Nightmare Blade

The rooms were indeed full, each showcase and pedestal holding a treasure trove of artifacts, some ancient, others seemingly new. The signs next to each object were meticulously written in an elegant script, detailing the artifact's name, its history, and the cost. The prices were staggering, a testament to the wealth and desperation of those who sought to wield such power.

Lila's eyes wandered to the first chamber, where an ethereal sword rested. The blade was forged from a crystalline material that shimmered with a soft glow, the hilt adorned with intricate gold carvings. It was said to be capable of cutting through any material known to man and was priced at an astounding two thousand Nexus.

"The Whisper of the Heavens," she murmured, reading the nameplate. "Forged in the ancient city of Elysia during the Gods' War, it's said to sing a melody that can soothe the rawest of spirits or strike fear into the bravest of hearts."

Aldwyn's gaze followed hers, but his eyes remained unfazed by the weapon's grandeur. "It's beautiful, Lila, but i'm here for something more... practical."

They moved to the next one, the air growing heavier with the weight of darker magic. A set of twin knives rested on a velvet pillow, their blades gleaming black as the abyss itself. "The Night's Embrace," Lila read from the description. "Crafted from the bones of a slain god of darkness, these knives are said to drain the life essence of their victims, granting temporary power to the wielder."

„God of darkness? I've never heard of him, he's not one of the primary Gods of the pathways... Does he have something to do with the Dark Prince that the High Confessor worshipped before the Chaos in Helgarde?" Aldwyn thought to himself as he examined the knives.

Aldwyn's eyes lit up with cold interest. "These might be useful," he murmured. He contemplated the price tag of Nine thousand Nexus.

„That's a shame, it's clearly too much for me... I'm starting to get the feeling that I'm a pauper among these people." Letting out a small sigh, Aldwyn made his way to the next chamber.

The next chamber contained a variety of artifacts, but his gaze was drawn to a peculiar ring. It was simple in design, a band of blackened silver with a single eye of onyx set into it. The price was steep at one thousand Nexus, but something about it called to him. The eye seemed to stare back at him, whispering secrets of the shadows.

"The Eye of the Unseen," Lila read from the placard. "This ring is said to grant the wearer the ability to see through darkness and illusions. It's rumored to be the eye of an ancient shadow god, ripped from its skull by a hero of old."

Aldwyn's gaze remained fixed on the ring, his mind racing with the potential advantages it could offer in their line of work. The price was steep, but not unattainable.

"As tempting as it is," he murmured to Lila, "my main priority is a weapon that will serve us well on our journey."

In the next chamber, they encountered the 'Nightmare Blade', its presence palpable even before their eyes fell upon it. The elongated, narrow sword was displayed on a stand of its own, the glowing black material of its blade pulsating with an eerie energy that seemed to cast shadows even in the well-lit room. The intricate patterns and runic inscriptions that adorned the hilt spoke of its dark origins, whispering of the fear and dread it was said to harness."

The placard beside the sword revealed its chilling history. It was crafted by a wizard, a man whose sanity had been unraveled by his relentless pursuit of power. His sacrifice had been a part of himself, the deepest recesses of his own fears and nightmares, poured into the very essence of the blade. It was said that wielding the Nightmare Blade meant becoming a conduit for the shadows themselves, capable of unleashing a torrent of psychological terror on one's enemies.

Lila felt a shiver run down her spine as she read the description. The room grew colder, as if the sword's very presence was a window to a realm of perpetual dread. She looked at Aldwyn, who was stroking his chin thoughtfully, his silver eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and calculation.

The price tag next to the Nightmare Blade read a staggering five thousand nexus, a sum that would cost almost his entire money. But the lure of the weapon was undeniable, especially for someone like Aldwyn, who danced with shadows.

With a sharp nod to Lila, Aldwyn strode to the counter where a clerk with a monocle and a top hat sat. The man's eyes widened as Aldwyn slammed a hand full of Banknotes onto the countertop. "The Nightmare Blade," he said, his voice as cold and final as a winter's gale.

The clerk, unflappable until now, paused mid-sip of his tea, the porcelain cup rattling in its saucer. He cleared his throat and adjusted his monocle before delicately peeling the banknotes from the counter. He meticulously counted through them, his fingers moving with a grace that belied his trembling hands. 10 one-hundreds, 80 fifty's - a total of five thousand nexus.

"You wish to purchase the Nightmare Blade, sir?" he asked, his voice quaking slightly. "Are you quite aware of its... particular nature?"

Aldwyn's gaze never left the clerk's eyes. "I am," he said simply. "Wrap it up."

The clerk swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat. He quickly retrieved the sword, wrapping it in a velvet cloth and placing it in a wooden box with a heavy thud. "Your purchase, sir," he said, pushing the box across the counter.

Aldwyn took the box, his hand lingering on the cool wood for a moment before tucking it under his arm. "Thank you," he said.

They continued to wander through the Arcane Emporium, Lila's eyes drawn to various trinkets and weapons, but nothing spoke to her as the Nightmare Blade had to Aldwyn. The items grew increasingly grim, the air thick with the weight of dark magic that seemed to cling to her skin. Her eyes searched for something, anything, that didn't make her soul shiver, but the Emporium's wares were tailored to a different kind of customer.

As the auction concluded, the patrons began to disperse, the air thick with the murmur of satisfied greed and the occasional grumble of disappointment. The clerk at the exit nodded to them as they passed, his expression unreadable behind the mask of professionalism. The cold night air of Vellaris hit them like a slap in the face, a stark contrast to the warm, stifling chamber of the Emporium.

Sir Riven was waiting outside, his posture relaxed as he leaned against the cobblestone wall, his eyes glinting in the flickering gas lamps that illuminated the alley. He pushed off the wall as they approached, his gaze lingering on the wooden box tucked under Aldwyn's arm.

„I wonder what he wants this time..." Aldwyn thought to himself as he saw him.

Sir Riven's smile grew wider as he approached them. "Miss," he said, tipping his hat to Lila. His eyes lingered on the box under Aldwyn's arm, a glint of curiosity in his gaze. "And her company, I see you've made quite the acquisition."

Lila felt a flicker of unease as he stepped closer, but she schooled her features into a polite smile. "Indeed, we have," she said, her voice tight.

Sir Riven's smile grew. "I'm having a small gathering tomorrow evening, a ball, if you will. I would be most honored if you would join me, Miss...?"

"Lila," she supplied, her voice tight.

Sir Riven's gaze never left her, his smile never wavering. "Miss Lila. And Mr..." He trailed off, his eyes shifting to Aldwyn expectantly.

"Aldwyn," Lila filled in, her voice a little too bright.

Sir Riven nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Mr. Aldwyn. I would be most delighted if you would both attend. It's an event not to be missed, a veritable meeting of the city's elite."

„He has a hidden agenda... Why else would he want us at such a ball?" Aldwyn thought to himself as he considered the possibilities.