The festival buzz still lingered in the air, but the academy had returned to its usual rhythm of classes and study sessions. Kalem had excused himself from the group early that day, muttering something about unfinished projects and heading toward the forge. Meanwhile, Lyra, Jhaeros, and Nara decided to explore more of Eryndale's sprawling city.
The three set off in the late morning, following the bustling roads to the heart of the city: the central market. It was alive with noise and activity, vendors calling out their wares, the scent of spices and roasted meats mingling with the tang of fresh herbs and alchemical reagents.
Lyra darted from stall to stall, her sharp eyes scanning the offerings for anything rare or unusual. She haggled fiercely with a vendor over a bundle of shimmering, blue-tinted leaves, which she claimed were essential for a personal experiment she'd been working on.
"You're robbing me blind," Lyra complained, hands on her hips.
The vendor smirked. "And you're trying to rob me with your offer. Make it fair, girl."
Jhaeros watched with quiet amusement, leaning against a post, while Nara rolled her eyes.
"She could probably just brew something to knock the guy out and take it," Nara muttered.
Lyra whipped her head around. "I heard that!"
"Good," Nara shot back with a grin.
Their banter was interrupted when Jhaeros straightened, his feline ears twitching slightly. His expression shifted, his normally calm demeanor growing serious.
"What's wrong?" Lyra asked, noticing the change immediately.
"There's something… unusual nearby," Jhaeros murmured, his voice low. "A scent. Metallic and sharp. Something's not right."
Guided by Jhaeros' heightened senses, the trio ventured deeper into the market, away from the brightly lit stalls and into shadowy alleys. The atmosphere shifted as the crowds thinned, replaced by shifty figures and hushed whispers. Eventually, they came across a discreet entryway guarded by two imposing figures.
"An underground market," Jhaeros explained, his voice even.
Nara raised an eyebrow. "You seem awfully familiar with this sort of thing."
Jhaeros shrugged. "My tribe has worked with some of these people before. They deal in invasive beasts—ones that threaten the forests. We sometimes hire them to relocate the creatures."
Lyra folded her arms, glaring at him. "And you're just casually okay with that?"
"Quiet down," Nara hissed. "Do you want to get us kicked out before we even step in?"
"I'm sorry," Lyra shot back, her voice laced with sarcasm, "but maybe I'm just a little concerned about what they're selling. Some of these ingredients aren't even supposed to be touched in open air, let alone sold to random people!"
Nara smirked. "Welcome to the world, princess. Not everyone follows the rules."
The trio slipped past the guards after Jhaeros handed over a few coins and muttered something in a language neither Lyra nor Nara understood.
Inside, the underground market was dimly lit and crowded, with vendors selling wares that ranged from the bizarre to the outright dangerous. Cages containing strange, magical creatures lined the walls, their glowing eyes watching warily as potential buyers walked past. Tables displayed rare and volatile alchemical components, their labels warning of the consequences of improper handling.
Lyra's eyes widened as she stopped in front of a stall selling a jar filled with a shimmering, silver liquid. "That's liquid starlight," she whispered. "That's supposed to be a myth."
"It's real, alright," Jhaeros said, his tone matter-of-fact. "But it's incredibly dangerous. One wrong move, and it'll crystallize in your veins."
Nara picked up a small vial of what appeared to be molten lava, watching it bubble and shift inside its container. "And what about this?"
"Lavaheart Essence," Lyra said without hesitation. "It's used in high-level transmutations. But it's so volatile that even experienced alchemists avoid using it."
Nara gave her a sidelong glance. "And you want to bring some of this stuff back to the academy?"
Lyra glared at her. "Of course not. But it's not just about me. Do you know what kind of damage these things could do in the wrong hands?"
Their conversation was interrupted when Jhaeros stiffened, his gaze snapping toward a group of cloaked figures huddled near a cage. Inside was a massive, scaled creature with glowing red eyes and spines along its back.
"That's a Razorthorn Wyrmling," Jhaeros said, his voice low. "They're not supposed to be anywhere near this region."
Lyra frowned. "Why is it here, then?"
"They're invasive," Jhaeros explained. "Highly aggressive, and their venom can destroy entire ecosystems. Whoever's selling it knows how dangerous it is."
Before anyone could respond, one of the cloaked figures turned toward them, his eyes narrowing beneath his hood.
"You three don't belong here," he said, his voice sharp and suspicious.
Nara stepped forward, her hand resting casually on the hilt of her dagger. "We're just browsing," she said smoothly, her tone daring him to press further.
The man's gaze lingered on them for a moment longer before he turned back to his companions.
"We need to leave," Jhaeros said quietly, his voice tense.
"But—" Lyra started, only for him to cut her off.
"Now," he said firmly. "If they think we're a threat, this will turn ugly fast."
Reluctantly, Lyra followed as Jhaeros and Nara led the way out of the underground market. Once they were back in the relative safety of the central market, Lyra let out a frustrated sigh.
"This whole thing is insane," she said. "How can this kind of place even exist?"
"It exists because there's a demand for it," Jhaeros replied simply. "Not everyone has the luxury of following the rules."
Nara smirked. "You're surprisingly cynical for someone who spends his life frolicking with magical beasts."
Jhaeros shot her a withering look. "And you're surprisingly naive for someone who pretends to be a cynic."
Lyra shook her head, rubbing her temples. "I need to get back to the inn. I have a headache."
"Agreed," Nara said. "This city is more messed up than I thought."
As they made their way back, the trio couldn't shake the unease that had settled over them. The underground market was a reminder of the darker side of the world they lived in—a side they would inevitably have to face.