The sky over Eldervale bled gold and crimson as the last light of day fell across its massive rune-etched walls. The city stretched for miles, crowned with towers that glowed faintly under the pulse of countless formations. From a distance, the place looked like a slumbering dragon — scales of stone and roofs of jade.
Daniel slowed his pace at the top of the hill. The path that had led them through days of forest now ended in a sprawling sea of people. Wagons rattled, vendors shouted, and spirit beasts snorted, their horns glimmering with faint essence.
Mira adjusted the strap of her pack. "This is… crowded."
"Better than silence," Daniel said with a small smile. "Crowded means safe. At least mostly."
They joined the line toward the city gates. Guards in silver armor checked papers and tokens — small bronze coins that glowed briefly when infused with essence. When Daniel reached the front, one of the guards held out his palm.
"Tokens?"
Daniel hesitated. "We're travelers. First time here."
The guard pointed toward a smaller building beside the wall. "You can purchase permits inside. One mid-grade essence stone each."
Inside the post, the air smelled of dust and ink. A bored clerk looked up from behind a desk stacked with scrolls.
"Purpose of visit?"
"Rest. Trade. Maybe exploration," Daniel replied.
The clerk nodded, pressed a stamp into glowing ink, and rolled out two bronze tokens. Each bore Eldervale's sigil — a coiled dragon biting its own tail.
"Channel a wisp of your essence," the clerk said. "That will bind the mark to you. Lose it and you'll pay double next time."
Daniel did so; the coin warmed in his palm, the sigil fading into invisibility. Mira did the same, tucking hers into her belt.
As they left, a gust of wind carried the sound of merchants shouting about rare treasures, auctions, and sect envoys. The city's hum grew louder as they neared the gate, a deep living rhythm that made the air itself vibrate.
Crossing the gates felt like stepping into another world. Lanterns of blue essence hung from the arches, casting rippling light on marble streets. The air shimmered with spiritual density — the city sat on a nexus of ley lines, drawing energy from the land itself.
The streets were alive with color: monks in pale robes carrying scrolls, smiths hauling bars of glowing ore, children chasing after tiny floating lights. Music drifted from a nearby tavern, blending with the scent of grilled meat and incense.
Mira spun slowly, wide-eyed. "This place is… beautiful."
Daniel nodded. "And dangerous. Look at their auras — half these people could level a hill if they sneezed wrong."
She smirked. "Then let's make sure we don't sneeze."
David just stood there clearly unimpressed
They wandered through the main district until they reached a square dominated by a crystal fountain. Travelers clustered there, exchanging gossip and news.
"Did you hear?" someone shouted. "The Auction of Echoes starts tomorrow!"
"I heard they're displaying a Water Dragon Armor — forged from the Azure Depths beast itself!"
"And a relic from the Storm Cradle!" another voice cut in. "Lightning runes still active! Whole sects are sending agents to bid!"
The name struck Daniel like a blade of thunder. His hand twitched. The Codex deep inside him pulsed once, faint but undeniable.
Mira noticed the tension in his jaw. "The Storm Cradle again?"
He nodded. "That's where all this began for me."
She looked back at the excited crowd. "Then we need to see what they're selling."
At the edge of the square, a man with gold-tipped hair was hawking small obsidian coins from a stall covered in red silk. "Auction tokens! Genuine Crimson Hall issue! Without one, you won't even cross the gate!"
Mira stepped closer. "How much?"
"Ten mid-grade stones each."
She scowled. "Ten? For a coin?"
The merchant shrugged. "The Auction of Echoes doesn't open its doors to just anyone. Pay or walk."
Daniel handed over the pouch silently. The merchant grinned, sliding the tokens across. The coins gleamed darkly, marked with faint crimson script that flared when touched by essence.
"Try not to die inside," the merchant added cheerfully. "It ruins the mood."
By the time they found lodging, the sun had vanished. Their inn was a narrow three-story building overlooking the eastern canals. The owner, an old woman with eyes like pale smoke, handed them keys without a word.
Daniel leaned against the balcony rail. Below, the canals glowed with drifting lotus lights. The murmur of the city was constant — laughter, bargaining, footsteps, music.
"Feels alive," Mira said softly.
"Too alive," Daniel murmured. "Every life here hides a secret."
She chuckled. "Including ours."
They rested until morning, then spent the day exploring. In the markets they saw tamed beasts, enchanted weapons, and elixirs floating in glass spheres. Everywhere, the same rumor persisted — the Water Dragon Armor, the Storm Cradle Fragment, the Auction of Echoes that would "shake the heavens."
When twilight came, they followed the crowd toward the upper district, where a vast crimson-roofed building rose against the evening sky. The Crimson Hall was carved from black stone veined with glowing red channels. Guards stood at the entrance, scanning each token with glowing seals.
When Daniel held his out, the symbol shimmered — and a faint hum ran through his arm.
"Genuine," a guard said, nodding them through.
Inside, the hall was breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers floated in the air. Rows of cultivators sat in tiered seats, their auras restrained but heavy enough to make the walls vibrate.
An auctioneer in a crimson gown took the stage, her smile practiced and dangerous. "Welcome, seekers of fortune and destiny," she said. "Tonight, the Crimson Hall presents relics from lost worlds and forgotten graves. Let the bidding begin."
One by one, treasures appeared: glowing swords, talismans sealed in light, pills that shimmered like stars. Prices soared.
Then came the first roar of excitement — attendants carried out a set of Water Dragon Armor, scales gleaming like liquid sapphire.
"Forged from the corpse of the Azure Depths Dragon," the auctioneer announced. "Can store and redirect water essence, amplifying both defense and speed."
Mira leaned forward, awe in her eyes. "That's… beautiful."
Daniel watched quietly, but his attention snapped to the next item: a small shard of black stone carved with flickering lightning runes.
"A fragment from the Storm Cradle, origin unknown. Energy still active. Starting bid, eight hundred mid-grade stones!"
The Codex within Daniel's soul stirred violently. His vision blurred; faint glyphs shimmered around his pupils.
[Resonance detected. Primordial signature — 61%.]
Mira grabbed his wrist. "Daniel—?"
He shook his head, steadying his breath. "It's reacting again."
The price climbed — nine hundred, a thousand, fifteen hundred. Daniel's heart pounded. He counted the stones in his ring; not enough. The hammer was about to fall when a light, teasing voice cut through the tension.
"Three thousand."
Heads turned.
A young man rose from Daniel side, tall and relaxed, hair the color of sunlit copper. His robe was travel-stained , it was David
The auctioneer blinked, surprised but delighted. "Three thousand! Any higher?"
Silence.
"Sold!"
Applause rippled through the crowd. David turned to look at Daniel's eye and smiled — easy, mischievous, almost arrogant.
As if saying I am the best clap for me ."humph show off " Mira said looking away
As people began murmuring again, he approached Daniel "You were interested in that fragment, weren't you?" he said casually, his tone warm and teasing.
Daniel studied him. "You bought it."
"I did. if you want it I can give it to you it's useless to me anyway." David said tossing the Shard at daniel
Mira frowned. "Stop with that your bragging face you make me wanna punch you"
He gave a half-bow, eyes glinting. "I'm sorry my lady ."
Daniel couldn't even hear anything again he was completely focused on the Shard in front of him.
"Daniel it's best if we get out of here fast some people might try to rob us" Mira said looking around cautiously
"Hmmm let's go "
The three of them left the auction unknown to them a group of people some masked others unmasked followed them .