The moon hung high over the city of Ironholt, casting its silver light over the worn cobblestones and narrow alleyways. The city was a blend of wealth and ruin, its walls scarred from centuries of battles and its heart still thumping with the rhythm of trade and conflict. It was a city of both opportunity and danger.
Feiyue Sitori stood at the edge of the marketplace, her eyes scanning the crowd as her thoughts drifted to the mission at hand. They had come to Ironholt for a purpose—to find the next shard of the Shards of Providence. The ancient relics, shattered and scattered across the lands, were the key to unlocking the truth behind her family's destruction. But the journey was never simple, and this city, with its sharp tongues and sharper blades, would offer them no peace.
"We're getting closer," Yunzheng Chu said, his voice breaking Feiyue's concentration. He leaned against a nearby stall, a grin on his face, though his eyes were alert, scanning the crowd in his usual, care-free way. His hand rested casually on the hilt of his sword, but the air around him seemed charged, the calm before the storm.
Feiyue nodded. "The Celestial Codex's fragments are always in the hands of those who would use them for their own gain. We need to be cautious."
Yunzheng chuckled, the sound light and easy. "You mean I should stop picking pockets?" He gave a wink and walked over to Feiyue's side. "I think you might be underestimating my skills."
"I'm not worried about your picking skills," she replied dryly. "But if we don't stay focused, someone will pick our lives away."
The conversation was a distraction, a momentary lapse in the tension that had been building ever since they arrived in Ironholt. Their mission was to locate a key contact—Tie Shan, a merchant with a reputation for obtaining rare and dangerous artifacts. He was rumored to possess one of the shards. But Tie Shanwas no ordinary merchant. He had once been a powerful warlord, his iron-forged empire built on both trade and blood. To approach him, Feiyue and Yunzheng would have to navigate a web of lies, deals, and betrayal.
They made their way through the market, moving swiftly to avoid unwanted attention. Feiyue's eyes flickered toward the high towers of the city, the spires jutting like daggers into the sky. Somewhere in the shadows of those towers, Tyron's iron-clad stronghold awaited them.
"It feels like we're walking into the lion's den," Yunzheng remarked, his tone lighter than it should have been.
Feiyue didn't answer immediately. Instead, her gaze shifted, noticing a figure in the distance—a woman with strikingly pale skin and dark, intense eyes. She wore the clothes of a highborn, but her movements were too fluid, too predatory. Feiyue recognized her instantly.
Liu Yan.
The woman's eyes locked onto Feiyue's, a brief flicker of recognition crossing her face. Then, just as quickly, the gaze turned cold.
Feiyue's heart clenched. What is she doing here?
"Yunzheng," Feiyue murmured, "Stay alert. She's not alone."
Yunzheng's eyes followed her gaze, his hand tightening on the hilt of his sword. "Liu Yan… That's the one from the vision, isn't it?"
Feiyue nodded, her jaw set. So, she has followed us this far. The truth of the past and the present were intertwining in ways she couldn't yet fully understand. Liu Yan was too dangerous, too cunning to be underestimated. But there was more to her presence than just a simple chase. There were still pieces of the puzzle she wasn't seeing.
Before they could act, Liu Yan turned, disappearing into the crowd. Feiyue hesitated for a moment, but then turned to Yunzheng. "Let's go. We need to meet Tie Shan before she leads us into another trap."
They made their way through the winding streets, and the closer they got to Ironhall's stronghold, the more the tension in the air seemed to grow. Ironholt was a city of secrets, and it was clear that someone was watching them.
As they entered the towering gates of Ironhall's estate, they were greeted by a hulking figure, clad in dark armor, his eyes sharp and calculating. This was Kaelen, Tyron's most trusted enforcer.
"You've come for the shard," Kaelen said, his voice gruff, but not unfriendly. "Tie Shanis expecting you."
Feiyue and Yunzheng exchanged a brief glance. No pleasantries, no niceties—just business.
"Where is he?" Yunzheng asked.
Kaelen nodded and stepped aside, leading them into the heart of the stronghold. The walls were lined with trophies—swords, shields, and various weapons, each one a testament to Ironhall's brutal rise to power.
Tie Shan himself was sitting at a grand table in the center of a vast hall. His face was hard, weathered by time and years of warfare. His broad shoulders were draped in the cloak of a merchant, but there was no mistaking the steel beneath the fabric.
"Feiyue Sitori and Yunzheng Chu," Tie Shansaid, his voice deep and commanding. "I've heard much about you both. I trust you're here for something more than idle conversation."
Feiyue stepped forward, her gaze unwavering. "We're here for the shard. The second fragment of the Celestial Codex. We know you have it."
Tie Shansmiled, though there was little warmth in it. "I've heard whispers of such a thing. But you must understand, my dear, that these artifacts come at a cost. Everything has a price."
Yunzheng leaned forward, his grin returning. "We've got plenty of prices—some in gold, others in blood. We can negotiate."
Tyron's eyes glinted with interest. "Let's see if you have the means to back up such bold claims."