When night pressed down, the southern granary loomed like a crouching beast, heavy-roofed and silent. Dim oil light seeped through its narrow windows. From the street corner, the night watchman struck his clappers three times, each beat long and hollow, echoing uneasily through the alleys—like a warning that this night would not be peaceful.
Luna and Sera moved along the outer path, their boots crunching crisp against the gravel. They made no effort to muffle their steps—because not hiding made it easier to force hidden watchers to reveal their breath.
"There are eyes on us," Sera murmured, as naturally as breathing. "Two under the eaves, one in the granary's shadow, and…"
"One in the chimney," Luna finished, fingers brushing the whistle at her chest. "He sneezed three times—held back the first two, but the third almost choked him with soot."
Sera smirked and tilted her head upward. "Hey! Up there! Keep sniffing that smoke and you'll lose your teeth by morning."
A startled grunt echoed from the chimney, followed by a frantic shuffle. Luna raised her hand, drawing a small circle in the air. The faint oil lamps flickered, and hidden warding runes along the granary wall shivered to life—thin cracks gleaming faintly, like lines revealed by frost.
"The protection array's been tampered with—two breaks," Luna said evenly. "Someone's already at work."
Sera snorted. "And the mission slip wrote 'suspected sabotage'? What a joke."
They reached the main gate. Two guards stood nodding off, heads bobbing like pecking chickens. Sera clamped one by the shoulder, giving a firm squeeze. "Wake."
The man jolted so hard his spear nearly hit the ground. "Ah! Who—"
Luna smiled sweetly, flashing her night patrol token and permit under the lamp. "Guild night patrol. Routine inspection. Open up."
The guards blinked, then scrambled upright. In their haste to swing the gate, their spear shafts clashed together with a clumsy clang.
"Y-yes, ma'am! Please, go on in!" one stammered, sweat beading under the lamplight.
Sera's lip curled. "So jumpy. You look more guilty than the thieves."
The man paled further, mumbling, "N-no… it's just… the wind feels strange tonight."
Luna's eyes glimmered, her smile light. "Then let us check what this wind is hiding."
---
Inside, a middle-aged steward appeared, keys jangling at his belt, his face carved with the words "I'm busy." He forced a smile."So late… two young ladies? Night patrol must be exhausting. Perhaps you'd like to rest first? I can fetch hot water."
"Hot water sounds good," Sera said flatly. "For you. I'd hate for your throat to fail when you're screaming 'thief.'"
The steward's smile stiffened, then flipped quickly. "M-misunderstanding. Just… concern."
Luna walked ahead, her gaze drifting idly while her fingers brushed the walls. Each touch left a faint shimmer of frost, vanishing instantly. She was counting in rhythm."One, two, three… eight. East wall, eight breaks. West wall, six. North wall intact. South wall…"
She crouched at the southern corner, pried up a brick. Frost dust scattered, revealing runes scraped away. With a swift motion, she sketched the missing strokes in the air, then tapped the ground. The rune flared briefly, then dimmed.
"Someone made it look alive," Luna said lightly, turning to the steward. "Neat work."
The steward's eyelids twitched. "I… don't know what you mean—"
Sera stepped forward, her tone iron-hard. "You'll understand soon enough."
Luna dusted her hands, gesturing subtly to Sera. "Two minutes. East window will open. Block it."
"Got it." Sera flexed her wrists, grinning like a predator.
"Wait—" The steward reached out, but froze when Sera's glare sliced across him. He forced a laugh. "The granary's been uneasy, yes, but… no real trouble. Don't stir up—"
"Who?" Luna cut in softly.
His lips trembled. He said nothing.
Luna didn't press. Instead, she strode to the center, tapping her finger. Frost spread in a crisp ring, sketching out the hidden outline of a trapdoor.
"There's an underground passage," she said, voice calm. "Leads to the drainage canal."
Sera had already melted into the shadows near the rear window. Luna raised her hand. "Three. Two. One."
Click.
The latch flipped open from inside. Sera vaulted in like a beast through a snare. Shouts and thuds rang, followed by her laughing voice: "Stay still! Move and I'll make sure it hurts in all the right places."
Luna, meanwhile, pried up floorboards. Cold air wafted up, thick with mold and grain dust. She left two shards of frost as markers, then stepped back, smiling at the steward."Let's tally this up. One, the saboteurs know their craft. Two, inside help. Three—"
She patted his shoulder lightly. "You're not honest."
---
From the rear window, Sera dragged three masked men, dangling them like misbehaving chickens. Dust streaked their brows. She tossed them to the floor. "Caught three rats."
"We were… we were just getting fresh air!" one babbled.
Luna crouched, her touch brushing his wrist. Frost bloomed, revealing faint ink beneath his skin—a half-wing tattoo, the simplified mark of Black Wing.
"Black Wing," Luna said with a bright smile.
The man snarled suddenly, whipping powder from his sleeve. "Sleep—!"
Luna flicked her hand. A frost pane shimmered before her, catching the dust like glass. The powder slid harmlessly down.
Crack. Sera stomped down, snapping his wrist. The scream tore through the hall.
"Anyone else?" she asked lazily.
Luna didn't reply. Instead, she tapped her frost markers. Boards flipped up, and from the black tunnel below came hurried footsteps.
"—Quick! Hurry!"
Sera's grin turned sharp. "Finally."
---
A lanky man rose first, half a black cloak draped over his shoulder, eyes sharp and mean. He froze at the sight of Luna's smiling face, then blew a sharp whistle.
At once, a flood of shadows poured from the tunnel—rats, gray-furred and ash-streaked, eyes burning red like embers.
"Ember rats," Luna mused cheerfully. "Adorable."
Sera rolled her eyes. "You call everything that bites cute?"
"I meant their tails make great percussion." Frost rippled under Luna's palm, erecting a curved ice wall. The swarm slammed against it, teeth shrieking against the frozen surface. "See? Perfect rhythm."
The lanky man smirked. "Brat. Let's see you handle wave two."
He cast black mist, twisting the rats. Their forms elongated, shadows licked with fire—their eyes flared blood-red. Twisted, shadow-forged abominations.
Sera cracked her knuckles. "Black Wing dares breed this filth in the city? I'll clean house."
Her fists boomed like cannons, scattering the front lines. Luna clapped, shards of ice fanning into the walls, tripping the swarm.
Then—a short thug lunged from the tunnel, chain-hook barbed with poison whistling toward Luna."Grab the girl—sell her high—"
Crunch. Sera's fist smashed his nose flat, tossing him aside. "Sell who, again?"
Just then, a lazy, low voice rolled from the tunnel. "Stand aside."
The swarm parted. From the dark strode a figure in black satin robes, silver runes edging his sleeves. His hood shadowed his face, but cold eyes gleamed beneath.
"You're loud for children," he said coolly.
Sera squared her fists. "Who are you?"
"To ask a name, show respect." He flicked his fingers. The frost runes Luna had drawn shattered instantly.
From his sleeves flew hidden blades, glinting with flame seals. Sera barreled through, fists hammering against steel and sparks. Luna snapped her wrist, freezing the talismans before they could ignite.
"Now," Luna said, eyes glinting. "Hit him."
Sera's punch drove into his side, forcing him back two steps. His eyes narrowed for the first time.
"Your name?" Luna asked again, voice mild.
He didn't answer. Retreating to the tunnel, he tossed a thin black shard. Letters glowed across its surface: "—Wing. Next time."
Luna plucked it from the frost, smiling. "Last word is 'Wing'? That's just lazy."
---
The steward finally collapsed to his knees, trembling as he confessed—his son gravely ill, medicine too costly, bribed to erase the wards. Luna didn't scold. Her tone was soft."There are many ways to survive. Don't pick the one that buries the whole city."
Guild enforcers arrived, hauling the men away. Sera tied up the unconscious saboteurs for delivery. Luna sealed the black shard into an evidence pouch.
"Let's go," Sera said, brushing dust from her knuckles. She tapped her fist lightly to Luna's. "Ice Dawn, time to report."
Luna's grin spread. "I'm starving. Midnight snack?"
Sera barked a laugh, slinging an arm around her shoulder. "Hell yes. After we file, I'll make sure you eat till you burst."
The night wind swept over them as they walked away side by side, their shadows long against the street.
---