𝖣𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗌𝖾𝖽 𝖠𝗌 𝖠 𝖢𝖺𝗇𝗇𝗈𝗇 𝖥𝗈𝖽𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝖥𝖾𝗆𝖺𝗅𝖾 𝖤𝖽𝗎𝖼𝖺𝗍𝖾𝖽

Game of Shadows

As the dim glow of early evening began to settle over Capital City, Su Qingya made her way through the bustling streets.

Despite the crowds and the hum of conversation, she felt an odd sense of isolation.

Her eyes swept across the faces passing her by, searching for any sign of familiarity—a figure, a look, or even a hint that could explain how her soul ended up in this vessel.

She wrapped herself in the shadows of the alleys, careful to avoid crowded areas. The vivid scents from food stalls were enticing, and she couldn’t help but pause as she inhaled the aroma of fresh-baked buns, caramelized peanuts, and roasted meats.

She finally indulged, purchasing a small skewer of candied hawthorn from a vendor who gave her a curious look.

She was sure this would look unusual—a young woman alone in this part of town at dusk.

After slipping into a quieter alley, she pulled out the small tracking device, letting it run another scan.

She’d combed through most of the city with no sign of interstellar signals, yet her instincts insisted something was here, watching her just beyond the veil of normal sight.

Then, she froze as the device emitted a soft, pulsing signal—a weak energy trail, fading fast.

Her eyes followed the reading. Down the narrow street, a faint shimmer seemed to waver, barely visible even to her trained gaze.

"Interesting," she murmured, her fingers instinctively reaching to tuck the device back into her coat pocket.

Steeling herself, she followed the faint trail. She knew she only had a limited amount of time before it disappeared entirely.

The energy led her to a narrow side street where a small, unmarked tea house waited, nestled between larger buildings. Its red paper lanterns cast a warm but eerie glow across the cobblestones.

Su Qingya hesitated for only a moment before stepping inside, the sound of bells announcing her arrival.

The room was nearly empty save for a lone figure sitting in the far corner, sipping from a steaming cup. The man wore a dark coat and hat pulled low over his face, hiding his features.

Only his eyes caught the light, watching her with a piercing intensity that made her pulse quicken. He gestured to the seat across from him.

"Welcome, Miss Su," he said smoothly, his voice a low rumble. "Or should I call you…by another name?"

Her mind raced. How did he know her identity? She hadn’t shared it with anyone.

"Call me whatever you like," she replied calmly, sliding into the seat across from him. "But you clearly know who I am, so let’s skip the introductions."

The man chuckled. "I see why they sent you here. Always efficient." He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "You may not remember me, but we've crossed paths—many times."

Su Qingya’s gaze narrowed, focusing on his every movement. "I’m not here for games," she stated, her voice sharp and direct.

"I don’t know who you are or what you want, but I suggest you tell me before I lose patience."

The man leaned back with an air of satisfaction, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "You’ll understand soon enough," he said, setting down his tea and adjusting his collar.

"And when you do, you’ll have to make a choice that could change everything." He paused, casting her a knowing look.

"Oh, and be careful who you trust in Capital City. Not everyone here is as they appear…including your own shadow."