1

Lunara Vex crouched in the shadows, her figure nearly indistinguishable from the darkened wall beside her, illuminated only by the flickering light of a nearby torch. The flames danced, casting eerie shapes that played against the stone, but she remained perfectly still, her breath shallow and controlled.

Her eyes, sharp and focused, locked onto the two patrolling guards, their arrogance radiating as they reveled in their supposed victory. A low growl rumbled in her throat, a mix of anger and determination simmering just below the surface.

One of the guards, a broad-shouldered man with a sneer carved into his features, proclaimed loudly, "At last, the Azure Tide Clan has been wiped out! The Scorching Blade Clan holds dominion over Ebonshade City now!"

The second guard, less imposing but equally smug, chuckled in agreement. "Absolutely! Those fools are finally gone. They were nothing but a nuisance, their pathetic sword techniques always boasting superiority over ours. It's laughable! Their demise was long overdue."

As their voices echoed through the dark alley, Lunara's resolve hardened. She knew that beneath their bravado lay a vulnerability—their overconfidence would be their downfall. The time for retribution was drawing near, and she would ensure that the legacy of her fallen clan was not extinguished without a fight.