The moon cast a silver glow over Longhua Castle, its spires piercing the night sky. The temple loomed in the distance, a fortress of stone and magic, its silence deceptive.
At the inn, Jagu sprawled across the floor, his golden eyes half-open as Ash and Maya gathered their gear. The panther's tail flicked, sensing their tension, but he stayed put, content to guard the room. Ash knelt, giving him a quick pat. "Hold the fort, Jagu. We'll be back soon."
Maya, clad in dark leathers that melted into the shadows, checked her satchel: lockpicks, a dagger, two smoke bombs, and a vial of sigil-disrupting powder. Her grin was sharp, her usual playfulness edged with focus. "Ready to make history?" she asked, adjusting her hood.
Ash, in matching black, clutched his notebook, its pages crammed with temple maps and patrol schedules. His heart raced, but his voice was steady. "Ready. Let's get that necklace."
