The adventurers’ guild meeting room was ostentatious in every sense—gleaming carved wood panels, polished brass fittings, heavy drapes framing tall windows, and not a speck of dust to be found. A massive central table dominated the space, ringed by high-backed chairs designed to impress more than for comfort.

  Along one wall, two large windows took up most of the space, their curtains drawn aside to reveal the square outside.

  Nikolai sat beside Kaelith, her leg stretched out awkwardly beneath the table. Most of the team leaders were present, as well as a few notable members from their groups. One glaring absence, however, was Azila—nowhere to be seen. Simi was present, but she was the only member of that team in attendance.

  She averted her eyes when Nikolai entered and seemed lost in her own world, her gaze lifelessly fixed on the tabletop. She hadn’t touched any of the refreshments most of the others were enjoying, and neither had Nikolai or Kaelith.

  The large doors opened, and the man Nikolai now recognized as the guildmaster strode in, a woman clad in full armor at his side. The woman looked older, experienced, and after closing the door, she took up position beside it. The guildmaster continued to the end of the table and sat down.

  Nikolai studied the armored woman and couldn’t help but wonder why a guard was needed.

  Kaelith met his eyes from behind her mask and gave a small shrug, as if to say, who knows.

  The guildmaster steepled his fingers, his piercing green eyes sweeping over everyone in the room. He was a large man, and it was clear he hadn’t neglected his training just because he now held an administrative position. Broad-shouldered, with greying black hair cut short and practical, his clean-shaven jaw looked as if it had been chiseled from stone.

  His expression did nothing to ease the tension slowly building in the room. One by one, people stopped eating and turned their attention to him.

  “So,” he said at last, his voice clear and authoritative. “The expedition was a success, yes?”

  Calim pushed his chair back, stood, and nodded. “Yes, Guildmaster, as previously reported, it was. We reached the bottom and encountered the elder lich. He was dealt with, and the gate was sealed.”

  Nikolai listened closely. He hadn’t seen the end of the dungeon—and a gate?

  The guildmaster nodded. “I’ve read the report, Calim. Fine work, as always. That said, it mentions that you passed through the gauntlet easily, as it had already been cleared?”

  Calim nodded and gestured toward Kaelith. “Kaelith here, with assistance from Nikolai Travelion, had already completed the challenge, though they were severely injured in the process. We decided to push on and finish the job.”

  The guildmaster’s gaze shifted to Kaelith, passing almost entirely over Nikolai. “Kaelith. I allowed you to join at your request, as you wished to access the library within the crypt. Why did you enter the gauntlet alone?”

  Kaelith tilted her head slightly. “You were just told I wasn’t.” Her tone was calm, but it was clear she disliked how thoroughly Nikolai was being ignored.

  The guildmaster glanced at him and raised an eyebrow. “A stage two? I do not wish to disparage young Travelion here, but I fail to see how much assistance he could have offered against monsters of that level.”

  Kaelith’s eyes turned steely. “Not only did he save my life, Guildmaster—more than once—but he was the one who finished the final encounter. A monster more powerful than anything I have ever fought.”

  Simi looked up at that, her expression one of pure disbelief. The same reaction rippled through the room, even the guildmaster smiling as though he found the claim amusing.

  “If you say so,” he said, clearly unconvinced. “Regardless of how it was accomplished—foolish as it may have been—the task was completed and should be rewarded, at the very least.”

  Kaelith stiffened at his words, and Nikolai felt anger radiating from her. She straightened slightly before speaking again, her voice cold.

  “Perhaps we should discuss what else occurred in the tomb, Guildmaster. One of the teams is clearly underrepresented here, and I believe you and the guild owe Nikolai more than insincerity and rude dismissal.”

  The guildmaster’s eyes narrowed—she had struck a nerve. Simi looked deeply uncomfortable now, while Calim appeared confused.

  “What is this?” Calim asked.

  Before the guildmaster could respond, Davon— one of the other team leaders in Azila’s group—spoke up. “Azila tried to kill Nikolai Travelion, deliberately trapping him in the maze. For all we knew at the time, we believed she had succeeded, so did she.”

  The room froze. For a few heartbeats, no one spoke.

  Then Calim was on his feet. “What!?”

  Other voices rose in shocked protest until the guildmaster slammed a fist into the table, demanding silence.

  When calm was restored, he nodded slowly. “I have read your report, Davon, and given Azila’s abrupt disappearance, it is difficult to outright dismiss your claims. The guild has therefore—”

  “Claims!?” Davon snapped, his face twisting with anger. “Claims!? You think I would lie? Ask him—he’s sitting right there! What is this? Have we become politicians now? Speak plainly man! Azila was a treacherous bitch, and she should be hunted down and punished!”

  Simi flinched at the outburst, her expression hardening with anger, but she said nothing, grinding her teeth instead.

  Davon wasn’t finished though. “And what of her team, Guildmaster? Why is only Simi present? Livi was with Azila when it happened—so was Kent from mine, you’re telling me he lied aswell!? The truth is indisputable!”

  The guildmaster glared at Davon until he finished, then spoke, clearly forcing his voice to remain steady. “She is gone—so is most of her team. They vanished shortly after leaving the tomb, and we have been unable to locate them. They have been blacklisted—the are now wanted fugitives. Simi alone turned herself in. Chose to be better than them. A proper adventurer.”

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  He pointed toward Nikolai without looking at him. “I have reviewed all reports. The provocations went both ways. He is not a guild member, nor a proper adventurer, so I will refrain from further comment—but instigation is also punishable under guild law. Azila went too far, yes, but can all blame truly rest with her?”

  Nikolai could hardly believe what he was hearing, but he remained silent. He wasn’t even sure why he was even here anymore. Knowing the guildmaster’s stance, all he wanted was to punch the man and leave.

  Kaelith hissed under her breath, but Davon pressed on, unwilling to back down.

  “I saw everything,” Davon said. “Saw their disdain for him. Saw him treated like shit. He saved Livi’s life, and they blamed him for her being in danger in the first place! Danger he didn’t cause I might add. You can shield Azila, protect the guild’s reputation—but we know what happened. Travelion is not to blame for Azila’s evil.”

  “Azila was the leader of one of our best teams, Davon. I find it difficult to believe—” the guildmaster began.

  “There are no excuses for her actions!” Davon roared, fists clenched as he rose to his feet.

  Calim stood as well. “Davon! Calm down! Let’s talk this through!”

  Davon rounded on him. “Sit your dainty ass down, Calim! You’ve got your own shit to answer for! Passing the duo who cleared the gauntlet so you could claim the glory? Have you no shame? You beat the Tomb of the Fifty-Two Pillars by stepping over those who paved the way for you!”

  “That’s not how it was!” Calim snapped, his face reddening. “They were too injured to continue—we had to finish the job!”

  “Convenient eh?,” Davon snorted.

  The guildmaster’s booming voice filled the room. “Enough! Davon, sit down and shut your bloody mouth, or I swear—”

  The threat was clear, but Davon lifted his chin defiantly. “I am not your dog, Malek, nor will I compromise my morals. You want to talk? Fine. But this expedition was a fucking shitshow.”

  Nikolai was honestly shocked at how the guild operated, he hadn’t thought it was the kind of organisation to pull shit like this. He wanted nothing more than to just get up and leave…

  He glanced at Kaelith. She nodded towards the door, and he gave her a small smile, she understood him so well.

  The guildmaster sat back down, as did Calim and Davon—but now Kaelith stood awkwardly.

  “We are leaving.”

  The guildmaster’s eyes snapped to her, anger flaring again, but Kaelith merely nudged Nikolai discreetly, urging him to stand.

  “Kaelith. Sit down,” the guildmaster said sternly.

  She shook her head and removed her mask, revealing grey skin and sharp canines. “I am done, Guildmaster. You may argue and debate all you wish. I am B-rank and not under the authority of this branch. You have read my report, dismissed my claims of events in the gauntlet, and insulted my friend. We are finished.”

  The guildmaster stood aswell, visibly shaking with anger. ‘’Kaelith, I swear, if you…

  Kaelith bared her teeth in a cold smile, ‘’resorting to threats guildmaster? Are you quite sure your priorities are in order? Perhaps listen to Davon here, he seems to be the only one with some steel in him.’’

  Nikolai offered his arm, and Kaelith leaned on him as they left the room calmly, everyone staring at their retreating backs.

  Outside, Kaelith grinned. Nikolai was surprised by that, but said nothing yet. They walked together down the hall, through the lobby stairs, and out of the guild entirely, drawing plenty of looks—especially Kaelith, few of them friendly. Blatant bigotry was apparently in fashion in Saxhaven.

  Not long after, they found themselves seated at a small eatery not far from the guild.

  It wasn’t called a café, but the essence was the same. Kaelith had ordered food and drinks for them, and now that they were alone, Nikolai couldn’t hold back.

  “What the hell was that?” he said, stirring sugar into his tea. “That meeting was a shitshow.”

  Kaelith giggled. “No kidding. Entertaining, though.”

  Nikolai frowned. “That’s not how I’d describe it. I was actually considering joining the guild before, but after the crypt and now this… I’m not sure I want anything to do with them frankly.”

  Kaelith smiled, teeth showing. “You shouldn’t. If we need the guild later, I have my badge. You should just stay unaffiliated—it’ll give you more freedom and anonymity.”

  “It does raise the question, though—what do we do now?” Nikolai said. “Working with the guild would have given us jobs, direction. Now things feel… open. Uncertain. The goal remains, of course—I need to grow stronger, and I have a deadline.”

  Kaelith leaned forward, her voice lowering. “Power comes in many forms, Nikolai. Don’t worry—we’ll get you there. Fighting monsters is far from the only way to grow.”

  Nikolai raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What do you have in mind?”

  She smiled. “I’ve been thinking. You told me your story last night—about being kidnapped. It piqued my interest. So… how about we go find those bastards? At the very least it’ll rid the world of a few perverted bastards right?”

  Nikolai smiled faintly. “I wouldn’t mind putting him in the ground. But what does it accomplish? Revenge is one thing—but does it help us in the long run? Won’t it just paint a big target on our foreheads?”

  Kaelith grinned. “Nikolai, what do you think matters when increasing your stage?”

  He hesitated. “Walking your path? Using your abilities? Overcoming great odds? Honestly, I am just guessing here, so feel free to pitch in.”

  “You’re halfway there,” she said. “Walking your path matters. Fulfilling your purpose, as some call it. How does a king grow powerful? Does he fight monsters? No. He grows stronger by being what he is—by making kingly decisions, ruling his domain and so on. So what about someone like you? What does a fae do?”

  Her grin was so wide he feared her face might crack.

  “Wait… so you’re saying that making bargains and honoring them—while staying true to my path between light and dark—will make me stronger?” he asked.

  Kaelith nodded. “Exactly.”

  “How does that connect to that illusionist slaver bastard?” Nikolai asked, still not quite seeing it.

  “To make bargains, you need people willing to make them,” she said eagerly. “People desperate—or greedy—enough to seek someone like you. What you need is reputation. Then you won’t have to seek them out. They’ll come to you.”

  Nikolai’s eyes widened. “So you want to spread a rumor that I went on a killing spree to honor a deal with some unknown benefactor?”

  “You personally? No,” she said. “But what if it was an organization? One hired to clean up the city’s filth. An organization that does what needs doing, willing to get their hands dirty.”

  Understanding dawned. Power came in many forms.

  A slow grin spread across his face. “So we hire ourselves out. Make bargains. Travel. It’s… interesting. I mean my path is centered around twilight, or rather duality though. So if we were to do something like this, it can’t just be us murdering bad guys, there has to be balance”

  Kaelith nodded enthusiastically. “Of course, but that is what Nikolai Travelion, the healer is for right?”

  Nikolai considered it, imagining shadowed meetings with nobles, dark deals struck in secrecy—his childish vision of the dark mage Travelion. Then his alter ego, the healer who was altruistic, healing the sick and injured, being the counter to what his darker persona would be doing.

  He wanted freedom. He wanted to be untethered. Perhaps this was it, this was how he might accomplish that.

  He wouldn’t become evil, refused to—but sometimes doing good meant getting your hands dirty.

  Even heroes in shining armor had a shadow, and who was to say he couldn’t be the one hiding in that shadow.

  Nikolai met Kaelith’s gaze and grinned. A few months ago, the thought of killing someone would have horrified him. Admittedly it still didn’t sit easy—but he wouldn’t shy away from it neither anymore. That perhaps more than anything, said a lot about how he had changed, the thought scared him.

  Someone like that slaver deserved punishment though.

  Perhaps he was getting ahead of himself, but he felt no shame admitting he wouldn’t mind being the one to deliver it.

  “We’ll need a plan, Kaelith,” he said. “But first—we need to fix that leg.”