28: Silent Moonlight [2]

Step—

Without another word, Arlon leapt onto the balcony railing. The wind tugged at his cloak as he disappeared into the night, his form a fleeting shadow against the moonlit sky. Ace hopped onto his shoulder.

Whoosh—

The city awaited them, cloaked in darkness and secrets yet to be uncovered.

Clang—

Arlon paused, the faint clang of a distant bell echoing through the sleeping city. The night air, sharp and cold, carried with it the faint scent of blooming ivy from the garden below.

The cool night wind whistled through the deserted streets of Falcon, carrying with it a faint chill that clung to the stone walls. Arlon moved soundlessly, his black robe trailing like a shadow behind him.

Beneath the ethereal glow of the full moon, the city lay in quiet stillness, its lanterns casting a dim, wavering light that seemed to echo the city's subdued pulse.

Ace sat perched on his shoulder in his feline form, his black fur shimmering faintly under the moonlight. His crimson eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Alright,noble Arlon," Ace said, his voice low but filled with anticipation. "We're almost at the edge of the market district. You'll need to move quickly from here on out."

Arlon's sharp gaze flickered upward, to the rooftops that lined the city like a jagged horizon against the star-filled sky. "How much faster?" he asked, his tone calm and measured.

Ace's tail swished with satisfaction."You've got the Sky Soul, haven't you? Stop hesitating and let it guide you. The wind isn't just beneath your feet—it's part of you. Move with it, noble Arlon, and let it carry you beyond the ground's limits."

Arlon paused for a brief moment, allowing Ace's words to settle. Then, closing his eyes briefly, he reached within himself, summoning the faint, rippling energy of the Sky Soul.

Swoosh—

It stirred like a breeze at first—subtle and uncertain—before growing stronger, swirling around his form like invisible tendrils of wind.

"Let it lift you," Ace murmured, his voice almost reverent now, his claws kneading gently into Arlon's shoulder.

Whoosh—

The air beneath Arlon shifted. In an instant, the ground seemed to fall away as a sudden updraft carried him upward, his boots touching the edge of a rooftop in one smooth, effortless motion. The wind responded to his will, pushing gently but firmly, like hands guiding him forward.

Tap-tap-tap

He ran, his pace faster than it had ever been, the rooftops blurring beneath him as the wind propelled each step.

Ace let out a delighted sound, half-laugh, half-purr, clinging tightly but still poised. "Now this is what I'm talking about! Look at this view!"

Arlon didn't reply, his focus sharp as he leapt over a narrow alley, the wind catching him midair before setting him gently down on the next roof. As they gained height, the city opened up before them, bathed in the soft, ethereal glow of the full moon.

The stars stretched endlessly, scattered like diamonds across a velvet sky, while the moon's silver glow bathed the rooftops in soft light, casting intricate shadows over the winding streets below.

The city of Falcon looked alive yet still—lanterns flickered like scattered fireflies, and the rivers that carved through the city reflected the moon's glow in shimmering bands of light. It was beautiful—unexpectedly so—and for the first time in a while, Arlon allowed himself to take it in.

Ace's tail curled in excitement as he turned his head, his crimson eyes wide with awe. "Would you look at that, noble Arlon? It's like something out of a dream." He paused, his tone softening as though struck by the serenity of it. "Peaceful, isn't it? Almost makes you forget the world can be so… messy."

Arlon said nothing, his purple eyes scanning the vast expanse of the city. The wind brushed against his face, cool and reassuring, carrying with it the faintest scent of lavender and earth.

In this moment, atop the rooftops, it was easy to believe they were untouchable—two fleeting shadows against the endless night.

"You're not terrible at this," Ace added with a playful flick of his tail, his voice breaking the silence. "For someone who hates showing off."

"I'm not showing off," Arlon replied evenly, though a faint hint of satisfaction crept into his tone. "You're just easily impressed."

Ace snorted, though he sounded more amused than offended. "I call it appreciating the moment. You should try it sometime."

Arlon's steps slowed slightly as they reached the peak of a sloped roof. He stopped, the wind dying down into a soft, lingering breeze. The city stretched out before him in all its moonlit splendor, and for just a moment, he allowed himself to stand still, his gaze fixed on the vast, quiet beauty around him.

The weight of his mission still loomed at the edge of his mind, but here—under the full moon, with the wind as his guide—it didn't seem quite so heavy.

"Don't get too comfortable," Arlon said finally, though his tone lacked its usual sharpness. "We still have work to do."

"Fine, you win," Ace relented, glancing out at the moonlit city. "Even you can't ruin a view like this."

Arlon didn't answer, but the faintest flicker of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. With a final glance at the starlit city, he shifted his weight and pushed forward, the wind rising to meet him once more.

Ace let out a delighted hum as they surged forward, disappearing into the silver shadows of the rooftops, the night stretching endlessly before them.

The city of Falcon stretched out beneath the velvety night sky, a patchwork of rooftops and winding streets glowing softly under the full moon. From this high vantage point, it almost looked peaceful—though Arlon wasn't here to enjoy the view.

Tap-tap-tap

Arlon landed lightly on the next roof, his steps deliberate yet swift, his hooded figure blending effortlessly into the shadows. Perched on his shoulder, Ace, in his sleek feline form, clung with practiced ease. The breeze tugged at his black fur, his crimson eyes glinting with mischief.

"You know," Ace began, his voice a playful drawl, "for someone who once walked into a door trying to be stealthy, you're really starting to nail this rooftop-running thing."

Arlon cast him a side-eye glance, his expression flat. "Remind me why I keep you around."

"For my undeniable charm," Ace purred, swishing his tail dramatically. "And because, let's face it, you'd be lost without me."

Arlon sighed but didn't respond, his focus fixed ahead. They reached the edge of a sloped roof, pausing briefly to reassess their path. Below, the streets were illuminated by warm lantern light, winding like threads of gold through the city's dark expanse.

The rivers gleamed like molten silver, and above, the sky was a tapestry of stars. The full moon bathed everything in an otherworldly glow, softening even the city's rougher edges.

Ace's ears twitched as he gazed at the view, his tone unusually relaxed. "You know, this isn't half bad. Stars, moon, a city that looks like a painting… Almost makes you forget we're sneaking around like criminals."

"Almost," Arlon replied dryly, though his gaze lingered on the horizon for a fleeting moment, as if begrudgingly acknowledging the beauty of the night.

Ace chuckled, flicking his tail. "Oh, don't pretend you're not impressed. Admit it—this is the kind of scenery you'd read about in one of those fancy poetry books."

"I don't read poetry," Arlon said curtly, stepping forward to leap across another gap.

"Not even when you were ten?" Ace teased. "Bet you had a secret stash under your bed. Something dramatic about stars and destiny."

Arlon landed silently on the next roof, ignoring him entirely. "Focus. We're almost there."

"Right, right," Ace muttered, though the amusement in his voice was clear. "Killjoy."

The pair moved seamlessly across the rooftops, Arlon's movements guided by subtle bursts of wind. With every leap, the Sky Soul responded more naturally, the power bending to his will like an extension of himself.

Ace perched confidently on his shoulder, occasionally giving a quiet direction or a low whistle of approval when Arlon's landings were particularly smooth.

After a few more leaps, they reached their destination. The noble's mansion rose like a sentinel of opulence, its grandeur illuminated by the golden light pouring from its towering windows.

The air was thick with the sounds of music, murmured laughter, and the distant chime of clinking glasses, a symphony of indulgence echoing into the still night.

Nobles in extravagant attire moved through the hall, their silhouettes visible through the glowing panes.

It was the kind of ostentatious display that spoke of old money and hidden agendas.

Ace let out a soft, impressed hum. "Well, look at that. The height of excess. Nothing says 'we're definitely up to something shady' like a party this fancy."

Arlon knelt at the rooftop's edge, his keen purple eyes locked on the noble mansion's silhouette. A soft, golden glow from the windows spilled over the cobblestone paths, casting long shadows that danced in the faint breeze.

Ace, perched on his shoulder, flicked his tail lazily. His crimson eyes glinted with amusement. "Plotting something dramatic again, aren't you?"

Arlon didn't respond, his attention fixed on a single window. Inside, three figures stood in close conversation—Lords Everson, Dwyer, and Fontaine, the nobles he had been tracking.

A faint golden glow flickered before him, sharpening into shimmering words.

Flutter—

["The three nobles huddle around a table, their voices low and tense."]

The script unfolded further:

["Fontaine speaks first. "The Pry wants results. They won't wait forever.'"]

["Everson replies coolly. "The heir's name is tied to this. If things go wrong, he takes the blame—not us.'"]

["Dwyer smirks. "Tomorrow's meeting will seal the deal. By then, the Throndsen boy will already be ruined.'"]

Arlon's jaw tightened. The stakes were higher than he had anticipated. Rejecting the Pry had altered the story more than he thought.

"Let's move," he said, retreating across the rooftop, his movements swift and determined. Tomorrow's meeting will decide everything.

He turned away from the window, his movements swift and silent as he retreated across the rooftop. His sharp eyes scan the mansion's perimeter. He spotted the servants' entrance tucked away to the side—unassuming, far from the bustle of the main hall. "That's our way in," he said quietly.

Ace shifted on his shoulder, his tail flicking with anticipation. "Think they've got any decent food in there? Maybe a roast chicken or some fancy cheese? I could snack while you do your sneaky noble takedown thing."

"Stay focused," Arlon muttered as he prepared to drop down from the roof.

"Fine, fine. But if I catch even a whiff of roast beef, I'm out," Ace said, though his smirk betrayed his playful mood.

With practiced ease, Arlon dropped silently to the ground below, his form disappearing into the shadows. Ace followed suit, landing gracefully beside him before climbing back onto his shoulder. The mansion stood before them, glowing like a gilded fortress against the night.

Ace leaned closer to Arlon's ear, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Ready to crash the party?"

Arlon pulled his hood lower, his expression unreadable. "Let's go."