The tension at the gate was palpable, and Emmett could feel the weight of the guards' stares as they scrutinized every movement. The towering stone walls of Mist City loomed overhead, casting long shadows across the small group. The guards were fully armored, their helmets reflecting the late afternoon light, but their eyes remained sharp and unforgiving.
"State your business," the lead guard barked again, his voice laced with suspicion as he stood in front of Mirabelle.
Mirabelle stepped forward with the poise and confidence she always wore in dangerous situations, her eyes steady as she met the guard's gaze. "We are loose cultivators," she said clearly, "not bound to any sect, city, family, or guild. We're here to find work and resupply after a long journey through the forest."
The guard raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. His gaze flicked over the rest of the group—Emmett, Valerie, Reina, and Kyle—taking in their travel-worn appearances. "Loose cultivators, huh?" His voice dripped with skepticism. "You expect me to believe that?"
Mirabelle held her ground, her tone unwavering. "We have no ties to any local powers. If we were looking for trouble, we wouldn't have walked up to the front gate."
For a moment, the guard said nothing, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. Then, with a slow nod, he motioned to one of the other guards behind him. "Bring it."
At the guard's command, a younger soldier hurried over, carrying a silver bowl filled with a strange, shimmering liquid. The substance inside moved as if alive, swirling gently, casting an odd glow in the fading daylight.
"You know the procedure," the lead guard said coldly. "Each of you will drop a single drop of blood into the bowl. It will tell us whether you're truly human or one of the monsters trying to infiltrate the city under a human guise. It can also detect whether you're affiliated with any sect."
Emmett glanced at Mirabelle with a slight frown. They hadn't expected this level of security at the gate. "How exactly does this thing work?" Valerie asked, suspicion lacing her voice as she eyed the bowl.
The guard shot her a stern look. "That's none of your business. Just do as you're told."
Mirabelle gave Valerie a look, silently telling her to let it go, and turned back to the guards. "Fine. We'll comply."
The first to step forward was Kyle. Without hesitation, he pulled a small dagger from his belt and pricked his finger, letting a single drop of blood fall into the bowl. The liquid hissed and shimmered for a moment before returning to its smooth, swirling state.
The guard nodded approvingly. "Human."
One by one, the rest of them followed suit. Reina was next, followed by Valerie, each of them dropping a single drop of blood into the bowl. Emmett, watching carefully, stepped up last. As his blood hit the liquid, the same reaction occurred—a brief shimmer, a soft hiss, and then stillness.
"Human," the guard confirmed, though his suspicion didn't wane entirely. "You all pass."
Mirabelle gave a curt nod. "And the entry fee?" she asked, though they all knew it was coming.
The guard gestured to another soldier standing by the gate. "Ten silver pieces each."
With a sigh, the group handed over their coins, one by one. Emmett's stomach twisted slightly as he watched his own hard-earned silver disappear into the guard's hands. Every coin spent felt like a punch to the gut, but they had no choice.
Once the payment was complete, the gates creaked open just enough for the five of them to pass through. As they stepped into Mist City, the heavy clang of the gate shutting behind them echoed in the air, a final reminder that they were now on dangerous ground.
Mist City bustled with activity despite the heightened security. Market stalls lined the streets, and people moved about with hurried purpose. But there was a tension in the air, a wariness that clung to the citizens. The presence of extra guards was noticeable everywhere—standing at the corners of streets, patrolling the main roads, even watching from the rooftops.
Mirabelle turned to the group as they moved deeper into the city. "We'll split up here. Our priority is to find a way to get the rest of the group inside without alerting the guards. Stay out of trouble, gather information, and meet back at the designated point by nightfall."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Emmett glanced around, taking in the narrow alleyways and shady figures lurking in the distance. This city had its secrets, and he had a feeling he knew where to start digging.
"I'll check out some of the more... questionable spots," Emmett said with a grin. "If anyone's going to know a way in, it'll be the people who keep to the shadows."
Valerie raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Just don't get yourself killed, Em."
"Don't worry. I've got a reputation to uphold," Emmett shot back playfully.
They split off, with Mirabelle heading in one direction while Emmett turned down a dark, narrow alley leading toward the seedier part of town. The cobblestone streets grew rougher as he moved deeper into the underbelly of Mist City, the well-maintained facades giving way to cracked walls and faded signs. Soon enough, he found what he was looking for—a run-down bar, barely noticeable amidst the shabby buildings that surrounded it.
The inside was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of stale ale and smoke. A few patrons sat scattered across the room, hunched over their drinks, while the bartender, a grizzled older man, wiped down the counter with a rag that looked dirtier than the surface itself.
Emmett moved to the bar and sat down, catching the eye of the server—a young woman with dark hair tied back loosely, wearing a worn apron. She gave him a once-over, her eyes lingering just a second longer than usual. Emmett gave her his best charming smile.
"Something strong," he said, placing a few silver coins on the counter. "And maybe some information."
The server raised an eyebrow, but she didn't say anything as she poured him a drink. She set the mug down in front of him, leaning in slightly. "Information's a lot more expensive than the drink, sweetheart."
Emmett took a sip of his drink, keeping his voice low. "I'm looking for a way into the city without any of the guards noticing. You know anyone who might be able to help?"
The server straightened, her expression unreadable. "Depends on how much you're willing to pay, and what you can offer me, up there." The server pointed towards a stairway leading up to the second floor.
Leaning in, Emmett whispered in her ears, "What is up there?"
"Up there?" With a charming smile she said, "After my shift ends, you'll find yourself and me naked"
"Can I refuse?"
"Of course you can my darling," She said with a laugh leaning backwards. "But then you'll get no information here"
Emmett asked through gritted teeth, "How much extra?"
"Another forty silvers"
"Of course," Emmett said, sliding a small pouch of silver coins across the counter. "Let's say I don't want to be caught by the Hill family."
She glanced at the pouch, then at Emmett, before nodding toward a table in the far corner of the room. "Talk to him. He knows all the ins and outs."
Emmett followed her gaze to a man sitting alone at the table, his face hidden in the shadows of his hood. He approached slowly, feeling the weight of the man's gaze on him as he neared.
"You looking for a way in?" the man asked, his voice raspy, his eyes glinting in the dim light.
Emmett nodded. "You got something?"
The man leaned forward, his face still mostly obscured. "There's a place near the outskirts, a house by the eastern wall. No one pays attention to it. You can get in through there, but it'll cost you."
"How much?"
"Hundred silver."
This time Emmett didn't flinch. He pulled out another pouch and handed it over. "You better not be wasting my time."
The man pocketed the silver with a smirk. "I'm not. The address is 35 East Hollow Road. Knock three times, and tell them your name."
Emmett gave a curt nod, noting the address. With that, he turned and left the bar, his mind racing as he headed for the outskirts of the city.
When he arrived at the house, it looked as unassuming as the man had promised—small, run-down, and tucked away near the wall. Just as he raised his hand to knock, the door creaked open.
"Nice of you to finally show up, slowpoke," came Mirabelle's voice from inside, a teasing lilt to her tone. She stepped out, followed by an old man who looked far too frail to be involved in any shady dealings.
Emmett blinked in surprise. "Mir, you beat me to it? You're as good as always."
Mirabelle smirked, her eyes flashing mischievously. "And you're as slow as always, Em."
Emmett crossed his arms, his grin widening. "Slow is good sometimes you know."
Mirabelle shot him a sly look. "That's not what Valerie says. According to her, you're quick in all the wrong places, especially in bed."
Emmett's face flushed as he stammered a response. "I—hey, that's not—"
Mirabelle laughed, clearly enjoying his discomfort, as she waved him along. "Come on, slowpoke. Let's head to the meeting point. We've got a lot to do tonight."
As they walked toward the rendezvous, the banter between them eased the tension of the mission ahead. But beneath the surface, both knew that the real challenge was just beginning. They had made it inside the city, but getting the rest of the group in—and surviving what lay ahead—was far from guaranteed.