The rain had long since ceased, leaving the valley soaked and glistening under the faint shimmer of the moon. Water trickled down the jagged cliffs, forming silver veins across the dark stone. Luciel moved silently between the rocks, his figure melting into the shadows as if born from them.
He had been following the winding path that led through the mounds for some time when he came upon a towering slab of stone jutting from the ground like a giant's spine. Without hesitation, he drew a thin thread of spider silk from his palm, fastened it to the rock, and vaulted forward, landing soundlessly on the other side.
From the higher ground, the entire valley unfolded before him—a crescent-shaped basin surrounded by hills. The moonlight caught on damp stone, revealing faint trails and flickering torchlight from below. Luciel crouched low, observing, the faint shimmer of his Mimicry Stealth cloaking him in the environment's texture.
He whispered to himself, "So that's how it's arranged."
