---
Night cloaked the camp in a heavy silence, broken only by the crackling fire and the distant rustle of leaves. Shadows danced on Kael's face as he sat apart, his eyes fixed on the Shard of Origin glowing faintly in his palm.
The shard pulsed like a heartbeat, carrying with it a storm of questions and the lingering echo of a warning—a name whispered in the dark: the crimson woman.
Lyria paced nearby, her voice low and tense. "The Guild fears her more than any Player. If she's real, she's a force none of us can ignore."
Thorne's voice was gruff as he added, "Wild card. That's what she is. And wild cards can change everything."
Kael clenched his fist around the shard. "Then she's the thread we must follow. Because wild cards don't just break the rules—they rewrite the game."
---
[Quest Updated: Investigate the Crimson Woman]
New leads suggest her power stretches far beyond the Guild and the Players.
Objective: Uncover her motives and stop her before she moves again.
---
The forest seemed to hold its breath, as if the very world waited on the edge of a knife.
---
Far Away – The Stormbound Tower
Lightning tore the night sky, revealing a jagged spire reaching into the heavens. Inside, the crimson woman moved like a shadow aflame, eyes glowing with fierce ambition. The shard she held crackled with wild, unstable energy.
She whispered, voice low and deadly, "The pieces move exactly as I foresaw… but the Architect's true design remains hidden, waiting."
From the darkness, a cloaked figure stepped forward. "She's alive."
Her smile was razor sharp. "Then the game truly begins."
---
Back at Camp
Kael stared into the dying embers of the fire, feeling unseen eyes watching from the shadows.
Every decision, every alliance was a thread woven into a tapestry far larger than any of them could see.
And somewhere, the Architect's hand guided the game from the shadows.
---
Lyria spoke softly.
"We need to move fast. If the Guild fears her, she's already making her next move."
Kael stood, resolve hardening. "Then we follow the Crimson Thread. Carefully. This isn't just a game anymore—it's survival."
Thorne nodded. "Survival means staying ahead, no matter the cost."
---
[System Notification]
New Objective: Track the Crimson Woman's Influence
Hint: Begin at the ruins of Varethiel, where a shard vanished from Guild records.
---
The fire flickered once more, and the forest whispered secrets only the brave dared to hear.
Kael knew this journey had crossed a threshold. The Crimson Thread was pulled—and fate itself began to unravel.
---
—
Dear Readers,
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey through [Your Novel Title] — my very first novel. It means the world to me that you're here, reading and experiencing this story.
If you enjoyed this chapter, please take a moment to leave a review. Your support helps me grow as a writer and keeps this adventure alive.
And I would love to hear what you think! What parts excited you? Which characters do you want to see more of? Please write your thoughts in the comment section below. I read every single one and your feedback inspires me.
From the bott
om of my heart, thank you for being part of this story.
— Your author, Talent Engraver