Sardithas Apho

The Wight moved through the cloud tower city with the practiced ease of one who knew every shadow, every hidden pathway. His darkling heritage gave him a unique grace, allowing him to blend into the dusk as though he were part of it. Smirking to himself, he approached the sprawling greenhouse that served as the workshop of the renowned artificer, Cornelis Steele.

For weeks, Sardithas had scoped out the place. By day, the greenhouse was a bustling hub of activity, with plants both mundane and magical growing in carefully controlled environments and experiments of the artificer placed between them like strange decorations. By night, it transformed into a sanctuary of quiet industry, the flickering light of Steele's metal and crystal structures casting strange shadows on the glass walls.

Tonight, under the cover of darkness, Sardithas slipped inside. The scent of exotic flora filled the air, mingling with the faint metallic tang of arcane machinery. He moved silently, his eyes keenly taking in the layout of the workshop, the shelves laden with rare ingredients, the intricate devices half-constructed on the workbenches, and the luminous runes etched into the floor. A greenhouse It was a strange place to choose as a workshop but who was Sardithas to complain?

He moved along the black, stone planters, his steps as silent as a displacer beast. There had to be something of value here. No one came to so much respect among the tinkerers in the Cloud Tower without creating notable inventions. But as he reached for a particularly intriguing artifact, a soft click broke the silence. Sardithas froze, every muscle tensed. Out of the shadows stepped a figure he hadn’t anticipated. His hand slowly withdrew from his chosen quarry and moved to the hidden dagger at his side.

Sardithas’ mind raced, calculating his next move. His initial plan had been flawless, but this twist demanded a quick adjustment. He offered a crooked smile, hoping to charm his way out of the situation.

“Seems I’m not the only night owl around here,” Sardithas said, his voice smooth and calm. “Care to tell me who you are, before things get... complicated?”

With a quick flick of his wrist the dagger in his belt spun into his hand. The darkling let it dance casually over his fingers while he leaned against one of the big planters. This heist had just gotten more difficult but also so much more interesting.