Elliot’s hands trembled as he read the letters. The guildmaster had been in contact with Malakar all along. He had been feeding him information, helping him track down the Aether Core pieces.

  Elliot’s mind raced. What did this mean? Was the guildmaster working with Malakar? Or was he being blackmailed?

  Before he could process the information, the door to the office opened, and the guildmaster stepped inside. His eyes fell on Elliot, and his expression darkened.

  “I see you’ve been busy,” the guildmaster said, his voice cold.

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  Elliot stood, his heart pounding. “What is this? Are you working with Malakar?”

  The guildmaster sighed, his shoulders slumping. “It’s not what you think, Elliot. I’ve been trying to stop him. But he’s too powerful. I had no choice.”

  Elliot shook his head, his anger rising. “You had a choice! You could have told us! We could have helped!”

  The guildmaster’s expression hardened. “You don’t understand. This is bigger than you, bigger than the guild. If Malakar gets his hands on the Aether Core, it won’t just be the guild that suffers. It will be the entire world.”

  Elliot stared at him, his mind reeling. He didn’t know what to believe anymore. But one thing was clear: the guildmaster couldn’t be trusted.