Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

"Is this the entrance?" Kaizen murmured, more to himself than to Alaric, as his eyes fixed on the wooden door with no visible inscription or symbol.

Alaric stepped forward, confirming with a nod. "Yes, this is it. Thalion prefers to keep a low profile. He believes that those who really need his services will find their way, regardless of appearances."

Kaizen couldn't help but feel a slight unease. Years of battles and betrayals had taught him that such isolated and mysterious places rarely held good surprises. But he also knew that there was no turning back now. If Elara's information was correct, Thalion was the key to the next step in his mission.

And although the elf was described as lazy and uninterested, Kaizen knew that behind this façade, someone of great power and wisdom could be hiding.

"Let's go in," said Kaizen, his voice firm, as he reached out for the door. As he touched it, he felt a subtle, almost imperceptible vibration, as if the wood itself were alive, connected to its surroundings. With a gentle push, the door opened, creaking gently, revealing the interior of the store.

Kaizen's first impression was of entering another world. The store was poorly lit, with just a few candles scattered on wrought iron stands, casting a dim, flickering light over the shelves full of strange objects. The smell of incense permeated the air, mixed with the scent of dried herbs and something Kaizen couldn't immediately identify.

Glass jars, metal amulets and ancient tomes covered the shelves, while heavy curtains separated what seemed to be a back room. The atmosphere was claustrophobic, but at the same time there was something there that intrigued him.

Alaric entered just behind Kaizen, moving with the familiarity of someone who had been in similar places before. "Thalion, we're here to talk," he called, his voice calm but firm.

For a moment, only silence answered. Then, from the back of the store, the sound of slow, dragging footsteps could be heard. Kaizen adjusted his posture, preparing for any eventuality. The heavy curtain was pulled aside, and a tall, slightly disheveled-looking elf emerged.

Thalion had silver hair, similar to Elara's, but tied back carelessly, and his deep green eyes seemed to observe the world with calculated indifference. He wore a simple tunic that might once have been elegant, but was now worn by time.

"Who dares wake me from my rest?" Thalion asked, his voice laden with obvious laziness, as he rubbed his eyes as if he had just woken up from a long sleep.

Kaizen exchanged a quick glance with Alaric before stepping forward. "Thalion, we need your help. We've come at Odin's request, and the information you possess could be crucial to our mission."

Thalion's eyes narrowed slightly when he heard Odin's name, but his face remained expressionless. He walked slowly to a nearby chair and sat down, almost theatrically, before facing the two visitors. "Odin, you say? And what does the Father of All want with me? It's not enough that he sends messengers every full moon, now he sends idle warriors to disturb me?"

Alaric, knowing that Thalion was not someone who could be easily persuaded, tried a more direct approach. "We're not just warriors, Thalion. We're Evolved, and the mission we've been given involves something much bigger than just a request from the Father of All. The other Evolved are not willing to keep the peace for much longer.

Conflicts are about to erupt in every corner of the Nine Worlds, and we need someone with your knowledge to guide us."

Thalion laughed softly, a sound that sounded more like a tired sigh. "Guide you? You've come to the wrong place, then. I'm just a tired old man, away from battles and intrigue for longer than you can imagine. I cultivate my knowledge in peace, far from the madness that consumes the world outside. And as for that peace you talk about...

it's an illusion. It never really existed."

Kaizen felt irritation rising inside him, but he remained calm. He knew that confronting Thalion aggressively would lead to nothing. "We're not asking you to fight, Thalion. We just want you to help us understand what we're up against. The information you possess could make the difference between keeping the Nine Worlds in balance or seeing them plunge into complete chaos."

Thalion watched Kaizen for a long moment, as if gauging his words and intentions. His green eyes shone in the candlelight, reflecting something that Kaizen couldn't immediately decipher. "Balance..." Thalion repeated, almost to himself, before shaking his head with a sad smile. "You talk as if balance is something that can be achieved.

But let me tell you something: balance is a tightrope over an abyss. Any false move, any attempt to control it, and everything falls apart."

"But what if we can prevent that collapse?" Alaric argued, leaning forward slightly. "What if, with your help, we can stop the rope from breaking? You are one of the few who understand the depth of the Nine Worlds and the secrets they hold. Don't turn your back on us, Thalion. If we do nothing, the chaos you fear so much will be inevitable."

He stared into the distance, lost in thought. The room was filled with a tense atmosphere, as if the weight of the world rested on Thalion's shoulders. His piercing blue eyes scanned the room, observing the faces of those around him. The flickering candlelight cast shadows on his chiseled features, accentuating his strong jawline and the lines of worry etched on his forehead.