Alaric stared at the pen for a long while. His index and middle fingers kept twirling it in his grip, feeling every etched line of light that pulsed on and off like a heartbeat. His curiosity grew stronger, knowing full well he was standing at the edge of something dangerous. But hadn't every case he ever solved always started with a risky decision like this?
"Alright. Let's give it a try," he muttered, a trace of challenge in his voice.
He raised his hand and made sure the pen was held steadily. Then he pointed it forward and pressed a small, almost invisible button on the side of its body with his thumb.
A soft click was followed by a thin beam of light that extended from the tip. A bluish-green glow shimmered, reflecting in the air, forming a delicate line that widened like a stroke of glowing paint. Alaric held his breath, eyes locked on the transformation unfolding before him.
