The Crimson Nexus

nery. Towering skyscrapers reached into the murky clouds, their surfaces alive with holographic advertisements and flickering neon

s. The district's air buzzed with tension, amplified by the news that had rippled through the city's under

ne. A crowd had gathered beyond the yellow holo-tape, their curiosity barely contained as law en

eather coat brushing against the damp ground. The victim was a man in his late forties, dressed in the kind of tailored suit only those with

ael muttered, his voi

agic," said a v

icing. She was tall, with short-cropped black hair and a mechanical left arm that hummed faintl

ouching beside him. "See the residue aro

an artifact of legend that had supposedly been destroyed centuri

wrong side of a Nexus Shard?" Kae

crossing her arms. "The department's official line is that thi

ways appreciate y

blue light as it analyzed the crime scene, but the results were inconclusive. The e

d him?" K

ver there." She pointed to a nervous-look

h a weathered face that spoke of hard years in the lower districts. He

d the body?" Kael asked,

there. At first, I thought he was just another drunk, but then I s

yone else aroun

Most people don't come

r anything unusual? Voices, footst

ding against metal. And then a flash of red light. It came from the alley ove

rickling. "Thank you. Stay close to Off

er. The alley was dark, its walls covered in graffiti that pulsed faintly with bioluminescent

was looking for-a faint scorch mark on the g

l," Kael

still warm, which meant whoever had opened the portal hadn't gone far. But portal magic requir

icker of movement caught his eye. Kael spun aro

alled out, his voice

, her silhouette outlined by the faint glow of a nearby holo-sign. She was tall and lean

id, her voice smooth and c

pon. "You have me at a di

Vahn. Let's just say I have a vest

tone laced with skepticism. "A

f peace. "The man who was killed-he was carrying somethin

volver tightened. "Yo

into the wrong hands, Erythra Pri

ling him she was both dangerous and

serious, "I'm the only one who can help you fi

years, Kael felt the icy grip of fear in his chest. Whatever game h

his weapon. "You've got my atte

nwavering. "Trust me, detective. You're

Kael knew one thing for certa