The house was quiet. The makeshift repair on the door held against the faint predawn breeze. Meg was asleep, her breathing soft and even from down the hall.
Fin stood by the window, watching the first hints of grey lighten sky. Scarlet. Varn. Kings. Abyss Gates. Association. It was a tangled mess, threads leading into darkness he couldn't yet map.
What was he supposed to do with it all?
His phone buzzed softly on the coffee table. A message notification.
Mara: Guildmaster finalized escort. Main lobby, 0800. Don't be late. His name is Luke
Luke. The A-rank escort. Another piece on the board. Another variable.
Time to face the music. Or at least, the overture.
But first.
He needed coffee. Strong coffee.
---
The Guild lobby buzzed with the usual morning activity. Mission postings, returning teams, hopeful rookies. Fin walked through it, ignoring the continued whispers, the sideways glances. The 'miracle survivor' act felt thin already.
