Page 106 of Duskbound

Aether's jaw tightened. "We're here for a summoning."

Laughter echoed through our minds—three distinct voices harmonizing in a way that made my skin crawl. The black liquid rippled again, more violently this time.

"And what makes you think we'd help you again?" the first voice purred."After you left so... abruptly last time."

"We have a personal possession," Aether said, his voice steady despite the tension I could see in his frame. "We seek to speak with Krayken Vindskald."

Something broke the surface of the pool—a pale, translucent form that seemed to hover between liquid and air. The creature was impossibly thin, almost skeletal, yet possessed an otherworldly beauty that made it difficult to look away. Its eyes were completely black, like holes cut into reality itself.

"Everything has a price,"it spoke into our minds."Feed us, Realm Crasher. Let us taste the Void again."

I stepped forward, but Aether's arm shot out, blocking my path. "I'll pay it."

The creature's mouth opened in a grotesque smile, revealing rows of needle-sharp teeth. It let out a long, rattling inhale—the first physical sound we'd heard from it. Dark tendrils began to seep from Aether's void burns, drawn toward the creature's mouth like smoke caught in a draft.

The shadows flowed into the creature's mouth for what felt like an eternity. Finally, it pulled back with a satisfied hiss, sinking partially beneath the black surface.

"The price is paid,"the voices sang in unison."Present the item."

I held out the memoir with trembling fingers. The book lifted from my hands, floating over the pool where it hung suspended in the air. The black liquid began to move, forming patterns that seemed to writhe and twist. The phosphorescent glow pulsed brighter, then dimmer, then brighter again.

A new voice filled our minds—drastically different from the ethereal tones of the sirens.

“What do we have here?”a vibrant tone questioned.

"Krayken Vindskald?" I asked.

"The very same! Though I must say, this is quite different from my usual audiences. The ambiance leaves something to be desired, but I suppose we must work with what we have."A pause, then:"But what'sthis? Such fascinating coloring you have, my dear. In all my years of documenting the realm's oddities, I never encountered a Kalfar with hair like starlight."

"I'm not—" I started, but caught myself. "That's not why we're here."

"No? Pity. I do so love a good mystery. And you, my dear, are certainly that. Though I suppose you have your reasons for seeking me out in this rather dramatic fashion. Not that I'm complaining—it's quite thrilling, actually. Being summoned by such an intriguing pair."

"I read your memoir," I said, trying to steer him back on track. "But some pages were torn out—the part about siphons."

"Ah, but surely we can spare a moment for proper introductions? The art of conversation is sacred, after all. And I find myself burning with curiosity about how someone so... unique... came to be asking about such matters."

"The realm is dying," I said, hoping the gravity of our situation might curb his curiosity. "Essence is being drained from our lands. Cities have been abandoned. Even the Kalfar's tethers are weakening."

"Dying?"All theatricality dropped from his voice."Truly? Even Croyg? Those gardens were something to behold in their day..."

"Gone," I confirmed. "Everything's gone. Which is why we need to know what you saw that day by the river. What you wrote about in those missing pages."

A heavy silence filled our minds. When Krayken spoke again, his voice had lost its playful edge.

"I see. Though I must warn you—you're asking about dangerous business."

"We don't care about the danger," I said. "Please, just tell us what you know about siphons. How do we find such an item? Or how do we create one?"

Krayken's laugh echoed through our minds, but it wasn't cruel like the sirens—it was almost sad."You have it all wrong. A siphonisn't something you find or create. A siphon is no item, no magical artifact. A siphon, my dear girl, is a person."

The words hit me like a physical blow. "What?"

"Like a tether?" Aether asked, tension evident in his voice.

"Precisely! Though far more rare, and far more... problematic."

"But that sounds like the ultimate power," I breathed.

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