(OOC: This is a solo post meant to serve as a living lore event as well as a lead in to the coming thread with Anora.)

The sun shined bright in the clear sky above Bright End as myriads of people flooded the streets, making their way to and from the various ornate buildings that surrounded them. Students of the Conservatory, government officials, and various people of varying class, many of which weren't even from Sestyra, were conducting business or taking in the sights, while guards in finer uniforms than most stood watch. The noise and chatter combined with the visual awe of the place attributed to a near over-stimulation of the senses.

Yet underneath the grandeur and spectacle of the brightest light lurked always a darker shadow.

Veiled in the rooftops and alleyways of Bright End, various Knights had been keeping a low profile, watching and waiting. A person of interest was soon arriving in Bright End to conduct business with an associate, one of the Knights in disguise. The plan was to surround said individual when their guard was down and make an arrest, while the citizens would be none the wiser.

"Almost time. Don't flubb it, Wolfborn." A woman with long black hair tied back in a high ponytail warned firmly as she watched over the nearby alley from a story above. Her dark eyes betrayed no anxiety or nervousness at the gravity of this mission. The sunlight reflected brightly from what silver armor she couldn't hide in the shade, as her weapon lay at her side.
"Come on, Cynane. This should be a cinch. I would be more concerned with trying to prepare for when I'm the one who makes the arrest and shows you up." Her companion, dressed in the same brilliant silver, would comment. A Knight with light blonde hair would grin, not letting her words get to them. Their own eyes looked unnatural in comparison, mirror-like and reflective irises seemingly devoid of color. Runa Morei-Nyland waited eagerly, yet anxiously, for their target to arrive.

The minutes felt like hours, and none too soon would they finally spot what they were looking for. At the end of the alleyway, a large contraption could be seen. An automobile, which was something Runa could only describe as a black metal box with windows on top of four large wheels that was moved forward by steam. It was a travel marvel of Magitech that could only be afforded by the wealthy or the gifted. Past the windows were two silhouettes that Runa could make out, and the pair would watch intently and quietly.

The figure in the front would exit the vehicle, a large, stocky man who wore a black hat that looked almost as comically large as he was. Walking around to the back, he would open the back door, and their target would step out into the open.

Acacia Sinclaire. A tall, slender woman who was finely dressed. Her hair was as white as snow, and her eyes an unnerving yellow. She wore a black hat with a brim that covered the top half of her face at most angles from above. Dangling from her side was a rifle, hanging from a strap around her torso. She was one of the most renown mercenaries from the Bleeding Heart, with a terrifying reputation that preceded her. She had been on the Knights' radar for the last several months, and they hoped to capture her today so they could learn who she worked for. Someone who could command one as dangerous as Acacia Sinclaire had to be an even more terrifying entity.
"Ah, Miss Sinclaire. A pleasure to see you again." A voice would say. A third figure would emerge from the shadows. Rikon, the mole that the Knights had planted. In his hand was a suitcase, the very reason Sinclaire had come.

"Pleasure's all mine, I assure you." She'd say with honey in her voice, stepping closer without a care. "Them the goods, Riki?"

The duo looked down with curiosity in their eyes as Rikon held the case up, opening it as a brilliant light had shown forth from within. Marvelous azure spheres were neatly pressed within the case, surging with a curious aura.

"No way..." Cynane said under her breath. "I saw those at the Conservatory about a week back. Something about augmenting the Knights' magic... why are they here as the decoy?"

Runa looked at her, confusion apparent on their face, before looking back down to the group below.

Sinclaire had her hands on one of the orbs, holding it up as she looked at it with what seemed to be satisfaction on her face.

"Well, ain't that a beauty." She'd say at last, snapping her free hand. The larger man went around to the back of the car, opening a compartment at the rear. "I'll say, Riki, you really pulled through this time. I'll be more than happy to take these off your hands."

"That's not good. Wolfborn, we need to stop her." She'd say, starting to climb down the side of the building. Runa would attempt to stop her, but to no avail. The signal had not yet been given, but if these things were as dangerous as she claimed...

The duo made it to the ground floor, keeping low as they snuck around to where the group was. As they reached the corner, they could peek around, seeing that the man was still rummaging through the truck, looking far larger than before from this close.

"Miss Sinclaire, if you could but put in a good word for me..." Rikon would state, and Sinclaire would wave her hand. "Of course, Riki. It's the least I could do for such a treat. Well, that and give you your pay, of course."

As if on cue, the large man would lift out a large bag, presumably filled with coin, from the back of the vehicle, starting to walk towards the duo. Shocked that the deal was coming through without a hitch, Cynane steeled her nerves as she reached for her weapon. As she attempted to move closer, her foot landed with an audible crack, and she looked down in horror to see she had stepped in glass. The large man would stop walking, looking back behind the vehicle at the source of the sound as Sinclaire kept an eye on the scene.

"Could just be a stray, but we best be safe. Check it out." She'd command, and the large man began to walk towards the corner where Runa and Cynane were huddled up. She was slinking back, the gravity of the situation finally starting to weigh down on the both of them. They were about to be found, and if they even made it out of this alive, Command would hit them both hard for jeopardizing the entire mission... Runa had to act fast.

They closed their eyes, trying to pay attention to the sound of the man's footsteps as he got closer. Each step was louder than the last, each second more overwhelming than the last.

Thud... Thud... Thud... THUD... THUD...

There.

Runa's eyes shot open, and immediately they would somersault from behind cover, dashing forward. Before the man could even make sense of what was going on, he let out a howl of pain as Runa slammed their foot into his gut, before his face would meet with the other end of Runa's shield in a violent shield bash. The bag of money would fly into the air, and as Runa advanced forward, they would slam their shield into it, sending it flying towards Sinclaire. Scoffing, a gunshot would ring through the air, piercing through the bag as coins flew every which direction. Immediately after, a second gunshot would ring out, to which Runa would dive behind cover, holding their shield up.

"Congratulations, Riki. I guess you played me." Sinclaire would say, still looking in the direction of Runa. With one swift motion, she would turn her gun in the direction of Rikon, firing a single shot that would pierce his chest, causing him to fly backwards as the suitcase flew into the air. Turning on her heel, she would grab the suitcase out of the air and start sprinting down the alleyway. "Consider our business concluded."

The sound of coins raining against the pavement was loud and overwhelming, but Runa would look up in time to see Sinclaire making her escape.

"Cynane, check on Rikon!" They'd shout, seeing the body on the ground as panic overwhelmed them. Was this their fault? No, there was no time to think about that. Runa gripped their shield tightly as they sprinted after Sinclaire, ignoring Cynane's protests.

Runa wasn't sure what propelled them to move forward, but all they knew is that they had to stop her before she hurt someone else. Emerging from the alleyway, Runa looked around quickly before finding Sinclaire pushing her way through the crowd in a hurry, people dispersing as they sighted the gun she was holding. Runa chased after her, following her path. Sighting the following Knight, Sinclaire would take aim and fire a quick shot, to which Runa raised their shield to stop the bullet, a loud vibration reverbing through the shield from the impact.

Gritting their teeth, Runa would stop on their heel to pivot, spinning to gain momentum as they threw their shield with all of their might in Sinclaire's direction. She saw it just in time, ducking underneath it. With a smirk, she raised her rifle, ready to fire at the shieldless Runa. Before she could fire, however, she let out a cry of pain as she was struck from behind, Runa's shield making a return trip and causing her to lurch forward. Runa grinned, the shield coming back to their arm as they continued their sprint.

Sinclaire gained her bearings, baring her feet as she turned to keep running. They were coming to an overhanging bridge, and she immediately made a sharp turn to go down another road. Taking a deep breath, Runa would continue their pursuit, confident that they could stop her. As they turned the corner to follow her, they were shocked as they saw one of the blue spheres heading right for them. A further distance down, Sinclaire had her rifle's sights focused, a knowing smile on her face.

"Thanks for testing this for me, kid!" She'd shout, firing a shot from her rifle. Runa would raise their shield, but the bullet collided with the sphere, and immediately Runa was sent flying off of their feet as their every sense was completely overwhelmed. The force of the resulting blast hit them hard, and Runa could feel themself collide and break through something as the sound and sights of the blast overtook them, pain shooting through their body as they felt themselves falling.

Soon enough, their senses began to return, and Runa finally realized what was happening. They were falling. From the overhanging bridge. Apples were falling around them, they must've been sent through a merchant's cart from the blast... The wood from the cart and various debris were flying around, and blue smoke was rising into the air. There were screams, but Runa couldn't make much sense of them.

A cry for help.

Runa would look to their side, seeing a young woman falling and screaming. She must've been taken off of the bridge as collateral damage. Runa attempted to move, but the inertia of the fall combined with the realization that they were bleeding and felt like they had been battered with a sledgehammer made them understand this would not be an easy undertaking.

"H-hold on...!" Runa would call to the woman, reaching for the woman as they fell. They managed to get close enough to grab her, before pulling her close. Turning them to where Runa was on the bottom, they would slam into the roof of a building, and Runa grunted in pain as they collided before starting to roll off. They held their shield out, trying to cushion the impact as they plummeted to the ground.

Runa woke up with a gasp, wincing in pain as they attempted to get up.

"Wolfborn! You're awake." They heard a voice say, and they looked over to see Cynane walking into the room. The Knight's infirmary. Behind her was a taller, imposing figure. And Runa's heart sank as they realized it was the Commander.

"Morei-Nyland. It's been the better part of four days." Her voice said coldly. "Bright End suffered plenty of damage, and repairs are well underway. Fortunately for you, there were no casualties, before you ask."

That's good. That meant that woman was...

"However, your little stunt set us back quite heavily. Sinclaire has gone into hiding, and we haven't seen her. You acted out of turn, disobeyed orders, and your fellow Knight is in critical care. Rikon was risking his life for all of us, and now we have nothing to show for it. It's a miracle you didn't get your partner killed."

Runa sat there as the Commander went off on them, and Cynane looked between the two. "Ac-" She began, but Runa cut her off.

"I take full responsibility, Commander. I ruined the operation and the target got away. I will accept whatever punishment you deem fit."

Runa shot a quick glance at Cynane, who looked shocked that Runa would still stand up for her after all of this.

Despite being recently promoted to the upper echelon of Knights, Runa was demoted and taken off duty from Bright End. A city guard on the night watch was their new position, and every Knight knew just how low the bottom of this barrel went. It felt like a lifetime of preparation, training, and studying had been completely upended from them.

Runa was in the back of their new quarters, filling out yet another dull nightly report before a voice shook them from their reverie. Ah yes, his new boss. They wondered what she could want, and Runa would get up with a sigh and make their way to the front.

Imagine their surprise a young woman who looked no older than them was standing in front of them. Her attire was not something Runa was used to, especially for someone at this time of night. It must've been dangerous for her to be walking around like this... but maybe that's why she had come here?

Offering the woman a bow, Runa figured she was the one to which they were "on duty" for.

"How may I be of service, dear lady?"