The faint salty sea breeze of dawn dispersed the last remnants of night in Wing Shadow Port, awakening the guests on the second floor of the Anchor of the Reef Inn. After a night of rest and processing yesterday's unexpected reunion, Fa and her companions descended the stairs with renewed energy, ready to begin their shopping in Wing Shadow Port and prepare fully for the perilous journey ahead.
However, as they reached the lobby downstairs, the mess from last night had been cleaned up, leaving the air with a mix of cleaning agents and cheap tobacco. Karim—now back in his emerald-green scaled, tall and fierce "reptilian boss" form—was puffing on a cigar, directing a few equally unfriendly reptilian assistants to carry seven bulging large backpacks. The material of those backpacks was peculiar, seemingly a combination of magically treated thick leather and matte metal frames, embedded with runes or small mechanical components that emitted a faint energy glow.
"Morning, little whelps." Karim mumbled around his cigar, his emerald scales glistening in the morning light. He pointed to the backpacks on the ground. "There you go, prepared for you. Don't complain; Wing Shadow Port's a dump with not much good stuff, but I've been mixing it up here for years and have some connections to get practical gear."
Everyone was stunned. Yuyuer, sporting his new mixed-blood lizardman boy's face (still awkwardly touching his cheek in discomfort), asked in surprise: "Uncle? This is...?"
"The 'Throat-Cutter' sandstorms of Rift Wind Plains, the miasmic poisonous insects of Ink Dark Dense Forest, the bone-chilling cold of Eternal Frost Tundra, and the damn environment of Frost Blade Snow Mountain..." Karim exhaled a smoke ring, his tone carrying the certainty of an experienced veteran. "Expecting you rookies who've never adventured in Lairis to buy the right gear yourselves? I'd worry you'd get fleeced by shady merchants before leaving town or buy flashy junk that gets you killed!"
He stepped forward, pointing to the backpacks and introducing them with a hint of pride as an elder and seasoned adventurer, his voice deep and rumbling: "The stuff inside is sorted by your strengths and needs. Saves you time fumbling around, and saves me, your uncle... cough, from worrying." He glanced at Yuyuer, the last words coming out a bit awkwardly.
"Rift Wind Walker" Anti-Wind Pressure Backpack: "For Fa girl, Arya, and Yuyuer... uh, should I call you Little Lizard now?" He glanced at his nephew's new face, who nodded awkwardly. "The core is a small gravity stabilizer anchor from a dwarven workshop; activate it to stand firm in the ghost winds of Rift Wind Plains. The lining is tough leather enchanted with wind elements to cushion impacts. Side pockets have anti-sand goggles and filter masks—don't underestimate the plains' sand; it can grind sharpening stones flat!"
"Ink Dark Pioneer" Multifunctional Backpack: "TISK, Rex, Kayla, zhamisi—you four sturdy ones use this." Karim patted a larger backpack. "The body is synthetic material resistant to marsh gas corrosion, with a faint light element enchantment for a bit of 'not being spotted first by dark elves' camouflage in the dim Ink Dark Dense Forest. The key is this!" He opened a compartment, revealing fist-sized glowing moss-like spheres. "'Bioluminescent Lamp Spores'—crush them to release stable cold light for hours, more discreet than torches, and repels some low-level light-fearing swamp creatures. Also, some potent insect repellent powder and antidote serums; the bugs in the forest are viciously poisonous."
"Eternal Frost Resister" Constant Temperature Backpack: "Everyone gets an extra personal small pack, tied to the waist or chest." Karim picked up a flat pack with complex heating runes and miniature steam valves. "This is a 'Geothermal Core,' burns magic crystals; activate for sustained heat against Eternal Frost Tundra's hellish weather. Don't skimp—freezing stiff is beyond saving. Inside are anti-slip ice claws and high-calorie compressed rations."
"Frost Blade Climber" Emergency Kit: "Finally, one for each, stuffed at the top of your main backpack." He pulled out a sturdy metal cylinder. "Inside: specialized mountaineering ice pick heads, reinforced ropes with grapples, anti-cold frostbite ointment, and a small bottle of 'Ice-Melt Powder'—sprinkle in emergencies to quickly melt a small area for footing. Most important, these 'Rune Goggles,'" he took out a pair resembling high-tech ski goggles but with intricate runes on the frame. "Effectively prevents snow blindness, enhances visibility in snowy environments, and supposedly slightly weakens the spatial disturbances from Frost Blade Snow Mountain's violent blizzards... well, supposedly."
After introducing the gear, Karim's gaze fell on the quietly sitting mechanical cat beside Fa—Salsa's shell. His emerald slit pupils narrowed slightly, cigar smoke curling around him with a knowing smirk.
"As for you, little kitty... or should I say 'the one inside'?" Karim's voice was low, but it made Salsa's mechanical cat shell stiffen instantly, her amber electronic eyes flickering intensely. "...Hiding in this tin can makes daytime movement convenient. But this craftsmanship..." He stepped closer, scrutinizing the mechanical cat's joint seams and material sheen. "...The core energy circuit's concealment is well done, and the soul fluctuation mimicry shield is quite advanced. However, that... dead stillness mixed with a hint of vitality's negative energy residue, and the soul throb deep in the shell that's not mechanical... might fool others, but not my eyes that've rolled in every gutter."
Salsa's mechanical cat shell emitted a barely audible electronic gasp-like sound, her whole body tensing, electronic eyes warily fixed on Karim.
Fa frowned slightly, stepping forward half a pace, calmly explaining: "Mr. Karim, Salsa's situation is special. This shell is the vessel TISK built for her."
TISK immediately puffed out his chest, beard bristling with pride: "That's right! My handiwork! How about it? The outer shell uses secret silver alloy mixed with stardust powder, soul-link runes carved by me personally! Lets her move like a real cat even in daylight!"
Karim's face showed a flash of surprise, then he burst into laughter, slapping TISK's sturdy shoulder hard: "Hahaha! Good! Fine craftsmanship! TISK, old brother, I take back what I said! Your dwarven skills are top-notch! Combining a soul body with machinery to this level, perfectly simulating biological behavior... those self-proclaimed mechanical masters in Wing Shadow Port aren't fit to tie your shoes!" His address for TISK instantly upgraded from "kid" to "old brother," his eyes full of recognition for a true craftsman.
He turned back to the mechanical cat, his tone softening: "Relax, little lady, I mean no harm. Mixing in this port for half a lifetime, what weird stuff haven't I seen? Besides, everyone has secrets and necessities. I'm not a blabbermouth, Karim. This shell is indeed exquisitely made—as long as you're careful, avoid flaunting in front of too powerful mages or keen-sensing old monsters." He glanced meaningfully northward—toward Ink Dark Dense Forest.
Salsa's mechanical cat shell finally relaxed a bit, her electronic eyes returning to a steady warm yellow, letting out a soft "meow" in response.
Seeing this, Fa's last trace of doubt eased. Karim not only prepared thorough supplies but showed enough experience and tolerance. She shouldered her own backpack and said: "Thank you very much, Mr. Karim." Fa thanked him solemnly again. "Your help is crucial to us."
Karim waved it off: "Skip the pleasantries. Remember my words: those stretches ahead aren't crossed by brute force and luck alone." He glanced at an ancient gear clock on the inn wall. "Time's about right."
As his words fell, the inn's heavy metal door was pushed open. Three figures entered against the morning light, carrying a dusty yet sharp and capable aura. Leading was a human male, around forty, with a resolute, weathered face, his left eye fitted with a complex mechanical prosthetic eye whose lens flickered blue. He wore a half-worn but well-maintained deep brown explorer's outfit, hung with various tool belts and ammo pouches, and carried a peculiar rifle with a thick barrel inscribed with heat-dissipating runes and a scope—a fusion of magical enchantment and engineering.
Following closely was a tall forest elf female, her silver-white hair tied in a neat ponytail, pointed ears adorned with several tiny, natural leaf-shaped mithril earrings. She wore form-fitting ink-green leather armor painted with arcane runes in natural pigments, carrying an elegant longbow emanating life essence, with a quiver and a short sword inlaid with emerald gems at her waist. Her eyes were clear and sharp, as if piercing through mists to sense nature's subtlest rhythms.
The last was an exceptionally burly male orc, taller even than Kayla, with knotted muscles like carved granite, skin a deep ash-green. He wore heavy beast-hide armor with metal plates, his exposed massive arms bearing ferocious war tattoos and prominent scars. Most striking were the two huge chain-saw war axes crossed on his back, their blades flickering with cold metal gleam, stained with dark red remnants like dried blood, emitting a faint mix of blood and sulfur. He stood silently like a mobile fortress, exuding oppression.
The three smiled familiarly upon seeing Karim. The leading human male strode forward, slapping Karim's shoulder hard, his voice loud and hearty: "Hey! Old lizard! Calling us so urgently, thought your dump inn got demolished!" His mechanical eye rotated with a soft hum, scanning Fa and her group, lingering extra on Rex's metal body and Kayla, zhamisi.
Karim irritably swatted his hand away: "'Iron Eye' Jack, your damn mouth is still as punchable. It's serious business." He pointed to Fa and her group. "These folks are my... distant nephew's friends, heading to Light Feather Dome. Route as I said: Rift Wind Plains, Ink Dark Dense Forest, Eternal Frost Tundra, Frost Blade Snow Mountain. Path's too dangerous; they're newbies, need experienced guides."
He introduced the three in turn:
"Iron Eye" Jack: Human male. He tapped his mechanical eye, grinning to reveal tobacco-stained teeth: "Call me Jack. Used to be a mining survey team's engineer and chief security, then got bored digging and went freelance guiding. This eye's from a 'minor' ruin collapse accident—comes with thermal, night vision, energy fluctuation scan, and links to my baby 'Thunderer.'" He patted his rune rifle fondly. "Great for dealing with things hiding in sand and wind on Rift Wind Plains, or outsiders who don't know better. Also know a bit about weird machines and traps."
"Green Whisperer" Lirian: Forest elf female. She bowed elegantly, her voice like a forest spring: "Lirian, may nature guide our paths. I once lived on the edges of Ink Dark Dense Forest with ancient trees and my elven kin, knowing a bit about that cursed land's dangers and... hidden life veins." Her gaze swept Arya with a touch of elven kinship, flashing subtle doubt on Yuyuer (disguised) but not pursuing. "My bow and senses can warn of malice and traps in the forest ahead. I can also try communicating with certain 'special' entities, if needed." She seemed to imply something.
"Skull Breaker" Golg: Orc male. He just grunted low, like muffled thunder, as greeting. He flexed his massive shoulders, his chain-saw axes clinking softly. "Golg." His words were brief, then he pointed a rough finger at his thick chest, then to Kayla and zhamisi, finally northward to the cold. "Me, lead. Fight, clear path. Eternal Frost Tundra, Frost Blade Snow Mountain base—my tribe... hunted there once. Cold, no fear. Snow beasts, killed many." His speech was orcishly direct and confident, laced with disdain for harsh environments and mighty prey.
"Alright, team's here." Karim looked at Fa. "Jack knows Rift Wind Plains and all sorts of weird stuff inside out; Lirian's your key to Ink Dark Dense Forest—without her, ninety percent chance you'd feed swamp trees or get offed by dark elves; Golg..." He glanced at the burly orc. "With him, snow beasts on Eternal Frost Tundra will think twice before pouncing. These three are my old life-and-death brothers; they'll get you safely to the mountain base. As for climbing the snow mountain last... that's on you."
He paused, pulling a heavy, thick oilcloth-wrapped long object from under the counter and handing it to Yuyuer: "Kid, take this. On the road, if you run into troublemakers or critical moments, use it! Activation switch at the grip base—don't point at your own!" Yuyuer took it, feeling its heavy, cold weight, the oilcloth hinting at metal texture and precise structure beneath.
"Uncle Karim..." Yuyuer looked at this relative who'd left home years ago, caring in his own way, his throat tightening. Though their meeting started with a beating and him disguised as a reptilian, this blood tie and meticulous preparation brought genuine warmth.
"Enough, enough, cut the mush!" Karim waved impatiently, turning away to pretend-fuss over an already shiny mug, his emerald scales perhaps hiding emotion. "Get lost! Remember, deep in Ink Dark Dense Forest, listen to Lirian, and those 'special' things, finally..." His voice lowered, carrying unspeakable reverence. "...Don't provoke those 'stones and woods.' They don't speak, but... they watch everything."
His final cryptic warning chilled everyone. Special things? Stones? Woods?
Fa took a deep breath, bowing solemnly to Karim: "Thank you for the gear and guides, senior; we remember this favor." Arya and the others thanked him too.
"Iron Eye" Jack's sharp gaze scanned Fa's group, lingering on Yuyuer (disguised), Rex, and Salsa (mechanical cat), but asked nothing, just clapping: "Alright whelps, chit-chat over. If we want to reach the midpoint outpost in Rift Wind Plains by noon, we gotta hustle. The winds there get more 'welcoming' in the afternoon." He grinned with an adventurer's thrill for danger.
Everyone shouldered Karim's carefully prepared heavy backpacks, double-checking gear. Yuyuer, disguised as a mixed-blood lizardman, gripped the oilcloth-wrapped "gift," feeling its hefty unknown weight. Salsa's mechanical cat nimbly leaped onto Kayla's shoulder, electronic eyes calmly scanning the new guides.
The three stylistically diverse yet equally experienced guides led ahead. Fa and her group followed closely, stepping out of the "Anchor of the Reef" Inn's door. Wing Shadow Port's slightly chilly morning air, mixed with sea breeze, machine oil, and distant magical forges, hit them. They threaded through awakening streets filled with gritty tech-magic hybrid style, heading toward the town outskirts and the "ghost wind-ravaged" Rift Wind Plains Karim described.
Overhead, three shadow falcons circled silently, dissolving into three nearly invisible shades merging with lingering thin morning mist, faithfully on alert. The new journey, with new companions (guides) and Karim's enigmas, officially began. Rift Wind Plains' gales already howled faintly in the distance, as if awaiting this peculiar team's arrival.