Daron felt the weight of

  the impending mission. Heavy resistance, connections beyond the city –

  it all pointed to something more than just common thieves. Something

  larger was simmering beneath the surface, and he knew they had to get to

  the bottom of it.

  Joren

  broke the silence, placing a hand on Daron's shoulder. "We can do this,

  partner. This isn't the first time we've taken on a dangerous job."

  Daron nodded slowly. "Yes, but this time it feels different. There's something going on, and I wish I knew what."

  "Whatever it is," Joren said with a crooked smile, "we'll find out, and then we'll do what we always do: restore order."

  With

  one last glance at Lysara—who was already absorbed in her papers—the

  two left the office. Daron took a deep breath as they walked down the

  corridor. They had no time to lose.

  "Let's move," he finally said as they headed toward the armory. "Silver Harbor isn't going to wait for us."

  The

  golems were already waiting at the gate, ready to begin their deadly

  march through the streets of Elaris. The mission had begun.

  Daron

  and Joren stepped out of the Shadow Watch, where one of the imposing

  carriages of the Shadow Guard awaited them. These techno-magical

  vehicles were a symbol of the Guard's efficiency and power—a perfect

  blend of old craftsmanship and cutting-edge techno-magical finesse. The

  Shadow Guard used them not only for their speed and mobility but also

  for their symbolic meaning: they represented unyielding order and

  constant surveillance.

  Unlike

  the elegant and appealing city carriages, the Shadow Guard's coaches

  exuded cold strength. Their exteriors were made of reinforced metal,

  black as night and interlaced with violet and bluish shimmering glyphs

  that kept the magic flowing and provided additional protection. A soft

  hum of magic was audible, but it carried a deeper, darker tone

  reminiscent of the Guard's determination.

  The

  carriage's wheels didn't touch the ground but hovered a few centimeters

  above it, allowing the massive, blade-like contours of the structure to

  glide silently over the streets of Elaris. A steady, faint vapor rose

  from the lower parts of the carriage as the magical systems activated,

  enveloping the vehicle in a mystical aura.

  Joren grinned as he looked at the carriage. "These things always look so intimidating, even when they're just standing still."

  Daron nodded in agreement. "They're meant to show that we're always on the move, always ready."

  The

  carriage door opened with a gentle hiss, and Daron and Joren climbed

  inside. The interior was spartan—quite the opposite of the more

  luxurious coaches of the Palace. Here, everything was designed for

  function: armored walls, sturdy seats, and a cockpit with crystal

  controls that linked the driver to the carriage's magical systems.

  "Let's

  get going," murmured Daron as the carriage set off silently. The golems

  accompanying them followed without a sound, their massive feet barely

  making contact with the ground, yet leaving heavy, shimmering tracks

  behind.

  The Shadow

  Guard carriage glided noiselessly through the streets of Industria,

  powered by techno-magical energies humming deep within its core. Daron

  and Joren sat side by side, silently feeling the steady rhythm of the

  journey through the city. Outside, on every side of the carriage, the

  massive golems of the Iron Guard marched with slow, powerful steps that

  made the earth tremble with each impact. The enormous stone creatures,

  brought to life by magic and technology, exuded a presence as menacing

  as it was reassuring.

  Joren

  glanced at the golems and shook his head slightly. "No matter how often

  I see them, they still make me nervous. It feels as if they could crush

  us just as easily as our enemies."

  Daron nodded. "Terrifying, yes. But undeniably effective. I only hope they stay on our side."

  The

  golems, encased in a mix of stone and metal, were etched with fine rune

  lines that glowed bluishly as energy coursed through their massive

  bodies. They embodied the power that united the Iron Guard and the

  Shadow Guard—a joint weapon against chaos and threats. Their enormous

  arms, from which delicate puffs of steam occasionally emerged, seemed

  ready for battle at any moment.

  The

  landscape of Elaris changed as the carriage glided along the river. The

  waterway was the city's pulsing backbone, lined with trading ships and

  airships ferrying goods through the city. Many of the vessels, like the

  carriage, were powered by techno-magical energies; their metallic

  surfaces glittered in the sunlight as they moved nearly silently over

  the water. Every now and then, steam would rise—a relic of days when the

  city was not so deeply entwined with techno-magical innovations.

  Above

  the streets, almost majestically, airships with enormous, shimmering

  domes drifted gently, powered by the same magic that propelled the

  Shadow Guard's carriages. Their shadows fell like giant clouds over the

  city and its streets as they docked to unload new cargo from the ravaged

  lands.

  "Look at

  that," Joren said, pointing at an especially large freighter moored at

  an air dock. "These ships supply the entire city. And now, a handful of

  thieves is turning everything upside down."

  Daron frowned. "It's not just theft. They know exactly where to hit Elaris where it hurts. They want chaos to spread."

  The

  carriage crossed a wide bridge spanning the river as it neared Silver

  Harbor. The atmosphere changed noticeably. Where one would normally hear

  the bustling commerce and the shouts of dockworkers, now there was an

  ominous silence. The docks—once the heart of Elaris's trade—appeared

  frozen, empty, and abandoned.

  "Too quiet," Daron said softly, his eyes sharply scanning the deserted streets. "Something isn't right here."

  Joren

  nodded as his gaze swept over the abandoned quays. "The Thieves' Guild

  has entrenched itself well here. We need to be cautious."

  When

  the carriage finally halted at the edge of the harbor, the door opened

  with a soft hiss. Daron and Joren stepped out, the massive golems

  following closely and immediately positioning themselves at their sides.

  Silver Harbor lay before them. The normally bustling quays—where

  merchants and sailors busied themselves—were deserted.

  Instinctively, Daron reached for the hilt of his sword and took a deep breath. "Time to assess the situation."

  "This

  isn't right," Joren whispered, his voice barely more than a muted echo

  in the oppressive silence. He looked toward the empty docks: the usually

  busy warehouses were locked up as if they had sealed themselves off,

  and high above, unmanned ships cast gloomy shadows over the harbor from

  the floating cranes. "Look at that – where are the people? The usual

  hustle, the constant noise – everything is wiped out. Stay alert,

  Daron."

  A cold shiver

  ran down Daron's spine. "Golems, cover our backs," he commanded in a

  firm, controlled tone. The massive golems followed, their runes glowing

  as they formed an impenetrable wall of stone and metal, the bluish gleam

  of the runes lighting up in the dusk.

  With

  a tense look, Daron pointed at the side of a warehouse where strange

  symbols were scrawled at irregular intervals. "Over there – check out

  these markings. Can you decipher them?"

  Stepping

  closer, he examined the engraved runes that looked familiar – the

  unmistakable emblem of the Thieves' Guild leader. "This is definitely

  his mark. It suggests that something big is underway. It's odd that they

  would display their presence so openly."

  Daron

  pulled a small, glowing device from his pocket, its display flickering

  in soft blue and violet hues. "My scanner isn't picking up any life

  signs in this warehouse. It's as if the entire place has fallen into an

  icy slumber. Let's go in."

  With

  a determined kick, Joren pushed open the heavy door, its clanging metal

  breaking the silence—and behind it revealed a gloomy, abandoned

  interior.

  They combed

  through the warehouse as the faint hum of an unknown device filled the

  space. "Damn, look at this," Joren murmured, pointing at a strange

  apparatus that vibrated softly and emitted an ominous hum.

  "My

  scanner's acting up," grumbled Daron, irritated as the display

  flickered to red. "We're losing track—it seems they've arranged

  everything so we can't tell what's going on."

  Without

  hesitation, Joren drew his sword. In a swift, decisive movement, he

  split the device in two. "Problem solved, or not?" he asked with a

  crooked smile that offered little comfort.

  Daron

  shook his head and looked around. "This can't be all. Why leave the

  entire area so unguarded? This is a trap. My scanner is still

  malfunctioning."

  Suddenly,

  a loud, panicked scream shattered the tense silence. A woman burst

  through a hidden side door, her face twisted with fear as she screamed,

  "Help! They're attacking us! They've captured my colleagues!"

  From

  the shadows emerged two burly figures—henchmen of the Thieves' Guild,

  their malicious expressions revealed in the dim light. "Hold it, little

  one! Escape is futile!" one thundered, but when he saw the determined

  faces of Daron and Joren, he flinched.

  Without

  hesitation, the Shadow Guardians stepped in front of the terrified

  woman. As one of the attackers charged her, Daron reacted immediately.

  Spinning with a razor-sharp flourish, his rapier whistled as its blade

  precisely struck the attacker's shoulder. Joren drew his pistol, and a

  single, well-aimed shot sent the second assailant crashing to the

  ground, motionless.

  "Is he still alive?" Joren asked quickly.

  "Yeah, but he's only lightly injured," Daron replied coolly as he swiftly tied up the unconscious man.

  Turning

  to the woman, whose eyes still shone with terror, Daron said

  reassuringly, "You're safe now. We're here to clear the docks of these

  scum—and to rescue your crew."

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  With

  a trembling voice, she replied, "Thank you... thank you for helping me!

  Please, my people—they're being held at the far end of the docks. You

  have to help them!"

  Daron stepped closer to Maria, gently taking her trembling hand. "I'm Daron. Calm down. Tell us what happened—you're safe now."

  "My

  name is Maria," she began, pausing to take a shaky breath, "it was

  terrible. They came at night, held weapons to our heads, and demanded we

  go to the 'Goldwing'—the ship, it only returned yesterday. Marcus

  refused, and then... they just killed him." She sobbed, shaking her head

  in despair. "You must help, please!"

  Daron stood beside Maria, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Maria, take a deep breath. You're safe now."

  After

  giving Maria a moment to collect herself, Daron turned to Joren. "My

  scanner isn't working at all here. It's as if they deliberately

  sabotaged our systems. I suspect there are more of these devices –

  either someone from Industria is working with the guild or the influence

  comes from outside."

  "Or maybe it's connected to the incident in Aranthia," Joren replied thoughtfully, as Daron briefly thought of Valara.

  "Let's

  interrogate the prisoner," Daron said, quickly looking around to ensure

  no one else posed a threat. Only when he was sure the area was secure

  did he tap the bound man with the tip of his boot.

  The

  prisoner stared silently at him, beads of sweat glistening on his

  forehead. Joren knelt beside him and said mockingly, "Do you even know

  who you're dealing with? Silence won't help you."

  In a trembling voice, the man muttered, "I won't tell you anything. I'd rather die..."

  "Dying would be an easy way out for you," Joren retorted with a grin.

  Daron

  met his gaze intently. "We have our methods to extract the truth." He

  lifted a small, sparkling vial. "Do you know what this is? Medusa

  extract. It paralyzes your limbs and severs your nerves – you remain

  alive, but in excruciating, frozen agony." Calmly, he dripped a little

  onto his rapier and slowly brought the sharp blade to the prisoner's

  wound. "Do you really want to keep silent?"

  Suddenly, the man burst out in panic, "Stop! What do you want to know?"

  "How many of you are there? What are you planning?" Daron demanded unequivocally.

  With

  a quivering voice, the man answered, "We are twenty. Our mission is to

  plunder the ship. We were ordered to take anything valuable and to keep

  an eye out for a small, golden orb."

  "Where are your men stationed?" Daron pressed.

  "At the dock before the ship. We've barricaded ourselves with the dockworkers – please..."

  Losing

  patience, Joren struck the prisoner sharply on the temple. Shortly

  after, he collapsed unconscious. He wouldn't be able to tell us any

  more.

  Joren eyed the vial, raising an eyebrow in amusement. "Medusa extract? Are you sure?"

  Daron smiled slightly. "Of course not. He didn't know it was just an Alrun tincture."

  Turning

  to Maria, who was still trembling, Daron said, "Stay here. You're

  safest here. We'll take care of the rest and free your people."

  He added reassuringly, "Stay here. You're safest here. We'll get your crew out."

  Joren, looking skeptically toward the dock, said, "We should get an overview first. Without a functioning scanner, we're blind."

  Daron nodded. "Stick close to me – we approach carefully."

  Crouching

  low, they moved silently through the dark shadows between crates and

  warehouses. They halted at a suitable cover. Cautiously, Daron peered

  out and scanned the dock area.

  "I

  count twenty men, split into three groups," he murmured after a brief

  observation. "The largest group is holding the prisoners right by the

  ship. If we deploy the golems skillfully, we can lure most of the

  attackers away."

  "Good plan," Joren whispered. "Two golems as a diversion. We strike as soon as they react."

  Daron raised his hand and signaled the two massive golems, which began moving silently toward the area.

  The two Shadow Guards waited tensely, ready to seize their chance as soon as the distraction took effect.

  The

  golems moved quietly to a secluded quay. Their massive forms emerged

  threateningly from the shadows. Suddenly, with destructive force, they

  began tearing apart crates and barrels. The deafening crash echoed over

  the silent docks. Wood splintered, metal bent, and panic instantly

  spread among the attackers.

  "What the hell is that?" one man shouted in horror.

  "Back off, you idiots!" another yelled frantically as several henchmen, weapons drawn, charged at the golems.

  "The diversion is working," Joren whispered contentedly.

  "Then let's move," Daron replied tersely.

  Crouching

  low, the two Shadow Guards crept cautiously through the icy darkness

  between crates, barrels, and abandoned warehouses. The damp chill of the

  harbor seeped into their clothes, each breath forming white mist, while

  in the distance the creak of an approaching airship could be heard.

  Suddenly,

  Daron raised his hand and halted abruptly. In the shadows stood another

  enemy, nervously glancing between the prisoners and the battleground.

  Daron froze for a moment, pressing himself against the damp wall, hand

  already gripping his rapier's hilt tightly. The man eyed them

  suspiciously and took a step forward – but a loud bang caused by one of

  the golems made him spin around. Seizing the moment, Joren fired a

  silent, precise shot. The man crumpled silently before he could raise an

  alarm.

  Shortly

  afterward, they reached their objective unseen: they observed from the

  shadows the position of the prisoners. About six men were nervously

  standing guard, weapons at the ready, their eyes shifting uneasily

  between the captives and the distant golems.

  "Hopefully the golems will hold out long enough," Joren whispered tensely.

  "They will," Daron replied firmly. "Ready? Now!"

  Both

  leaped from the shadows simultaneously. Daron elegantly whirled his

  rapier, its silver blade flashing through the moonlight as it

  incapacitated the first opponent. At the same moment, Joren fired

  precise shots that reliably felled their targets. Within moments, most

  of the surprised guards were either neutralized or fleeing.

  At

  that moment, the golems approached again. Their heavy steps made the

  pier tremble as they advanced purposefully on the remaining enemies. The

  magical runes on their stony bodies shone brightly. With a powerful

  movement, one golem grabbed an attacker, effortlessly lifting him and

  hurling him thunderously against a stack of crates, which then

  splintered apart. The second golem stomped the ground – a magical

  shockwave spread out, knocking the remaining foes to the ground in a

  daze.

  "Hurry, you're

  free!" Daron called to the bound dockworkers as he skillfully cut

  through their restraints with precise rapier strikes.

  One

  of the dockworkers looked up at Daron with tearful eyes. "We... we

  thought no one would help us anymore... Can we really trust you?"

  Daron

  placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and replied in a firm tone,

  "We belong to the Shadow Guard. You're safe now. Stick close to us;

  we'll get you out of here."

  Joren

  maintained a vigilant watch, keeping the last enemies lurking in the

  shadows at bay with his drawn pistol. Daron quickly led the dockworkers

  through the dark alleys, while the two massive golems, their runes now

  glowing, formed a protective barrier to ensure no one followed.

  After

  the last skirmishes faded, the golems still stood unyieldingly on the

  quay. Their stony bodies were bathed in a faint, bluish glow from the

  magical runes. Around their feet lay scattered debris of wood and metal,

  and hardly any foes stirred. Anyone who dared oppose them was

  effortlessly subdued—as if they were mere toys in the hands of these

  gigantic, unstoppable guardians.

  Daron

  briskly escorted the freed dockworkers back to Maria, who waited in the

  shadows with a pale face and trembling hands. When she recognized her

  colleagues, tears of relief streamed down her face.

  "You're alive... you're free!" she whispered gratefully.

  "We keep our promises," Daron reassured her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "You were strong. From now on, you're safe."

  Joren,

  still scanning the surroundings, said, "I'll get reinforcements from

  the Shadow Watch so we can secure the docks completely and evacuate the

  survivors." His gaze shifted one last time over Maria and the

  dockworkers. "Take good care of yourselves."

  "Hurry

  up," Daron said sternly, his eyes scanning the area. The chaotic clamor

  around the golems was gradually subsiding; only isolated shouts and

  footsteps could be heard until finally, calm prevailed.

  Soon

  after, Joren returned with a squad of heavily armed Shadow Guards,

  their techno-magical armor softly shimmering in the darkness. Swiftly

  and efficiently, they began arresting the remaining foes and securing

  the quay.

  "Lysara has been informed," Joren reported briefly. "The docks are back under control."

  Daron

  nodded gratefully but then looked thoughtfully toward the ship. "Before

  we leave, we should check out the Goldwing. There might be answers

  waiting for us there."

  Daron

  and Joren cautiously boarded the ship. Inside the Goldwing, the weak

  glow of the techno-magical emergency lights cast an almost ghostly

  atmosphere. A musty scent of salt and aged metal permeated the air,

  mixed with a faint aroma of grease and something foreign, almost

  electric. The techno-magical lamps, usually providing bright

  illumination, flickered weakly and cast diffuse shadows across the

  rust-colored metal walls.

  With

  practiced vigilance, they meticulously searched every berth, quietly

  opening creaking cupboard doors and inspecting crates—some locked, some

  ajar. Suddenly, Joren stopped abruptly and ran his fingers along a wall.

  "Daron, look at this."

  He

  tapped gently against the metallic panel, which sounded hollow. With a

  swift movement, he loosened an almost invisible wall plate. Behind it

  lay a hidden compartment, its interior pulsing faintly in shades of blue

  and red.

  "There's

  something here," Joren whispered in fascination as he carefully reached

  in. His hand uncovered several techno-magical devices, their intricate

  surfaces covered in delicate, pulsating glyphs.

  Daron

  stepped beside him and studied the apparatus closely. "These are

  exactly the same devices that blocked our scanners. This technology is

  clearly too advanced for ordinary thieves."

  "A powerful patron, then," Joren murmured. "That makes things even more complicated."

  Examining

  one of the devices more intently, the pulsing light reflected faintly

  in his serious eyes. "And more dangerous. Lysara must be informed

  immediately about what we're dealing with."

  With

  one last scrutinizing glance, they packed the devices away and

  hurriedly left the ship. Daron sensed that this was just the tip of the

  iceberg—the beginning of a much larger threat lurking in the shadows.

  "Daron,

  look at this," Joren murmured, holding one of the devices aloft in

  fascination. "These are exactly the same things that disabled our

  scanners."

  Daron

  carefully took the device from him, turned it over in his hands, and

  squinted thoughtfully. "This technology is far too advanced for ordinary

  thieves. Someone with great power is deliberately backing them." He set

  it down and sighed deeply. "We need to report this to Lysara. The

  prisoners surely know more."

  "The

  interrogation is scheduled for tomorrow morning," Joren said. "Let's

  head back to the Shadow Watch and file our reports. I think we've done

  enough for today."

  Daron

  nodded wearily, feeling the fatigue settle deep into his bones. For a

  moment, his thoughts drifted again to Maria and the suffering her crew

  had endured. "We did good today. I shudder to think what those bastards

  would have done to Maria and her people if we hadn't arrived in time."

  Joren

  smiled gently and clapped him on the shoulder. "Oh, you hero – at least

  let's celebrate with a drink at Minora tonight. And you're picking, of

  course."

  A slight smile crossed Daron's face. "Maybe even two. You didn't fight half bad today."

  "Not half bad? I saved your life at least twice!" Joren playfully protested.

  "I know," Daron replied quietly and seriously. "Thanks for that."

  They

  exchanged a knowing smile before setting off together toward the Shadow

  Watch. As they walked through the nocturnal streets, the silence of the

  night settled over them like a soft blanket. Only the distant hum of

  techno-magical streetlights and the far-off sound of crashing waves

  accompanied their steps.

  "Do

  you think the Thieves' Guild is connected to the murder in Aranthia?"

  Joren asked thoughtfully as they made their way back to the Shadow

  Watch. "Their equipment was exceptionally advanced – too advanced for

  mere hoodlums."

  Daron

  paused for a moment, gazing into the darkness. "I wonder the same. This

  high-tech gear suggests that someone powerful is operating in the

  background. The question is: who benefits from keeping us and the city

  in the dark? Perhaps someone wants to deliberately sow chaos, and the

  murder in Aranthia is somehow linked."

  "So

  you believe there's a connection between the Thieves' Guild, the

  Aranthia murder, and that mysterious elder?" Joren asked gravely.

  Daron

  nodded slowly, his expression hardening. "I'm not sure. A dangerous

  game is being played here—powerful figures are pulling the strings from

  behind the scenes, and the thieves are merely pawns on a larger board.

  Today, we only scratched the surface."

  Joren sighed deeply and replied with a grim look, "Then we're in for hard times."

  "I

  fear so too," Daron said calmly. "We don't even know our enemies at

  this point. Hopefully, after the interrogation tomorrow morning, things

  will become clearer. And then we'll finally discover what's really going

  on."

  "Then we'd

  better be well prepared," Joren said determinedly as they stepped

  through the gate of the Shadow Watch to file their report and brace

  themselves for the challenges ahead.