33. Theon

Theon assembles Luka, Katya, Razik, and Eliza for a limited-return to the Ekayan catacombs using forged documents. At security, Razik’s scan nearly flags his dragon fire until Theon unleashes darkness to intimidate the Legacy guard, securing entry for five. Inside, they split up, gather texts, and work in tense silence amid Luka–Razik friction and Katya’s subdued focus.

Research centers on witches, prophecies, and gods. Theon probes Serafina’s betrayal of Achaz; Luka redirects him toward Zinta and the entity corrupting Tessa’s visions. Eliza and Razik reveal Gehenna—an imprisoned sorceress in their realm—who manipulates blood, minds, and memories and once lost a spell book to Scarlett. This leads to distinctions: Gehenna alters memories; a separate sorceress may be skewing visions. Katya retrieves an ancient tome (via a risky Travel), noting some worlds call Zinta “the Sorceress” and Taika “the Enchantress,” and powerful descendants keep spell books.

Eliza goads Luka and Razik toward stealing the tome, but Katya breaks down, outlining the lethal consequences she alone would face if caught. Theon stops the theft, prioritizing Katya’s safety. Their research window closes without the book, and they depart.

That night at the estate, Theon checks on Katya, apologizes, and defines their bond as friendship. She lends a different, valuable book for Razik to decipher. Theon then shares drinks with Razik; they compare twin flame/Source bonds to Devram’s altered Marks, consider other bond types, and examine Theon’s and Luka’s shared pull to Tessa. Razik agrees to seek lore on alternative bonds and on the vision-corrupter. They conclude they must craft precise questions for Cienna and Tristyn, aware they are already on borrowed time.