The ledger’s entries are meticulous. Dates, names, transactions—the mundane business of a city that believed itself at peace.

Until you reach the entries from fifty years ago.

Year 247 of the Gem’s Light. Fifth month. Warehouse district incident.

Twelve workers reported missing. Investigation ordered. Head Archivist Corin tasked with compiling witness statements.

You turn the page.

Witnesses describe “a man in armor, tall, dark hair, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.” Man identified himself as Varek Thornwood, claiming to be a descendant of the Shieldborn line. Said he was researching family history.

Witnesses later retracted statements. All twelve reported “memory issues” during follow-up interviews. Three denied ever making statements at all.

You turn another page.

Year 247. Sixth month. Warehouse sealed by order of Councilman Aldric Varent. Reason given: “structural instability.” Councilman Varent later resigned from council, citing health concerns. Current whereabouts unknown.

Head Archivist Corin dismissed. Replacement hired. No record of new archivist’s appointment process.

Your ally reads over your shoulder, breath catching.

“They covered it up,” you say.

“They didn’t just cover it up. They replaced everyone who knew.” Your ally points to a final entry, written in a different hand—hasty, almost frantic.

Something is wrong. The new archivist asks questions about the gem-born. About the ceremony. About children who have “unusual dreams.” I’ve hidden this ledger where he won’t find it. If you’re reading this, please—

The entry ends mid-sentence.

No signature. No date.

But at the bottom of the page, someone has drawn a symbol. Simple. Ancient.

An eye, surrounded by thorns.

“The sign of the Watchers,” your ally breathes. “I’ve seen it in the oldest texts. A secret order that opposed the Shieldborn after the founding. They were supposed to have died out centuries ago.”

“Maybe they didn’t die,” you say. “Maybe they hid.”

You close the ledger.

The proof is undeniable now. Varek the Shieldborn—the Hollow King—has been manipulating Eldermoor from the shadows for three hundred years. Killing anyone who gets close to the truth. Replacing them with his own agents.

And now, because of your visions, because of your connection to the gem, you’re on his list.