A knock on the door echoed through the silence of the apartment, a steady, relentless sound that immediately caught the attention of Eldranthor and Fenryr. Exchanging a knowing glance, a silent understanding passed between the two. Eldranthor rose gracefully from his chair, the old floorboards creaking slightly under his weight as he made his way to the entrance.

  Pulling the door open, Eldranthor found himself looking into the eyes of Alastair Trim. Alastair stood tall and imposing in the dim light spilling from the apartment, his sharp eyes flickering with an unreadable emotion. His voice, when he spoke, was friendly, yet his gaze held a calculating look that belied his cordiality.

  “Good evening, Eldranthor," he greeted, standing firm on the threshold. "May I come in?"

  Eldranthor stepped aside, his actions wordless, but his cautious gaze never left Alastair. As he moved, two more figures slipped from the shadows of the night, following Alastair into the apartment like specters. Eldranthor didn't need to ask; he knew they were from the Stewards of the Black Moon. An invisible aura of frosty energy wrapped around them, a clear signature.

  Alastair, not bothering with further social courtesies, extended his hand in a rhythmic pattern. Eldranthor's eyes narrowed slightly at the familiar gesture. As Alastair’s soft chant began, a chilling energy filled the room, reminding Eldranthor of the spell the Stewards had introduced in their first meeting, the one they claimed would seamlessly blend science and magic.

  A surge of adrenaline sparked within Eldranthor, and he shot a quick glance at Fenryr. His friend, his ally, understood the urgency of the situation. Fenryr subtly retreated, his hand stealthily reaching for the iron rod they had hidden away for emergencies.

  As Alastair’s chant continued to resonate within the four walls of the apartment, a strange, pulsating energy began to radiate from him. The room began to distort, the edges of reality wavering as a shimmering portal started to form. Time seemed to slow down, and Eldranthor knew, with a bone-deep certainty, they had to act swiftly.

  Positioning himself between Alastair and Fenryr, Eldranthor's hands began to move in a counter-rhythm to Alastair's. Simultaneously, Fenryr made his move, lunging at one of Alastair's companions, taking him by surprise. Chaos erupted, a dance of violence and magic.

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  The room was filled with a deafening blast as Eldranthor’s defensive magic collided with Alastair's portal. Eldranthor’s counter spell was powerful, raw, sending an electrical shockwave through the room that disrupted the portal's formation, causing it to flicker and fade, leaving a resounding silence in its wake.

  It was then the second Steward made his move, drawing a knife and lunging at Fenryr. But Eldranthor was quicker. With a swift chant, he cast a binding spell. Magical ropes sprang from thin air, wrapping around the Steward, immobilizing him completely.

  Alastair watched it all, his expression inscrutable. "You misunderstand our intentions, Eldranthor," he said calmly. "We only seek peace."

  "Peace," Eldranthor echoed, his gaze hardened. "Your actions do not reflect your words, Alastair. I suggest you leave."

  Alastair paused, but instead of retreating, he countered, "Don't you wish to see the truth of our

  words?"

  "This isn't about seeing or believing," Eldranthor responded, his voice resonating with quiet conviction. "It's about consent, safety, and understanding. You cannot just barge into our home and unleash powerful magic without discussing it with us first."

  The silence that followed was thick, punctuated only by the occasional whistle of wind from outside. Alastair's gaze remained fixed on Eldranthor, a silent battle of wills ensuing between the two. Then, after what felt like an eternity, Alastair broke the silence.

  "Very well, Eldranthor. We're willing to wait until you're ready, but not indefinitely." His words hung heavy in the room, a veiled threat among promises of patience.

  Fenryr, who had remained silent through the exchange, finally found his voice. His tone was firm, unwavering. "If we do this, it will be in neutral territory, in daylight. We'll do it at the university library. Agreed?"

  A moment of consideration, then Alastair nodded. "Agreed. We will meet you there tomorrow at noon."

  Eldranthor held Alastair's gaze, his own eyes hard. "Good," he said, his voice laced with cold resolve. "And Alastair, if your intentions are indeed as peaceful as you claim, I suggest you start demonstrating that with your actions."

  With that, the room fell into silence again, the tension hanging in the air palpable. Finally, Alastair turned towards the door, his companions following suit. "We will see you tomorrow," he said before disappearing into the night.

  As the door closed, the apartment was once again left in silence, leaving Eldranthor and Fenryr alone with their thoughts.

  "What just happened?" Fenryr asked after a moment, his gaze still lingering on the now-closed door.

  "We may have just agreed to a potential breakthrough," Eldranthor mused, his voice filled with a mix of concern and curiosity. "Or we've agreed to a potential disaster. Only time will tell, Fenryr. Only time will tell."