Chapter 14: Shopping
The lower district of Noctis Ardentis was exactly what I expected—loud, bustling, and filled with the scent of too many different things at once. Merchants called out from their stalls, peddling everything from enchanted trinkets to questionable potions. The air buzzed with activity, people haggling, arguing, and occasionally running from guards.
Mira led the way, weaving through the crowd with ease. "Try not to look like you're about to rob someone," she muttered. "People here don't like outsiders."
I raised a brow. "What do I look like, then?"
"Like someone who gets robbed."
"Charming."
Eventually, we reached a small shop tucked between two larger buildings. A worn wooden sign above the door read: Grim & Grains – Alchemy & Oddities. The windows were covered in grime, and the faint scent of something burnt wafted from inside.
I pushed the door open, the bell above it giving a tired jingle.
Inside, shelves lined the walls, filled with jars of strange ingredients. Dried herbs, crushed minerals, preserved eyes—because of course there were preserved eyes. The shop was dimly lit, casting odd shadows across the various alchemical supplies.
A man stood behind the counter, an older gentleman with sharp eyes and a permanent scowl. His gaze flickered to me, then to Mira.
"You again," he grunted.
Mira crossed her arms. "Relax, old man. I'm not here for trouble. He's the one buying."