Char and Mira hurried through the townhouse halls, their steps light but quick. Char's mind buzzed with everything Mira had just told him. If Flint really was keeping this ritual circle a secret, there had to be a reason. And if it was still active, this could change everything.
They reached Char's room, and he pushed the door open, letting Mira slip inside before shutting it behind him. The rain from the morning had finally stopped, leaving the air damp and cool. The single candle in the corner flickered, casting long shadows across the walls.
Mira folded her arms, glancing toward the door. "You're going to need Benjamin for this."
Char ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I figured. He's going to hate this idea."
Mira smirked. "Probably. But if he trusts you, he'll go along with it."
Char wasn't so sure. Benjamin was practical, experienced. He'd see all the ways this could go wrong before even considering the ways it could go right.
Still, there was no other way.
"I'll go find him," Char said.
Mira nodded. "I'll wait here. Try not to get caught."
Char rolled his eyes but slipped out of the room without another word, heading down the stairs. The main hall was still lively with people working to clean up the flood damage. Char spotted Benjamin near the entrance, sleeves rolled up, hands caked in mud as he helped lift a half-broken table.
Char hesitated for only a second before walking up. "Benjamin."
The old man turned, wiping sweat from his forehead. "You finally up and moving? Thought you were going to laze around all day."
Char ignored the jab. "I need to talk to you."
Benjamin frowned. "Now? I'm a little busy."
Char glanced around, then lowered his voice. "It's important."
Benjamin studied him for a moment before sighing. "Fine. Let me wash up first."
They made their way back to Char's room, where Mira stood by the window, peeking out cautiously. When Benjamin entered, she turned, straightening as if caught in the act.
Benjamin's gaze flicked between them. "Alright. What's this about?"
Char took a deep breath. "We found a way to get to Jaffalex instantly."
Benjamin blinked. "Come again?"
Mira spoke up. "There's a ritual circle in a cave nearby—one that can teleport people to marked locations."
Benjamin crossed his arms. "That's impossible."
Char shook his head. "No, it's real. Mira's seen it."
Benjamin's eyes narrowed. "And where did you hear about this?"
Mira met his gaze without flinching. "I used to play in the tunnels as a kid. I saw the circle with my own eyes."
Benjamin grunted, looking unconvinced. "Even if that were true, why hasn't Flint mentioned it? If it still worked, people would be using it."
Char spoke quickly. "That's the thing. He knows it's there, but he's keeping it hidden. We don't know why."
Benjamin pinched the bridge of his nose. "And let me guess—you want to break in and use it."
Char hesitated. "…Yes."
Benjamin sighed. "This is insane."
Mira leaned forward. "It's not. Look, I know it sounds crazy, but the circle is active. It's glowing. We just need to figure out how to activate it properly."
Benjamin shook his head. "You don't even know if it works, and you're planning to sneak into a restricted cave to try it?"
Char clenched his fists. "Benjamin, this could save us days of travel. You saw what happened last time we were out in the wild. We nearly died."
Benjamin's jaw tightened. "And you think breaking into a secret cave will be safer?"
Char exhaled sharply. "I don't know. But I know that if I have a chance to get stronger faster, I need to take it."
There was a long silence.
Benjamin studied Char for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he sighed.
"Fine," he muttered. "Tell me the plan."
Char and Mira exchanged a quick glance before Mira began explaining the details—how Flint kept the key to the cave in his office, how they'd need to steal it, and how they'd have to navigate the tunnels without getting caught.
Benjamin listened, arms crossed, his face set in a permanent scowl. When she finished, he let out a heavy breath.
"This is reckless," he said.
Char shrugged. "That's never stopped me before."
Benjamin rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I've noticed."
Mira grinned. "So, you're in?"
Benjamin sighed again. "If I don't come along, you two idiots are going to get caught within minutes. So yeah, I'm in."
Char felt a small rush of relief.
Benjamin leaned back against the wall. "But we do this my way."
Mira raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"
Benjamin smirked. "We don't just sneak in. We create a distraction."
He exhaled through his nose and straightened, his usual gruff demeanor sharpening into something more calculating. Char had seen this look before—the expression of a man who had planned battles, executed raids, and survived wars.
"Alright, listen up," Benjamin said, his voice firm. "If we're going to do this, we're doing it right. No fumbling around like a couple of kids sneaking out past curfew."
Char and Mira both nodded, standing at attention as Benjamin paced the small room. He scratched his chin, deep in thought, then gestured toward Mira.
"You say the key to the cave is in Flint's office?"
Mira nodded. "Yeah, kept in a locked drawer in his desk."
Benjamin grunted. "Then that's our first problem. Flint's not an idiot—he'll notice the key missing pretty quick if we just snatch it. We need a distraction big enough to keep his attention off his office long enough for us to get in, take what we need, and get to that cave before he realizes what's going on."
Char crossed his arms. "So, what are you thinking?"
Benjamin smirked. "Something loud. Chaotic."
Mira's eyes gleamed. "I like where this is going."
Benjamin pointed at her. "Your brother, Merrick. You said he does little performances, right?"
She blinked. "Yeah?"
"We use him."
Char raised an eyebrow. "How?"
Benjamin leaned against the table. "We get him to put on a big performance in the main hall, something that'll draw everyone's attention—including Flint's. If we make it grand enough, Flint will have no choice but to focus on the crowd instead of his office."
Mira tilted her head. "Merrick's good, but he's not that good."
Benjamin grinned. "That's why we help him."
Char caught on. "You're saying we stage something?"
"Exactly," Benjamin said. "We turn his usual show into something spectacular. Something that demands attention. If we cause just enough of a scene, Flint won't be thinking about his damn office for a while."
Mira tapped her chin. "We could use fireworks. Well, not real ones, but something similar. Merrick has some old alchemical powders he uses for color effects. If we amp those up, we could make something eye-catching—flashes, bursts of light, maybe even a fake explosion."
Benjamin snapped his fingers. "Now you're thinking. That'll keep people entertained and off our backs."
Char exhaled. "Okay. So while Merrick's making a scene, one of us sneaks into Flint's office, gets the key, and gets out. Who's doing that?"
Benjamin's eyes settled on Mira.
She blinked. "Me?"
"You know the layout better than either of us," Benjamin said. "And you're light on your feet. I can cause a disturbance with Merrick if needed, and Char—" He looked at him. "You'll be my backup."
Char frowned. "How?"
Benjamin smirked. "We need another layer of distraction in case something goes wrong. If Flint leaves the hall beforeMira gets the key, you stall him."
Char winced. "By doing what?"
"Improvise."
Char groaned. "Great."
Mira was still staring at Benjamin. "And what about when we actually get the key? How do we get to the cave without being seen?"
Benjamin leaned back. "That's the trickiest part. Someone is bound to notice when you disappear. We need an escape route."
Char thought for a moment. "Is there a back exit?"
Mira nodded slowly. "There's an old storage door near the kitchen. It leads out behind the townhouse, right by the forest path."
Benjamin smirked. "Perfect. You get the key, sneak out that way, and we meet at the cave."
Char ran a hand down his face. "And what if Flint figures it out before we get to the circle?"
Benjamin's expression darkened. "Then we hope to hell this ritual works—because we'll have to use it fast."
Mira swallowed. "Okay. So, to recap: We get Merrick to put on a show, amp it up with some flashy alchemy, I sneak into Flint's office, grab the key, and slip out the storage door. Meanwhile, Char stalls Flint if necessary, and we all meet at the cave."
Benjamin nodded. "Exactly."
Char sighed. "This is a lot."
Benjamin smirked. "You wanted a shortcut. Welcome to the fun part."
Mira shook her head, a small grin playing at her lips. "I can't believe I'm doing this."
Char crossed his arms. "I can't believe I'm doing this."
Benjamin just grunted. "Then let's get to work."