11. Arcady: The Stranger

Summary

• Mystically connected to a stranger Arcady had just tried to kill, Arcady drags their unconscious self home instead of ending their life altogether.
• Despite the pain, Arcady binds the stranger with magic, assesses their appearance, and wakes them.
• The stranger reveals a bruise on their body that matches Arcady's own and claims Arcady stole them from home, insisting it was not their choice to be in Arcady's presence.
• Arcady cuts their own arm, which results in the stranger's arm receiving a matching wound, proving their lives are connected and suggesting mind magic was used.
• Arcady insists they have not experienced a change in their power since the night of the magical connection, despite the stranger probing. Defensively, Arcady demands the stranger break the bond between them.
• Refusing to release them, Arcady offers the stranger a truce and future release in exchange for not harming them. They decline, insisting they could escape if they wished.
• Leaving the stranger bound in the shop overnight, Arcady struggles to sleep, contemplating their strange predicament and worrying for their safety.