The Garden of Illusions

"Dan, Minjun," Wuxie said, his voice low. "There's a hooded figure. Let's follow him."

They moved quickly, weaving through the throngs of people. The figure led them to a dimly lit alleyway, and then to a local tavern, a shadowy establishment tucked away in a forgotten corner of the city.

The sign above the door read "The Silent Siren," its letters barely visible in the fading light.

The figure suddenly disappeared around the corner. Minjun started to follow, but Wuxie grabbed his arm. "Wait, Minjun. I guess before coming to Ravenshade, you forgot your mind in the academy. But that's alright; it didn't work properly anyway."

Minjun pouted, looking affronted. "Hey, I resent that! My mind is perfectly fine."

Wuxie knocked playfully on Minjun's head. "Do you really think the Demon Clan, masters of shadows, can be spotted this easily? It's obviously their trick to lure us here."