They stepped deeper into the market.
The place was alive now. Lanterns flickered on one by one, casting warm golden light over stalls overflowing with weapons, enchanted trinkets, preserved herbs, glowing crystals, mechanical tools, fabrics from distant districts. Everything a citizen of Eldoria could want.
The air smelled of spice, metal, and sugar.
Eliora's eyes lit up immediately.
As soon as she spotted a magic demonstration booth, she grabbed Iremiel's hand and pulled him inside without warning. Kalderon followed more calmly.
Inside, shelves were packed tightly with magical equipment floating charms, smoke bottles, illusion lenses, glowing spheres.
Eliora picked up a small bright ball.
Suddenly, the shopkeeper rushed forward and snatched it from her hands.
"Careful, little lady," he warned. "That would have burst and turned you all bright red."
Her eyes widened in excitement. "Ohhh. So they're color balls?"
The shopkeeper nodded with a grin.
"You kids.....what are you looking for?"
Eliora straightened confidently. "Location lockets. I saw one with a classmate. You can see where the other person is, even if they're far away. It guides you to them."
The shopkeeper sighed.
"Out of stock. Everyone wants them these days."
Her shoulders dropped slightly. "When will they be back?"
"No clue. But soon."
He studied the three of them for a moment, then added, "But I do have something else."
He disappeared into the back of the shop and returned with three simple metallic rings.
"These," he said, laying them out carefully, "react to strong emotion. If one of you is in danger...especially in fear or anger....the rings shine. It lets your friends know something's wrong."
Eliora still looked disappointed. "That won't tell us where the other person is."
The shopkeeper tilted his head. "Young lady, aren't you a magician? Why need tools like this? Cast a spell and track them."
She crossed her arms. "That kind of tracking drains energy. And the Magic Council doesn't allow us to waste magic on trivial matters."
"Then these rings will do," he replied calmly. "At least you'll know when something is wrong."
Kalderon spoke first. "We'll take them."
Eliora shot him a dark look.
He immediately went quiet.
She wasn't scary because she shouted.
She was scary because she decided.
Even Kalderon rarely contradicted her—not from fear, but from practicality. Avoiding conflict with her was simply easier.
After a long two minutes of silence, she finally said, "Fine. What's the price?"
"Three thousand for the set."
"Three thousand?" Iremiel repeated in disbelief.
Before he could process it, Kalderon calmly pulled out the money and handed it over.
Three thousand.
That was nearly a month of Iremiel's school fee.
They bought it without hesitation. No doubt eloria and kalderon both were elite class of elidora.
And what was he?
Weak. Powerless. Barely keeping up.
Eliora picked up the rings. Without asking, she slid one onto Iremiel's finger. It fit perfectly.
She handed him the other two.
Iremiel carefully placed one on her finger. It suited her hand like it belonged there.
Then he turned to Kalderon, awkwardly holding the last ring out.
Kalderon didn't take it.
Instead, he extended his hand silently.
Iremiel blinked.
Kalderon pointed at his own finger.
A silent order.
He swallowed and gently slid the ring onto his hand.
For a brief moment, all three of them smiled.
Then they returned to wandering....tasting sweets, examining blades, testing enchanted objects. Kalderon bought slices of cake for them to share as they walked.
It felt like a normal evening.
Until it wasn't.