Kale and Liliana made their way through the narrow alley Liliana had pointed out, where the sunlight barely reached, and the shadows clung to the walls like a second skin. The air grew denser with each step, carrying a stillness that seemed to muffle the distant hum of the city. The few people they passed shot them curious glances, but no one lingered.

  Ahead, an odd building loomed, unlike any Kale had seen before. It appeared almost woven together, the stone walls spiraling upward in intricate patterns, giving the house an organic, twisting look. The windows, irregularly placed, were round and shimmering as though they were made from liquid glass.

  "This is where your ‘friend’ lives?" Kale asked.

  Liliana didn’t reply at first, her red eyes fixed on the building. After a moment, she spoke. "Yes. This is Zorian’s... place. He’s not what you’d call conventional."

  Kale chuckled nervously. "I’m starting to see a pattern."

  They reached the door, a smooth, dark wood surface without any visible handle or knocker. Kale raised his hand to knock, but the door swung open on its own, revealing a dimly lit interior.

  Inside, the room was lined with towering shelves filled with ancient books, vials of strange liquids, and objects that seemed to shimmer with their own magic. The ceiling stretched impossibly high, and suspended above were delicate threads of light, weaving in and out like the strands of a spider’s web. At the far end of the room, standing behind a desk cluttered with scrolls, sat Zorian.

  He was tall and thin, his form partially translucent, as if made of the threads of reality itself. His skin shimmered faintly, a web-like pattern covering his arms and neck, and his eyes, deep black voids, were unsettling, yet filled with an unnerving intelligence. His long, elegant fingers twitched as if on the verge of casting some unseen spell.

  Zorian looked up, his gaze landing first on Liliana. He stared for a moment, clearly processing the fact that Liliana was just a head. He blinked, then shifted his gaze to Kale, his mouth twitching in confusion.

  "Liliana," Zorian said, his voice smooth and eloquent. "You seem... shorter than I remember."

  Liliana’s eyes narrowed. "It’s temporary."

  Zorian tilted his head. "Temporary, you say?" His gaze darted between Kale and Liliana. "Why is he carrying you around like some kind of... accessory?"

  Kale shrugged. "It’s a long story. She’s... sort of stuck like this for now."

  "Stuck? Fascinating. I’m sure there’s quite a tale behind this," Zorian said as he stepped closer to inspect Liliana more carefully. "You, of all people, reduced to this. How... unexpected."

  "That’s one way to put it." Liliana said.

  Zorian’s black eyes flicked to Kale for a moment, then back to Liliana. "And who’s this? A... companion?" He seemed almost cautious. “Much has changed since we last met.”

  Kale opened his mouth to respond, but Liliana beat him to it. "He’s a bladeweaver," she said flatly, as if daring Zorian to question it.

  "A Bladeweaver? Well... that is... interesting."

  Kale shuffled uncomfortably. "Interesting good or interesting bad?"

  Zorian’s smile widened, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "That depends entirely on what you’re here for."

  "He’s not the reason we’re here. I need your help, Zorian. Something happened, something you might understand. I need answers, and we need help." Liliana said.

  Zorian’s demeanor shifted, becoming more focused. He stood up straighter, the nervousness replaced by a deep sense of curiosity. "You wouldn’t come to me if it wasn’t something serious." He glanced at Liliana, then quickly looked away, as though remembering who she used to be. "You saved my life once, and I haven’t forgotten that."

  Liliana’s eyes gleamed, a faint smile on her lips. "Yes, I did. And now it’s time to repay that debt."

  Zorian hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. Let’s discuss... what troubles you."

  ***

  Kale and Liliana stood before Zorian’s desk, the dim light from the threads above casting faint shadows over their faces. Kale shifted uncomfortably, still unsure of how much to reveal, but Liliana’s sharp eyes caught his hesitation.

  "Just tell him," she said. "He’s seen worse than this."

  Kale let out a breath and began recounting their story: how he had been pulled into the dungeon during a botched summoning ritual, how Liliana had been sacrificed and left as a disembodied head, and how they barely escaped the dungeon alive. Zorian listened intently, his fingers steepled as he leaned forward, his black eyes glinting with interest.

  When Kale finished, Zorian sat in silence for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he considered their situation. Finally, he spoke. "A summoning gone wrong... a bladeweaver, summoned in Xeroth's place." He shifted his gaze to Liliana. "And you, reduced to... this."

  Liliana nodded, her expression unreadable.

  Zorian rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "This is not a simple matter. You’re both caught up in something much larger. It’s not a coincidence that you ended up together. The Wyrd has brought you to me, and I have to see it for myself."

  He stood up, his thin, thread-like form shimmering in the dim light. He extended his hands toward them, fingers twitching as he began murmuring words under his breath. The air around them grew still, heavy with a sense of anticipation.

  "I will read your Wyrd," Zorian said softly, his voice distant as though he were speaking from another plane. "I will see what threads bind you to each other, to this world... and to your fates."

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  Kale tensed, not entirely sure what was about to happen, but Liliana remained calm, her red eyes locked on Zorian.

  Zorian’s hands moved in intricate patterns, as though pulling at invisible threads. Slowly, delicate strands of light began to appear in the air around Kale and Liliana, faint at first, then growing brighter, weaving and twisting together in complex patterns. The strands pulsed gently, almost like veins filled with life.

  Zorian’s eyes widened as he observed the threads. His breathing quickened. "Impossible..." he whispered.

  Kale glanced at Liliana. "What? What is it?"

  Zorian’s voice trembled slightly. "Your Wyrds... they’re... intertwined."

  Liliana’s gaze narrowed. "Intertwined?"

  Zorian nodded, his hands hovering over the glowing threads. "Your fates are bound together, inseparable. The threads between you are stronger than I’ve ever seen. Whatever you do, wherever you go, you are tied to one another."

  Kale’s stomach sank. "Tied? What does that mean exactly?"

  Zorian swallowed, his black eyes flickering with fear. "It means your destinies are one. You cannot be separated—physically, emotionally, spiritually. Whatever happens to one of you will affect the other. You’re bound by forces far beyond my comprehension." He hesitated, his fingers trembling. "And the danger ahead for both of you... it’s immense."

  Liliana’s expression didn’t change. "What kind of danger?"

  Zorian stepped back, letting the threads fade. "I... I can’t see everything. But I know this: your paths are no longer your own. You’re part of something much bigger now, and the price for failing... it’s unimaginable."

  Kale’s head spun. "So... what do we do?"

  Zorian shook his head. "I don’t know. I’ve never seen a Wyrd this tightly bound before. You’ll have to walk this path together, for better or worse." He glanced at Liliana. "And I don’t know if even you, Liliana, can fix this."

  Liliana’s patience started to run thin. “None of this tells me how I get my body back.”

  Zorian exhaled slowly, his expression a mix of sympathy and caution. “It’s not that straightforward, Liliana. You already know the answer—Valtharion isn’t going to just give your body back. You’ll have to prove yourself. You need to get stronger, earn his favor again.”

  “I already knew that. Tell me something useful.”

  Zorian’s gaze flicked to Kale, then back to Liliana. “Both of you will have to get stronger. The Wyrd doesn’t lie, your fates are bound. If one of you falls, so will the other. You need each other more than you realize.”

  Kale frowned, still trying to grasp what Zorian was saying. “So we have to... what? Train together? Fight together?”

  Zorian nodded gravely. “Yes, and you do have to get much stronger. There are trials ahead of you, challenges that will test you both in ways you can’t imagine. Honestly, most of the threads I saw... they end horribly for you.” He paused, letting that sink in before continuing. “Except the one where you trust each other, where you learn to work as a team.”

  “And how exactly is he supposed to get stronger? There are no bladeweavers left! None who can train him, at least.” Liliana said.

  Zorian leaned forward. “There are some left, Liliana. Not many, and they’re not easy to find. After what happened to the bladeweavers, they won’t exactly be announcing themselves to the world.”

  Liliana’s scowl deepened. “So you’re suggesting we wander around looking for someone who might not even want to help?”

  Zorian shook his head. “It doesn’t have to be a bladeweaver. What Kale needs is someone skilled in the blade, someone who can teach him how to fight, how to survive. You’re not just up against magical threats; you’ll need real combat experience.”

  Kale swallowed hard, feeling the responsibility fall heavier on his shoulders.

  “And you, Liliana,” Zorian continued, his tone softer but no less serious, “you’ll need to gain experience too. You’re starting from the bottom again, and it’ll take more than blood to regain Valtharion’s favor. He won’t make it easy for you, and until you’ve proven yourself, you won’t have the strength, or permission, to regenerate your body.”

  Liliana fell silent, her gaze hardening as she processed Zorian’s words. She knew he was right, but hearing it spoken so plainly only made the reality of her situation sting more.

  Kale glanced between them. “So, we need to train. We need to get stronger. And we need to find someone who can help me learn how to fight with... whatever it is I can do.”

  Zorian nodded. “Yes. And the sooner, the better. Because if you don’t, those threads I saw—the ones that end in failure—will be all that’s left.”

  The silence that followed Zorian’s revelations weighed heavily on the room. Kale leaned against the wall, his arms crossed as he stared at the floor, trying to absorb the enormity of what they were up against. The flickering strands of light in the room seemed to pulse with the tension in the air.

  Liliana, sitting on a table near him, glanced at Kale. "You look like you’ve just seen a ghost."

  Kale sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just… I didn’t ask for any of this, you know? Bladeweaver? Bound fates? Gods and trials? It’s all too much."

  Liliana's red eyes softened for the briefest of moments. "None of us asked for this. But hesitation won’t get us anywhere. You want to live, don’t you?"

  "Of course I do."

  "Then stop whining about how unfair this all is. The world doesn’t care about fairness. You fight, or you die."

  "You really know how to cheer a guy up."

  "It’s what I do. Spreading joy, one soul-crushing truth at a time."

  Kale straightened, trying to shake off the lingering doubts. "Fine. Where do we start? I mean, I can’t just learn to swing a dagger on my own. Zorian, you said I need training. Do you know anyone?"

  Zorian, who had been quietly observing their exchange, steepled his fingers once more, his eyes flickering with thought. "Training, yes. But not just any trainer will do. What you need… is something a bit more unorthodox."

  "Unorthodox? Why am I not surprised?" Kale said.

  Zorian gave a faint, mysterious smile. "There’s a place in the underbelly of Harrow’s Reach. An arena, not the usual kind of spectacle. It’s hidden from the general populace, a place where only those in the know gather. It’s not just about entertainment; it's where the real warriors, mercenaries, and killers sharpen their skills in battle. And for someone like you, who needs to learn quickly, it could be exactly what you need."

  "An underground arena?"

  Zorian nodded. "Yes. It’s where many of Harrow’s best fighters have made names for themselves. You can fight there, learn through combat. And, of course, earn some coin and reputation along the way. It’s not easy, though. The battles are often to the brink of death... Or death. You’ll have to be prepared for that."

  "Sounds perfect for you." Liliana said.

  Kale shot her a look. "Oh, I bet you’re loving this."

  Zorian cleared his throat. "It’s not without its dangers. The people who fight in that arena are deadly, and not everyone plays by the rules. But if you want to learn how to handle that dagger of yours and survive, this is where you’ll find the training you need. I can give you a lead, someone who runs the place, a man by the name of Varrick. Tell him I sent you."

  "Varrick. Got it." Kale said.

  Just as they turned to leave, Zorian’s face darkened, his earlier confidence giving way to concern. "There’s something else," he said. Both Kale and Liliana stopped, looking back at him. "I told you about the threads, the ones I saw binding you both. They’re not just... binding you to each other. The gods are watching, more closely than you think. And Xeroth… he is aware. He may not know where you are yet, but he will soon enough."

  A chill ran down Kale’s spine. Liliana’s eyes narrowed.

  Zorian’s voice was grave. "I can’t see everything, but I know the gods will be involved in this sooner rather than later. Be careful. And don’t think for a second that just because you’re out of that dungeon, you’re safe."

  Kale swallowed hard, nodding. "Right. So, we fight, we get stronger, and we keep moving."

  Zorian nodded. "Yes. But don’t underestimate the danger ahead."

  "You seem… afraid, Zorian." Liliana said.

  Zorian didn’t deny it. "Anyone who sees the threads the way I do knows the power the gods have over our fates. Be careful. For all the threads I saw, not many end well."

  As Kale turned to leave, Zorian placed a hand on his shoulder. "You’ll be fine, Kale. I’ve seen enough of you to know you’ll adapt. You’re braver than you give yourself credit for. Just... don’t lose that."

  Kale met Zorian’s eyes, feeling the tension ease just a bit. "Thanks. I needed that."

  Zorian smiled faintly. "Take care of yourselves. Both of you."

  Liliana gave Zorian a nod, and without another word, she and Kale stepped out into the streets of Harrow’s Reach.