Shinon’s heart raced with excitent as the quest notification flashed before his eyes. Ignoring the curious gazes of the people around him, he focused solely on the task at hand.
This was a mont he had been waiting for, a chance to unravel the mysteries of Lunarisite, and he wasn’t going to waste it.
"Kira, Rico! I’m heading out for a while. Have fun with the kids!" Shinon yelled as he rushed outside.
"But where-" Kira was about to ask him, but he was already gone. "This guy... do you know where’s he going?"
"What makes you think I’d know?" Rico laughed. "Let’s focus on the kids. He’ll be back soon... I hope."
Without wasting any ti, Shinon accepted the quest and sprinted through the bustling streets, his mind filled with thoughts of possibilities ahead.
As he navigated the busy streets, he could hear whispers and murmurs from onlookers, their eyes following his frantic movents. But Shinon paid no heed to their opinions. At this mont, their thoughts were inconsequential.
Within monts, Shinon was standing outside i Lin’s parlour. The sa place where he had received his serpent or dragon tattoo, depending on how people interpreted it, a while back.
Entering the peaceful space, Shinon was greeted by the delicate aroma of incense and soothing lodies playing softly in the background. The walls were adorned with intricate artwork depicting mythical creatures and symbols of ancient wisdom.
i Lin, as usual, sat at a table covered with various tools and materials, her eyes filled with serene wisdom that seed to span centuries. She was truly a mysterious being, having been bestowed the gift of foresight.
In his hurriedness, Shinon didn’t even bother knocking and rushed inside the parlour, only to discover i Lin working on a tattoo on her abdon, right below her chest. As such, she hadn’t even bothered covering herself as she was alone.
"Oh, I’m sorry!" Shinon stamred, feeling a wave of embarrassnt wash over him.
He hastily turned around, his cheeks flushed with a rosy hue. It was an unintentional intrusion, and he hadn’t expected to walk in on i Lin in such a vulnerable state.
As he stood there, his heart racing, Shinon debated whether to leave imdiately or apologise and explain his purpose for coming. But before he could decide, i Lin’s calm voice reached his ears, breaking through the awkward silence.
"Ah, Shinon. I have been expecting you," i Lin said, her tone composed and unfazed by the situation. She quickly covered herself, a gesture that eased Shinon’s discomfort. "There’s no need to shy away from one’s natural self. But since it makes you uncomfortable, here. I’m dressed now."
Shinon turned cautiously, finding i Lin fully clothed, her tattoo still peeking beneath the fabric. He let out a nervous chuckle, his embarrassnt gradually subsiding.
"Thank you, i. I apologise for barging in like that."
i Lin smiled, her eyes twinkling with understanding. "No need to apologise, Shinon. Sotis these things happen. Besides, there’s nothing to be ashad of. The human body is a canvas, and art cos in many forms."
"Wait, you said you were expecting ? How did you know?" Shinon blurted out but then shook his head. i Lin had the rare foresight ability. It was apparent she knew about his arrival.
i Lin offered a knowing smile. "The whispers of the universe guide us to those who seek answers. It isn’t the first ti sothing like this has happened, nor will it be the last."
"Then you’d know why I’m here, don’t you?" Shinon said as he placed the bundle of Lunarisite on the table before i Lin.
i Lin’s eyes sparkled with intrigue as she delicately picked up a piece of the shimring material. She examined it closely, her fingers tracing its intricate patterns.
"Lunarisite, a mystical gift from the night sky. It holds imnse power, but only those who can unlock its secrets can harness its true potential..." i Lin smiled before handing the ore back to Shinon. "Don’t worry, I won’t ask you how or where you got it. Your secret’s safe with ."
i Lin continued in a hushed voice, "Lunarisite, like the moon’s reflection on still water, holds the essence of transformation. To shape it into a malleable tal, you must seek the harmony of elents and the dance of energies."
Shinon listened intently, his mind racing to decipher i Lin’s cryptic ssage. "Harmony of elents... What do you an?"
"The fire’s embrace, the earth’s grounding touch, the breath of air, and the flowing waters. Unite these forces within your craft, and the Lunarisite shall yield its secrets." i Lin replied with a cryptic smile.
"How is sothing like that even possible?"
i Lin remained silent for a mont, but her smile didn’t fade. "If soone like Marcus can figure it out, I’m sure you can as well."
Shinon’s surprise was evident as i Lin ntioned Marcus had uncovered the secret. In hindsight, it would make sense if that was the case, as it would give Marcus ample reason to enslave people just for working in the mines.
But how could soone like Marcus have unlocked the secret of processing Lunarisite? It seed improbable, and Shinon couldn’t help but question the truth of i Lin’s statent.
"Marcus... he couldn’t have discovered the secret on his own," Shinon muttered, his brows furrowing in contemplation. "There must be soone else, soone guiding him."
"Indeed. You’re the only one being guided by mysterious individuals, Shinon." i Lin said while staring off into the distant skies. "However, the identity of the individual helping Marcus is sothing I’m incapable of discovery by myself."
Shinon’s thoughts raced as he considered i Lin’s words. His first hunch was that there were more people like i, possessing the knowledge of Lunarisite, who had sided with Marcus and were actively helping him.
"But who could it be? Who possesses such knowledge and influence?" Shinon pondered aloud, his voice laced with determination.
As Shinon voiced his thoughts, i’s eyes flickered with an otherworldly light, and her body levitated above the ground. The air around them seed charged with energy, and a voice unlike i’s escaped her lips, resonating with an ethereal quality.
"The answers you seek may lie within the depths of the settlent. Explore the whispers, the hidden conversations, and the unsaid truths. Trust your intuition, Shadowbearer, for it will guide you to the source of this hidden knowledge," the mysterious voice spoke, its words carrying a sense of urgency and importance.
Shinon watched in awe and concern as i’s body trembled, and she fell back to the floor, panting heavily. He rushed to her side, kneeling down and gently supporting her.
"i! Are you alright?" Shinon asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. i’s eyes fluttered open, and she took a few deep breaths, trying to regain her composure.
"I... I’m fine," i whispered, her voice still trembling. "That was... unexpected. The spirits within sotis speak when the veil between realms is thin."
"Spirits?"
"Yes, spirits," i confird, her voice conveying mystery. "The unseen forces that exist beyond our mortal realm. They hold wisdom and knowledge that can guide us if we are open to their whispers."
Shinon didn’t know if he should laugh or not, as the notion of spirits watching him was ridiculous. But then, so was the existence of the system.
After all, everything happening around them was hard to believe... magic, zombies, insectoids... everything. Yet it was all true.
"Can’t one of your spirits help to figure out what his rock does?" Shinon joked as he helped i back to her feet.
"I’m afraid you’re the only blacksmith I have been in contact with." i smiled once again before continuing. "However, there is one thing I can tell you that may help you in the future."
i Lin’s expression turned serious as she leaned closer to Shinon, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The relationship between Marcus and Aric runs deeper than what ets the eye."
"They have a relationship?" Shinon’s eyes widened in surprise.
i Lin took a mont to gather her thoughts before continuing. "Marcus has been secretly selling the refined Lunarisite to Aric. Their alliance is not rely one of convenience but goes much deeper."
Shinon’s mind raced as he tried to comprehend the implications of i Lin’s revelation. The Lunarisite, the very resource he had been desperately seeking to understand and utilise, was being funnelled into the hands of their greatest enemy.
"Why would Marcus do such a thing?" Shinon asked, his voice filled with a mix of disbelief and anger.
i Lin’s gaze grew sombre. "Power, Shinon. It is a dangerous and seductive force. Marcus sees an opportunity to align himself with Aric and gain more control, influence, and wealth. He has hidden his relationship with Aric from everyone, including the other Phoenixes."
"And how do you know all this?" Shinon inquired, but when i shrugged, he got his answer. "Spirits... of course. Either way, thanks for the heads up."
As Shinon said that, he turned to leave without wasting any more ti. However, as he left, i Lin called him, wondering what he was planning to do.
Shinon smiled and said, "Ask your spirits, they’ll know."
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