Sophia Jarison from Windheim. Book 1. Lada Yasnaya

seemed too old even for this shop. The leather binding was covered with mysterious symbols and the pages whispered as if they had a life of their own. The old man asked nothing in return, only said: «The answer will come to you in time.»

      And as Sophia left the shop, she turned to find that the shop was gone, and with it its mysterious owner.

      The folio had been a part of her life ever since, but it wasn’t until recently that Sophia realized the book was connected to the mysterious code 2654 she’d discovered inside.

      Leaning over its pages, she ran her fingers over the lines as if trying to extract answers from them.

      2654. The four digits were written out in gold ink. Sophia thought about the old man’s words. «The answer will find you when the time is right.» Perhaps the code was the very key that was supposed to lead her to something special and meaningful.

      Her first guess was that 2654 was an ancient access code. Perhaps the folio itself was a sealed artifact requiring a key to open hidden sections. She remembered how once in the Tower Labyrinth she had had to use a numerical code to open an ancient door.

      – Maybe the book itself is the door,» she murmured, running her finger along the golden border around the code.

      She imagined entering those numbers, whispering them like an incantation. But neither whispering nor touching the symbols changed anything. The folio remained silent, as if mocking her attempts.

      Then Sophia moved on to her next thought. «What if it’s a cipher?» She had always been fascinated by the idea of encrypted messages that could only be unraveled by those with the ability to see more than just text. She began parsing the numbers one by one.

      – Two, six, five, four… – she said aloud, almost in a chant.

      «Could they be symbols? How do we use them? “ She recalled the teachings on the meaning of numbers. The number 2 symbolized duality: light and darkness, choice. The number 6 symbolizes harmony and balance. The number 5 has always been associated with freedom, and the number 4 with stability and foundation.

      She continued to make theories about the number 2654. «Maybe it’s a time stamp,» she pondered. – Or is it an access code after all? Or maybe a coded message connected to an ancient order of magicians?»

      And suddenly Sofia remembered: the old man’s words, the disappearing store, the magical flickering of the book – all of this was not accidental. Maybe this ordeal had been set in motion long before she’d opened the first page.

      The folio, the store, and the mysterious numbers now merged into a single pattern. Sophia knew now: the answers were hidden inside the book. But behind every answer lurked a new question, and behind it a new challenge.

      In the folio, she found mention of a mysterious order of mages, the Guardians of the Flows. They were known for their belief that every reality is bound and held together by numerical sequences, with codes such as 2654 acting as anchors connecting dimensions. «The code 2654 … the center point of all dimensions,» the words popped into her mind like part of a long-forgotten song:

      In the pages of a folio, in the depths of the ages,

      I found whispers of numbers, mysterious words.

      «Two, six, five, four» – just numbers?

      But in their dance was the magic of meaning.

      They’re like stars on a night map,

      Leading me to truth on the edge of truth.

      Portals, spells, the flow of time —

      And every answer is a new turn.

      I hear the echoes of ancient times,

      «Keepers of the Streams» whispering in my sleep.

      The code is their covenant, the key to all doors,

      But will I open the world or the abyss of shadows?

      Let realities merge in a circle,

      Peace and illusion are all here friends.

      Will I step out to find myself?

      Or by opening the portal, will I find myself?

      «2654» are not just numbers,

      They’re a link in the pattern of life and meaning.

      Let them open doors to me through worlds and years,

      Where the truth awaits like a bright star.

      She recalled that according to the folio’s records, «2654» was mentioned as a fragment of the key to the Crossroads of Eternity, the place where all paths cross. But behind this power lurked danger. The Order of the Guardians had been destroyed centuries ago, and all their knowledge seemed to have faded into oblivion.

      – If this code was so important that they protected it at the cost of their lives… What do I do with this knowledge now? – Sophia asked herself quietly, feeling the weight of the realization.

      The code wasn’t an accident. It was left for something important, but was it her job to unravel the mystery? Or was she just continuing someone else’s ancient plan?

      Chapter 3: Neron. Master of Changing Fates

      A knock on the door made her flinch in surprise.

      – Come in,» she said without turning around.

      The door opened, and Neron, a top-ranked fate changer, entered the room. An aura of confidence enveloped his tall silhouette. His hair glistened slightly from the rain, and his eyes, deep and cold.

      Neron was more of an enigma to Sophia than just a coworker or mentor. He held a special place in her life, balancing the role of wise teacher and strict partner.

      A master of the ways of the fates, Neron possessed a deep knowledge and almost frightening abilities that Sophia was often unable to unravel. Their interactions were filled with subtle hints and unspoken truths.

      Sometimes his words sounded like a rebuke, sometimes like guidance, but they always left Sophia with a desire to move forward.

      Despite his coldness and lack of sentimentality, Sophia knew that Neron understood her better than she was willing to admit.

      Though he rarely showed his feelings, she knew there was more to his teachings than professional duty.

      – Can you feel it? – Neron asked, wasting no time with greetings. His eyes dug into her, giving her no chance to look away. His voice was uncluttered, as direct and sharp as ever.

      – What was it? – Sophia was alarmed. She didn’t like it when he spoke that way.

      – Magic intertwines,» he said as if it were an obvious fact. – You have interfered too much. Fates have been changed. You’re on the brink of something you can’t stop.

      Sofia clenched her fists, her heart quickening involuntarily. She felt a weight on her shoulders that hadn’t been there a few minutes ago. His words echoed in her head.

      – What are you talking about? – she tried to hide her growing fear.

      Neron raised a finger and pointed somewhere in the room in front of them, as if to indicate something invisible.

      – About