The road bent wide and shimmering as they neared the city walls—tall, sun-streaked spires that rose like ribs from the earth. Birds scattered overhead as Gilger threw his arms wide.
"Welcome," he declared, grinning like a stage actor bowing to invisible applause, "to Kireth Vale—crown jewel of the east, pit of rogues, home of the seven markets, and—by the way—completely allergic to laws."
Lumen stared up at the massive gates, his hand resting near his side. The streets beyond looked like veins of motion—figures weaving through alleys, banners whipping between stone towers. It was larger than Hollowrest by tenfold, and noisier than the rest of the world combined.
"This is one of the Ten Great Cities of the Kingdom of Caerth," Gilger added with mock pride. "Which means it has ten times the scams, ten times the spice, and about twelve people who want me dead. Maybe more. I stopped counting."
Rin crossed her arms. "So... don't get caught?"
"Exactly!" Gilger chirped, then marched in like he owned the place.
The First Day was chaos.
Gilger zipped through the crowds like a shadow in daylight. He knew every corner stall, every angry vendor, and every alley shortcut. He tricked a blacksmith into forging Rin a new blade—"Ceremonial replacement for the Queen's niece," he claimed, while Rin stood there awkwardly holding out a bribe apple. Somehow, it worked.
By sunset, she had a finely balanced sword slung across her back—curved slightly, with a silver-line hilt wrapped in wolf leather.
"You owe me nothing," the blacksmith told her, eyes distant. "Just tell Her Grace her nephew's marriage is still off."
She didn't ask.
The Second Day, Lumen received his own gifts—though he didn't pay for them.
Gilger wheeled him into a strange mage-scribe's shop in the northern quarter, filled with floating scrolls and whispering ink.
"I need two thread-focus bracers and a blade that listens to music," he said.
The clerk stared. "We don't sell weapons to—"
Gilger dropped a wrapped loaf of cursed bread on the table. "This was from your ex-wife."
The man turned pale. "Take what you want. And go."
Minutes later, Lumen walked out wearing light bracers etched with binding runes, and a slender blade infused with resonance thread. It hummed faintly when he held it. Like it recognized his hands.
"What did you do to that guy?" Lumen muttered.
"Oh, I merely reminded him of a small debt to fate," Gilger said, whistling. "And to a very angry sorceress."
The Third Night, the three sat on a rooftop eating bread and boiled root stew.
Rin watched the stars. Lumen pulled his mask off halfway, letting the breeze touch his face.
Gilger tossed an apple between his hands. "You know, for people who started this week stabbing monsters, you two clean up okay."
Rin sipped from a chipped cup. "Still waiting for your prank to work, by the way."
Gilger held up his hand in mock defeat. "That chili powder was for Lumen!"
"He swapped the mugs," Rin said.
Lumen didn't even look up. "Try harder next time."
Gilger grinned, then hesitated when he looked directly at Lumen's face.
"Huh. You're... calm-looking. Didn't expect that."
Lumen raised an eyebrow.
"No, I mean—you look like someone who's seen cages from the inside. That's not an insult. Just an observation."
He didn't know why he said it. He didn't know how true it was.
Neither did Lumen.
The Final Morning came too fast.
They walked through Kireth Vale's dawn-stained streets. Merchants shouted. Guards ignored them. The crowd moved like a river.
Rin wore new light armor—sleek, plated leather that didn't slow her down. Her blade rested against her back like a whisper.
Lumen moved quieter now. Threads curled near his hands with the faintest shimmer, responding to his thoughts. The bracers amplified his grip and gave him smoother control. His blade sang once when he stepped near the old city chapel.
Gilger? He was tossing a ring of stolen keys in one hand, sipping tea with the other, and muttering about his list of exes.
"You really proposed to a noblewoman?" Rin asked.
"Two. One accepted by mistake. Her father did not find it funny."
She sighed.
Gilger winked. "It's not my fault I'm charming."
They stopped at the city edge, where the wind grew colder and the trees curled strange.
Behind them, Kireth Vale buzzed with its own life.
Ahead—frosted lands, and whatever came next.
Lumen tied the scarf tighter around his neck and slipped the mask fully into place.
"Alright, prankster," Rin said. "Where do we go now?"
Gilger chewed his lip. "There's a ruin. Old place. Near the cliffs outside town. I used to sneak there for dares. But there's something... wrong about it. Quiet. Empty even when you're inside."
Lumen felt his sigil stir.
Rin nodded. "Then that's where we start."
[System Update: Party Sync Active]
Lumen: Thread Control — Skills: Snarehold, Lineflow, Threadshot Rin: Balance Sigil — Skills: Echoguard, Weightstep Gilger: Unknown Sigil — No disclosure. Known traits: agility, stealth, illusion? (Class: Trickster-Type)
→ New Objective Added: Investigate Ruins East of Kireth Vale → Hidden Entity Detected — Affinity: Emberbrand (Flickering)
░The teeth are left behind. But some things are swallowed whole.░