The street was silent now, except for Soren's shallow breaths. The Shade had vanished as quickly as it had appeared—but the smell of smoke and fear lingered.
Soren's hand still clutched the quill. The red energy glowed faintly, pulsing like it had a heartbeat of its own.
From the corner of his mind, a familiar voice whispered.
"Finally… something interesting," the Monster said, its tone teasing. "Don't look so tense, Soren. That little glow in your hand is screaming 'danger.' You like it, don't you?"
Soren didn't answer aloud. He gritted his teeth, keeping the Monster's presence contained. Every word it spoke amplified his emotions—but it also kept him from panicking completely.
"Oh, don't be shy," the Monster continued. "It likes you. That Shade liked you, too. You just don't know it yet."
Soren pressed the man to his side, supporting him as they limped down the alley. His eyes flicked toward the rooftops. Another Shade lurked, partially invisible in the shadows.
"You see it, don't you?" the Monster whispered, almost giddy. "Good. You can see them. But can you stop shaking? Hmm? That's the question."
Soren clenched the quill tighter. The red energy pulsed faster. He could almost hear the pen guiding him, showing him what the human eye could not see.
The First Lesson.
They ducked into a narrow corner, trying to catch their breath. The quill vibrated in his hand, and the Monster's voice grew louder in his head.
"It's showing you something," it said. "Not telling, just showing. Watch closely. Don't screw this up, Soren. Not like last time."
Symbols shimmered faintly around the quill, twisting like smoke. The Monster hummed with excitement.
"Ah… see? A Shade. Waiting. Hidden. And you… oh, you love the drama, don't you?"
Soren forced himself to stay calm. He whispered to the man, "Stay behind me."
The Shade lunged.
"Heh, now this is the fun part," the Monster said. "Move, Soren. Move and let's see if your fancy little quill can actually do something."
Instinctively, Soren swung the quill. Red energy pulsed outward. The Shade recoiled, flickering like a broken reflection.
"Ha! Not bad," the Monster said, almost proud. "I didn't think you had it in you… yet."
Soren realized: the quill didn't fight for him. The Monster didn't either.
Both pushed him—one physically, one mentally. Survival was up to him.
The Man's Last Words.
The man slumped to the wall, exhausted and bleeding.
"Listen… Soren," he said weakly. "The Wardens… those who work with Sorcerers… not all are friendly. Some… worse than the Shades. Trust only… the quill… and yourself."
Soren's jaw tightened. The Monster chuckled in his mind.
"Ah… the thrill of being alone in a dangerous city," it whispered. "Don't worry, Soren. I'll keep you entertained. Always."
The quill pulsed again, pointing toward a narrow street ahead. Soren exhaled.
Whatever lay ahead, he would face it with the quill in hand—and with the Monster in his head whispering every step.
As the first hint of dawn touched the rooftops, Soren realized something terrifying—and thrilling:
It wasn't just unsafe outside. It wasn't even safe inside his own head.