The auction began.
Noah stood among strangers, wearing a half-mask of red that covered everything but his eyes.
He looked like any other collector ...just another noble fallen from grace trying to buy himself another title with cursed gold.
The crowd was a sea of masks.
Ranging from foxes, lions, ravens, faceless porcelain.
Perfume mixed with smoke and the faint trace of blood.
The air shimmered with mana from protective barriers.
A quiet murmur rippled through the rows as attendants rolled out the first glass cases.
A bell chimed.
"Ladies and gentlemen," said a voice smooth as silk from the balcony.
The auctioneer wore a white mask shaped like a dove.
"Welcome once again to the Parliament Vault Exchange ... tonight's selection is… extraordinary.
Let us begin."
Polite claps then the room turned quiet.
---
The first item... a crystal heart from a wyvern.
Starting bid: fifty thousand crowns.
Hands rose, rings glittering in candlelight.
"One hundred thousand."
