Zara's breath came in ragged gasps as the last mercenary crumpled to the floor, enveloped by her shadow tendrils. The air was thick with the stench of sweat and blood, but silence reigned. She stood over the unconscious bodies, adrenaline still surging through her veins. Her hands trembled slightly, the power buzzing under her skin more violently than ever.
The Broker, cowering in the corner, was wide-eyed with terror. Zara turned to him, but before she could demand more answers, he whimpered, "Please, I told you everything I know. They'll come for me if they know I spoke."
Zara stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "And they'll come for me if I don't stop them. If there's anything else, anything at all—now's the time."
The Broker hesitated, his gaze flickering between Zara and the fallen mercenaries. "There's one thing," he said slowly. "The Eclipsed Order... they've been gathering pieces of some ancient artifact for years. They've already retrieved most of them, but there's one piece left. That's why they're after you—they think you know where it is."
Zara frowned. "What piece?"
"I don't know exactly what it is, but it's called the 'Shard of Aether.' Some kind of relic tied to the old gods, long forgotten by the world. Legends say it holds unimaginable power. The Order believes it's the key to unlocking the full potential of their abilities—and yours."
Zara's mind spun. She had never heard of this "Shard of Aether," but if it was connected to her powers, she needed to find it before the Order did. The idea of something powerful enough to be coveted by a group like them sent a shiver down her spine.
The Broker was still speaking. "There's an auction coming up—one of the largest underground gatherings in Silver City. Word is, some rare and powerful artifacts are going to be sold, and rumor has it the Shard is one of them."
"Where?" Zara asked, her voice hard.
"The East Quarter. Tomorrow night. But be warned—everyone who's anyone in the underworld will be there. It's a trap waiting to be sprung."
Zara nodded, already making her plans. She had no choice. The Shard of Aether could be the key to understanding her powers—and stopping the Eclipsed Order before they could use it. She turned to leave, but the Broker's trembling voice stopped her.
"They're everywhere," he muttered, his eyes darting wildly. "You don't understand… they're watching everything. They know more than you think."
Zara didn't respond. She slipped back into the shadows, disappearing into the night.
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