### **Arc 5: The Veil of Betrayal**
**Chapter 2: The Shadows of Aurin**
The night blanketed Aurin in a cloak of darkness, but the city remained alive with murmurs and movement. Lanterns illuminated the cobblestone streets, and the chatter of merchants and customers mingled with the distant sound of music from taverns. Jae-min and his group, however, weren't in the bustling market.
They were deep in the slums.
"This place reeks of desperation," Riho muttered, her nose wrinkling as she sidestepped a puddle of murky water. The slums were a stark contrast to the glimmering wealth of Aurin's heart. Dilapidated buildings leaned precariously against each other, their windows shattered or boarded up. Beggars huddled in dark corners, their hollow eyes watching silently as the group passed.
"This is where Lucian said the rogue faction operates?" Leon asked, his voice low.
"Not directly," Jae-min replied, scanning the narrow alleyway ahead. "But he mentioned attacks on caravans passing through this district. It's a start."
---
They reached a small tavern at the end of the alley, its wooden sign swinging lazily in the breeze. The building was unimpressive, with peeling paint and faint music drifting from within.
"This is the place," Yuna said, clutching the map tightly. "The Whispering Blade."
"Subtle name," Riho said dryly.
Jae-min pushed the door open, and the group stepped inside. The interior was dimly lit, with a smoky haze lingering in the air. Patrons sat at scattered tables, their faces shadowed by the flickering light of a few lanterns. Conversations hushed as they entered, eyes turning to appraise the newcomers.
"Stay alert," Jae-min murmured.
The bartender, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, watched them warily as they approached the counter.
"What'll it be?" he asked gruffly.
"Information," Jae-min said, sliding a gold coin across the counter.
The bartender's eyes flicked to the coin before narrowing. "Depends on the question."
"We're looking for the group causing trouble in this district," Jae-min said, keeping his voice even. "Caravan attacks. Thefts. Sound familiar?"
The bartender's gaze hardened. "You're better off leaving that alone."
Jae-min leaned forward. "We don't have the luxury of walking away."
For a moment, the bartender said nothing. Then he sighed, his shoulders slumping. "You'll want to speak to the old man in the corner. Name's Garrick. But don't say I didn't warn you."
---
Garrick was hunched over a table near the back, nursing a tankard of ale. His beard was unkempt, and his clothes were patched and worn. As Jae-min and his group approached, his eyes glinted with a sharpness that belied his age.
"Another group looking for answers," he rasped, taking a long drink. "What makes you think you'll fare any better?"
"Because we're not like the others," Jae-min said, pulling up a chair. The others stood behind him, their presence an unspoken warning.
Garrick chuckled dryly. "You're bold, I'll give you that."
"What do you know about the rogue faction?" Jae-min asked.
"They call themselves the Black Thorn," Garrick said, setting down his tankard. "Used to be a gang, nothing more. But lately… they've grown bolder. Smarter. Someone's backing them, giving them resources and weapons they could've only dreamed of before."
"Who's backing them?" Yerin asked.
"That's the real question, isn't it?" Garrick said, leaning back. "Some say it's a rival guild trying to undermine Lucian. Others think it's Eclipse. All I know is that they're dangerous, and they don't take kindly to outsiders poking around."
"Where can we find them?" Jae-min pressed.
Garrick hesitated, his eyes darting to the shadows of the room. "There's an abandoned warehouse near the docks. They've been spotted there a few times, but if you go, you'd best be ready for a fight."
---
The group left the tavern with a new sense of purpose but also a gnawing unease. The Black Thorn sounded like more than just a rogue faction.
As they walked through the slums, Jae-min's thoughts churned. If Eclipse was involved, this mission was more dangerous than Lucian had let on.
"We'll check out the docks tonight," Jae-min said. "But we need to be careful. If this is a trap—"
"It's always a trap," Riho interrupted, her tone sharp. "We just have to be ready."
Jae-min nodded. She was right. They didn't have the luxury of second-guessing.
The group disappeared into the shadows, their resolve steeling for whatever awaited them at the docks.
---
**End of Chapter 2**