The night in Luminaea was alive with muted chaos. Narrow alleys whispered with the shuffle of hurried footsteps, and the glow of lanterns illuminated fragments of conversations in the streets. Yet amidst the vibrant life of the city, Lin Xuan and his companions moved like phantoms, their presence unnoticed by the reveling crowd.
They had left the Valen estate mere hours ago, but the weight of their next move loomed over them. The fragment's possible location in the heavily guarded vault of the eastern district turned their task into a gamble, one misstep away from catastrophe.
---
In a dimly lit inn, the group gathered in a private room. The air was thick with tension as Lin Xuan unrolled the map he had acquired from the estate.
"Here," he said, pointing to a red-marked chamber on the blueprint. "The vault is in this underground annex, accessible only through a guarded staircase in the eastern courtyard. We'll need a way past the guards and the mechanism securing the entrance."
Yu Mei studied the map, her brows furrowed in thought. "The mechanism could be anything—runes, physical locks, or even a hidden formation. We need more information before we risk infiltration."
Xu Yan leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "If we split up, we can gather intel faster. I can shadow the guards and learn their patrol routines. Mei, you're good at prying loose details. See what you can dig up about the vault's defenses."
Lin Xuan nodded, his tone calm but commanding. "I'll explore the outer perimeter. There may be structural weaknesses we can exploit. We meet back here at dawn. Be careful—House Valen isn't to be underestimated."
---
The group dispersed, each blending into the bustling night.
Yu Mei's steps led her to a lively tavern near the eastern district, where the Valen guards were known to frequent. Inside, laughter and raucous voices filled the air. She approached the bar, her demeanor casual, and struck up a conversation with a young soldier nursing his drink.
"Rough night?" she asked, her tone light and teasing.
The man chuckled, shaking his head. "You could say that. I swear, Lady Valen works us to the bone."
Yu Mei tilted her head, feigning sympathy. "A noble's work is never done, I suppose. What's she got you guarding? Must be important to need this much security."
The soldier hesitated, glancing around before lowering his voice. "Important doesn't even begin to cover it. The eastern vault's got treasures most people wouldn't believe. And the precautions? Let's just say if you don't have the pass runes, you're not getting in."
Yu Mei masked her triumph with a playful smile. "Sounds like a headache. Here, let me buy you another drink for your troubles."
---
Xu Yan, meanwhile, navigated the shadows near the eastern courtyard. His sharp eyes tracked the guards' movements, noting their patterns and rotations. He slipped closer, his light steps leaving no trace as he observed their checkpoints and weaponry.
At one point, he overheard a pair of guards conversing.
"You hear about the Shadow Veil's latest contract?" one asked.
The other nodded grimly. "Yeah, the target's some outsider group. Whoever they are, they've pissed off the wrong people. The Veil doesn't leave survivors."
Xu Yan's lips pressed into a thin line. The Shadow Veil assassins were already on their trail. They had to move faster than anticipated.
---
Lin Xuan prowled the perimeter of the eastern district, his senses finely attuned. He traced the walls of the courtyard, his fingers brushing against the stone as he searched for irregularities.
After an hour of meticulous inspection, he found what he was looking for: a faint energy pulse emanating from a section of the wall. A hidden array.
"So this is how they keep intruders out," he muttered.
He knelt, studying the intricate patterns etched into the stone. It was a sophisticated formation, designed to detect and repel unauthorized entry. Deactivating it would require not only precision but also an understanding of the array's energy flow.
Satisfied with his discovery, he retreated into the shadows.
---
By dawn, the group reconvened at the inn. Lin Xuan, Yu Mei, and Xu Yan shared their findings, piecing together the puzzle of the vault's defenses.
"The pass runes are likely tied to the array I found," Lin Xuan said. "We'll need to either obtain a rune or find a way to disrupt the formation."
Yu Mei frowned. "The guards carrying those runes won't give them up easily. And if we're caught, it's over."
Xu Yan nodded. "We could create a diversion, draw the guards away from the courtyard. That would give Xuan the time he needs to disable the array."
Lin Xuan considered the plan, his mind racing through the variables. "It's risky, but it's our best shot. Mei, you'll handle the diversion. Yan, stay in the shadows and keep watch. If anything goes wrong, signal me immediately."
Yu Mei smirked. "Trust me, I'll give them a show they won't forget."
---
That night, the operation began. Yu Mei strolled into the eastern district disguised as a distressed traveler. She feigned panic, running into a group of guards with a convincing tale of thieves attacking her caravan.
The guards, suspicious but unwilling to ignore a noblewoman's plea, reluctantly followed her toward the outskirts of the district.
Meanwhile, Xu Yan shadowed their movements, ensuring no additional patrols doubled back.
Lin Xuan approached the courtyard, his heart steady and his focus razor-sharp. He knelt before the wall, his hands hovering over the array. He could feel the energy flowing through the formation, intricate and layered.
Drawing upon his knowledge of formations, he began to manipulate the energy threads, carefully unraveling them. It was a delicate process; one wrong move could trigger an alarm.
---
Minutes stretched into an eternity, but finally, the array's energy dimmed. The wall before him shimmered and parted, revealing a narrow staircase descending into darkness.
Lin Xuan glanced over his shoulder. There was no turning back now.
He stepped into the passage, the air growing colder with each step. The faint glow of torchlight illuminated the path ahead, and the sound of his footsteps echoed ominously.
At the bottom of the stairs lay a massive iron door, engraved with runes that pulsed with faint light.
"The vault," he whispered, determination hardening his gaze.
Beyond this door lay the fragment—and whatever dangers guarded it.