The Silent Guardian — Chapter 26, Part 3: The Merchant’s Warning

This installment is part of The Silent Guardian Series.

It is a distorted mirror of the mark I carry. For a second, I see myself in him—another pawn who tore free from the lie. A weapon that refused to be wielded. The merchant and I are different men. Yet, the Phylax shaped who we are. He chose to break his chains as I did. “Now I disguise myself in this life,” he says, “waiting for you. Because when I saw you inside an anomaly, I sensed your potential. I set this in motion, knowing you would find the path with Clara’s help. That is why I helped Clara find you. It is a fate you must fulfill.” Clara steps closer. “How did you know Adam would come through here?” The merchant shifts to Clara, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “The anomalies reveal unknown truths,” he says. “I didn’t know how to escape the Phylax until I stepped into one. That insight brought me here, to all three of you. Your roles are as vital as Adam’s.

“I knew Adam would pass through here after his mission in China, that he wouldn’t be able to resist General Cassianus’ talisman. I knew he’d return with both of you. I’ve seen him stand against the world’s desolation after 2051, defying it with the potential to challenge the Phylax’s control over time. “Ah-ha, every choice we make echoes through history,” he continues. “I knew Adam would find a path that could fracture the Phylax’s iron grip. He might offer freedom from the suffering I helped create.” “Then tell us,” Clara demands, “how we destroy the time lock and end the Phylax’s control.” The merchant’s smirk fades. “I know two things. First, you’ll need an anchor. I’d give you mine, but it’s long gone. Perhaps Adam has his.” My thoughts jump to Clara burying the anchor in Merv’s past. Retrieving it should be easy. The merchant continues, “Beyond that, only the Archon knows how to disable the lock. He keeps that knowledge to himself. Even Philip, his right hand, doesn’t know.” Philip now serves as the Archon’s vizier. The realization ignites a surge of disgust. His role is infuriating; of course, Philip stands close to the heart of the Phylax’s tyranny. Clara snaps, “How do we find the Archon?” her voice is tempered steel. The merchant hesitates, scanning the market’s periphery as though wary of unwanted listeners. When he speaks, his voice is little more than a murmur. “The Archon is adept at concealing himself in time. He wields an artifact that erases any trace of his presence when he travels. Once he leaves, it’s as if he were never there. It has one limitation—it doesn’t protect him when he remains in his own era.” Clara leans in closer. “The chance to find him is during his quarterly ritual,” the merchant continues. “It must be completed in his natural timeline, in his era. His next ritual is on September 6, 2025. He will visit a sacred temple in the desert beyond Merv that day. He travels with a small escort who remains stationed outside during the ritual. Inside the temple, he will be alone. There’s a side passage that could allow you to enter unnoticed. “It comes with great risk,” the merchant warns. “The Archon is prepared for every contingency. He is a master of manipulation. Facing him will be dangerous.”

“We have to try,” Clara says. “If we can get information from him, maybe we can shatter the lock.” Determination radiates from her. The merchant says, “Let me come with you. I have my own score to settle. I know that temple, including some of its secret passages. I can stop the Archon from escaping through time, at least briefly. Your talisman, if used correctly, can help. I know how.” The merchant’s offer is too casual. Has he been waiting for this opportunity all along? His words carry enough conviction to make me wonder if he genuinely wants to help us or has another agenda. His hand brushes the edge of his scarred arm, a fleeting, unconscious gesture that catches me. The bitterness in his voice when he speaks of the Archon feels genuine. However, bitterness toward the Archon doesn’t mean loyalty to us. Clara watches him with guarded curiosity, while Xia seems warmer to the man. I don’t trust him, but he knows things we don’t. His knowledge outweighs my doubts. I signal Clara and Xia to step back so we can speak privately. Huddled together, Clara disagrees. “Bring him along? We’ve met him before. I’ve always thought he was shady,” she whispers. “I don’t trust him. What if it’s a trap?” Xia says, “I don’t know. He did help us find Adam and gave us information about the Sigma Event. He was on the Council. He could probably help us.” I take my time writing. I agree with Xia. He has good reason to turn against them. When I saw him in the anomaly, he looked haunted, not loyal. He gave me the talisman. He told us about the Archon and the anchor. Besides, I can’t use the talisman against the Archon without him. The Archon could easily slip away. Clara sighs, “If you’re sure.” Even with Xia’s injuries, she’s ready for a fight. She takes Clara’s hand. “No, none of us are sure. But if he tries something, I’ll kill him myself,” she smiles. The merchant raises an eyebrow as I reluctantly nod. Apparently, he is coming with us. “Great,” he says, “let’s get going.” He steps away from the stall without even glancing back. I would ask why he doesn’t pack up first, but I doubt his answer would make much sense. Before leaving, Xia tries to adjust the strap on her bag. Her injured arm falters halfway. She curses under her breath, irritation flashing across her face before she lets Clara help. “I’ll take us there,” Xia says, demonstrating her strength. She grips Clara’s arm, then mine. I place a hand on the merchant’s shoulder, feeling him tense. The air warps. A surge of light pulls us through time again, depositing us back into 2025. While the ancient city of Sachu is busy, it doesn’t compare to the assault of modern Dunhuang. Car horns blare, people shout in Mandarin, and the buzz of passing motorbikes makes the old market nothing more than a whisper. I blink against the neon glow of shop signs, their lights gleaming off the polished lenses of tourist cameras. Laughter and idle chatter drift through the air, a surreal contrast to the severity of our mission. Dunhuang is no sanctuary. It is a fleeting pause before the storm. Soon, we’ll leave this fragile pocket of peace. The journey will take us across the sands near Merv to recover the anchor. Beyond that lies the Archon—the inevitable confrontation that will decide more than our fate. It will determine the future of billions of people. And time itself.

Previous: previous installment. Continue with Chapter 27, Part 1.

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