The Fool’s Ascension

Darkness.

It wrapped around Jarek like a suffocating fog, pressing in from all sides. His body felt like it was sinking, drifting between wakefulness and unconsciousness.

Pain pulsed in his ribs where Kael's dagger had struck. The poison burned in his veins, sluggish but unrelenting, like a wildfire spreading beneath his skin.

Then—a voice.

Faint, distant, yet sharp enough to slice through the haze.

"Stay with me, Jarek."

Lena?

Jarek tried to move, but his limbs felt heavy, unresponsive. His mind struggled to surface, to push past the poison's grip.

"If he dies, I'm making you suffer for it."

That was definitely Lena. And she sounded pissed.

Jarek wanted to reassure her, maybe crack a joke, but all that came out was a weak groan.

Another voice answered, cool and amused.

"Relax. I said I have an antidote."

Sylva.

Right. She had the antidote. But at what price?

Jarek's eyes finally cracked open. Blurred figures hovered above him. A dimly lit room. Rough stone walls. A wooden table nearby stacked with weapons, potions, and a few rolled-up maps.

He wasn't dead. Yet.

Lena knelt beside him, her hands clenched into fists. Concern sharpened her usually fierce expression. "You took your time waking up."

Jarek exhaled. "Would've been faster if you weren't so loud."

Lena let out a breath that was part relief, part exasperation.

Sylva leaned casually against a nearby wall, arms crossed. "He's alive. See? You can stop glaring at me now."

Lena shot her a look that could have melted stone. "If the antidote didn't work—"

Sylva sighed. "Please. I don't do sloppy work. The poison wasn't a death sentence. Just… an inconvenience."

Jarek pushed himself up with effort. His limbs still felt like lead, but at least the burning sensation had faded.

"So," he muttered, "what's the catch?"

Sylva grinned. "Knew you'd ask."

Lena stiffened. "If you think we owe you—"

"Oh, you absolutely do." Sylva strode toward them, placing a small empty vial on the table. "I just saved his life. That kind of generosity doesn't come for free."

Jarek sighed. "Of course not."

Sylva tilted her head. "You're chasing ghosts, Thorn. Trying to survive in a world that wants you dead. The question is… do you actually want to win?"

Jarek frowned. "What do you think?"

Sylva smirked. "Then you'll need my help."

Lena narrowed her eyes. "And why would we trust you?"

Sylva's expression darkened slightly. "Because Kael won't stop. He's a predator, and you're his mark. Even if you run, even if you hide—he'll find you again. And next time, you won't be so lucky."

Jarek clenched his jaw.

She was right.

Kael had backed off this time, but only because he had been caught off guard. He'd return, smarter, deadlier. And next time, he wouldn't just injure Jarek.

He'd finish the job.

Sylva crossed her arms. "You need to start thinking like a killer, Thorn. If you want to live, you need to stop playing defense and start hunting him instead."

Jarek stared at her, then exchanged a look with Lena.

It was insane. Risky. Reckless.

But it was also the only way forward.

Jarek sighed, rubbing his temples. "So what exactly are you proposing?"

Sylva's grin widened.

"A partnership."

Lena tensed. "What kind of partnership?"

Sylva shrugged. "Simple. You want revenge? I can help. You want power? I know where to find it." She leaned in slightly. "But if we do this, we do it my way."

Jarek raised an eyebrow. "And what do you get out of it?"

Sylva's gaze flickered—just for a moment.

Then she smiled again, though this time, it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Let's just say… I have my own reasons for wanting Kael dead."

Jarek studied her for a long moment. She was hiding something. But right now, that didn't matter.

What mattered was staying alive.

Lena still looked skeptical, but she didn't protest.

Jarek exhaled. "Alright, Sylva. You've got a deal."

Sylva's grin sharpened. "Good."

She turned toward the table, rolling out a map of the city. Her finger tapped a specific location.

"Because if we're going to kill Kael Varyn… we need to go here first."

Jarek leaned forward, eyes narrowing at the marked destination.

And his stomach dropped.

Because Sylva hadn't chosen a hidden base.

She had chosen a place only a fool would dare walk into.

The Shadow Syndicate's headquarters.

Jarek groaned. "Why do I feel like I'm going to regret this?"

Sylva just smirked.

And in that moment, Jarek knew—things were about to get a whole lot worse.