Shrouded in the inky darkness of a hidden chamber, several figures stood cloaked in shadows, their eyes glowing sinister light. The air was thick with the tension of a deadly plan being hatched. Their voices, hushed and urgent, echoed softly within the stone walls.
At the center of the chamber stood a large mirror, unlike any ordinary one. The mirror reflected a bustling city, its image alive and detailed, showing the movements of people as if it were a window rather than a mere reflection.
"He did not use his aura," a voice came from the dark. "Everyone saw that, right?"
"Could the information be true?" asked another raspy voice in the darkness.
"Should we rely on that informant?" another chimed in, doubt creeping into his tone.
A year ago, after the receding of the Five Emperors' Coalition Army, the Holy Scion had retreated to seclusion. Rumors spread that the Holy Scion had been struck by lightning during a breakthrough, losing his Ascendant aura and becoming a mere mortal.
Many claimed to have witnessed the Holy Scion being struck repeatedly. This information had been passed to them by a secret informant, but its authenticity was still in question.
"But he seems strong to me. How could he not have his aura?" a voice from the shadows murmured, uncertainty clear.
"He could be hiding his true strength," suggested another, their eyes glowing evil light in the darkness. "We need to be cautious."
An ominous figure, seated furthest away, had eyes that glowed with a sinister light. His sinister voice echoed in the chamber like a bell. "We cannot afford to take risks. If the Holy Scion is truly weakened, this is our opportunity to strike. We must act swiftly and decisively."
"Lord, you must decide what to do," said one figure, turning towards the ominous, seated furthest.
"How many people are with him? Any guards or Ascendants with him?" the sinister voice asked, his tone low and commanding.
"No, lord. Only an ordinary butler following him around," replied another figure, his tone deferential but tinged with nervousness.
"Is that Ascendant woman with him?" the leader pressed, his gaze piercing through the darkness.
"And what about you, bro? It wouldn't do you any good even if you ate a dozen of them. Just give it to me," Baros said, grinning.
"I'm not the one taking it," Spark replied, waving off the suggestion.
As the night wore on, they continued to drink, the restaurant's warm ambiance making them feel at ease. Eventually, the time came to leave. They stumbled out of the restaurant, their steps unsteady, their laughter echoing through the empty streets.
"Well, bro, this was fun," Baros said, clapping Spark on the back.
They parted ways, each heading off into the night, their spirits high and their minds already looking forward to their next fun encounter.
The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a pale glow over the empty pathway. Spark, having parted ways with Baros after a night of drinking, made his way back home in a carriage.
The rhythmic clatter of hooves and the gentle sway of the carriage were the only sounds that broke the stillness of the night.
As Spark's carriage rolled down the deserted road, the shadows seemed to grow thicker, more oppressive. The once clear pathway now seemed shrouded in an eerie, unnatural darkness.
Without warning, the carriage came to an abrupt halt. Spark peered out of the window, his eyes narrowing as he noticed several cloaked figures emerging from the darkness, surrounding the carriage.
"Young master, I think we're surrounded," said Zhao Shi, his voice steady but alert.
"Are they beggars? Or is this a robbery?" Spark mused aloud, a hint of amusement in his voice despite the tension in the air.
The moonlight cast long shadows over the scene, highlighting the menacing figures as they closed in on the carriage. Their cloaks fluttered in the night breeze, and their eyes glowed with a malicious gleam.
Spark stepped out of the carriage, his movements unhurried and casual. The cloaked figures tightened their circle, their eyes gleaming in the dim light.
Spark's gaze swept over them, noting their tense stances and the glint of hidden weapons beneath their cloaks.
"Gentlemen," Spark began, his tone mocking, "I'm afraid you've picked the wrong target for your night-time activities."