Rift Merchant

The tunnel stretched ahead, this was one of the old closed-off subway lines, abandoned long before the World Break, now serving as a hidden artery beneath the ruined city. The air was thick with the scent of rust, damp stone, and something fouler—something that reeked of decay.

Kade moved cautiously, his steps steady but silent, his senses tuned to every shift in the air. The walls bore the scars of age and neglect, graffiti now barely visible beneath layers of grime and dust. This tunnel had only one official entrance at street level, once sealed off to the public, and he had come through it hours ago. Now, he was nearing the far end, where it merged with the larger subway network—a tangled web of underground pathways, some collapsed, others leading deeper into the unknown.

The quiet was deceptive. It was the kind of silence that pressed against his ears, amplifying every distant drip of water, every skittering movement in the shadows. In the silence, kades mind wandered, catching his breath as he glanced back at Julia. Her shoulders rose and fell steadily, her rapier slick with the residue of countless fights. "That' was quite the haul," he said, his voice steady but tired. "We've got more than we bargained for—forty cores, Riftsteel, and that Tier 2 core. If we had push further, we'd just be tempting fate."

Julia nodded, wiping sweat from her brow. The faint glow in her eyes from her gradual evolution hadn't faded, and Kade could see the toll of the battles etched into her expression. "Yeah," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "We've done enough damage for one day. Let's get back before something worse finds us."

The two began retracing their steps through the winding tunnels, the sense of accomplishment tinged with the ever-present tension of the new world. Each step back toward the clubhouse brought a growing sense of relief. They had what they needed for now, but the constant evolution of the monsters was a reminder that this temporary victory was just a step in a much larger war. Kade couldn't shake the thought that they'd barely scratched the surface of what was out there.

When they finally emerged from the tunnels and approached the clubhouse, the sight before them froze them in their tracks. The survivors had gathered near the center of the underground base, forming a loose circle. Their faces were a mix of awe, confusion, and fear, their whispered conversations ceasing the moment Kade and Julia entered. In the middle of the gathering stood a robed figure, its angular, inhuman features partially concealed beneath a hood. Its skin shimmered faintly in the dim light, and the air around it seemed charged with a subtle, unnatural energy.

Kade's eyes narrowed as he set the heavy pack down beside him, his hand tightening instinctively on the mace's handle. "What the hell is this?" he muttered under his breath, his voice low and sharp.

Griggs's voice roise up. "It just appeared out of thin air... but wait.. don't jump to conclusions", his rattled voice betraying him.

The robed being turned toward them, its movements unnaturally fluid. A sly grin spread across its face, revealing teeth too sharp and too perfect to be human. Its voice, rich and theatrical, echoed through the room. "Ah, so you must be the one they speak of—the survivor who bested a Rendclaw." The being's eyes gleamed with intrigue as they locked onto Kade. "Impressive, truly. Perhaps we have much to discuss."

Kade exchanged a quick glance with Julia, his instincts screaming to stay on guard. "A Rift Merchant," he muttered, recognition flashing in his eyes, he had seen a page on rift merchants in the book he had barely glossed over

He took a step forward, keeping his mace loose in his grip but ready to swing. "And what exactly do you want?"

The merchant's grin widened, its air of condescension impossible to miss. "Want? No, no, dear Rift-born, I am here to offer. Knowledge. Tools. Opportunities. That is the nature of my trade." It motioned toward Kade's pack, its voice dropping to a tone laced with amusement. "I see you've been busy. Perhaps you'd care to barter?"

Kade's jaw clenched as he stared the merchant down. This was a new kind of threat, one that spoke with honeyed words but carried an undeniable sense of danger. He had no choice but to listen—for now.

Kade stood firm, gripping his mace tightly as the Rift Merchant tilted its head, studying him with an unnervingly predatory curiosity. The survivors around them remained silent, their expressions flickering between desperation and hope, as if this strange figure might hold some key to their survival. Julia stepped up beside him, her rapier ready in case things turned hostile.

"Barter?" Kade finally said, his voice low and edged with suspicion. "What could you possibly have that we'd want? Or need?"

The Rift Merchant's grin didn't falter, its voice dripping with amusement. "Oh, my dear Rift-born, the question isn't what you want. It's what you need. And trust me, I can provide things you wouldn't dare to imagine." It gestured theatrically to the room, its robe sweeping dramatically. "Information. Resources. Techniques to harness that power coursing through your veins. Perhaps even tools to turn your crude methods into something truly formidable."

Kade didn't flinch, his eyes locked on the merchant. "And what's the catch?"

"Catch?" the merchant repeated, its grin sharpening. "Only the simplest of exchanges. Those cores you've been so diligently collecting, the energy brimming within them—such exquisite currency in the fractured worlds. To you, they're raw potential. To me, they are fuel, power, and payment."

Kade's thoughts churned as he tried to process the implications of this being's presence. This was a creature that traveled between worlds, operating in the aftermath of chaos like a scavenger—or worse, a profiteer. And yet, the possibility of gaining more knowledge about the Ascendants, Resonance Energy, or the growing threats they faced was a temptation he couldn't ignore.

Julia broke the silence, her voice steady but questioning. "If you're such a benevolent trader, why show up now? What's in it for you?"

The merchant turned its attention to her, its grin softening but never losing its edge. "The Ascendants play their games, but I am simply a bystander, a humble merchant traveling the Rift. Where there is need, there is opportunity. And where there is opportunity, there is trade."

Kade's fingers twitched against the mace, his mind racing. He didn't trust this creature—every word it spoke felt like a lure, carefully designed to reel them in. But at the same time, they needed something—anything—that could help them survive and grow stronger. Ignoring it wasn't an option.

"And what exactly are you offering?" Kade asked after a long pause.

The Rift Merchant reached into the folds of its robe, pulling out a small, glowing vial filled with liquid Resonance Energy. The light cast eerie shadows across its inhuman features. "This," it said, holding the vial up for all to see. "A concentrated essence of Resonance Energy, refined and potent. It will accelerate your evolution, enhance your power, and push you further along the path of ascension. For the right price, of course."

The survivors murmured among themselves, their desperation palpable. Kade narrowed his eyes. "And what's the 'right price' for something like that?"

The merchant's grin widened. "A Tier 2 core and ten regular cores. Fair, no? You grow stronger, and I get what I need. A mutually beneficial exchange."

Kade's jaw tightened. He glanced at Julia, who looked as skeptical as he felt. The price was steep, especially considering the effort it had taken to collect those cores. But the promise of faster evolution was hard to ignore. If the Rift Merchant's offer was genuine, it could give them a crucial edge in the fight ahead.

"I'll think about it," Kade said, his voice firm.

The merchant inclined its head, its grin never wavering. "Take your time, Rift-born. I'm not going anywhere—yet."

As the merchant stepped back, Kade motioned for Julia to follow him away from the crowd. The survivors watched them go, their eyes filled with questions and barely restrained fear. Once they were out of earshot, Julia broke the silence.

"You're not seriously considering trading with that thing, are you?" she asked, her voice low but intense.

Kade ran a hand through his hair, his expression grim. "I don't trust it, but we can't ignore it either. If it really has information or resources that can help us, we'd be stupid not to at least hear it out."

"And if it's lying?" Julia countered.

"Then we'll deal with it," Kade said, his tone sharp. "But we can't afford to be picky right now. The monsters are getting stronger, and if we don't evolve, we're dead. All of us."

Julia didn't respond right away, her gaze shifting to the glowing vial the merchant had displayed. "Fine," she said finally. "But we don't trade until we're sure it's legit. No risks we can't afford."

Kade nodded, his jaw set. "Agreed."

They made their way back to the survivors, who were still huddled around the Rift Merchant. Kade's mind was already working through the possibilities, weighing the risks and potential rewards. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning—that the Rift Merchant's arrival signaled a much larger, more dangerous game unfolding around them.

For now, he would play along. But his grip on the mace remained tight, and his eyes never left the merchant's smirking face.

Kade crossed his arms, his gaze hard on the Rift Merchant. "You've got more than just that vial, right? What else are you peddling?"

The merchant chuckled, its inhuman features casting eerie shadows in the dim light. "Ah, so the Rift-born seeks to expand his horizons. Very well." With a theatrical flourish, it pulled back its robe slightly, revealing an assortment of small items tucked into hidden compartments. "Weapons, information, artifacts—treasures from shattered worlds. All for the right price."

Kade's eyes scanned the collection. His attention was immediately drawn to a gleaming, alien-looking weapon—a curved blade that seemed to shimmer with raw energy, faint tendrils of Resonance Energy rippling along its edge. His pulse quickened. "What's the price on that?" he asked, pointing to the blade.

The merchant's grin widened. "Ah, the Blade of Fractured Souls. A masterpiece of craftsmanship, forged in the crucibles of an annihilated world. The cost? A Tier 4 core or the equivalent of 50 tier-two cores."

Kade let out a sharp breath, shaking his head. "That's steep."

"Quality doesn't come cheap," the merchant said with a shrug, sliding the blade back into its compartment. "But I assure you, the weapon is worth every ounce of energy."

"Pass," Kade said curtly, though his disappointment lingered. His gaze shifted to the merchant's array of scrolls and vials. "What about information? Specifically, on how to refine and mold Riftsteel."

"Ah, practical knowledge. Wise," the merchant said, its voice taking on a condescending tone. It reached into its robes and produced a thin, metallic tablet etched with faintly glowing runes. "This contains the fundamental methods for refining and shaping Riftsteel—a craft common to Rift-bound worlds. It is, shall we say, basic knowledge. The price is a mere ten low-tier cores."

Kade considered it for a moment, weighing the cost. Knowledge like that could be invaluable for Griggs and the survivors. He nodded. "Deal."

He handed over the required cores, and the merchant slid the tablet into his hands. The weight of it felt strange, almost magnetic, but he quickly tucked it away into his jacket.

"Anything else?" Kade asked.

The merchant smirked, producing a small, intricately carved vial filled with a radiant, golden liquid. "A Resonance Restoration Vial. Its purpose is simple: it heals wounds by reconstructing cells using Resonance Energy. Broken bones, torn ligaments—it will repair what your body alone cannot. For a mere 25 low-tier cores, it could save a life—or your own, should you find yourself in a dire situation."

Kade's brow furrowed as he considered the price. It was steep, but the value of something like that couldn't be overstated. In the chaos of this new world, where medical supplies were limited and monsters roamed every corner, such a vial could mean the difference between life and death.

"Fine," he said, reluctantly handing over the remaining cores. The merchant's grin grew impossibly wide as it passed him the vial. Kade held it carefully, the golden liquid within seeming to pulse faintly with life.

"Well, my dear Rift-born," the merchant said, tucking its robes back into place. "It seems your companions are less… resourceful." Its tone was mocking, its eyes scanning the other survivors, who looked on with a mix of fear and envy. "Since no one else appears to have the means to barter, I shall take my leave."

Kade narrowed his eyes. "Where will you go next?"

The merchant tilted its head, as though amused by the question. "To the next group of survivors, of course. This world is brimming with opportunity, and there are many like you—desperate, eager, and willing to trade." It turned toward the rift it had entered from, the glowing portal shimmering with unstable energy. "But worry not, Rift-born. I shall return at dawn every five days on your planet's solar calendar. Prepare your wares, and perhaps you'll find something even more to your liking."

Its laugh echoed through the room, theatrical and grating, as it stepped into the rift and vanished. The portal sealed behind it with a crackling hiss, leaving a tense silence in its wake.

Julia approached Kade, her expression unreadable. "Do you think we can trust anything it said?"

"I don't trust anything," Kade muttered, tucking the vial into his pack and gripping the metallic tablet tightly. "But we don't have the luxury of ignoring opportunities, even if they come with risks. Let's see what this information on Riftsteel gets us—and make sure we're ready when it comes back."

The survivors murmured among themselves, their voices a mix of hesitant hope and quiet unease. The air felt heavier now, laden with the implications of what they had just witnessed. Kade's eyes swept over the room, the weight of responsibility pressing harder on his shoulders than ever before. Surviving wasn't enough anymore—not with the knowledge of what lay ahead. Every moment, every decision, felt like a step closer to answers or to ruin. Yet, amidst the tension, there was something else—an unfamiliar flicker of excitement. The idea of what he could gain, what he could become, lingered at the edges of his mind like a fire waiting to spread. If he could gather more cores, maybe, just maybe, he could afford one of those incredible weapons the merchant had displayed. The thought was almost childish, but it carried with it a glimmer of purpose.

Pushing the stray thought aside, Kade strode over to Griggs, pulling the metallic tablet from his pack. The dim light glinted off its surface as he held it out. "Here," he said. "This has instructions on how to refine Riftsteel. I don't know how it works, though. Looks like something out of a sci-fi movie."

Griggs took the tablet, turning it over in his hands, his expression skeptical. "Looks like a glorified coaster if you ask me," he muttered, squinting at the faint runes etched into its surface. "How the hell am I supposed to use this?"

Kade shrugged. "Beats me. The merchant said it's got the instructions we need. Figured you'd know more than I would."

Griggs brought the tablet closer to his face, his brow furrowed as he examined the glowing symbols. "What's this supposed to—" His words caught in his throat as the tablet seemed to pulse faintly, a subtle vibration passing through it. The runes flared brighter, and before Kade could say anything, the tablet released a soft wave of Resonance Energy.

Griggs froze, his eyes widening as the energy connected with his forehead. It wasn't a jolt or a shock; it was more like a silent transfer, as if the tablet were pouring its knowledge directly into him. He stumbled back slightly, his hands trembling as the tablet fell to the floor with a metallic clink.

Kade stepped forward, alarmed. "Griggs? What the hell just happened?"

Griggs didn't respond immediately. He stood there, breathing heavily, his gaze distant. Slowly, a grin crept across his face, a mix of disbelief and awe. "Holy hell…" he finally muttered, running a hand through his hair. "I... I know it. The process, the methods—it's all in here." He tapped the side of his head, his voice tinged with wonder. "That damn thing just... uploaded it straight into my brain."

Kade stared at him, caught between amazement and concern. "So, you're saying it worked?"

Griggs nodded, still dazed. "It worked. I know how to refine Riftsteel now. Damn near perfect clarity, too. This... this could change everything."

Kade glanced at the tablet on the floor, his mind racing. Whatever these Rift Merchants were dealing in, it was beyond anything he'd ever encountered. "Guess we'll see if it's worth the price," he said, his voice quieter now.

Griggs picked up the tablet again, this time with a newfound reverence. "Kid," he said, looking at Kade with a rare seriousness. "If this is just a taste of what these merchants can offer, we're gonna need more cores. A lot more."