Messages

As night fell, the stronghold was bathed in the light of torches and magic lamp powered by runes. It cast long shadows across the stone corridors.

Earlier, Netharos had come to their door, a scowl already forming on his face.

"Lady Valeria has invited you both to join us for dinner," he said.

But Erik, standing firm with his arms crossed, had met Netharos's gaze without wavering.

"We'll pass. We prefer to eat here," Erik said.

Mia who sitting on the edge of the bed, had merely nodded in silent agreement.

Netharos's eyes narrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. For a moment it seemed as though he might push the issue further, but instead, he gave a sharp nod and spat, "Do what you want to do."

With a final look of disdain, Netharos turned and left, his footsteps heavy as they echoed down the corridor. His frustration was palpable, thinking how ungrateful Erik and Mia were, rejecting Lady Valeria's supposed hospitality after all she had done.

In his eyes, they were outsiders, clearly unable to appreciate the delicate kindness Valeria had shown by not outright killing them and instead giving them promise that she will give the cure for their brother.

Now, in the quiet of their room, Erik and Mia sat in front of the small meal that had been brought to them. The mood was solemn. Erik picked at his food without much interest, his mind racing with thoughts of their next steps, of Vekkir, and the constant danger they were in.

"They hate us," Mia said, breaking the silence. A small smile played on her lips.

"Yeah, I can see that," Erik said, looking at her with same smile.

"And what about Valeria? She invited us to dinner... why? She doesn't need our company."

Erik shrugged, his eyes hardening. "Maybe she wants to keep us close. Or maybe she wants to show us that she is not that bad."

"We're running out of time, Erik," Mia said. "We need the cure for Liam quick."

"I know," Erik replied. "There's so much shit going on right now, I don't know what to think or which one should we put our mind into."

The air in the room seemed to shift, though its only them who felt it. Erik froze, his fork hovering over his plate, while Mia's eyes darted to the faint glow in the corner of her vision.

Suddenly, a message from the System appeared before both of them.

[I am modifying your Attribute.]

Erik blinked, and before he could reac a strange sensation washed over his body. It was like a deep, vibrating hum resonating through his bones. Mia felt it too—a sudden warmth and surge of energy coursing through her veins. They both exchanged glances, eyes wide with disbelief as the notification flickered again.

[All Attributes increased by +10.]

They could both feel it now. Their bodies were stronger, faster, sharper than before.

Erik's expression turned serious, and with a slight nod of his head, he signaled to Mia to stay calm. He gave her a look that said everything: they were being watched, and any sudden reaction could draw unwanted attention.

Mia understood instantly, her face remaining neutral even though her heart raced in her chest. She slowly exhaled and without moving her lips she opened the System's interface and sent a mental message.

[Thank you, Odin. But why?]

A response came almost immediately, the words appearing in front of her eyes.

[You two need that. It is the only thing I can do for now.]

Mia glanced at Erik, who was still unaware of the exact conversation taking place between her and Odin. He simply stared at her. His body might have felt the changes but he couldn't see the exchange happening in the System interface.

Another message followed.

[About the dwarf. Tell him that he needs to act like he wants to create what Valeria is asking. But instruct him to make a few modifications.]

Mia blinked in realization. Odin's message was clear. Vekkir, the dwarf who was being forced to create something dangerous for Valeria, needed to sabotage it in a way that wasn't obvious. It was a risky plan, but it might be their only chance to both ensure Vekkir's survival and disrupt Valeria's twisted ambitions.

She quickly typed her response into the System interface.

[I understand. I will send the message to him immediately.]

Mia then walked to Erik's bed while carrying her plate of breakfast. Then start whispering about her short conversation with Odin.

"We need to get a message to Vekkir," Mia said, her voice barely a whisper. "Odin wants him to make modifications to whatever Valeria's forcing him to build."

Erik frowned, thinking. Then his eyes lit up with an idea. "Modifications? Does he mean… a way to sabotage?"

Mia gave a slight nod, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Exactly. But we have to tell him to be careful. One wrong move and Vekkir's dead. Or worse, we all are."

Erik leaned forward. "Send the message to Vekkir now. We can't waste any more time."

Mia nodded, her expression turning serious. She closed her eyes and focusing her energy on the System. This time, it wasn't as simple as sending a message to Odin. Her connection to Vekkir was weaker. Mia could feel the strain as she began to forge a delicate mental channel to the dwarf.

The room grew silent as Mia concentrated. Her brow furrowed as she worked to stabilize the connection, her breathing becoming slow and deliberate. Erik sat still and watching her with silent intensity and keeping his face neutral.

Minutes passed. Then finally, she made contact to Vekkir again. Mia then begin to send simple message that she hope can give Vekkir the actual idea of what he should do. Mia hope that it is enough.

After that, her eyes fluttered open and she exhaled softly.

"It's done," she whispered.

Erik gave a slow nod. "Good. Let's hope Vekkir gets the message."

"The connection was weak and I can only send simple message... but I think it reached him. Now, we just have to wait."

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