The palace rooftops shimmered under the pale light of a crescent moon. Below, the ancient city spread like a labyrinth of polished black marble, lit sporadically by the phosphorescent glow of enchanted lanterns. From atop the spire, the figure cut an imposing silhouette against the night—a flash of white hair gleaming like silver, and a tailored black jerkin adorned in fur that whispered of both elegance and menace. The air smelled faintly of midnight jasmine and warm stone, mingled with the distant hum of a festival echoing through the Grand Square. She crouched, feline grace embodied, her green eyes flashing behind a soft black mask. Wind teased the furs of her cascading collar, the perfect blend of chic and predatory.
Felina Nox was not her real name, but the world didn’t need to know that. In truth, she wasn’t entirely sure who she had been before she became the infamous “Ghost of Avarice.” Most knew her as a whispered legend, the woman who could vanish into shadows with treasures that once seemed untouchable—be they gold, secrets, or even hearts. This time, though, she was playing a high game. The Sultan’s Crown Jewel Orb sat in a heavily guarded shrine at the center of the palace, hemmed in by curses, pulsing wards, and a formidable host of armored Sentinels. It was an artifact powerful enough to shape empires, said to hold the soul of the first ruler of Avarice itself. Tonight, Felina would claim it.
Suddenly, the marble beneath her shifted. She sprang effortlessly to another ledge, startling a golden hawk perched nearby. The hawk squawked in protest but did not take off; it wore a small clasp around its neck—a fine example of Avarician sentry beasts. Felina hissed under her breath. “Stay quiet, feather storm,” she murmured, inching along the edge as the creature eyed her warily. She knew the city’s defenses like the pads of her fingers, down to details the guards themselves seemed oblivious to. The enchantments wound through every corner of the palace, humming like strings of an invisible harp only perceptible to those skilled in the magical arts. Felina had spent years studying them, unraveling their notes. Tonight, she was the maestro of their composition.
The crown jewel’s shrine lay directly below, its thick crystal dome glittering as though containing molten stars. Felina paused, her lips curving in a sly smile. Beneath her boots, the roof was inlaid with obsidian tiles, seamless but for one small irregularity she’d discovered by pouring over stolen blueprints. She reached down with gloved hands, retrieving a dagger from her thigh-high leather boots. Its blade wasn’t any ordinary steel; it shimmered faintly, etched with runes that seemed to slide away from sight like quicksilver. It was a relic from the pre-Cataclysmic Age, and on nights like this, it was worth more than gold. One precise cut revealed a hidden lock, and with an almost imperceptible click, it yielded.
Before she could descend fully, she heard voices. Two Sentinels rounded a corner below, their chainmail clinking in rhythm with their measured steps. “You believe the Talespinner’s prophecy?” one asked his companion, his tone hushed but insistent. “About the ghost coming for the Orb?”
His companion scoffed. “Spare me. Every thief fancies themselves a legend. Besides, the Sentinels of Avarice have never failed the Sultan in two centuries.”
Felina smirked as she swung silently into the room. Never failed? Tonight’s headline would rewrite history.
The shrine was magnificent: high walls adorned with carvings of celestial beasts, the crystal dome glowing with shifting blues and deep purples, and the Orb, resting in a golden lattice atop a pedestal. The Orb pulsated faintly, mesmerizing in its rhythmic glow, like the heartbeat of a sleeping titan. But it wasn’t unguarded. Dozens of wards danced along the edges of the room, shimmering like dragonflies, each programmed to detect threats and respond with lethal force.
Felina closed her eyes, inhaling deeply as she carefully unfurled a tattered parchment from the pocket of her jerkin. The map contained glyphs and annotations—all the knowledge she’d painstakingly collected about these defenses. Her movements were deft as she avoided triggering the spells. The space between the throne-like pedestal and herself seemed to shrink and expand at once, an eternal moment stretched across seconds. Finally, her gloved hands hovered over the Orb. She muttered a sealing incantation under her breath, a low whisper that rose with the intensity of her will. The Orb’s dull throbs grew searing and bright—a heartbeat reaching its crescendo—and then, suddenly, it was silent, inert in her hands. The defenses dropped.
It was as if the room itself held its breath.
Felina didn’t waste time savoring the victory. She slipped the Orb into a pouch strapped close to her corset and headed for the exit route. But fate—or folly—always demanded its share of drama. Just as she reached the rooftop, the golden hawk she’d passed earlier cut the silence with a piercing cry. Below, the Sentinels were already on high alert.
“Ghost of Avarice!” one bellowed, his voice thick with adrenaline. “The Sultan’s curse will find you, no matter where you hide!”
Felina laughed softly as she leaped from the ledge, her white hair streaming behind her like a comet’s tail. The city stretched below, alive and writhing with chaos she had unleashed. Torches flickered, horns blared, and the skyline itself seemed to shift as she melded into its endless shadows. In the distance, the Orb burned faintly through the seams of its pouch, a reminder that tonight was only the beginning. The game was far from over, and Felina Nox relished the thrill of every gamble yet to come.
Some legends are whispered. But some… are written in fire across the midnight sky.
Genre: Fantasy Heist
The Source…check out the article that inspired this amazing short story: Black Latex and Fur: Black Cat Cosplay Ideas & Inspiration
Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Our recommendations and reviews are always independent and objective, aiming to provide you with the best information and resources.
Exclusive Stories, Photos, Art & Offers - Subscribe Today!
Post Comment