The Inflitration

The moon hung high in the sky, its silvery light spilling over the sprawling expanse of the Earth Clan's estate. The crisp night air carried a faint hum of power from the wards and barriers lining the perimeter. Even from the outer gates, the sheer scale of the fortress city was undeniable. Towering walls stretched endlessly, enclosing a bastion of stone and magic.

Alex stood at the edge of the main street leading toward the gates, his figure cloaked in shadow. From his vantage point, he could see the estate's inner city sprawling beyond the towering entrance, a labyrinth of streets illuminated by enchanted lanterns. 

High spires and domes loomed in the distance, their surfaces glinting faintly under the moonlight, while smaller buildings clustered around the estate's heart-like veins feeding a living organism.

Nyxara crouched low on his shoulder, her black-striped tail flicking against his cloak in silent agitation. "Big place," she muttered, her golden eyes scanning the distant towers. "You sure you want to do this tonight? Feels like they built this to keep people like you out."

"They did," Alex replied, his voice low. His gaze swept over the patrols pacing the walls and the guards at the gates. Each was armed with enchanted spears, their movements disciplined and sharp. 

Runes shimmered faintly on their armor, likely wards designed to amplify their strength or detect intruders. The scent of charred ozone clung to the air—residual energy from the protective enchantments.

Nyxara huffed. "Sure, not perfect. But they're close."

He didn't reply; his focus remained locked on the timing of the patrols. Nova's voice echoed softly in his mind, calm and measured.

["There's a blind spot approximately 12 meters west of the main gate. It's small and fleeting—a three-second gap between the guard's line of sight and the ward's detection radius. If you move quickly, you'll pass unnoticed, I have already disrupted the runes drawn to stop you"]

Alex nodded, muscles coiling in preparation. The patrols shifted. In a single, fluid motion, he darted forward, hugging the shadows of the outer wall. His steps were silent, his cloak merging seamlessly with the night. He reached the blind spot just as the patrol turned their backs, slipping past the main gate and into the estate's outer district.

Inside, the air was thick—charged, as if brimming with latent energy. The city within the walls was unnervingly quiet, the usual bustle replaced by a rigid stillness. Buildings lined the cobblestone streets in neat, uniform rows. 

Their exteriors were pristine, but their darkened windows held an eerie emptiness. Occasionally, a lantern flickered, casting shifting shadows across the stone walls, their glow infused with subtle enchantments.

Nyxara's claws flexed slightly against his shoulder as she whispered telepathically. "This place gives me the creeps. It's too... perfect."

"Stay focused," Alex murmured, scanning for movement.

A group of guards emerged from an alley ahead, their heavy boots echoing against the stone. Alex stilled, pressing himself into the shadow of a nearby archway. His heartbeat remained steady as he watched them pass, their voices low but serious.

One of them stopped, head tilting slightly as if sensing something. Alex's fingers brushed against the small device tucked into his belt, ready to activate it if needed. The guard's gaze lingered on the archway's darkness before another called out to him.

"Hey, are you coming or not?"

With a grunt, the guard turned and followed his companions, their voices fading. Alex exhaled softly, slipping back into motion, his movements fluid as water.

Nyxara let out a quiet breath. "You're cutting it close tonight. Sure you're not losing your edge?"

"Maybe you're just getting nervous," Alex shot back, a smirk tugging at his lips.

He moved deeper into the estate, navigating through tight alleys and open courtyards, each turn presenting new obstacles. The further he went, the more intricate the layout became. The outer district gave way to a central plaza, its polished stone surface etched with ancient symbols that pulsed faintly under the moonlight. 

Towering statues of the Earth Clan's leader and elders loomed over the square, their expressions carved into eternal judgment. Even here, guards patrolled in pairs, their synchronized steps sharp against the silence.

Nova's voice broke through his thoughts. ["You're approaching the northeastern quadrant. The maintenance hub is approximately 300 meters ahead. Be advised, the patrol density increases in this area."]

Alex adjusted his path, veering into a side street to avoid a particularly crowded section of the plaza. As he rounded a corner, he nearly collided with another patrol. 

Instinct took over—he ducked into a recessed doorway just in time, pressing his back against the cold stone as the guards passed mere feet away. Their conversation drifted toward him, the words indistinct but their tone sharp and focused.

Nyxara's voice was a whisper in his mind. "Close one. Try not to get us killed before we even reach the target."

He exhaled slowly, stepping back into the street once the guards had moved on. "We're almost there."

The maintenance hub came into view—a small, unassuming building nestled against the estate's inner wall. Unlike the grand architecture surrounding it, the hub was plain, its exterior marked only by a network of conduits running along the stone. Two guards stood at the entrance, their postures relaxed but alert.

Alex crouched behind a stack of crates, eyes narrowing as he observed them. Nyxara shifted on his shoulder, tail flicking with barely restrained impatience. "So, what's the plan? Sneak in, or do we get creative?"

He pulled out the device from earlier, activating it with a soft click. "Neither. We distract."

A faint echo of footsteps sounded from a few meters away. The guards stiffened, exchanging glances before moving to investigate, their focus drawn elsewhere.

Alex moved swiftly, slipping past the doorway and into the hub's interior. The air inside was thick with the hum of arcane machinery, magical conduits pulsing faintly along the walls. Nova guided him to an access panel near the back, her voice clear and precise.

"Keep watch," Alex murmured to Nyxara as he knelt. His fingers moved deftly, removing the cover and pressing his hand against the glowing surface, allowing Nova to interface with the system.

["Integration complete," Nova reported after several tense moments. "I'll need seven days to extract and analyze the necessary data. Maintain a low profile during this time."]

Alex stood, replaced the panel cover, and slipped back to the exit. The guards were returning to their posts, their conversation distracted. He slid past them and into the night, his pace relaxed as he made his way back toward the outer district.

Nyxara's voice held a trace of amusement. "Well, that was fun. What now?"

He glanced toward the dark expanse of the forest beyond the fortress walls. "Now, we prepare."

….

The streets of the Geb Fortress were quieter now, though not entirely silent. A few early risers began their routines, lanterns flickering to life outside shops, the scent of baking bread drifting faintly on the breeze.

The hum of activity mingled with the cool night air as Alex strode back toward the inn, hood drawn low. Nyxara perched on his shoulder, golden eyes keen as they scanned their surroundings.

They reached the modest inn without incident. The wooden door creaked softly as Alex pushed it open. Inside, the warm light from a single lantern flickered, casting long shadows.

The receptionist snored softly over the counter. Without a glance, Alex ascended the creaky staircase to his room, slipping inside without a sound.