The Collector's gaze, though unseen, felt like a physical weight, pressing down on Anya. His question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications: "What are you willing to pay for such illumination, little Empress?"
Anya's mind raced. She had faced down armies, outwitted cunning politicians, and navigated treacherous magical arrays. But this man, this 'Collector,' was a different kind of adversary. He dealt in intangibles, in secrets and favors, in the very essence of one's being. His power lay not in brute force, but in knowledge, and the insidious leverage it provided.
"My willingness to pay depends on the value of the information," Anya stated, her voice firm, refusing to be intimidated. "And the nature of the payment. I do not trade in souls, nor do I offer blind allegiance."
The Collector chuckled, a dry, rustling sound that seemed to emanate from the shadows themselves. "A spirited one. I like that. Very well. For the Silent Watchers, I can offer you their primary objective, their current movements, and a weakness. A vulnerability that, if exploited, could cripple their operations in this city."
Anya's eyes narrowed. This was precisely the information she needed. "And the price?"
"A favor," The Collector replied, his voice a silken whisper. "A single favor, to be called upon at a time of my choosing. It will be something within your capabilities, of course. Nothing that compromises your core principles, or your… unique existence."
Anya hesitated. A favor. It was vague, open-ended, and potentially dangerous. But the information he offered was invaluable. It could mean the difference between survival and annihilation. She glanced at Kaelen, who stood silently beside her, his expression unreadable.
"Host. Warning. The Collector's favors often carry unforeseen consequences. Proceed with extreme caution. Recommendation: Negotiate specific terms or decline."
The System's warning flashed in her mind, urgent and direct. It was a rare intervention, highlighting the gravity of the situation. Anya's instincts, honed by centuries of experience, echoed the System's caution. A favor, unquantified, was a blank check, a potential trap.
"A favor is too broad," Anya countered, her voice firm. "I require specific terms. What kind of favor? What are its limitations? I will not be bound by an open-ended debt."
The Collector's shadowy form seemed to shift, a hint of annoyance in his posture. "You drive a hard bargain, little Empress. Very well. The favor will not involve the direct harm of innocents. It will not require you to betray your allies. And it will not compromise your freedom or your ultimate goals. It will be a single task, a single action, that benefits my… collection."
Anya considered his terms. They were surprisingly reasonable, given his reputation. He was clearly eager for her to accept. What could he possibly want that fit those parameters? A rare artifact? A piece of forgotten knowledge? Something that only a reincarnated Empress with a System could acquire?
"Agreed," Anya stated, her decision made. The risk was present, but the reward outweighed it. She needed to understand the Silent Watchers, and The Collector was the key.
The Collector's shadowy form seemed to expand, a ripple of satisfaction emanating from him. "Excellent. A wise choice, little Empress. Now, for the information."
He leaned forward, and the shadows around him seemed to deepen, drawing them into a conspiratorial intimacy. His voice dropped to a low, almost inaudible whisper, yet every word resonated with chilling clarity in Anya's mind.
"The Silent Watchers' primary objective is to prevent the full awakening of the 'Echoes,' the reincarnated souls from other realms. They believe these awakenings destabilize the Aetheric Resonance of this world, leading to catastrophic events. Their current movements are focused on a series of energy conduits beneath the city, attempting to siphon off and neutralize any nascent Aetheric Resonance. They are preparing for a massive ritual, a 'Purification,' designed to permanently seal the Veil between realms."
Anya's blood ran cold. A Purification. A ritual to permanently seal the Veil. That meant no more reincarnations, no more Echoes. It meant her very existence, and the existence of countless others, would be threatened. It was a direct assault on her kind.
"Their weakness," The Collector continued, his voice a low hum, "lies in their reliance on a central energy nexus. A single point of failure. It is located deep beneath the city, within the ancient ruins of the 'First City,' a place long forgotten by your current civilization. If that nexus is disrupted, their Purification ritual will fail, and their network in this city will collapse."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. "However, the nexus is heavily guarded. And time is of the essence. The Purification ritual is scheduled to commence at the next lunar eclipse, which is… in three days."
Three days. Anya felt a surge of urgency. So little time. So much at stake. The System, as if sensing her thoughts, chimed in with a new, urgent notification.
"Host. Urgent Quest: Disrupt Purification Ritual. Objective: Locate and disable the Silent Watchers' central energy nexus within three days. Reward: 'Aetheric Core Synchronization' skill, 1000 System Points. Failure: Permanent sealing of the Veil, potential eradication of Host's existence."
The System's warning was stark, unequivocal. Failure was not an option. Anya looked at Kaelen, his face grim, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation. The Collector had given them the information they needed, but it came with a terrifying deadline. The true battle was about to begin.
[End of Chapter 20]