The echo of chaos still trembled through the walls of the jewelry shop.Shattered glass, scattered gems rolling across the floor, and the lifeless doll lying in the middle of the room.Selene hadn't let go of me yet, still shaking from what had happened, while Eris smiled as if she had just witnessed a private performance crafted for her amusement.
"That's enough for today," I murmured, my voice hoarse. My chest felt heavy, as if that little soul was still trying to carve a place inside me.
Eris tilted her head, her smile sharp."No, little hybrid… it's only beginning."
Before I could reply, the bell over the door rang violently.Three men burst inside, their cloaks dripping from the rain that had begun to fall outside. They weren't customers — they moved like predators, hands resting on the hilts of knives and short swords.
"You're open late, Umbriphage," the one in front rasped. His eyes locked on Eris with hostility, but quickly shifted toward me and Selene. A crooked grin spread across his face."And it seems you've got… interesting company."
Selene stepped in front of me, instinctively becoming my shield."What do you want?"
The second man laughed, revealing yellowed teeth."What everyone in the capital wants. Rumors fly fast… they say the hybrid of the castle is wandering free. That true, doll with the strange eyes?"
My heart slammed in my chest. They knew.
Eris, however, didn't flinch. She walked forward calmly, as if the intruders were nothing but more shadows in her shop."You are not welcome here. Leave."
The youngest spat on the floor."Not until we take what we came for."
Then I saw it — their shadows. They slithered unnaturally along the floor, moving like living things.Dark mercenaries. Thieves bound by forbidden contracts that let them steal fragments of magic from others.
The leader drew his sword, and the crystal lamps flickered in response to the surge of tension."Hand over the hybrid, and maybe we'll leave your little den intact."
Selene squeezed my hand silently.My shadows stirred at my feet, restless, eager to escape.
Eris laughed softly, not moving an inch."You made a mistake walking in here. This shop answers to me… and to her."
The remaining glass cases began to tremble. The jewels crackled with dark energy, some releasing tendrils of smoke. The men hesitated—but not enough.
One lunged toward me.That was his last mistake.
The shadows exploded upward like spears, wrapping around his weapon arm. He screamed, falling to his knees as the darkness bound him.
Selene raised her hand, a pulse of blue light shooting from her palm. It struck the second man square in the chest, throwing him against the wall. The leader roared, sword raised, but before he could reach me, Eris lifted her hand.
A liquid shadow dropped from the ceiling like a whip, slamming him against the door and shattering it into splinters.
Silence followed—broken only by the gasps of the defeated mercenaries.
Eris turned to us, her enigmatic smile never fading."The city already smells your awakening, Nyx. And as you see, not everyone will come bearing gifts."
On the floor, the doll's eyes flickered once more—as if it had enjoyed the show.