novelraw Chapter 105 – Visitors
Chapter 105 – Visitors
The ruins felt even more oppressive this time, the stillness settling around them like a heavy blanket. The air was thick with silence, the kind that pressed against the ears and made every step seem too loud. Vivienne’s mind, usually alive with the hum of aether, felt eerily empty now that the song she had once heard, that soul-encompassing melody, was gone. It left an unsettling void that hung in the air, like something precious had been lost.
The two of them moved through the corridors, retracing their steps from the day before, their eyes sharp and alert. Every corner, every stone they passed, seemed to whisper faintly with memories, though there was nothing left to suggest Tarric had been here recently. Their search was methodical, slow. They stopped to examine every scrap, every shard, every broken object, hoping to find something—anything—that might connect them to his whereabouts. But there was nothing.
They made their way deeper into the ruins, the silence growing more profound with each step. It was as if the very walls had absorbed the chaos of the previous day, leaving only this hollow quiet in its wake. When they finally reached the chamber, Rava’s stomach clenched in disappointment. The pedestal that had once held the mysterious orb stood empty, a stark reminder of what had been taken.
There were no signs of the crystalline beasts that had roamed the room before. No lingering traces of the otherworldly energy that had pulsed through the air. Only the bare, cold stone of the pedestal and the heavy silence that clung to everything.
Vivienne stepped forward, her gaze sharp as she scanned the room once more, almost as if willing the orb to reappear. Her fingers brushed the empty pedestal lightly, a frown pulling at her features. “It’s gone,” she muttered, more to herself than to Rava. The room felt emptier now, the lack of the orb somehow making the space feel even larger than it had before.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Rava’s voice, steady and focused. "Let’s look around. I’m sure Tarric left some clues around here."
Vivienne glanced at her, nodding in agreement. Tarric… even if she knew little about him, Rava spoke of him as if he were always several steps ahead. The idea of finding traces of him in these ruins didn’t seem out of the question, not with the way Rava trusted him. If there was anyone capable of leaving behind a trail, it would be him.
Rava had already moved toward the far corner of the room, crouching down to examine the scattered remnants of broken crystal. Vivienne lingered by the pedestal for a moment longer, her eyes drawn to the empty space, as though expecting the orb to reappear. The hollow feeling in her chest remained, but she forced herself to push past it. She needed to focus.
She moved to the walls, tracing her claws along the faded carvings, hoping for something that would reveal more. But everything was cloaked in dust and neglect, the patterns too worn down to make sense of. She ran her fingers over the stone with increasing frustration, but her mind kept drifting back to the orb. What had it been? And why had it been here? A mystery for another time, perhaps.
She turned back toward Rava, who was now examining a pile of collapsed rubble. Rava was no stranger to these types of searches, Vivienne could tell. Her movements were deliberate and focused, as though she was piecing together a puzzle only she could see. Vivienne moved toward her, ready to offer her help when a glint of something caught her eye from the edge of the room.
She approached cautiously, kneeling down to investigate. At first, it seemed like nothing—just a shard of metal buried under dust and debris. But as she reached for it, her claws brushed against a familiar shape. The item was small, circular, and heavy in her hand. A coin? No… a token. She turned it over, careful not to damage whatever engraving was etched on its surface.
Rava’s voice broke the silence as she approached. “What did you find?”
Vivienne held the object out, her gaze scanning over the worn marks. There were symbols on it, faint but present. They didn’t mean anything to her, but they were certainly deliberate.
“I found this,” Vivienne said, her voice low. "It feels important, but I don't know why."
Rava held the token tightly, her thumb running over the engravings once more, a soft frown tugging at her lips as she reminisced. The memory was almost too much to contain, and she allowed herself a moment of vulnerability. “Tarric made these for our family. Each with a silly nickname he had for all of us,” she explained, her voice quieter, more introspective. She smiled faintly at the recollection. “He used to call me ‘Anyr,’ since he thought Rava was too commonly used. He said it sounded ‘fancy’—whatever that meant.” Her chuckle was low and warm, and for a brief moment, the tension of their mission seemed to fade. “This one has his nickname for me on it. It’s like he expected me to be the one to chase after him.”
Vivienne watched her for a moment, sensing the shift in Rava’s demeanor but uncertain how to respond. She tilted her head, processing what she had just learned. “So it doesn’t really help us?” she asked, a hint of disbelief in her tone.
Rava paused, holding the token up to the light, her gaze narrowing as she considered the implications. She shook her head slowly, her expression thoughtful. “No, I think it does. It’s made from the metal that is used in Duskvale territory.” She traced the edges of the coin with her finger, clearly trying to extract every scrap of information from it. “This is significant. Tarric’s got a way of leaving breadcrumbs. And if this is what I think it is, it means he's either been to Duskvale recently, or he’s trying to lead us there."
Vivienne let out an exasperated sigh, leaning back against the stone wall as she rubbed her temples. “This better not be a wild goose chase,” she muttered under her breath.
Rava blinked, her brow furrowing. “What is a goose?”
Vivienne’s face remained deadpan as she answered. “Evil incarnate. A bird whose malice knows no bounds. Almost as scary as an Emu. Those won a war against humans.” Her lips twitched ever so slightly, but she managed to hold her expression steady, delivering the line with an unblinking seriousness.
Rava stared at her, unblinking for a moment, before her lips quirked upward, and she let out a short laugh. “A war against humans? Emus?”
Vivienne gave a slow, dramatic nod, as if this was common knowledge. “Indeed. It was a dark time for humanity.”
Rava chuckled again, the tension in her body easing a little. “Well, I guess we’ll just have to be sure this isn’t a ‘wild goose chase,’ then,” she said with a grin, clearly amused. “But if it’s pointing to Duskvale… then we have a long trip ahead of us. This is just like him.”
Vivienne’s lips quirked upward, her gaze sharp as she studied Rava’s face. “You know, Rava, you smile a lot when you speak of him.”
Rava rolled her eyes, but there was a softness to the gesture, a warmth that seeped into her words. “He practically raised me,” she replied, her tone tinged with something deeper, something nostalgic. “Mother never raised any of her children herself. She was too busy. Kavren was always off trying to pick fights, and Narek was always too busy to deal with children. But Tarric… he always had time for me.”
There was a faraway look in Rava’s eyes as she spoke, a rare vulnerability in her usually guarded demeanor. She paused, her gaze drifting as if she could see the memories unfolding in front of her. “Whenever he wasn’t training, he’d tell me stories of his travels, of places I’d never even heard of. He would play with me, and sometimes we’d just sit together and talk about nothing at all. He was the only one who made me feel like I wasn’t just another kid in the way.”
Vivienne, sensing the shift in the air, stayed quiet, allowing Rava to continue. Her teasing grin softened into something more thoughtful, more attentive, as Rava's voice held a tenderness that contrasted sharply with her usual tough exterior.
“He even helped me hone my endomancy, even though he had no affinity for it,” Rava added, her voice softening further, a hint of admiration in her words. “He didn’t have the same gift I did, but he never let that stop him. He’d spend hours with me, teaching me tricks and ways to focus, always so patient. Mother trained me properly when I reached my teens, but Tarric was the one who laid the foundation. He was always there, always present. Through all of it.”
Rava’s words lingered in the air, the gravity of them settling around them both. Vivienne, usually quick with a quip or a comment, found herself unusually quiet. There was something deeply personal in Rava’s reflection, a side of her that she rarely showed.
It took Vivienne a moment to gather her thoughts, then she spoke, her voice quieter now. “Sounds like he was more than just a brother to you,” she said, her tone soft but not pitying. “Sounds like he was your anchor, your guide.”
Rava nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite herself. “He was,” she said simply. “And now... now he’s gone. And now we are trying to get him back. He travels far and often, enough that it’s hard for mother to pin responsibilities on him.”
The weight of her words hung between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Vivienne didn’t push, didn’t press for more, but she couldn’t help but wonder at the bond between the two siblings. It was clear that Tarric had shaped much of who Rava was, had given her something that was rare for her—true affection and devotion.
“I’m sure you’ll find him,” Vivienne said, her voice firm again, though there was a layer of something softer in it. “After all, you’ve got me on your side, and I’m not one to back down from a challenge.”
Rava shot her a sideways glance, the corners of her lips lifting in the faintest of smiles. “You really are an odd one, Vivienne. But I suppose that’s what makes you useful.”
Vivienne gave a lazy grin, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “I’ve been promoted to ‘useful’ have I?”
Rava snorted and turned on her heel, her movements purposeful. “Come on. Let’s take back everything we found. His journal might have something useful in it too.” She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed the path ahead.
Vivienne chuckled, unable to suppress the amusement that bubbled up at Rava’s no-nonsense tone. “Always so efficient,” she teased, but the grin on her face softened as she followed. Her tail slid lazily along the ground behind her, the tip brushing against rocks and loose dirt. It had become a habitual gesture, something grounding amidst the uncertainty of their search.
The journey back to the camp was uneventful, the quiet stretching between them comfortably. Rava’s stride was steady and unhurried, though there was a subtle tension in her frame, a weight she carried even when her steps didn’t falter. Vivienne’s gaze flicked to her a few times, but she said nothing, sensing that Rava would speak when she was ready.
As they neared the camp, the familiar sight of Kivvy and Renzia came into view, though there was something off about the scene. There were more figures gathered around the fire, their silhouettes dark against the fading light of the day. The faint sound of murmured conversation reached their ears, and Vivienne’s eyes narrowed as she tried to make sense of the unexpected presence.
When they stepped into full view, Rava’s posture immediately shifted—alert, defensive, but controlled. Her sharp gaze swept over the newcomers, noting every detail. Vivienne, more curious than cautious, tilted her head slightly, studying the strangers with a quiet intrigue.
Kivvy was perched on a moss-covered log, her animated gestures matching the energy in her voice. Across from her stood a woman clad in flowing deep-violet robes, the fabric rippling faintly in the gentle breeze. Her icy blue eyes contrasted starkly with her jet-black hair, which fell in loose waves to her shoulders. Though she carried herself with a quiet dignity, her eyes betrayed a shadow of weariness—someone who had traveled far and seen more than she cared to admit. Her height set her apart from most humans, standing taller than average but still a head shorter than Rava’s imposing figure.
Nearby, a man stood like a sentinel. His broad shoulders and towering frame were accentuated by armor that gleamed faintly despite the grime of travel. The insignia of a distant house was etched into his breastplate, though its meaning was lost on Vivienne. His face was a mask of stoicism, sharp features framed by close-cropped dark hair that revealed the slightest hint of grey at his temples. He watched the exchange in silence, his hand resting lightly on the pommel of a longsword sheathed at his side.
The subtle tension between them hummed like an unspoken chord, vibrating just beneath the surface. It wasn’t suffocating, but it was enough to prickle at Vivienne’s senses, leaving her tail twitching restlessly.
“What’s all this?” Vivienne asked from beyond the ward, her voice light but carrying a sharp edge beneath it, one Rava would immediately recognize.
Kivvy looked up, her wide eyes brightening when she saw them approach. “Oh! You’re back! We had some visitors.” She motioned to the group, who now turned to face them.
Rava’s brows furrowed slightly, and she crossed her arms, scanning the strangers again. "Visitors?" she muttered, her voice low and wary.
The woman in violet stepped forward, offering a warm but measured smile. “I’m sorry to intrude,” she said, her voice smooth and reassuring. “We’ve been traveling for some time, and we heard rumors about people who might know of Tarric’s whereabouts. We thought you might be able to help us.”
Vivienne and Rava exchanged a brief, knowing glance. Tarric’s name, like a spark to dry tinder, instantly ignited their focus. This was not a coincidence.
The man with the insignia stepped closer, his voice gruff but direct. “We’re not here to cause trouble,” he said. “But we’ve been tracking movements near the ruins. Kivvy here was nice enough to explain what you were looking for, so we wanted to see if we could share information.”
Rava’s posture didn’t soften, but the tension in her shoulders eased slightly as she processed the situation. She shot Kivvy a look as if to say we will talk later. “Well, unfortunately we don’t know much.”
The woman in violet, Elira, gave a small but understanding nod, her smile never wavering. "Of course, I understand. We all have our secrets," she said, her tone light but with a subtle, knowing edge. She glanced at Kivvy briefly, the unspoken connection between them clear. "But perhaps we can help one another. After all, we're all after the same thing, aren't we?"
Ivor, the man with the insignia, crossed his arms, his expression a little more guarded than Elira's. His eyes flicked between Rava, Vivienne, and the camp, measuring the situation. "The last we heard of Tarric, he was near the ruins," he said, his voice carrying a hint of urgency now. "We've been tracking unusual activity in the area for some time. It's not a coincidence that we found you here. If you're willing to share any of your findings, we might be able to pinpoint where he went next."
Vivienne eyed him carefully, her lips curling slightly into a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "You’re awfully eager to share all this," she said, her voice dripping with an underlying suspicion. "You haven’t even asked for much yet. What’s your angle?"
Elira didn’t miss a beat, stepping in to smooth over the tension with practiced ease. "Oh, no angle at all," she said, her smile widening just enough to be reassuring. "We study ruins, and have worked with Tarric before. He is the foremost expert on the fallen empire, as far as we are concerned.”
Rava’s gaze sharpened, but her posture remained unwavering, as if waiting for the real answer. “And why do you need to find him now?”
Elira’s eyes glimmered with a mix of excitement and urgency. “We’ve come across some ruins to the east. Dangerous ones.” She gave a small, knowing shrug. “They’re not like anything we’ve encountered before. We thought it best to bring Tarric in—his expertise could help us make sense of what’s down there."
Rava’s brow furrowed slightly, her arms folding tighter. “Dangerous ruins… And you want Tarric because…”
“Because we’ve already seen what happens when people poke around in those ruins without knowing what they’re doing,” Elira cut in, her smile slipping just a little as the weight of her words sank in. “The last group who went in... they didn’t come back. We know the area’s got a history of pulling people in, messing with their minds. We can’t afford to lose any more time or resources. Tarric has the kind of knowledge that could save us—possibly even save lives.”
Rava’s expression remained unreadable, but Vivienne could feel the tension in her, the cautious calculation. Dangerous ruins didn’t raise suspicion—they were suspicion. And yet, there was something genuine in Elira’s voice, a thread of truth that made it hard to dismiss the claim outright.
Vivienne tilted her head, eyeing Elira carefully. “And you think Tarric will drop everything to come help you? Why not just handle it yourselves?”
Elira met her gaze steadily. “We’ve tried, but... some things need a specific kind of expertise. These ruins are unlike anything we’ve dealt with. People have tried exploring before, and they’ve either gone mad or disappeared. Tarric knows the empire’s dark history better than anyone. He’s our best chance of figuring out what’s going on.”
The mention of people going mad, or worse, grabbed Vivienne’s attention. She glanced at Rava, who seemed to weigh the situation carefully before turning back to the strangers.
“And you’re asking us to find him for you? That’s a lot to ask from people you just met.”
Elira's smile returned, though this time it was more calculating, less innocent. “We’re offering something in return. The information we’ve gathered might be useful to you as well, especially when it comes to Tarric. And we’ve got the means to move faster than most. If we work together, we could track him down and reach those ruins before anyone else gets hurt—or worse.”
Vivienne studied Elira for a long moment, her eyes narrowing as she flicked between the woman and the silent figure standing behind her. She was no stranger to manipulation and half-truths, and while something about this offer didn’t sit entirely right, there was a strange pull—a small sense that perhaps they weren’t walking into a trap, despite her instincts screaming caution.
"We could let them tag along, so long as they keep to themselves and don’t dip into our supplies." Kivvy’s voice was soft but firm, her tone carrying a kind of practicality that, despite Vivienne’s wariness, made sense. They had resources, and this journey would be a lot easier if they weren’t completely alone.
Rava shot Kivvy a look, the barest twitch of her brow betraying her unease. Her lips pressed together in a thin line, but after a moment of weighing the options, she let out a soft sigh, the weight of responsibility clearly pressing down on her. "I don’t like it, but fine." Her eyes flicked back to Elira and Ivor, her gaze steely but not unkind. "You heard her. Feed yourselves and keep to yourselves, and you can tag along."
Vivienne, though still skeptical, gave a small nod, her tail flicking idly behind her. "For now. But remember—there’s no trust earned yet," she added with a sharp edge to her tone. "We’re all strangers here, and I’m not in the habit of letting strangers get too close."
Elira offered a smile, though it was measured, as if she understood exactly what Vivienne was implying. "Understood," she replied smoothly, her tone just shy of conciliatory. "We’ll keep our distance and respect your terms."
Ivor, the stoic man who hadn’t spoken much, gave a small nod of his own, his face unreadable. His silence was unnerving to Vivienne, but she figured it was part of his role—guarding, observing, keeping to himself, always present but never too involved. His presence alone seemed to command respect, a silent authority that made him even more intimidating than a loud, boastful warrior. Despite his quiet demeanor, there was an edge to him, something sharp that made Vivienne keep her distance. She couldn’t help but feel that behind his lack of words lay a mind constantly assessing, calculating.
“Why does she stay outside of the ward?” Ivor’s voice broke through her thoughts, as blunt and direct as ever. The question hung in the air, his tone flat and without emotion, but his gaze was steady, fixed on her. There was no curiosity in his eyes—just a quiet calculation, as if he expected a straightforward answer, as if the explanation would be simple.
Vivienne’s lips curled into a sly grin as she tilted her head, her eyes locking onto his with a playful gleam. "Because I am unique!" she said, her voice dripping with a teasing, almost mocking quality. She let the words linger in the air for a moment, letting the weight of her self-assurance settle between them. "There are no others like me." she continued, her grin widening.
Ivor didn’t flinch, didn’t react to her playful tone. His eyes remained steady, as though nothing she said could surprise him. Vivienne found herself enjoying the challenge, savoring the rare moments when someone didn't flinch at her words. "What exactly does that mean?" he asked, his voice as neutral as before, but with a faint edge of interest—just enough to tell her that he wasn’t entirely dismissing her answer.
Vivienne leaned back slightly, her grin still in place, but her eyes became more thoughtful, her playful demeanor slipping just a little. "Let’s just say I’m a little too powerful to pass through.." Her tail twitched slightly, betraying a hint of amusement as she spoke. She placed her claw against the ward, the barrier acting more like a wall rather than an open door.
Ivor’s gaze shifted, but he didn’t say anything immediately. Vivienne could almost hear the gears turning in his mind as he processed her words. He didn’t push, didn’t question further, but his curiosity was clearly piqued. The air between them was thick with unspoken questions, and Vivienne could feel the tension shift. Ivor was no fool, and while he didn’t say it aloud, he seemed to understand that whatever Vivienne was, it wasn’t something that could be easily explained or contained.
A brief silence settled over them, and Vivienne’s tail curled slightly, her mind already shifting back to the larger matter at hand—Tarric, the ruins, the journey ahead. She couldn’t afford to linger on Ivor’s curiosity for too long. But for just a moment, she allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. She had managed to throw him off balance, if only for a second. It wasn’t much, but she would take her small victories where she could.
Ivor’s gaze lingered on her for a beat longer before he nodded again, his face once more unreadable. "We’ll see about that," he muttered under his breath, before turning to survey the rest of the camp. His tone was neither mocking nor dismissive, just matter-of-fact, as though he had accepted her words, for now.
Vivienne chuckled softly to herself, but made no further comment. She knew better than to press him. Instead, she turned her attention back to the group, her mind already refocusing on the mission ahead. There were bigger things to worry about than a stoic man’s curiosity—though, in the back of her mind, she knew Ivor wasn’t the type to let things go unanswered. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.