivek said, pocketing the coins and the crystal. "I appreciate the extra reward."

Malchior gave him a knowing smile. "You've earned it, Vivek. I'm sure we'll cross paths again."

With that, Malchior parted ways with Vivek. He stood at the entrance of the mine, watching as Malchior disappeared into the distance.

The weight of the now-worthless crystal in his pocket reminded him of his next task: fixing his wand. With the tier-2 magic crystal as his reward, he knew it was time to head back to town and take care of it.

The journey wouldn't be short, and with the sun hanging low, he anticipated it would take a couple of hours.

As Vivek trekked down the rugged path leading from the mines, his feet grew weary. The road was lined with jagged rocks, and the occasional howl of distant creatures kept him on edge. His thoughts wandered to his financial struggles.

The bodyguard mission had been risky, but he needed the coins. At least now, with the 1,000 F.C. payment, he had some cushion—2,035 coins in total. Still, he knew fixing his wand would eat into that.

By the time Vivek reached the town gates, the clock struck 2:05 PM, the rune shop, nestled in the heart of town just past the marketplace, was not just any ordinary shop—it was crucial for any mage in the area.

Known as the Rune Shop, it was renowned for its mastery over magical repairs, enhancements, and rune crafting. Mages, adventurers, and even wandering travellers sought its services to restore or strengthen their magical gear.

The shop was a cornerstone of the town's magical community, with many claiming it was enchanted, an ancient structure passed down through generations of master rune-workers. Thalia, the current owner, had inherited it from her grandmother, an arch-mage of great repute.

Stepping into the shop, Vivek was greeted by its familiar warmth. The walls were lined with glowing runes and shelves filled with magical artifacts—crystals, enchanted scrolls, rune stones, and potions. The air had the distinct scent of incense, mixed with the crackling energy of the runes that illuminated the room. Each item seemed to hum with latent power.

The counter in the back of the shop was made of ancient stone, engraved with a complex array of symbols and enchantments.

Behind it stood Thalia, her silver hair fell over her shoulders, and though her age showed in the lines on her face, her aura radiated strength and wisdom.

Vivek had known Thalia for some time. She had occasionally offered him guidance when he was younger, helping him understand the basics of rune magic. He respected her knowledge but also knew she was strict about payments. Their relationship was professional; she saw potential in him but wasn't one to show favouritism.

As Vivek approached the counter, the familiar hum of magical energy greeted him. Thalia, standing behind the counter, didn't even need to look up to know who had entered.

"Back from another adventure, Vivek?" Thalia said, her voice carrying a mix of amusement and familiarity.

Vivek approached the counter, placing his wand and the tier-2 magic crystal down gently. "You could say that. My old crystal's completely drained. I need this one embedded."

Thalia finally looked up, her sharp eyes examining the crystal. "I see you've upgraded to a more powerful crystal. This will definitely enhance your wand." She picked up the wand, inspecting it carefully. "But embedding a crystal like this requires precise alignment with your wand's core. Otherwise, it'll be useless."

Vivek nodded. "I figured. How much will it cost me?"

Thalia set the wand down, crossing her arms. "For a tier-2 crystal… 500 coins. And it'll take me about 3 hours to get it done right. Rushing this kind of work is a mistake you don't want to make."

Vivek grimaced slightly at the price but knew he didn't have much choice. "Alright, 500 it is. I need the wand back in top shape."

Thalia gave a slight smile, the corners of her eyes softening. "I see you're still having a hard time with finances. Things tough?"

"I didn't have much of a choice," Vivek replied, his tone serious. "This job was the best way to earn enough to keep going, especially with what's coming."

Thalia's expression shifted, a hint of unease crossing her features. "You mean the message from the sky?"

Vivek nodded, his face set in grim determination. "Yeah. Whatever it was, it's got everyone on edge. Midnight's creeping closer, and no one knows what's going to happen. I figured I better prepare for the worst."

Thalia's silver eyes darkened as she looked out the window. "You're not the only one. Ever since that thing appeared, people have been flooding in here for enhancements, protections, anything they think will help. But magic alone won't save anyone if things go bad."

Vivek sighed. "I know. But it's all I've got right now."

Thalia's gaze softened slightly. "Just be careful, Vivek. This crystal will give your wand more power, but even that won't protect you from everything that's out there. Not with the unknown looming above us."

"I'll be fine," Vivek said with a nod, trying to reassure her—and himself. "I've survived this long."

Thalia gave him a knowing look, the weight of her years evident in her eyes. "Come back in 3 hours. I'll have it ready by then."

"Alright, I'll come back in three hours. Here are the 500 coins," Vivek said, handing over the payment before leaving Thalia's shop. He made his way back to the slum area where his small room awaited, hoping to recuperate from the aftermath of the battle.

On his way back to the slum area, Vivek couldn't escape the murmurs in the streets. Townspeople stood in small groups, their faces etched with unease, as they debated the meaning of the mysterious message delivered by the object in the sky. Speculation filled the air.

"I heard the scholars in the E-grade city say it's a sign of the worlds end," one man whispered to his companion. "They claim the stars have aligned in ways that haven't been seen for thousands of years. Midnight could bring disaster."

"But what kind of disaster?" the companion replied nervously, wringing his hands. "May be floods? Fire raining from the heavens? I am scared thinking all this, I don't want to die tonight."

Further down the road, a group of merchants stood outside their stalls, arguing over their future.

"If the world really ends, then what's the point of all this saving?" one merchant said, his voice tense. "I'm spending everything I've got before midnight hits. What good are coins if we're all gone?"

Another merchant scoffed. "You're all fools. This is just some cosmic phenomenon—nothing more. I'm doubling my prices. If people are that desperate, I'm going to make the most of it."

Others had more practical concerns. Two elderly women, sitting by the roadside, spoke in hushed tones.

"They, say the nobles are fortifying their estates, readying their private armies. I heard one of them is preparing to flee to the mountains."

"Of course, they are," the other woman said bitterly. "The rest of us don't stand a chance. If something terrible happens tonight, we're left with nothing but our wits."

As Vivek passed by, he overheard a group of mages discussing the message with far more caution in their voices.

"It's a warning," one mage muttered. "The object is testing us. Midnight could be the start of something far worse—a trial for the Third Realm. We need to be prepared for the unknown."

"Do you think it'll happen all at once?" another mage asked, her face pale. "Or will it be gradual? A slow unravelling of reality?"

Vivek felt a chill run down his spine. No matter where he walked, the air was thick with speculation and fear. While some citizens acted as though nothing had changed—children playing in the streets, couples laughing as they walked by—there was a growing tension, as if the very air was charged with anticipation. Adventurers, mercenaries, and scholars hurried about, gathering supplies or fortifying their homes.

Hearing all these conflicting views, Vivek found it impossible to gauge the true severity of the situation. Was it truly the end of the world, or merely a cosmic anomaly that would pass without incident? All he knew for certain was that he couldn't let his guard down. With caution weighing heavily on his shoulders, Vivek arrived back at his small room.

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To Be Continued....