Word spreads fast. The shard I carry becomes a rumor and then a story. People whisper that I found an artifact from before the modern forging, an object that could change profit margins and power balances.
Freya sends an envoy. She is not what I expected. Not cold, not clerical, simply steady. "We would like you to bring the shard to the temple for study," she says. "We will offer protection and a path."
Hermes sends a list of terms. It has numbers my ears have not learned to process yet. "We can get you inside the markets and speed up your pulls. We can buy exclusive access or trade information."
Ares sends a man with scars and a glint. He says nothing but lays out armor and a place in a lineup. Choice courts every pocket of my attention.
I think of the recruiter and how his eyes always measure the margins. I think of Oren and how his hands are black with honest work. I think of the guide, now solid enough to sit on my shoulder like a curious coin.
I make a bargain with myself. I will accept Freya's study for the shard. I will accept Hermes as a distant vendor if I need coin. I will not sign directly with Ares yet. I want time and a voice before I hand my loyalty away.
The Freya envoy bows and promises a safe berth. I hand over the shard and they take it with reverence. Oren's hands tremble as they pass. The guide stirs and hums for a long moment.
As the Freya scholars study the shard, a note arrives for me. Another sealed message. This one is small and stamped with a symbol I do not recognize, a black circle with a slash. I do not open it at once.
Cliffhanger: Later that night the system flashes a personal alert, "Unauthorized Familia interference detected, priority flag raised." My chest tightens. Someone has already reached into my choices.
Author's note: I handed the shard to Freya, was that smart, dumb, or perfectly Lingshu? Roast or praise me in the comments