Veilbound: The Hidden Pact

The abandoned courtyard was a temporary reprieve, but the air was still thick with tension. Ignis leaned against a crumbling wall, his golden eyes fixed on Febe, who stood a few feet away, her arms crossed. Kai sat on a broken bench nearby, trying to catch his breath. The fragment hummed faintly in his bag, its energy subdued but ever-present.

"So," Kai said, breaking the silence, "you're just helping us out of the kindness of your heart? Or is there something you're not telling us?"

Febe glanced at him, her green eyes sharp but unreadable. "Let's just say I don't like mercenaries. Or anyone who thinks they can bully their way through this city."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "That's a pretty vague answer."

"It's all you're getting," she replied curtly.

Ignis straightened, his gaze never leaving her. "Why were you really in that alley? Phoenix Clan or not, people like you don't just 'pass through' places like that."

Febe smirked faintly, though there was no humor in it. "Places like that are where people like me survive. Not everyone gets to live in a tower, prince."

Ignis's flames flickered faintly around his hands, but he didn't rise to the bait. Instead, he nodded toward her hands. "You're skilled with fire magic. That's rare outside the beast clans. And rare means dangerous."

Febe shrugged, her expression carefully neutral. "Dangerous is a matter of perspective."

Kai sighed, standing and brushing dust off his clothes. "Okay, can we table the fire magic debate for now? She helped us. That's what matters. And unless you've got a better plan, I think we could use all the help we can get."

Ignis narrowed his eyes at Febe for a moment longer before letting out a reluctant sigh. "Fine. But we keep moving. The longer we stay in one place, the more vulnerable we are."

Febe smirked, pushing off the wall. "Smart choice. There's a safe spot a few blocks from here. Follow me."

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The trio moved cautiously through the dimly lit streets, the industrial sprawl of Arcanova's outskirts stretching around them like a rusted labyrinth. Febe led the way with confidence, her movements quiet and deliberate. Kai tried to keep up, his eyes darting nervously to every shadow.

"So," Kai said, trying to fill the silence, "how do you know your way around this part of the city?"

Febe didn't look back. "I've been here long enough to learn the ropes. Let's just say I've had to get creative to survive."

Kai frowned. "That's not exactly an answer."

"It's the only one you're getting," she replied, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Kai sighed, glancing at Ignis. "Is everyone in this world cryptic, or is it just the people we keep running into?"

Ignis smirked faintly but didn't respond.

The safe spot Febe led them to was a small, hidden workshop tucked behind a row of abandoned warehouses. The metal door was rusted but sturdy, and the windows were covered with thick sheets of grime. Febe pushed the door open, motioning for them to enter.

"Not much to look at," she said, stepping inside, "but it's secure. No one comes here unless they're looking for trouble."

Kai looked around the workshop, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. The space was cluttered with tools, scraps of metal, and half-finished machinery. A faint smell of oil and smoke lingered in the air.

Ignis closed the door behind them, scanning the room. "How long have you been using this place?"

"Long enough," Febe said, moving to a table covered in scattered blueprints and vials of glowing liquid. "I know it's not fancy, but it's better than the street."

Kai dropped his bag onto a nearby chair, letting out a long sigh. "Better than getting stabbed by mercenaries, too. So, thanks for that, I guess."

Febe raised an eyebrow. "You're welcome, I guess."

Ignis stepped closer to the table, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the blueprints. "These designs... you're not just surviving down here. You're building something."

Febe's expression darkened slightly, and she moved to block his view. "I don't owe you an explanation for what I do."

Ignis didn't back down. "If you're working with us, I need to know where your loyalties lie."

"My loyalties?" Febe repeated, her voice cold. "I don't have loyalties, prince. I look out for myself, and that's it."

Kai stepped between them, raising his hands. "Okay, can we not fight? We've got enough people trying to kill us without turning on each other."

Febe stepped back, crossing her arms. "Fine. But if you want my help, you don't question how I survive. Deal?"

Ignis's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Deal. For now."

Kai glanced between them, feeling the tension in the room. "Great. So, what's the plan? Because I don't think we can just hide here forever."

Febe moved to another table, picking up a small map and spreading it out. "The mercenaries you fought? They're just the start. The clans know about the fragment, and they'll send stronger forces to track it down. If you want to stay ahead of them, you'll need to figure out who's pulling the strings."

Kai frowned. "You seem to know a lot about what we're dealing with."

Febe met his gaze, her green eyes sharp. "Let's just say I have a vested interest in keeping the clans from tearing this city apart."

Ignis stepped forward, his voice low. "What kind of interest?"

Febe's expression didn't waver. "The kind that doesn't concern you. Now, are we doing this or not?"

Kai sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I hate this already."

Febe smirked faintly, her confidence unshaken. "You'll get used to it."

As the group huddled over the map, the weight of their fragile alliance settled over them. The path ahead was uncertain, and the shadows of Arcanova seemed to press closer with every passing moment. But for now, they had a direction—and a chance to fight back.

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