Time ran on the edge of a blade. If the remaining demonic souls broke loose, entire realms could fall. Finding Roaring Storm Bell was only half their task. They also had to rip the unseen puppeteer from the shadows and sever the demon plot at its root.
The pair left Roaring Storm Mountain behind and arrowed straight toward Breeze Town. Tucked in Jared’s robe lay the token Alice had gifted him, a master key to Whispers Tower, one of the few information houses on level six willing to traffic in every faction’s secrets, for the right price.
They touched down at the eastern alley of town, before a weather-worn wooden shack whose lintel bore a tiny gear marking, the discreet charm of Whispers Tower.
Flaxseed reached for the door, but Jared lifted his hand to stop him. He then gathered spiritual energy on his fingertips and etched Alice’s token into the iron knocker.
The hinges answered with a long, weary creak. Ink-scented air drifted out. Inside, a woman in teal leathers and a silken veil sorted scrolls beneath lamplight. Her gaze flicked to the token in Jared’s palm, then back to their faces.
“Whispers Tower honors tokens, not persons,” said, voice flat. “State your quarry. Anything tied to secrets regarding Celestia or core Celestial Palace strategy costs high-grade celestial gems, and even then, we guarantee nothing.”
“Three nights ago, Roaring Storm Bell vanished from Roaring Storm Mountain,” Jared replied, laying the token on desk. “We want every trail. Factions prowling the mountain that night, anomalous spiritual energy signatures, and any trade records mentioning demonic souls or seals.”
She weighed the token between slim fingers, then touched it to a crystal orb. Blue light bloomed, revealing lines that read, “Token of the leader of level five’s Whispers Tower. Clearance: Alpha. Access to eastern level six intel, ninety-day span.”
Nodding once, shelved the orb, fetched three yellowed dossiers, and set them before the men. “Our scouts logged three distinct auras outside Roaring Storm Mountain the night Roaring Storm Bell was stolen…”
“First, a bone-erosion black aura from Celestial Palace’s Sixth Hall. Black-robed figures on the northern slope seemed to be distracting patrol disciples… Second, Celestia’s holy runic celestial power residue in the southern stream is Identical to the markings on the Celestial Guards’ armor. Third…”
She paused, voice becoming solemn. “Heart-corrosion demonic energy from Malevolent Path Hall. Near the bell pavilion, we found half a charm corner etched with a skull, same paper stock Malevolent Path Hall uses on level five…”
Flaxseed brought his palm down on the wooden desk with a loud crack that rattled the oil lamp and sent every dossier fluttering like startled birds.
“F*ck! Those three mongrels have hated each other for ages. Celestia despises Celestial Palace’s Sixth Hall for its black magic and loathes Malevolent Path Hall for stealing their alchemy resources, and yet they somehow team up to steal Roaring Storm Bell?”
Jared, unhurried, lifted the torn corner of a charm and held it close to the lamplight, letting its frayed edge brush his thumb as studied every charcoal stroke.
A faint demonic energy still clung to the charm-identical to what had felt in Malevolent Path Hall’s branch on level five-yet on the reverse side, a ghost-pale divine rune glimmered.
The divine markings echoed, almost perfectly, the gold filigree had once noticed along the princess’ gown.
Jared focused his spiritual energy on his fingertips and pressed on the charm. “Something is off with this charm. Malevolent Path Hall never engraves divine markings… Someone grafted Celestia’s aura onto their charm, or the three factions have been conspiring from the start…”
The woman inclined head and slid another dossier across the table. “If you doubt it, read the trade ledger… Half a month ago, a man in a bronze mask posted a bounty through Whispers Tower, top price for Roaring Storm Mountain sealing charm…”
“The broker who took the job funnels funds through the Sixth Hall, Celestia’s covert wing, and Malevolent Path Hall. We still don’t know who the mask belongs to.”
