Honkai Star Rail : Shadows of Nihility

The dimly lit ruins faded into the distance as Wei Longshen emerged from the chamber, his steps deliberate and unhurried. The cold whispers of the void had quieted for now, replaced by the rustle of the Luofu's sprawling wilderness. His mind, however, was far from silent. The fragmented visions of the Moonlit Veil's collapse gnawed at him, the name "Xue Ren" repeating like an unbroken mantra. Whoever this figure was, they had orchestrated something far greater than Wei had anticipated.

Wei's presence did not go unnoticed. Even in the depths of the Luofu's outer reaches, rumors of his escape from the Shackling Prison had begun to spread. Traders and mercenaries whispered of the Shadow Fang walking free, a shadow of vengeance cast over the Xianzhou. Those who recognized him kept their distance, their gazes averted, their movements stiff. It was not merely his name—it was the fear of what it meant to cross him.

As Wei made his way toward the nearest trade route, he passed a group of wandering merchants resting beneath the shade of a celestial tree. Their conversation hushed as he approached, their eyes darting toward the scarred figure moving with purpose through the underbrush. One of them, braver than the rest, muttered under his breath:

"Is it really him? The Shadow Fang?"

His companion hissed, "Keep your voice down. If it is, you don't want him to notice."

Wei's gaze flicked toward them for the briefest of moments, his expression unreadable. The merchants stiffened, their breaths caught in their throats. But Wei said nothing. He simply continued on his path, the weight of his reputation speaking louder than any words could.

The wilderness gave way to a narrow ravine lined with jagged cliffs. Wei moved cautiously, his senses attuned to the faintest disturbances in the air. The Luofu's outer territories were known for their dangers—not just from beasts corrupted by Stellaron energy, but from those who thrived in lawlessness. Bounty hunters, rogue mercenaries, and opportunists all made their homes in these forgotten stretches.

The sound of shifting stones reached his ears before the first strike came. Wei spun, his blade flashing in the dim light as a projectile ricocheted harmlessly off its edge. The faint hum of a suppression field crackled through the air, and Wei's sharp eyes caught sight of his attackers—a group of mercenaries emerging from the cliffs above, their weapons glinting ominously.

"You've got a hefty price on your head, Shadow Fang," the leader called out, his voice echoing off the ravine walls. "Dead or alive, it doesn't matter to us."

Wei's expression remained calm, his grip on his blade firm. "You should have stayed in the shadows."

The mercenaries spread out, their movements coordinated. They were professionals, armed with weapons designed to counter Emanators—runes etched into their gear glowed faintly, the suppression fields pulsing with destabilizing energy.

Wei did not wait for them to make the first move. Shadows erupted around him, curling like living tendrils as he surged forward. His blade cut through the air with precision, meeting the first mercenary's strike with a clash of steel. The man staggered, his weapon wrenched from his grasp as Wei's strength overpowered him.

A second mercenary aimed a suppression bolt at Wei's flank, but the Shadow Fang moved with inhuman agility. He ducked beneath the projectile, his blade slicing through the man's armor in a single, fluid motion. The mercenary crumpled to the ground, his weapon clattering beside him.

The leader barked orders, his voice tinged with frustration. "Surround him! Don't let him—"

His words were cut short as Wei's shadows coiled around his legs, dragging him to the ground. Wei loomed over the fallen leader, his blade resting lightly against the man's throat.

"You thought you could stop me?" Wei said, his voice low and cold. "Who sent you?"

The leader's eyes darted nervously, his bravado crumbling. "We… we were hired! The bounty came from the markets—Aurum Alley! That's all I know, I swear!"

Wei's gaze hardened. He pressed the blade slightly closer, the sharp edge drawing a thin line of blood. "Who put up the bounty?"

"I don't know!" the leader stammered. "It's anonymous—just a name and a price! I swear on the Aeons, that's all they told us!"

Wei held the man's gaze for a long moment before withdrawing his blade. The leader gasped in relief, clutching his throat as Wei stepped back. The remaining mercenaries, realizing the futility of their situation, began retreating, dragging their fallen comrades with them.

"Tell your employers this," Wei said, his tone icy. "The Shadow Fang doesn't fall to cowards."

The mercenaries fled without a word, their footsteps fading into the distance. Wei watched them go, his expression unreadable. The bounty confirmed one thing: Xue Ren's web of influence reached farther than Wei had anticipated. If the markets of Aurum Alley were involved, then the Luofu's underbelly was far more tangled than it seemed.

The battle had taken its toll. Though Wei's skill and strength were unmatched, the suppression fields had drained him more than he cared to admit. Years of imprisonment had dulled the edge of his power, and the constant pursuit left little time for recovery.

He found a small clearing at the edge of the ravine, its soft grass and gentle breeze offering a momentary respite. Wei sank to one knee, his breath steadying as he surveyed his surroundings. His fingers brushed against the hilt of his blade, the weapon's faint hum a comforting presence.

As he rested, his mind turned to the name that had haunted him since Aurum Alley: Xue Ren. Whoever this figure was, they had orchestrated Wei's downfall with precision and malice. But why? What did they stand to gain by dismantling the Moonlit Veil and framing him for crimes he didn't commit?

The void stirred faintly within him, its cold whispers brushing against the edges of his consciousness. It offered no answers, only the promise of more questions. But Wei welcomed the silence. It was better than the guilt that gnawed at his thoughts, the memory of faces he had failed to protect.

"I'll find you," Wei murmured to the still air. "And when I do, you'll understand the weight of the shadows you've cast."

With renewed resolve, Wei rose to his feet. The path ahead was treacherous, but the Shadow Fang had never feared the darkness. He embraced it.