The dawn of Jinshangbao finally arrived, with morning light piercing through the haze of war and conspiracy, spilling onto the ruins of the devastated city hall. Charred stone pillars stood like the ribs of a giant beast, and the air still lingered with the pungent smell of arcane energy burns and the metallic rust of melted metal. Fa, Arya, and Tisk stood before the collapsed altar, gazing at the last wisp of starlight on the remnant corner of the map sinking into the ground. An unease surged in their hearts like a flock of circling crows, impossible to shake off.
At that moment, a faint sound of footsteps interrupted their thoughts. An elderly man dressed in a deep blue city hall uniform approached slowly. His face was haggard, with sunken eye sockets, but his gaze was unusually resolute. Eight guards equipped with hybrid magical and technological armaments followed cautiously behind him.
"Brave strangers," the old man bowed in salute, his voice hoarse yet carrying an undeniable sincerity. "I am Noah, the mayor of Jinshangbao. On behalf of all the souls in this city who have regained new life, I thank you for rescuing our citizens from endless darkness." His eyes swept over the ruins, a deep sorrow flashing in them. "If not for you, Jinshangbao would forever become a puppet city of the blood elves and Kintelo, our wills imprisoned in invisible shackles."
Arya gracefully returned the elven salute and softly said, "Mayor Noah, this is what we should do. The fragments of the Heart of the Stars concern the balance of the entire world; protecting them is our shared responsibility."
Mayor Noah nodded, his gaze falling on the unconscious Fa, filled with concern. "Your companion... she paid a heavy price for us. Please allow me to provide assistance. The city hall's healing institute has the best technological medical pods and magical recovery arrays." He gestured, and a team of medical personnel with mechanical stretchers fused with healing runes quickly and gently lifted Fa.
"Thank you for your generosity, Your Honor," Arya responded gratefully, while vigilantly sensing the surrounding energy fluctuations to ensure no lingering threats remained.
Tisk patted his grimy engineering pouch, producing a clinking sound of metal. "My gear needs a good fix-up too. The altar's backlash almost shattered the core gear set of 'Earthshaker'."
They followed Mayor Noah through the heavily guarded streets to the mayor's residence. The once-prosperous districts were now filled with shattered holographic billboards and extinguished magical lanterns. Enforcement officers were clearing the battlefield, recovering Kintelo's leftover technological equipment and the blood elves' dark artifacts. A post-calamity silence enveloped the city, but at the same time, a budding hope of rebirth quietly sprouted in the air.
The Whisper of the Star Pupil and the Mystery of Healing
In a quiet guest room at the mayor's residence, Fa was placed on a soft bed. Medical mechanical arms slid silently above her, spraying a fine mist with calming effects, while moonstones embedded in the walls emitted a gentle healing glow.
Arya sat by the bedside, tightly gripping the pendant of the light elf, softly chanting ancient and intricate healing incantations. Emerald green and silver-white auras flowed over Fa's body like living entities, repairing the visible wounds. However, for the violent power of the Star Pupil in Fa's right eye, Arya's magic was like a stream merging into the ocean, unable to calm that vast and restless energy.
Kate's family—his mother and sister—were settled on the other side of the residence, under strict protection by the enforcement team. Kate's mother had gradually recovered under Arya's previous treatment, and his sister clung tightly to her side, her eyes full of hope for the future.
Over these five days, Mayor Noah united with nobles not colluding with Kintelo and forced the enforcement team to launch a cleanup operation against Kintelo's forces. Those nobles who had colluded with Kintelo were arrested one after another, and Jinshangbao's order gradually returned to normal.
During these days, Arya said to Tisk in surprise, "Her body is self-repairing," while the latter was busy detecting the room's magical energy readings. "But this method of repair... it's not from my spells. Look at her Star Pupil."
Tisk adjusted the focus of his goggles and saw that in Fa's right eye, faint starlight was seeping through the slits, like countless tiny diamonds ground into powder and sprinkled into her veins. These points of light flowed slowly beneath her skin, and wherever they passed, internal injuries healed at an astonishing speed. The sight was sacred yet unsettling.
"The Star Pupil is burning her own life force to repair the wounds," Tisk said gravely, pulling up ancient dwarven medical texts from his goggles' memory for comparison. "It's like a double-edged sword. Records mention that overstimulating this power could ultimately lead to 'Star Eclipse'—the host dissolving into a pure energy form."
At that moment, Fa let out a faint groan, her eyelashes trembling as she slowly opened her eyes. Her left eye first showed the usual confusion, then her right eye burst with an even brighter azure glow, as if an entire galaxy was swirling within. She tried to sit up; her movements were somewhat stiff but far easier than expected. "I... was I sick?"
Arya smiled and nodded. "Yes, we all thought you were nearly dead. I didn't expect the Star Pupil could heal too."
Fa grasped her hand gratefully. "Thank you, Arya. If it weren't for you, I might..."
Arya smiled, interrupting her. "We're partners; we still have adventures ahead together."
Kate's Determination and Farewell
Upon hearing that Fa had awakened, Kate rushed over with his mother and sister to visit. The orc woman's face was still pale, but the shadows in her eyes had dissipated, replaced by gratitude for rebirth. The little girl clung tightly to her mother's hem, curiously eyeing the mechanical devices and magical glows in the room.
"Fa sister!" Kate rushed to the bedside, his eyes shimmering with excited tears and unshakeable determination. "I'm so glad you're okay! Please take me with you! I want to adventure with you all! I want to become strong, protect Mom and my sister, and guard those who need help just like you!"
Fa gently stroked Kate's rough hair, her voice soft yet firm. "Kate, you've already proven your courage. You saved everyone in Jinshangbao with us; you're a true hero. But because of that, you should stay here." She looked at Kate's worried mother behind him. "Jinshangbao is rebirth, but it's still fragile. Your family needs you, and this city needs brave young people like you to protect it. This is your most important battlefield now."
Kate bit his lip, reluctant tears welling in his eyes, but he read the sincerity and entrustment in Fa's gaze and finally nodded. "I understand, Fa. But please promise me, if you encounter my father or sister, tell them Mom, my sister, and I are all protected well."
With that, he pulled an iron orc statue from his pocket and handed it to Fa. "This is what my sister entrusted to me before she went to the legion to find Father. Please take it; if you meet them, give this to them and tell them... tell them we're alive, and we're waiting for them to come home."
Fa took the statue and nodded solemnly. "I promise, Kate."
On the sixth morning, the time for farewell arrived.
At the entrance of the mayor's residence, Mayor Noah personally saw them off. Behind him stood not only Kate's family but also several surviving council members and business leaders who had declared loyalty during the cleanup.
Mayor Noah grasped Fa's hand, speaking earnestly. "You are the heroes of Jinshangbao and the hope of the world. May you all be safe."
Kate ran forward and hugged Fa tightly, tears in his eyes. "Fa, remember your promise."
Fa smiled and hugged him back. "I will, Kate. Take care."
Tisk patted Kate's shoulder. "Kid, take good care of your family. We'll be back."
Arya softly said, "Kate, remember, bravery isn't about not being afraid, but doing the right thing even when you are."
Kate nodded vigorously, watching as Fa and the others gradually walked away, disappearing into the morning mist.
Fa, Arya, and Tisk set out on the road to Bethes Forest, their hearts filled with determination and anticipation. They knew the fragments of the Heart of the Stars lay ahead, and greater challenges awaited them.
Fa gripped the iron orc statue from Kate, as if channeling his courage and trust. She looked into the distance, starlight flickering in her eyes. "Bethes Forest, here we come."
Time Flashback: The Conspiracy Six Days Ago
Just as Fa, Arya, and Tisk prepared to leave Jinshangbao and embark on their journey to Bethes Forest, let us turn our gaze temporarily to six days prior, to the truth hidden in the dark side of the world.
The Kintelo leader fled back to the blood elf leader's location in disarray, his mech still dripping with eerie slime from traversing spatial rifts, panting as he reported the disastrous defeat at Jinshangbao. His tone mixed fear and regret, detailing how their plans were utterly shattered.
Upon hearing this, the blood elf leader's heart ignited with raging fury, but on the surface, he remained unusually calm, merely saying softly, "Understood."
After the Kintelo leader retreated, the blood elf leader turned and entered a hidden secret chamber. Several diamond-shaped magical light screens floated in the air, shimmering with ghostly light, composed of flowing star sand and rune matrices. Their surfaces rippled like water, from which several blurred figures emerged. One of them spoke: "I told you long ago, your blood curse sorcery is just child's play. If we Soul Body Clan had handled it, we could have directly used the Soul-Devouring Bell to extract the souls of the entire city for interrogation and gotten everything we need. Why come to this?"
In the light screen, a gray-robed figure wrapped in chains let out a piercing cold laugh. Behind him, countless pale arm shadows could vaguely be seen scratching at the barrier. These images, projected through high-tech magical technology, appeared extraordinarily real and eerie.
The blood elf leader's nails dug deep into his palm, blood droplets condensing into ice crystals in the air. "Cthulhu, watch your words! Don't forget who pulled your clan out of the Eternal Night Abyss."
"Enough!"
The mysterious person in the main seat suddenly spoke. His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried an absolute authority and an indescribable powerful aura. Just a low shout made all the light screens, including those of the blood elf and Cthulhu among the four, tremble violently, as if they might shatter at any moment. His face was covered by a mask half metal and half biological material, with only his eyes exposed—terrifying. The left eye was like the purest emerald, deep as a forest; the right eye resembled a red agate soaked in thick blood, violent and greedy.
The blood elf suppressed his anger and reported the failure at Jinshangbao in as calm a tone as possible, especially emphasizing the power displayed by the human woman with the Star Pupil and her companions.
Upon hearing "Star Pupil," the mysterious person in the main seat leaned slightly forward, and the terrifying pressure enveloping the room instantly surged. His eyes erupted with a horrifying light, a complex emotion mixing extreme fear and extreme excitement. "The Star Pupil? He... has finally appeared! The long wait of ages... the variable in the prophecy..."
The other participants' shadows also fluctuated, emitting suppressed exclamations and discussions.
"The Star Pupil reappears... the gears of the era are accelerating..."
"Will this disrupt our layouts over these years?"
"We must reassess all plans!"
The Soul Body Clan representative called Cthulhu let out an icy sneer. "A variable? Perhaps an opportunity. If we can capture her and obtain her Star Pupil power, we might complete the 'World Purification Ritual' ahead of time!"
The mysterious person in the main seat was silent for a moment, his gaze under the mask turning to the blood elf leader, his voice becoming deeper and more inscrutable. "Your failure is noted for now. No need to bother with Jinshangbao's aftermath. Your task now is to concentrate all resources on monitoring every move of the Star Pupil bearer. I'll send more personnel to assist you. This time, no mistakes. I want the Star Pupil bearer alive, understand?"
The blood elf leader bowed respectfully. "Yes, my lord."
The light screens extinguished one by one, and the secret chamber returned to dead silence, leaving only the blood elf's heavy breathing and the mad growth of revenge and ambition in his heart.
The Present Journey: Clues in the Mist
Time returns to the present.
Fa, Arya, and Tisk stepped out of Jinshangbao's city gates, the morning mist gradually dissipating to reveal the winding trade road ahead. The bustle behind the city gates faded, replaced by the rumble of mechanical carriages in the distance and occasional magical energy fluctuations. Although Jinshangbao's order was recovering, an uneasy atmosphere still lingered in the air.
"We need to find the abandoned ancient castle in Bethes Forest as soon as possible," Arya said softly, a hint of anxiety in her eyes. "The fragments of the Heart of the Stars are there; we can't let Kintelo's remnants get there first."
Fa nodded, gripping the hilt of her sword at her waist, the Star Pupil shimmering faintly in the sunlight. "But we know nothing about Bethes Forest; we need to scout the specific location and route first."
Tisk patted his tool pack on his back, smiling confidently. "Don't worry, I heard some rumors about Bethes Forest while in Jinshangbao. It's said to have been a sacred land of ancient souls, later abandoned due to some curse, now leaving only an abandoned ancient castle."
"Rumors are just rumors," Arya frowned. "We need more concrete information. Perhaps we can ask locals in the villages ahead."
The three proceeded along the trade road, the scene at the city gates still vivid. The massive gates, woven from gears and vines, rose slowly with a piercing metal friction sound. On the walls, enforcement officers' mechanical prosthetic eyes flashed red, holding high-tech weapons and magical detectors, strictly scanning every passerby. When Fa and her group passed inspection, they felt the tense atmosphere inside the city—though Kintelo's forces had been weakened, vigilance hadn't slackened at all.
On the trade road, various bizarre vehicles flowed endlessly, some hovering above the ground, pulled by mechanical beasts, with bodies embedded in flashing runes emitting faint blue light.
Seeking Clues to the Ancient Castle
Soon, the group encountered a large merchant caravan. Hovering carriages glided lightly over the ground with a deep blue glow at the bottom, mechanical beasts forged like flowing metal, emitting low resonant hums as they moved. The caravan members were busy handling goods, the scent of exotic spices mixed with mechanical oil lingering in the air, while several small flyers hovered above the caravan, emitting rhythmic buzzes.
Fa adjusted her attire and politely greeted a merchant in ornate robes. "Hello, we are adventurers heading to Bethes Forest. Do you know the specific location of the abandoned ancient castle?"
The merchant looked up at Fa, a trace of alertness crossing his brow. Upon seeing Fa and her team, his expression relaxed slightly. "Bethes Forest? That's a cursed danger zone; it's said the trees devour light, and beasts have rust-like scales—are you sure you want to go?"
"We have a mission we must accomplish," Arya stepped forward half a step. "If you can provide guidance, we'll be eternally grateful." The merchant pondered for a moment and pointed to the rear of the caravan. "Our leader has traversed the forest's edge; perhaps he can help."
Beside a hovering carriage adorned with magical totems, they met an elderly man with a speckled beard. A holographic map floated on his lap, with mountains and rivers flowing in faint light. Hearing footsteps, he flicked his finger, and the map dissipated into specks of glow. "Young ones, you're venturing into Bethes Forest?"
"Yes," Fa nodded, crossing her hands over her chest in an adventurer's salute. "We need to find the abandoned ancient castle there."
The old man sighed, his withered fingers stroking a ruby on his bracelet. "That ancient castle is hidden deep in the forest. Thirty years ago, war flames spread to it, and the survivors used their last magic to set curses and traps. Now, not only are there mutated beasts, but a soul-corroding black mist pervades... " He paused and removed the bracelet, handing it over. "Press the blue button to display the route; follow the glow indicators—that's the hidden markers left by caravans back then."
As Tisk took the bracelet, he noticed the scar exposed on the old man's cuff—a mark from magical burns. "It's not peaceful around there lately," the old man said lowly. "Kintelo's remnants are swarming like flies; their leader isn't dead, and it's said they're coveting something..."
"Kintelo?" Arya furrowed her brows. "Wasn't their force in Jinshangbao uprooted?"
The old man shook his head, a trace of worry in his eyes. "Child, you underestimate the tenacity of darkness. To them, Jinshangbao might just be an important stronghold. The true behemoth often hides deeper underground. What you're facing may far exceed your imagination."
Fa clenched her fist, a flash of determination in her Star Pupil. "We'll be careful. Thank you for the reminder."
Passersby's Discussions
Bidding farewell to the caravan, the three proceeded along the trade road glowing with fluorescence. In the twilight, several merchant vehicles passed, fragments of the drivers' conversations carried by the wind:
"I heard Jinshangbao's enforcement team destroyed three more Kintelo hideouts, but plenty of remnants escaped."
"I heard those remnants fled into Bethes Forest, saying they want to awaken something..."
"Ah, in this world, once the balance between magic and machinery is broken, it's us common merchants who suffer—"
Listening to these discussions, Fa's determination to proceed grew stronger. She knew Kintelo's threat hadn't been completely eliminated; they must find the fragments of the Heart of the Stars as soon as possible to prevent greater disaster.
Inquiry in the Village
After a day's trek, Fa and her group arrived at a small town called "Green Day Town." The town was bustling, with stalls lining the streets selling various high-tech goods and magical items. In the central square, a massive magical projection device was broadcasting news announcements, showing battle scenes from Jinshangbao and the enforcement team's victory declarations.
"It seems the victory news from Jinshangbao spread quickly," Arya said lowly. "This is good news for us; at least Kintelo won't dare act rashly in the short term."
"But we can't let our guard down," Fa reminded. "They might operate in the shadows; we must stay vigilant."
"First, find a place to rest, replenish essentials, and best inquire about the specific situation in the forest." Fa decided, subconsciously pulling her cloak's hood lower.
They found the town's only establishment serving as both tavern and inn—"Green Vine Tavern." As they pushed open the creaking wooden door, a thick mix of ale, stewed meat, sweat, and metal rust assaulted them. The noisy conversations lowered a bit, countless gazes—curious, vigilant, ill-intentioned—falling on these obvious outsiders.
Fa and the others chose a corner seat, perking up their ears to catch the surrounding diners' talks.
"...Heard about it? Jinshangbao made big moves, taking down several Kintelo nests; energy batteries and healing potions... prices have risen a lot."
"...Lately, unfamiliar faces are lurking around town, asking about the ancient castle; generous spenders, but scary eyes."
"Shh! Keep it down! Don't invite trouble..."
At that moment, a tall hunter entered, carrying a uniquely shaped longbow on his back. His leather armor was full of scratches, and a sharp-eyed silver thunderbird perched on his shoulder. Most striking was his longbow, its body seemingly fused from some living wood and metal, the string like several intertwined, faintly wriggling glow vines, and the arrowheads in his quiver shimmering with odd resin sheen. He went straight to the bartender, handing over a few beast tooth coins for ammo resupply.
Fa and Arya exchanged a glance and stood to approach him.
"Excuse me, Mr. Hunter, I'm Fa," Fa spoke. "We'd like to ask you about Bethes Forest, especially the abandoned ancient castle."
The hunter turned, his weathered eyes sharply appraising them, pupils contracting like a cat's in the dim light. Hearing "Bethes Forest" and "ancient castle," his gaze turned sharp, fingers subconsciously stroking the magical runes on his longbow.
"I'm Od, and that place you speak of is a nest of death," his voice low and raspy. "The things in the woods... aren't entirely alive. The curse changed everything; the air deceives, the ground eats people, even shadows might suddenly pounce and strangle your neck. Few enter and stay sane, let alone come out alive."
"We have reasons we must go," Fa persisted, her gaze sincere. "Any information could be a lifesaver."
Od stared at them silently for a few seconds, seemingly assessing their determination and strength. Finally, he fished out a wooden amulet strung with rough rope, engraved with abstract leaf patterns, and handed it over. The amulet emitted an extremely faint green glow, cool to the touch. "This is a 'Heart Guard Amulet'; it can dispel low-level illusions."
Fa took the amulet gratefully. "Thank you very much, Mr. Od."
Od paused. "Good luck to you."
Serenity Before Bethes
After leaving the tavern, Fa and her group decided to rest in town for the night, preparing for the next day's journey. As night fell, the town's lights gradually lit up, magical lanterns emitting soft glows that illuminated the streets.
In the inn room, Tisk was studying the hidden markers left by the caravan years ago, tracing a winding path. "There's an abandoned secret path on the forest's east side, entrance hidden behind three conjoined trees—"
At that moment, a commotion came from outside the window. Fa went to the window and saw a crowd gathering in the square, surrounding the magical projection device, buzzing with discussion.
"What's going on?" Arya asked.
"Seems like news from the west of Murete Continent," Tisk said. "Let's go see."
The three arrived at the square, where the projection device was broadcasting an urgent notice: "Two more villages on the west of Murete Continent have had their residents disappear without reason; officials have no leads yet."
"What on earth happened?" Fa frowned.
"Let's not worry about that now; we must hasten our pace," Arya said. "We can't let Kintelo get ahead."
"Right," Tisk nodded. "We'll set out at first light tomorrow."
Late at night, Fa lay on the bed, closing her eyes, the Star Pupil flickering faintly in the darkness. She gripped the iron statue from Kate, her mind swirling with thoughts. She knew the road ahead was full of unknowns and dangers, but to protect this world and all who trusted her, she must forge ahead.
Arya and Tisk prepared in their respective rooms, the friendship and trust among the three growing stronger through this journey. Bethes Forest was close at hand, and greater challenges awaited them.