The Starling Mk-I sliced through the cloud cover, revealing Ravenfall in all its towering, metallic glory. The city sprawled beneath them like a labyrinth of iron and stone, its spires reaching toward a dim sky choked with smog. Massive floating platforms hovered above, swathed in mystical wards and anchored by thick cables. The city's pulse, a low, almost imperceptible hum vibrated through the air, sending chills through Ethan's spine.
"Approaching Ravenfall Outer Dock. Locking onto docking bay clearance.""Prepare for descent. Coordinates set."
Ethan's fingers hovered over the controls as the ship adjusted its descent trajectory. He glanced at Aelira, who had taken a seat near the secondary console, her eyes scanning the city below with a calculated intensity.
"So, this is Ravenfall," Aelira murmured, her voice a mixture of awe and skepticism. "Where the real power in the Empire resides."
"More like where it hides," Ethan replied, adjusting his grip on the control ring. "I've read enough to know that Ravenfall's more than just a city—it's a powder keg. You've got guilds, factions, old families. And then there's the shadow government..."
Aelira's lips tightened. "Yeah. The kind of place where nobody tells you who's really in charge until it's too late."
The Starling's descent slowed, and a holographic docking pad appeared in front of them, suspended in the air like an anchor. The ship landed with a soft hum, its systems locking in place.
"Docking complete. Welcome to Ravenfall, Inheritor Ethan Cross. All systems secured. Feel free to step outside... or don't. Your call."
Ethan chuckled under his breath as he unbuckled from the chair. Aelira followed suit, her boots clicking against the ship's metal floor as they made their way to the exit.
The docking bay was a far cry from the grandeur of Ravenfall's city center. It was isolated dimly lit, with large cargo crates stacked high and abandoned tech scattered across the floor. The air was thick with the scent of oil and rust.
"Something's off," Ethan muttered, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the surroundings.
Aelira stepped forward, hand instinctively going to the blade strapped to her back. "I don't like this either. This place doesn't feel like the rest of the city."
"This place feels wrong. It doesn't match the readings I've got." LYRA's voice buzzed in Ethan's ear. "There's a faint interference in the air. Like someone doesn't want you here."
Ethan paused. "Someone is definitely watching us."
As if on cue, a voice echoed through the bay—low, smooth, and dripping with authority.
"Well, well, what do we have here? A Stella-class ship crashing the party. You're braver than most." A tall figure stepped into view, his silhouette casting a long shadow. He wore a dark, high-collared coat, with a crimson insignia on his chest—a symbol Ethan recognized from his research: The Scorchfang Guild.
The man's cold smile didn't reach his eyes. "I'd say 'welcome to Ravenfall,' but that would be a lie. You're not here for the sights, are you?"
Ethan straightened, his hand inching toward the hilt of his blade, but Aelira placed a hand on his arm.
"Easy," she murmured. "Let's see where this goes."
The man chuckled softly, as if he had anticipated her move. "Smart. I'm Varian Korr, Head of the Scorchfang Guild's Ravenfall branch. And you—" he turned his gaze to Ethan, "—you're the one who's been making a stir lately. Not every day someone picks a fight with us and survives."
Ethan's mind raced. This is the Scorchfang Guild… and they know who I am? He needed to play it cool.
"I'm just passing through," Ethan said, his voice steady. "You don't want trouble with me, Korr."
Korr's eyes flashed with amusement. "I don't want trouble with anyone. But trouble seems to find me. And you, my friend, are going to be very interesting for the guild. If you survive long enough to matter."
Before Ethan could respond, the air around them shifted. A strange ripple moved through the space, faint but unmistakable. LYRA's voice interrupted the silence.
"Warning. External anomaly detected. A signal is approaching from the east, weak but growing stronger. It's... not from any known source."
Ethan's stomach tightened. "I've got a bad feeling about this."
Korr raised an eyebrow. "You hear that too? Don't tell me you've got more friends out there."
Aelira's grip tightened on her weapon. "Not exactly. But that sounds like something we need to check out."
The moment Korr's attention wavered, Ethan motioned for Aelira to fall back. They both pivoted, eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement.
The hum of the incoming signal grew louder.
And then, without warning, a burst of white light tore through the bay an explosion of sound and energy. A figure materialized in the center, cloaked in an impossible energy field.
It was a man or something like it, flickering between dimensions. His voice, distorted and sharp, cut through the air like a blade.
"He has returned. The One who calls himself... Inheritor."
The figure's eyes locked onto Ethan, burning with an otherworldly fire.
Ethan's heart skipped a beat. This isn't a coincidence.
"I'm reading... several anomalies now. Something is wrong. This entity doesn't belong in this dimension." LYRA's voice was strained.
The figure raised his hand, and the space around him warped, distorting reality itself.
Varian Korr's hand shot to his side, a hidden blade snapping into place. "Inheritor or not, this is our city, and no one threatens Ravenfall." He nodded to his men, who began moving in on Ethan and Aelira.
But Ethan wasn't paying attention to them anymore.
The mysterious figure's grin widened as he raised a hand, his energy pulse flashing brighter. "Do you truly think you can control your fate? The stars are aligning... and soon, you will all understand who has really been pulling the strings."