Fa, Arya, and TISK escorted the orc child Kait through the slums northwest of Jinshang Fortress. This forgotten corner formed a stark contrast with the bustling prosperity of the city center. Dilapidated houses leaned crookedly along narrow streets, and the air was filled with the damp smell of decay and the metallic rust of technological waste. Messy wires hung between buildings, intertwined with uncontrolled magical energy, forming a dangerous web that occasionally sparked tiny flames.
The residents of the slums eyed the group of outsiders with curiosity and wariness. A few ragged children peeked through door cracks, their eyes mixed with fear and intrigue. It wasn't until they clearly saw Kait walking in the group that the tense atmosphere eased slightly.
"Kait, you're back!" An old woman missing a front tooth poked her head out of a window and whispered, "Gintlo's people were just here, looking for you. Be careful, child."
Kait nodded nervously and quickened his pace, leading the three through the maze-like alleys. After several twists and turns, they finally arrived at a humble wooden shack. This house was even more rundown than the surrounding buildings, with multiple holes in the roof patched haphazardly with scrap metal sheets and tarps.
"This is my home," Kait said softly, pushing open the creaking wooden door.
Inside, the light was dim, illuminated only by a faint technological light orb. The orb was clearly pieced together from scraps, its light flickering unstably. A frail orc girl sat by the bed, carefully wiping her mother's forehead with a damp cloth. The orc woman lying on the bed looked haggard, her eyes tightly closed, her breathing weak and rapid, her forehead covered in cold sweat.
"Mom has been like this all along," Kait choked up, "The doctor said it's an illness, but the medicine hasn't helped at all. We've spent all our savings..."
Fa stepped forward, her star eyes glowing faintly. She could see the woman enveloped in an ominous dark red energy field—that was no ordinary disease. "Don't worry, we'll help you." She turned to Arya, "Arya, can you take a look?"
Arya nodded and gracefully approached the bed. She knelt elegantly, her emerald eyes shimmering in the dim light. She gently held the woman's wrist, closed her eyes, and began probing. A faint glow emanated from her palm, forming intricate patterns of energy waves in the air.
After a moment, Arya opened her eyes, her expression grave: "This isn't an ordinary illness, but a extremely rare curse from the Blood Elf clan."
"Blood Elves?" Kait looked up in surprise, "What are they? Why would they curse my mom?"
Fa and TISK exchanged glances, a strong unease rising in their hearts simultaneously. The Blood Elf clan was a mysterious branch of the elves, renowned for their powerful dark magic and curses. They rarely appeared before the world and certainly shouldn't be in a trading city like Jinshang Fortress.
Arya shook her head, her voice low: "I don't know why they did this, but this curse is extremely powerful, not something an ordinary caster could perform." She paused, a flash of determination in her eyes, "Fortunately, I possess the dual bloodlines of Dark Elves and Light Elves; perhaps I can dispel this curse."
As a child, Arya's father—a Dark Elf elder—had solemnly warned her about the dangers of the Blood Elf clan. He said the Blood Elves were curse-like existences, their magic capable of eroding one's life force, plunging people into endless agony. Her mother—a priestess of the Light Elf clan—had taught her how to purify darkness with the power of light. Now, these two forces intertwined within Arya, perhaps the key to unraveling this curse.
Fa nodded: "Arya, if you can help them, that would be great."
TISK walked to the window, vigilantly observing the street outside, and said in a low voice: "We have to be careful. Gintlo's people might still be nearby, and the appearance of this curse is probably no coincidence."
The Curse Removal Ritual
Arya took a deep breath and began preparing to dispel the curse. She had Kait and his sister step aside, then sat by the bed. Her hands hovered above the woman's head and heart, her eyes shining with resolute light.
"I need absolute silence," Arya said softly, beginning to chant ancient Elven incantations in a low voice. Her tone was both gentle and powerful, each syllable seeming to ripple subtly in the air.
As the incantation progressed, the atmosphere in the room grew increasingly tense. An invisible pressure enveloped everyone, and the technological light orb's glow began to flicker unstably. Fine beads of sweat appeared on Arya's forehead; clearly, this curse was more stubborn than she anticipated.
Suddenly, a mass of dark energy surged from the woman's body, forming a churning black mist. Within the mist, countless agonized faces seemed to howl. The black mist, carrying a piercing low hum, lunged straight at Arya.
"Arya, watch out!" Fa exclaimed, her hand already gripping the Star Trail Short Blade at her waist.
TISK raised his iron hammer, his gaze under the goggles exceptionally sharp: "This thing isn't simple!"
But Arya gritted her teeth, showing no sign of retreat. She focused her mind, her hands emitting even stronger light—the powers of darkness and light strangely intertwined, forming a brilliant halo. The black mist struggled violently under the light's oppression, emitting bone-chilling screams.
"In the name of light and darkness, I command you to leave this innocent body!" Arya's voice suddenly boomed, filling the entire room with her magical energy.
The black mist twisted fiercely in the light, finally letting out a sharp wail before completely dissipating into the air. As the black mist vanished, the woman's breathing gradually steadied, and some color returned to her face.
Arya stood up wearily, wiping the sweat from her forehead: "The curse is lifted, but she still needs time to recover. The long-term erosion has severely damaged her life force."
Kait and his sister rushed forward excitedly, hugging Arya and thanking her repeatedly: "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Fa and TISK breathed a sigh of relief, but their eyes still held vigilance. Everything had happened too suddenly, and the truth behind it was far from surfacing.
Clues to the Curse
"Arya, can you sense the source of this curse?" Fa asked, a blue light flashing in her star eyes.
Arya shook her head: "I can only perceive the nature of the curse, but I can't track the caster. However, someone who can use a curse of this level must be an elder-level figure in the Blood Elf clan."
TISK stroked his chin thoughtfully: "How could there be traces of Blood Elves in Jinshang Fortress? This is no small matter. Didn't you say they usually seclude themselves in distant cursed lands, rarely interacting with the outside world?"
"Perhaps it's related to Gintlo," Fa said gravely, "They're relentlessly pursuing Kait; maybe there's a clue in what Kait stole."
Hearing this, Kait suddenly remembered something and quickly pulled out an item from his package—a small red stone engraved with complex runes, emitting a faint evil glow.
"This!" Kait said, "Among the things I stole, there was this rune stone. I heard Gintlo's people say it was 'important cargo,' so I thought I'd take it to sell for money to treat my mom."
Arya took the rune stone, examined it closely, and her face changed dramatically: "This is a Blood Elf clan's curse rune stone, used as a medium to cast and maintain curses. Kait, where did you steal it from?"
Kait lowered his head and whispered: "The underground market... Gintlo's people were trading this stone there. I heard them say this batch of goods was very special and could bring huge profits."
Fa frowned: "It seems Gintlo is indeed colluding with the Blood Elf clan. What exactly are they trying to do with these dark trades in the underground market?"
TISK gripped his iron hammer tightly, his voice low: "Whatever their purpose, we have to stop them. Otherwise, the entire Jinshang Fortress will be in danger."
Arya nodded: "And we still need to find clues to the Heart of Stars fragments. Maybe there's some connection between these events."
The Blood Elf Elder's Awareness
At the moment Arya successfully dispelled the curse on Kait's mother, in a dark underground chamber somewhere in Jinshang Fortress, a figure cloaked in black suddenly opened his eyes. His eyes flickered with a cold red light, and the corners of his mouth curled into a sneer.
"The curse has been lifted..." he muttered to himself, his voice laced with surprise and annoyance, "I didn't expect someone in this city capable of breaking our clan's curse."
This Blood Elf elder slowly stood up, a thick dark aura emanating from his body beneath the cloak. The walls of the underground chamber were etched with ancient runes, and the air was filled with eerie magical fluctuations. He closed his eyes, meditating quietly for a moment, feeling the magical imprint embedded in the curse suddenly snap. He knew the curse was broken but couldn't track the specific dispeller.
"Someone has interfered," he snorted coldly, "No matter who it is, anyone daring to disrupt our plans will pay the price."
He turned, pushing open the stone door of the underground chamber, entering a dimly lit room. Several Blood Elves in black robes waited respectfully. He coldly scanned the group and issued commands: "Recently, a group of outsiders has arrived in the city, possibly including magical experts. Go notify Gintlo's people to carefully investigate those individuals' whereabouts, especially those active in the slums."
The Blood Elves nodded in agreement and quickly left the room, vanishing into the shadows.
Heading to the Underground Market
Meanwhile, Fa, Arya, and TISK were following Kait toward the underground market. Kait walked at the front, his eyes filled with determination and gratitude.
"Kait, are you sure the clue to the rune stone is in the underground market?" Fa asked, her gaze vigilantly scanning the surroundings. Her star eyes glowed faintly, ready to detect potential dangers at any time.
Kait nodded firmly: "Yes, the place where I stole the rune stone is there. Gintlo's people often trade there, and I heard them say this thing is very important."
Arya frowned: "The underground market is Gintlo's territory; we have to proceed carefully. Blood Elf magic might be even more dangerous in such enclosed spaces."
TISK gripped his iron hammer tightly, his gaze under the goggles resolute: "No matter how dangerous, the rune stone is key. Maybe it can help us find clues to the star fragments too."
Fa nodded in agreement: "Moreover, the collusion between Gintlo and the Blood Elf clan is becoming increasingly obvious. We need to figure out their purpose. Kait, we'll stick close to you."
Kait whispered: "I know a secret path that only I know about; it can bypass the guards and go straight to the depths of the market."
The team followed Kait, leaving the main streets of the slums and turning into a hidden alley. Kait skillfully led them through the maze-like lanes to an abandoned sewer entrance. He lifted the rusted cover and gestured for everyone to follow.
"This path leads to the hidden area of the market," Kait said quietly, "We have to be careful; there might be traps set by Gintlo inside."
The team nodded and entered the sewer one by one. The passage was dark and damp, the air filled with a nauseating odor. TISK pulled out a few glowing small devices from his tool pack and tossed them ahead to light the way for everyone.
The sewer's smell was pungent, but Kait's guidance allowed them to quickly reach a secret exit. The exit was located deep in the underground market, near a hidden room, cleverly avoiding the guards at the market entrance. Kait gently pushed aside a loose stone slab, leading the team out of the passage and into the shadows of the market.
Inside the market, the lighting was dim, voices boomed, and the air mixed with sweat, spices, and metal scents. Various stalls displayed illegal goods, from magical potions and drugs to high-lethality weapons—nothing was off-limits. The crowd bustled with all sorts of characters, the atmosphere chaotic and dangerous.
"We need to find the place where Gintlo trades the rune stones," Fa said in a low voice.
Kait pointed ahead: "It's in that room; last time I stole the rune stone, I heard them trading there."
The team approached cautiously and found the door tightly closed but unguarded. TISK stepped forward to check the lock: "This lock isn't hard; I can pick it."
He took out a few delicate tools from his pack and operated them skillfully. In no time, the lock clicked open. The team pushed the door and entered the room.
The Rune Stone and the Crisis
The room was dimly lit, illuminated only by a few glowing technological orbs. In the center, on the table, sat several metal boxes emitting a faint red light.
"The rune stones should be here," Kait said.
Fa stepped forward, opened one box, and sure enough, inside was another stone engraved with complex runes, emitting an evil red glow.
"This is it!" Arya confirmed, "These rune stones contain powerful dark energy; we must handle them carefully."
However, at that moment, footsteps sounded outside the room. Fa immediately signaled everyone to be quiet: "Someone's coming; hide quickly!"
The team swiftly hid in the room's shadows. Moments later, the door was pushed open, and a Blood Elf cloaked in black entered. His appearance wasn't because he sensed the team but for a routine check of the trading situation in the underground market.
The Blood Elf scanned the room, his gaze landing on the table. He approached the boxes, discovered the rune stone was missing, and his face darkened instantly.
"Stolen..." he whispered, his voice laced with anger.
At that instant, TISK accidentally knocked over a metal can, making a slight noise. The Blood Elf servant whirled around, a dangerous red light flashing in his eyes: "Who's there? Come out!"
Fa knew they couldn't hide anymore and whispered: "Prepare to retreat!"
The team burst from the shadows. TISK swung his iron hammer at the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust for cover. The Blood Elf raised his hand, attempting to cast magic, but the team had already rushed toward the door. Kait led them back into the sewer entrance, vanishing from the Blood Elf's sight.
The Blood Elf reached the doorway but couldn't find their traces, only letting out an angry growl.
Respite at the Inn
The team escaped through Kait's secret path, successfully returning to the surface and finally reaching the inn. Fa breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the rune stone in her hand: "Arya, can you study this? See if it has any relation to the star fragments."
Arya nodded: "I'll do my best. The craftsmanship of these rune stones is very ancient; they might have some connection to stellar magic."
TISK stood by the window, vigilantly saying: "The Blood Elves and Gintlo won't let this go; we have to be careful. I suggest setting up some warning devices around the room."
Kait asked excitedly: "So, what do we do next?"
Fa gently patted his head: "Kait, you go back soon to protect your family; we'll stop them. This is no longer just your family's problem but concerns the safety of the entire Jinshang Fortress."
At that moment, Arya exclaimed: "This rune stone has hidden runes that resemble the energy of the star fragments! The Blood Elves and Gintlo might be using them for some ritual!"
Fa frowned: "We need to gather more intelligence. Kait, any suggestions?"
Kait thought for a moment: "There's a group of information brokers in the underground market; everyone calls them the 'Rat Pack.' They might help us. I know where he hangs out."
"Good, tomorrow you'll take us to find them," Fa decided, "But for now, everyone rest. TISK, set up the warning devices. Arya, continue studying the rune stone. We need as much intelligence as possible."
Meanwhile, in the underground market, the Blood Elf elder was led to the stolen room, his face grim. Through magic, he sensed the rune stone's energy had vanished, realizing things were out of control.
"They escaped..." he whispered to the Blood Elf beside him: "But I'll find them."
He turned and commanded Gintlo's subordinates: "Quietly seal off the market, search every corner of the city, especially the slums and inns. Don't alert the enforcement team and cause unnecessary trouble."
The Rat Pack's Whispers
The next morning, Jinshang Fortress was shrouded in thick fog. Kait led the team into the depths of the slums to an abandoned warehouse, where the floorboards creaked underfoot like grinding teeth. Moldy sacks piled in the corner suddenly emitted a few sharp rat squeaks, and a gaunt, tall man emerged from the sack pile. His ragged cloak was covered in chaff, making him look like a rat that had gained sentience.
"Kait, you little brat, you're getting bolder." The man picked at his teeth and leaned in, revealing a few blackened front teeth, "Last time you stole Gintlo's goods and didn't get your hand chopped off; this time you bring outsiders into my turf?"
TISK stepped forward half a pace, his iron hammer dragging across the ground with a grating friction. The man immediately raised his hands, his sleeves sliding down to reveal several knife scars: "Just kidding! For Kait always selling us all sorts of goods, intelligence is plenty—as long as you can pay the price."
Fa tossed a gold coin, which the man caught, bit with his teeth to test, and satisfiedly tucked into his ragged pouch: "In the past three months, seven council members and five major merchants' family members in Jinshang Fortress have fallen mysteriously ill." He leaned closer, emitting a damp moldy smell, "According to my underlings' intel, these noble ladies and young masters all had red marks on the back of their necks, just like..." He drew a twisted rune in the air with his grimy finger, exactly the curse pattern Arya had discovered on the rune stone.
Arya and Fa exchanged glances, the latter's face turning serious: "So, the Blood Elves and Gintlo are controlling the powerful by targeting their families, forcing them to obey?"
"Smart!" The man gave a greasy thumbs-up, "Last week, the council just passed the 'Abandoned Zone Cleanup Plan,' ostensibly to tidy up the slums, but actually to make space for expanding the underground market—those councilors usually wouldn't donate a single stinking coin more, so why suddenly care about broken bricks and tiles?" He suddenly lowered his voice, his rat-like small eyes darting left and right, "I heard a caravan brought in a batch of special cargo last week, packed in nano-iron boxes wrapped in black cloth, escorted by Gintlo's elite troops..."
Broken Threads of the Rat Pack
Before he could finish, a crisp crack of tiles breaking came from the warehouse roof. TISK jerked his head up and saw a black shadow leap down from the hole, red light characteristic of Blood Elves flashing under the cloak. The man's face changed drastically; he turned to dive back into the sack pile but was intercepted by a black shadow—a Blood Elf assassin with dark red curse marks on his cheeks, his long blade still dripping some green poison.
"I knew you'd come to the rats for information," the assassin said coldly, his blade aiming straight for the man's throat.
At the critical moment, Arya suddenly hurled the rune stone at the light orb in the corner. Amid the shattering glass, TISK smashed his hammer at the Blood Elf assassin, while Fa's short blade slashed the assassin's wrist. The man was saved, collapsing to the ground in fright.
"Run!" Fa shouted, and the team sprang into action.
Arya unleashed flame magic, shooting it at the roof beams. Burning wood chips rained down, snapping several support pillars. In the last moment before the ruins collapsed, the team pulled the terrified man into a hidden passage under the floor, entering even deeper narrow alleys.
The man leaned against the wall, panting: "Thanks for saving me. What you're looking for is at the northern abandoned port; Gintlo and the Blood Elves have a secret base there." He paused and added: "Be careful; it's heavily guarded, and I hear there are terrifying magical protections."
Sirens blared in the thick fog, the iron armor of Jinshang Fortress's enforcement team glinting in the distance. Fa led the team to hide in an abandoned fish market, where the stench of rotten fish mixed with blood made one nauseous. Arya stroked the rune stone and suddenly shuddered: "The curse fluctuations are strengthening... in the direction of the northern abandoned port!"
TISK spat out the wood chip from his mouth: "That's what the rat just said too. Could it be that batch of cargo..."
"A more powerful curse core," Arya gripped the stone tightly, blood seeping from her fingertips, "If they set up a curse array at the port, all the powerful in Jinshang Fortress will become puppets, and then..."
Fa suddenly grabbed her wrist, staring into the distant fog at the gradually emerging black banners—that was Gintlo's emblem, embroidered with the pattern of a green snake coiled around gears that Fa had seen in the slums.
Kait, his face covered in dust, said: "I know a sewer leading to the north port, even more hidden than the underground market's..."
TISK patted his shoulder, a glint of approval behind his goggles: "Kid, you're better than any guide we've hired."
As the team vanished into the dark sewer entrance, three cargo ships with blood-red sails were docking at the northern abandoned port pier. On the deck, another Blood Elf elder lifted his cloak, revealing a dark red curse mark coiling like a snake on his forehead. He raised his hand, gazing toward Jinshang Fortress, a cold smile curling his lips.
"Prepare to begin the ritual," he said to the shadows behind him, "Soon, Jinshang Fortress will become the new stronghold of the Blood Elf clan."
Unbeknownst to Fa's team in the sewer, what they were about to face was not just Gintlo's thugs, but the Blood Elf clan's meticulously prepared dark magic traps. The fate of Jinshang Fortress quietly rested on their shoulders.