The three of us made our way out of the cafe via the back door. Interestingly, none of the staff questioned them passing behind the bar and through the kitchen.

  "I own the place," Argyle explained as he held a thick steel door open for Isabella and me to pass through, "I'll use whatever door I please. There are no cameras back here in case I need to leave in a hurry." We stepped out into the back alley, which was surprisingly clean and well-maintained.

  "Isabella, the circle for an unmarked ritual, if you please." Isabella nodded, closing her eyes and pointing her hand at the ground. Frost billowed from her hand towards the ground, and crystalline ice began to form intricate shapes on the concrete ground of the alleyway. Seconds passed, and the shapes formed a familiar-looking pattern, a ritual circle, one I had glimpsed in the codex during my brief look through the tome.

  I watched, fascinated, as the ice circle glowed with an ethereal blue light. Argyle stepped forward, his movements fluid and precise. "Aiden, if you would stand in the center, please." His voice was calm, but there was an underlying urgency I couldn't ignore. Hesitantly, I moved to the center of the circle. The moment my feet touched the icy patterns, a shiver ran through my body that had nothing to do with the cold. I felt a subtle vibration, as if the very air around me was humming with energy.

  "Now," Argyle said, "I'm going to cast a ritual of unmarking, it will hide you from anyone not System-initiated, as well as from any kind of non-magical recording. It's not true invisibility; rather, they simply won't notice you until the effect ends, and it will also leave a blip of static on any recordings." Argyle explained. "This was a bit rushed, so you'll only get about half an hour out of it, and take this," Argyle held out his hand. In it was a small stone, engraved with a variety of sigils I recognized as ritual markings. "When you crush this, it will be the same as if I had cast this ritual for you again, only half an hour before it runs out."

  I nodded, taking the stone and slipping it into my pocket. The weight of it felt reassuring, like a lifeline in this increasingly complex world I found myself in.

  "Thank you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The gravity of the situation—my brother in the hospital, the need for magical concealment—was starting to sink in. At the same time, I was buoyed by the anger simmering in my gut.

  Argyle stepped back, his eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. He held his hands upward in the ritual circle, and I felt a tremulation cross his aura. I was sure he was doing something, but my senses couldn't pick up the specifics.

  I felt a tingling sensation spread from my feet upwards, enveloping my entire body. It wasn't unpleasant, more like a gentle static charge dancing across my skin. As the sensation intensified, I noticed the edges of my vision blurring slightly.

  Isabella watched the proceedings with keen interest, her icy blue eyes never leaving me. "Remember," she said, her voice cutting through odd static that clung to me, "this magic only hides you from those who aren't aware." I nodded, settling to wait for the ritual to conclude.

  "A drop of blood, if you would, Aiden, it'll bind the ritual to you." I brought my hand to my mouth without question and bit down on the tip of my index finger. I had no concern for the small injury; it'd heal quickly enough thanks to a combination of my gear, Vipera and my stats. I let a drop of crimson fall from my finger, careful to make sure it landed on the ice that made up the ritual circle. The moment my blood touched the icy circle, a surge of energy pulsed through me. The blue light intensified, wrapping around my body like a cocoon. I felt a strange sensation, as if I was both there and not there at the same time.

  "It's done," Argyle announced, lowering his hands. "You're now effectively invisible to those not initiated into the System. Remember, half an hour. When you want it to end, just will the effect to end, it’s tied to you and will follow your wishes."

  I stepped out of the circle, feeling oddly lightweight. Looking down at my hands, I could still see myself clearly, but there was a faint shimmer around the edges of my form, like heat rising from pavement on a hot day. A screen flashed open in front of me.

  You have been affected by [Unmarking Ritual].

  I waved the window away with a thought; it only confirmed what had already been said.

  "Thank you for this, I'll call when I know more."

  "Worry about your family first; family is precious," Argyle said with a nod.

  "Guess this means you get to see one of the more interesting things I can do," I said, turning to look at Isabella. Isabella raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued.

  "Oh? And what might that be?"

  "This." The change happened in an instant. One moment, I was a man standing in a dimly lit alley, and the next, I was the stuff of people's nightmares. A massive armoured spider, larger than most SUVs. I didn't waste any time. I dipped low, then launched myself from the ground straight up into the air. I cleared the walls of the alleyway with ease. Once I was out of the alleyway, I pointed myself in the direction of the hospital.

  I'm coming, little Brother, just hold on.

  ——-

  "Well, that was a dramatic exit," Argyle muttered, still staring up at the sky where Aiden had vanished.

  Isabella's eyes were wide, a rare display of surprise on her usually composed features. "Well," she said, a hint of amusement in her voice, "that was certainly... interesting. I don't think I've ever seen an ability quite like that before.”

  "Indeed, he is full of surprises." Argyle finally agreed, looking away from the slice of sky visible between the walls of the alleyway. "It's time to make some calls, however."

  "You're right." Isabella agreed, let out a frosty sigh. "I don't like this Argyle."

  “Nor do I, if the young man in the hospital is ensorcelled at all, it will mean we’ve all missed something. There’s only one dealer for magical drugs. Only one that matters anyway.”

  Isabella sighed, "The Vish, they're branching out. This might get dangerous for our young friend if he goes toe to toe with them."

  Argyle let out a laugh.

  “I rather think it’s the opposite, I think the Vish will regret ever getting him involved. Do you know why I was meeting with our young friend in the first place?”

  "Making connections with a neutral Ranker, I would imagine." Isabella shrugged. She'd done much the same; it was always good to make acquaintances with the up-and-coming. That it brought her into contact with someone new and interesting was a pleasant bonus.

  "That's not all, that young man just returned from two years away, surviving [Soul-Sheer]." Isabella's eyebrows rose with her estimation of the young man who'd left only moments before. Her people had records of those who had survived such an ordeal. It was orders of magnitude harder to inflict [Soul-Sheer] on an innately magical being like Argyle or herself, but still it happened. Such records were jealously guarded. All of the records seemed to agree on a few things, chief among them that the longer someone took to deal with their [Soul-Sheer], the more potential they likely had. Two years was a long time in the grip of [Soul-Sheer]. A very long time.

  "And when I first met him the other day, he had just finished clearing a dungeon that was approaching level 30. Solo."

  Isabella’s brows shot towards her hairline as she considered the implications of what Argyle was saying.

  "You'd better call David. Make sure he has a clean-up crew ready then. Or two."

  "I'm sure he's not the only call I'll need to make tonight," Argyle said with a sigh as he pulled out his phone once again.

  ——-

  I scuttled across the rooftops of Hadford, my eight legs propelling me forward with incredible speed. The city stretched out below me, a maze of lights and shadows. The cool night air whipped past my armoured carapace as I leapt from building to building, my destination clear in my mind: the hospital where Sean was.

  As I moved, I couldn't help but marvel at the efficiency of this form. The Hollow Web Lord bloodline was truly a gift, allowing me to traverse the urban landscape with ease. Each jump carried me further than I could have imagined, and I found myself grateful for the concealment ritual Argyle had cast. The last thing I needed was to cause a panic with my monstrous appearance.

  My mind raced as fast as my legs. What had happened to Sean? An overdose, they said, but was it accidental or something more sinister? Sean had his bad habits; he always had. Drinking and smoking were the usual, but he'd always stayed away from the hard stuff. Always had enough sense to know that nothing but ruin lay down that road. Which made this all the more questionable. My questions could wait, however. Sean needed me now.

  I spotted the hospital in the distance, its windows glowing like a beacon in the night. As I approached, I began to slow my furious charge across the city. My gaze roamed over the darkening streets. I'd spent more time with Argyle and Isabella than I'd thought. I was thankful for the early oncoming of nightfall, as it would make hiding easier. Not that there was much chance of being seen with the ritual spell keeping me hidden, but still. Better safe than sorry.

  I dropped down into a nearby alley less than a block away from the hospital and returned to my human form.

  I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead. The weight of the stone Argyle had given me pressed against my thigh, a reminder of the magical world I now inhabited. With a quick glance around to ensure no one was watching, I stepped out of the alley and made my way towards the hospital entrance.

  The automatic doors slid open silently as I approached. Inside, the stark fluorescent lights and antiseptic smell assaulted my senses. I strode purposefully towards the reception desk, my heart pounding in my chest.

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  "I'm here to see Sean Kaesor," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. The receptionist looked up, her eyes sliding past me as if I wasn't there. Right, the unmarking ritual. I willed for the spell to end, pressing against the nebulous feeling of it with a mental push. The spell faded within moments. I cleared my throat and tried again, louder this time.

  She blinked, seeming to notice me for the first time. "Oh, I'm sorry, sir. Sean Kaesor... yes. You must be Aiden?" I nodded.

  “He's in room 307. Third floor, take the elevator to your right."

  I nodded my thanks and headed for the elevator, my mind racing. As the doors closed behind me, I felt Vipera's familiar presence stir within me as the elevator doors closed. Her concern and protectiveness radiated through our bond. There was also a very familiar anger, the very same that was tightly coiled in my own chest.

  "I know," I murmured softly to my familiar. "We'll figure this out."

  The elevator dinged as it reached the third floor. I stepped out, my eyes scanning the room numbers as I strode down the sterile hallway. 300... 301... There. 307.

  I paused in the hallway. Vicky and my dad were seated outside in a pair of chairs. It looked like the doctors hadn’t been willing to let them in. I approached my family, their worried faces turning towards me as I drew near. Dad stood up immediately, his large frame tense with concern.

  "Aiden," he said, his voice gruff with emotion. "You made it."

  Vicky rose as well, her eyes red-rimmed but her posture straight. "They won't let us in yet," she explained, frustration evident in her tone. "The doctors are still running tests. They say he’s not out of the woods yet."

  I nodded, taking in the information. "What happened?" I asked, keeping my voice low. "How did Sean end up here?"

  Dad ran a hand through his hair, a gesture of helplessness I'd rarely seen from him. "We don't know exactly. He was found unconscious when the cops cleared out a party that was getting too loud. The doctors... they're saying it looks like an overdose, but Aiden, it doesn't make sense. Sean's never touched that stuff."

  I felt my jaw clench, the anger in my chest flaring. "No, he hasn't," I agreed, my mind racing through possibilities. "Have you been able to talk to him at all?"

  Vicky shook her head. I grit my teeth.

  “Where’s the Doc?”

  As if on cue, the door to Sean's room opened and a doctor emerged, clipboard in hand. He looked tired, his white coat slightly rumpled. His eyes scanned our group, settling on my father.

  "Mr. Kaesor?" he inquired.

  Dad nodded, stepping forward. "That's me. How's my son?"

  The doctor's expression was grave. "Your son's condition is stable, but critical. We've managed to counteract the immediate effects of the overdose, but there are some... unusual complications."

  I felt my muscles tense. "What kind of complications?" I asked, my voice low and controlled.

  The doctor glanced at me, then back at my father. "And you are...?"

  "I'm Sean's brother," I replied, barely keeping the growl out of my voice. "What's wrong with him?"

  The doctor sighed, rubbing his forehead. "To be frank, we're not entirely sure. The substance in his system doesn't match anything we've seen before. It's causing erratic brain activity and fluctuations in his vital signs that we can't explain. We're doing everything we can, but..."

  The doctor's phone suddenly chirped, interrupting his explanation. He glanced at the screen, his brow furrowing. "I'm sorry, I need to take this. It might be about your son's test results." He stepped away, bringing the phone to his ear.

  I watched him walk a few paces down the hall, my enhanced hearing easily picking up both sides of the conversation. The familiar voice on the other end of the line made my eyebrows rise.

  "Dr. Reeves? This is Argyle Van Dorn." The doctor's posture stiffened at the name.

  "Mr. Van Dorn, I wasn't expecting... what can I do for you?"

  "I'm calling about Sean Kaesor. His brother, Aiden, is there with the family. I need you to give them unrestricted access to Sean's room and ensure they're not disturbed."

  "I see… This is Coterie business?"

  "It is."

  "Understood, I'll make arrangements."

  "Much appreciated, my night is only likely to get longer from here." There was a pause on the other side of the line. "One last thing, stay out of Aiden's way. If you put yourself between him and his brother right now, you will not like the outcome. Give him whatever he asks for; you can send me the bill afterwards."

  “I understand, I’ll see to it.”

  The doctor ended the call and returned to us, his demeanour noticeably changed. He cleared his throat and addressed my father. I watched him closely, and I could see his eyes darting over to me every so often.

  "Mr. Kaesor, I've just received some... special instructions regarding your son's case. You and your family are to have unrestricted access to Sean's room. We'll be moving him to a private wing shortly for more... specialized care."

  I narrowed my eyes, studying the doctor's face. I triggered [Analyze] and I felt it go through without any resistance.

  "We'd like to see him now," I said firmly. The doctor was no threat to me, but to my family, that was an entirely different story. I couldn't see his general Skills, but I didn't feel like there was anything there that would have made him more of a threat than he already was.

  The doctor nodded, stepping aside. "Of course. Please, go right in."

  Through the open door, I could see that the harsh fluorescent lights cast a sickly pallor over everything. Sean lay motionless on the bed, surrounded by beeping machines and IV drips. His skin was pale, almost translucent, and dark circles shadowed his eyes. He looked small and vulnerable, nothing like the vibrant, if troubled, young man I knew.

  Dad and Vicky entered the room in a rush to get to Sean. Dad moved to Sean's bedside, gently taking his hand. Vicky stood at the foot of the bed, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. I hung back, my gaze fixed on the doctor who now looked rather more like a deer caught in the headlights than a doctor in charge of the ward. "No one else handles his care," I said in a low voice pitched to make sure my dad and Vicky wouldn't hear. "You and whatever staff you trust implicitly, no one else." The doctor nodded. He seemed to understand what was left unsaid. That if something happened to Sean under his watch, I'd come looking for him first, and Hell itself would follow.

  I ducked into the room with my family, leaving the doctor standing in the hall.

  My little brother looked small and fragile in the hospital bed, tubes and wires connecting him to various machines. His skin was pale, almost translucent under the fluorescent lights. I approached the bed slowly, my enhanced senses picking up details the others couldn't see.

  There was something off about Sean's aura. It flickered and pulsed erratically, like a faulty light. There was something else. Something wrong. Something toxic, whatever it was, was killing him slowly, leaking into his spirit. I clenched my jaw, anger and determination surging through me. Whatever this was, it wasn't a normal overdose. The toxic energy I sensed was magical in nature, and it was slowly poisoning Sean's very essence.

  "Dad," I said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Vicky. I need a moment alone with Sean."

  They both looked at me, confusion and concern etched on their faces.

  "Aiden, what-" Dad began, but I cut him off gently.

  "Please. Trust me. I might be able to help him, but I need privacy."

  Something in my tone must have convinced them. Dad nodded slowly, squeezing Sean's hand one last time before stepping back. Vicky hesitated for a moment longer, her eyes searching mine, before she too moved towards the door.

  "We'll be right outside," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

  As soon as the door closed behind them, I turned my full attention to Sean. I placed my hand on his forehead, closing my eyes and focusing my senses. The toxic energy pulsed beneath my palm, malevolent and undirected; it was wreaking havoc on Sean's body, and his body had no way to deal with it. I reached into my [Inventory] and pulled out something I'd been saving for just such an occasion.

  I’d picked this up back at the beginning of my journey through the Soul-Sheer, way back when I’d faced the [Root-Nexus], and I’d held onto it since then.

  I uncorked the vial, the sharp scent of herbs and magic filling the air. Gently removing the breathing mask that covered his face before lifting Sean's head. I carefully poured the potion into his mouth, making sure he swallowed every drop. As the last of the liquid disappeared down his throat, I felt a surge of energy pulse through his body. For a moment, nothing seemed to happen. Then, suddenly, Sean's body convulsed. His back arched off the bed, his muscles tensing as if in pain. The machines around him began to beep frantically, their alarms blaring in the small room. I placed my hands on his shoulders, holding him steady as the potion worked its magic.

  "Come on, little brother," I muttered, my eyes fixed on his face. "Fight it."

  As quickly as it had started, the convulsions stopped. Sean's body went limp, sinking back into the mattress. For a terrifying moment, I thought I had made a terrible mistake. Then, I saw it - a black, oily substance beginning to seep from his pores. It gathered on his skin, forming small, viscous droplets that seemed to pulse with malevolent energy. I quickly grabbed a nearby towel, carefully wiping away the toxic substance. As I cleaned Sean's skin, I could feel the malevolent energy dissipating. His aura began to stabilize, and the erratic flickering slowly evened out. Suddenly, Sean's eyes flew open. He gasped, sucking in a deep breath as if he'd been underwater. His gaze darted around wildly before finally focusing on me.

  "Aiden?" he croaked, his voice weak and raspy. "What... what happened?"

  Relief flooded through me, but I kept my voice calm. "Hey, little brother. You're in the hospital. You had a bad reaction to something. How are you feeling?"

  As Sean became more alert, confusion clouded his features. "I don't... I don't remember how I got here. There was a party, I think? But after that..." He trailed off, frustration evident in his voice.

  The door burst open. Dad and Vicky rushed in, followed closely by Dr. Reeves.

  "What happened? We heard the alarms—" Dad's voice trailed off as he took in the scene.

  Dr. Reeves pushed past them, moving quickly to check Sean's vitals. His eyes widened as he looked at the monitors. "This is... remarkable," he muttered, more to himself than to us. "His vitals are stabilizing. Whatever was affecting his system seems to be... stabilizing."

  "Sean?" Vicky's voice was barely above a whisper

  "I'm okay," Sean croaked, his voice still weak but clearer than before. He tried to sit up, but I gently pressed him back down.

  "Easy there, little brother. You've been through a lot."

  Dad moved to Sean's side, relief etched across his face. "Son, you had us worried sick. What happened?"

  Sean's brow furrowed as he tried to recall. "I... I'm not sure. There was a party. Some guys we knew from school were there." He said, making eye contact with me. I was already mentally running through the list of scumbags we'd known while we were in school. "They offered me something... said it would help me relax. They got annoyed when I turned them down." Sean's brow furrowed as he seemingly struggled to remember the series of events that had landed him in the hospital. "I remember drinking, and everything was normal up until it wasn't. I've never had anything hit me that hard that fast… I remember thinking someone must have spiked the bottles."

  I felt a surge of anger, but kept my voice calm. "Do you remember who gave it to you?"

  Sean shook his head, wincing slightly. "It's all fuzzy… but, Aiden, Bradley Sturm was there." For a moment, I saw red, and my fist clenched on one of the bedside rails; the metal creaked under my grip. We knew that Sean and I both knew Bradley Sturm from our school days. He was a scumbag, a drug dealer who preyed on anyone he could get his claws into.

  Dr. Reeves cleared his throat, drawing our attention. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need to run some tests now that Sean's awake. It's crucial we monitor his condition closely."

  I nodded, stepping back to allow the doctor access. Noting with a wince the crushed steel bed rail where my hand had been. As he began checking Sean's vitals, I pulled Dad and Vicky aside.

  "Listen," I said in a low voice, "I need to step out for a bit. There's something I have to take care of."

  Dad's brow furrowed. "Aiden, what are you talking about? Your brother just woke up—"

  "I know," I cut him off, my voice firm but gentle. "And he's going to be okay. But I need to make sure this doesn't happen again. To Sean or anyone else."

  Vicky's eyes narrowed, a look of understanding crossing her face. "This is about Bradley Sturm, isn't it?"

  I nodded, impressed by her perceptiveness. "Among other things. I promise I'll explain everything later, but right now, I need you both to trust me and stay here with Sean."

  Dad looked like he wanted to argue, but something in my expression must have stopped him. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, son. But be careful. And come back as soon as you can."

  I nodded, giving them both a reassuring smile before turning to leave. As I reached the door, I heard Sean's weak voice call out.

  "Aiden?"

  I paused, looking back at my little brother. His eyes were clearer now, filled with a mix of gratitude and concern.

  "Thanks," he said softly. "And... be careful."

  I gave him a small nod, my jaw set with grim resolve. "Always am, little brother. Get some rest. I'll be back soon."