He swiftly turned to Rina, his gaze firm but comforting. "Co on, Rina. Let’s hurry back toward the entrance. Maybe Fiora panicked and rushed back there."
Rina nodded quickly, her eyes flickering with anxiety. "Right behind you, Young Master."
Without wasting another mont, Orion led the way swiftly through the haunting illusions and spectral environnts they had previously navigated, now barely paying any heed to the ghostly whispers or unsettling apparitions that still attempted to draw their attention.
The once-entertaining illusions had beco irrelevant now, replaced by the pressing urgency to locate Fiora.
Their hurried footsteps echoed urgently in the dimly lit corridors, every step heavier with concern. Rina’s eyes constantly scanned the shadows, worry clouding her typically playful expression.
Orion maintained his composure outwardly, but internally he wrestled with growing apprehension, questioning how Fiora could vanish without leaving behind a single clue.
They erged into the dimly lit corridor they had first entered from, and soon the wooden door leading outside beca visible.
Orion quickened his pace, gently pushing open the heavy door, stepping into the fresh evening air once again.
The lively noise of the entertainnt district felt strangely disconnected now, as if the joyous world outside had continued obliviously while sothing serious unfolded within.
Outside, Edgar and Lucan stood near the entrance, engaged in quiet conversation. Upon seeing Orion and Rina’s urgent expressions, Edgar imdiately straightened, his keen eyes narrowing.
Lucan, noticing their hurried pace, quickly moved toward them, concern evident in his expression.
"Young Master, what happened? Why are you in such a hurry?" Edgar asked gravely, instantly sensing sothing was wrong from Orion’s tense expression.
Orion quickly explained, his voice slightly hurried and edged with urgency, "We lost Fiora inside. She vanished completely from our sight after we separated briefly. There’s no trace of her anywhere, and it’s clear sothing unusual has happened."
Edgar’s expression imdiately hardened into quiet alarm, his eyes flickering toward the building behind them. Lucan’s playful deanor vanished entirely, his expression darkening considerably.
Without waiting for their reactions, Orion quickly turned toward Lucan and ordered with sharp decisiveness, "Brother Lucan, imdiately send a ssage to Grandpa and Grandma about what’s happened here. Tell them to be on alert. We may need their help."
Lucan nodded gravely, pulling out a small communication stone and hurriedly sending a concise, urgent ssage.
***
Far away from the Thunderpeak Kingdom, nestled within one of the illustrious cities of the Sky Shattering Empire, a serene yet majestic scene unfolded within a secluded courtyard.
The courtyard was surrounded by ticulously trimd bamboo, gently swaying with the evening breeze, their rhythmic rustling creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
A small, ornate table crafted from ancient jade sat between two elderly figures, their faces marked by countless experiences and wisdom gained through the long passage of ti.
Eldric sat upright, his eyes reflecting a deep, subtle unease that contrasted starkly with the tranquility of his surroundings.
Opposite him, an old man dressed in traditional Daoist robes sat calmly, his deanor as serene as a placid lake.
The Old Daoist exuded an aura of profound wisdom and serenity, his long white beard cascading gently down his chest, his eyes deep and impenetrable, containing secrets untold.
Eldric finally broke the silence, his voice heavy with concern, "Honored Daoist, I’ve sensed worrying movents lately. The damned demons, they’ve begun stirring again. Their movents are much more intense than usual. Why have they begun moving so abruptly?"
The Old Daoist slowly lifted a teacup to his lips, sipping quietly before placing it back down. His eyes briefly closed, as though consulting with invisible forces around him. When he opened them again, his gaze locked onto Eldric’s with gentle clarity.
"You already know the answer to your question, Eldric," the Old Daoist replied softly, his voice like the quiet rustle of leaves in a distant forest.
Eldric’s expression hardened montarily as he murmured quietly to himself, voice barely audible, "Is it because... the Golden Age approaches?"
The Old Daoist’s response was simple yet significant—a slow, deliberate nod. But his lips stayed sealed beyond that confirmation, offering no further explanation or detail, as though such profound truths were not yet ready to be revealed.
Eldric heaved a heavy sigh, his shoulders drooping slightly under the weight of this revelation.
Anxiety flashed briefly in his eyes before he composed himself, asking again in a lower voice, "Do you know how long we have to prepare before... before an all-out war erupts?"
This ti, the Old Daoist allowed himself a soft, weary smile, shaking his head slightly. "The future, Eldric, is ever-changing and unpredictable. Variables continuously appear, shifting fate and destiny in ways even I cannot foresee. Predicting such timing with precision is impossible, especially with the recent, unexpected variable that appeared."
Eldric’s eyes sharpened imdiately at that revelation, his thoughts swiftly connecting dots, pondering deeply for a mont.
The old man’s words resonated powerfully within him, and after a brief pause, Eldric quietly asked, almost hesitantly, "This unexpected variable... is it Orion?"
Upon hearing Orion’s na, a knowing, subtle smile ford on the Old Daoist’s lips, yet he offered no verbal answer.
He simply stared back at Eldric, his eyes sparkling mysteriously with hidden wisdom.
Eldric felt a strange chill run down his spine, the Daoist’s silence speaking volus more than any spoken word could have conveyed.
He drew in a sharp breath, about to ask another question to gain clarity, when suddenly, the Old Daoist’s calm voice interrupted, cutting through his scattered thoughts.
"Looks like your grandson is in trouble," he stated calmly, as though casually discussing the weather. "He might even lose his life if things go unfavorably."
Eldric’s eyes widened instantly, panic and alarm surging through his previously calm expression. He bolted upright, eyes blazing fiercely with concern. "What do you an by that? Explain yourself!"
Yet before the Old Daoist could respond, Eldric felt a vibration within his robes—a communication orb glowing urgently.
Quickly, he retrieved it, Lucan’s anxious and hurried ssage filling him with dread and anger as he saw the tistamp of the ssage.
"Damn it!" Eldric cursed fiercely, gritting his teeth, frustration evident in his every feature. "Why didn’t you contact sooner, Lucan?"
Realizing there was no ti to waste, Eldric swiftly bowed toward the Old Daoist, urgency clearly dominating every motion and word. "Forgive my abrupt departure, honored Daoist. My grandson needs ."
The Old Daoist rely offered a gentle nod, silently acknowledging the urgency of Eldric’s situation.
Without another word, Eldric turned toward the open sky, his body instantly surrounded by a powerful aura of concentrated thunder affinity mana.
The ground beneath him trembled montarily as he launched himself upward, piercing through clouds and air currents like a shooting star.
His figure blurred as he accelerated rapidly, leaving behind a thunderous sonic boom reverberating throughout the serene courtyard.
Left alone, the Old Daoist calmly lifted his teacup once more, gazing thoughtfully at the sky where Eldric had vanished. A subtle smile lingered, his deep eyes holding countless unspoken secrets.
"Fate’s threads are weaving once more," he murmured softly to himself, "The Heir of the Dood Path is here—yet again to bring ruin to all races."
***
Back at Stormspire City, Orion then turned quickly to Edgar, motioning toward their carriage parked nearby.
"Let’s hurry," Orion said urgently. "If she isn’t inside, soone must have taken her outside. We don’t have a mont to lose."
Edgar nodded in firm agreent, imdiately heading toward the carriage. Orion swiftly followed, gently guiding Rina along with him as she remained silently worried.
Lucan quickly caught up to them, his usually carefree steps now heavy with tension.
They quickly exited the entertainnt district, the bustling cityscape blurring around them as they moved with swift determination.
Just as they reached the outer edge, however, a familiar voice suddenly broke through the busy street chatter.
"Yo, Boss! Fancy eting you here!"
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