Driver: "That's it! We're stopping at the next inn!"

  The driver's frustration finally boiled over as the moon hung high above them. For hours, they had been driving nonstop while Virno struggled unsuccessfully to reestablish contact with the voice of the curse.

  Ballo: "Not yet... We need more information before we stop."

  Virno’s brow was furrowed tight, his closed eyes framed by deep wrinkles as he concentrated with everything he had. But despite his efforts, the voice eluded him.

  Driver: "Look at him! He’s been trying for hours. Maybe what he needs isn’t more driving, but *rest*. And newsflash -- we’re not running on unlimited fuel here! If we get stranded, you can bet I won’t be the one pushing this hunk of metal to the nearest inn!"

  Ballo raised his hands, conjuring glowing glyphs of grey magic in intricate, swirling patterns. The air around him shimmered as he began to weave the energy into his palms.

  Ballo: "Fuel isn’t a problem -- where’s the tank?"

  Driver (alarmed): "What the hell are you doing?! You can’t just throw random magic into the energy core! You’ll blow us all to bits! These systems work with *ratios* and precise mixtures -- this is *science*, old man!"

  With practiced precision, the glyphs shifted in his hands -- flames, water, and wind danced in perfect harmony, flickering and changing hues with the flick of his wrists.

  Ballo: "I assure you, I can manage ‘ratios.’ Just guide me, if you’re so knowledgeable."

  The driver gawked, momentarily speechless. It was clear they hadn’t expected Ballo to be a master of multiple disciplines of magic. But that didn’t diminish their determination.

  Driver: "L-look, maybe you can keep this thing running, but *we* aren’t machines. I’m exhausted, and if I pass out behind the wheel, who’s driving then? Whether you like it or not, we have to rest!"

  Virno slammed his fist against the dashboard, startling both of them.

  Driver: "HEY! Don’t you dare break anything, or Clavia will break something in *you*!"

  Virno turned to Ballo, his face etched with frustration and defeat.

  Virno: "He’s right, Ballo. I can’t reach it... We’re just driving blind at this point. Stopping for the night might not be a bad idea."

  Ballo shook his head, his jaw tightening.

  Ballo: "We’ll be sitting ducks if we stop. There’s no telling where we are -- or aren’t -- safe. We should keep moving."

  Virno: "Stop being so stubborn, old man...! Were you planning to stop *after* we’re all passed out in the middle of nowhere? You said it yourself -- we don’t even know how far this place is..."

  Ballo clenched his fists, his pride visibly warring with reason.

  Virno: "We’ve been riding since noon, no one seems to be following us... Is there even any way they could be tracking us somehow?"

  Ballo: "I... No. Not that I can think of. But that doesn’t mean they can’t. Our enemies have agents spread across the land, we could encounter them by chance."

  Virno summoned the silver sword in his right hand, holding it level with his eyes.

  Virno: "Then we’ll take care of them...! You know I can fight. And even if you’re blind, I’m sure you’ve still got a few tricks up your sleeve."

  Ballo’s expression didn’t soften.

  Ballo: "Not if we run into someone like Lacerbus... Against him, we wouldn’t stand a chance."

  Virno dismissed the sword, resting his arm on the back of his seat as he turned to face Ballo.

  Virno: "How many guys like him do they even have? He’s one of their big shots, right? The odds of us running into someone like that out here are slim. There’s no way they’d waste that kind of resource."

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Ballo stayed silent, his furrowed brow suggesting he had no solid counterargument.

  Virno: "So? Let’s stop at the next inn."

  Ballo sighed, defeated.

  Ballo: "...Fine. But under one condition -- once we get there, we’ll try to contact the informant again -- my way. Do we have a deal?"

  Virno leaned back into his seat, shrugging dismissively.

  Virno: "Sure, sure... One more try, indoors. Honestly, I just want to get out of this cold. My fingers are practically frozen...!"

  With that, the trio drove in relative silence until a large building appeared in the distance. The driver parked in a designated lot, steam hissing from the vehicle’s exhaust.

  Virno: "We’re done riding for the day -- aren’t you taking that helmet off?"

  The driver didn’t so much as glance back, heading straight for the inn’s entrance.

  Driver: "I'll take it off when you start doing what you ordered me to -- minding your own business. Sound fair?"

  Caught off-guard by the snark, Virno blinked and fell silent.

  The double doors opened, revealing a warm, inviting interior. Rustic wooden furniture, a roaring stone fireplace, and wax chandeliers filled the room with a soft glow. At the counter stood a sharply dressed attendant, handing keys to departing customers.

  Attendant: "Here they are. Please enjoy your stay!"

  As the customers walked away, the attendant turned to the odd trio entering the inn, their eyes widening slightly at the sight of the iron-clad driver.

  Attendant: "...N-next!"

  Before Ballo could step forward, the driver beat him to the counter, leaning on it with crossed arms.

  Driver: "Evening! Two rooms -- one small and one large. The large one preferably with two single beds, but if you’ve only got a double, I'm sure the gentlemen behind me can make it work."

  Ballo bristled, clearly offended. Before he could voice his objection, Virno cut him off.

  Virno: "Speak for yourself, freak! I’ll take the small room, thank you very much. If you want gramps to have some company while he sleeps, you join him then..."

  The driver slammed their fists on the counter, glaring at him.

  Driver: "Watch your mouth! Show the old man some respect! Can’t you just share a bed if it saves us some coin?!"

  Virno: "Respect? Look who’s talking! If you’re so worried about saving money, why don’t *you* stay in the large room? Scared of gramps? Or are you scared of *me*?"

  The driver froze, clearly flustered.

  Driver: "W-watch your --!"

  Ballo: "ENOUGH!"

  Ballo stepped between them, shoving both Virno and the driver aside. His stern expression made it clear he’d had enough of their squabbling. The attendant flinched, clearly unnerved by the escalating tension.

  Ballo: "I deeply apologize for their behavior. Just get us three small rooms, please."

  Startled into silence, Virno and the driver exchanged uncertain glances, while the attendant nodded shakily.

  Attendant: "C-certainly, sir. Though... we do have larger rooms with two single beds available. It would be more cost-efficient if two of you shared."

  Ballo let out a tired sigh but managed a polite smile.

  Ballo: "Thank you! Yes, that would be ideal."

  Reaching into his cloak, he retrieved a large coin pouch and placed it on the counter with a soft thud.

  Ballo: "Here... You can keep the change."

  The attendant’s eyes widened at the sight of the pouch, his posture immediately shifting from wary to welcoming.

  Attendant: "Thank you very much, sir! Let me get your keys right away."

  As the man turned to open a drawer, Virno and the driver leaned toward each other, speaking in hushed voices.

  Virno (whispering): "So much for saving money..."

  Driver (whispering): "Where did he even get that much?! I barely brought enough coin to cover *my* expenses...!"

  Virno (whispering): "Same here... I’m flat broke."

  Ballo’s head turned slightly, his sharp hearing catching their muttered conversation.

  Ballo: "So perhaps next time, you should let *me* do the talking instead of putting on an embarrassing spectacle."

  Both of them stiffened, their eyes wide in surprise that Ballo had overheard them.

  The attendant returned, holding two sets of keys with a cheery smile.

  Attendant: "Here you go! Please enjoy your stay to the fullest."

  Ballo: "Thank you, we certainly will! Have a good night."

  Ballo took the keys and led the group toward the rooms. As they walked, he handed one key to the driver.

  Ballo: "You’ll take the small room. Virno and I will share the larger one -- it’ll make things easier when we conduct our... attempt."

  The driver shrugged, grabbing the key.

  Driver: "No complaints from me! See you two in the morning, knock yourselves out."

  The driver strode off to their room without a backward glance, leaving Virno alone with Ballo.

  Inside their room, Ballo shut the door behind them and locked it with a quiet click.

  Virno: "I almost forgot about this whole ‘contact the informant’ plan... Do you think it’ll take long? I’m dead tired. I could really use some sleep..."

  Ballo ignored his complaint, stepping further into the room.

  Ballo: "It could take all night, Virno. As I said... We’ll do this *my way*."

  Virno blinked, confused by the ominous tone in Ballo’s voice. Before he could respond, Ballo extended his hands, conjuring a shimmering, translucent field of magic that expanded outward, enveloping the entire room.

  Virno’s eyes widened as he recognized it -- a noise-cancelling barrier.

  Virno: "All night?! You’re joking, right --"

  Without warning, Ballo grabbed Virno’s wrist. Ethereal, monochrome glowing sigils surged from Ballo’s palms and encased Virno’s wrists and ankles, pinning him to the floor. He struggled, but the magical restraints held firm.

  Virno: "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

  Ballo stepped closer, his eyes intense yet unreadable.

  Ballo: "You mentioned the cradle of the world..."

  He raised a hand, casting a radiant blue sigil above Virno’s forehead. The light from the sigil pulsed, illuminating the room in an otherworldly glow.

  Ballo: "...It’s time you *truly* get to know it."