102. You Fight Like Me

In Old City’s canal district, Sophie and Belinda operate from an illusion-shrouded hideout. Belinda reveals a supply shipment containing restricted tilting stones—last on their list to breach the spirit coin vault and fund their escape through the delta and south to Hornis. The stones are moving as part of support for an out-of-town group that seized a delta ruin project from the Magic Society, and the pair plan to intercept the shipment on the Island before heavier guards join.

At the Magic Society supply complex, managers Thel and Drew receive an unusual low-priority order from a minor official. Odd instructions to avoid disrupting schedules raise suspicion, but they proceed, deciding it is not their problem, ensuring the order will move when convenient and with minimal fuss.

Meanwhile, Jason and Clive head to Jory’s clinic, confirming that the thief’s spree targets components tailored to breach the city’s spirit coin vault, with tilting stones as the final piece. They request face-changing ointment and aura-masking from Jory; he warns the aura reduction is fragile and demands tight control and no essence use. Donal Lange, a Healer priest assisting the clinic, is introduced as operations there continue smoothly.

When the wagon rolls out, Belinda tracks it with a crystal viewer and signals Sophie. Sophie drops from concealment, boards the wagon, and grabs the marked crate, triggering an explosive rune that throws her clear. Jason and Clive, disguised and aura-dampened, dismount to engage.

Sophie launches into rapid strikes, only to find her opponent mirroring her rare fighting style. “You fight like me,” Jason notes, before Sophie adapts, staggers him with a palm strike, and knocks him away with a kick. She dashes for a wall while Clive casts; she dodges a rune trap but is seared on the face by his spell, “Carry the mark of your transgressions.” Sophie scales the wall and escapes, leaving the bait intact but marked for potential tracking.