The city never really sleeps — and neither do its secrets. As I moved through the narrow, winding alleys of Valenport, the chill in the night air seeped through my worn leather armor, but I barely noticed. Every sound felt sharper, every shadow deeper, as if the darkness itself was watching, waiting. The weight of the past pressed heavy on my shoulders, but I wouldn't let it crush me. Not now. Not ever.
The whispers of my old life clawed at my mind like ghosts in the dark. Betrayal. Death. The cold blade that had ended it all. They were wounds I could neither forget nor heal—only harness. Because survival wasn't enough anymore. I needed more. I needed power, vengeance, and finally, justice.
Tonight, the air carried more than just the familiar stench of refuse and smoke; it carried a warning. My Soul Resonance tingled beneath my skin, a pulse syncing with the rhythm of the city itself. It was alive—watching me, guiding me, or perhaps warning me. I tightened my grip on the hilt of my sword, feeling the faint electric hum of the energy blade coursing alongside my own heartbeat.
I paused beneath a broken lantern, the flickering light casting jagged shadows against the crumbling brick walls. The street was empty—or so I thought.
"Kael Draven."
The voice was soft, a whisper carried on the wind. But it cut through the silence like a knife.
I turned sharply, senses blazing. Out of the darkness stepped a figure — cloaked, hooded, familiar. My mind raced as I tried to place her face. The woman who'd vanished into the night weeks ago—the one who'd warned me about the Silent Serpents.
"You're playing a dangerous game," she said, her eyes gleaming coldly beneath the hood.
"And you're still following me," I replied, voice low but steady. "What do you want?"
She smiled, a thin, merciless curve. "Information. And maybe an offer."
I studied her, weighing every word, every nuance. Trust was a currency I couldn't afford, especially not from someone like her.
"Start talking."
She took a step closer. "The Silent Serpents aren't just hunters. They're shadows cast by the highest powers in Valenport. They have ties to the city's ruling council — men and women who thrive in chaos, who profit from fear. Your return has stirred things up, Kael. You're more than just a threat — you're a symbol. A spark that could ignite a rebellion."
Her words echoed in my mind, igniting a fire I'd long tried to smother.
"Why tell me this?" I asked.
"Because I want to see that rebellion burn," she said with a sneer. "And you'll need allies to do it."
Her gaze pierced mine, challenging, daring. For the first time in a long time, I felt a flicker of hope.
"Name your price."
She pulled back her hood, revealing sharp features and eyes that gleamed like obsidian. "Call me Vira. I can help you, but nothing's free."
We stood there in the silence, two shadows in a city built on lies and blood.
The night whispered promises of power, danger, and revenge.
And I was ready to answer its call.