From a small pouch woven with silver threads and runic symbols at his belt, Valantz pulled out an extraordinary object: the Horn of Yvrathis, a relic with a divine appearance. It was made of gleaming gold, with elaborate engravings depicting epic battles and galloping valkyries. At the base of the horn, there was an azure gem that seemed to contain a stormy sky, and small plumes of black feathers sprouted from its ends, as if they belonged to a legendary eagle.

"This is the Horn of Yvrathis, the goddess of war and the valkyries," Valantz explained. "It is a very rare relic, and it works perfectly in these situations. You just need to enter the Player ID and blow into it, and the horn will emit a trail of magical notes. These notes, visible only to the one who played it, will guide you to the Guide of the Egg you are looking for."

Valantz entered Aster's Player ID, which was shared with Gelsomina, then brought the horn to his lips. He blew forcefully, and the sound that emerged was imposing—a war call that made the air tremble. It sounded like the roar of a thousand armies ready to fight, so much so that everyone in the tavern turned, startled, throwing annoyed glances at him.

From the horn emerged a trail of luminous, vibrating notes, floating in the air like miniature warriors made of golden energy. Each note resembled a tiny armed spirit, with shining helmets and swords, moving in a fluid and aggressive motion. The trail ascended into the sky, then arched toward the horizon, clearly pointing in a direction.

"There we go," Valantz said, smiling despite the irritated looks from the tavern’s patrons. "Now we know where to go."

He stood up, left a few gold coins on the table to pay for the cake, and gestured for Aster to follow him. "Let's go, Gelsomina is waiting for us."

Aster rose, followed him, and together they set off into the unknown, with a golden trail guiding them toward their mission.

Valantz, walking with a determined stride, led Aster through the city's bustling streets but stopped in front of a shop with the sign "The Phial of Mithrath," written in green letters that shimmered slightly, as if the shop itself were infused with magic. The display windows showcased potions of vivid colors, each enclosed in intricately shaped bottles with labels written in runes that glowed at a touch. Upon entering, Aster was amazed: towering shelves stretched toward the ceiling, filled with flasks and alembics. Some potions seemed to contain tiny trapped lightning bolts, others shimmered with an ethereal green liquid that moved like living essence, while yet others appeared to hold fragments of rainbows or small floating crystals.

Valantz approached the counter, behind which an elderly goblin with a beard braided with gray threads scrutinized them with wise, keen eyes.

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"Need something powerful, young vampire?" the goblin asked in a raspy voice.

Valantz pointed at three potions: one vial containing a deep blue liquid speckled with bright stars like the night sky, a red one that seemed to pulse as if alive, and a yellow one emitting a faint electric hum.

"These. But no tricks, Galnock," Valantz said with a slight smile.

"Tricks? Me? Would that even be possible?" the goblin chuckled, pocketing the gold coins Valantz handed him.

After storing the potions in his pouch, Valantz left the shop, and with Aster following, he stopped shortly after in front of an elegant and inviting building. The sign, engraved on a slab of shimmering marble, read "The Embrace of Lune," a high-end massage center. The entrance door was made of dark, polished wood, framed by a soft glow that shifted in shades of blue and violet.

When Aster entered, he was left speechless. The interior was bathed in warm, relaxing light, with delicate scented vapors rising from incense sticks placed on silver holders. The walls were adorned with frescoes depicting lunar landscapes and mythological creatures. In various salons, masseurs and masseuses of all races moved with grace: a tall, elegant elf massaged the shoulders of a powerful minotaur, a peaceful-looking orc carefully placed hot stones on a human’s back, while a dwarf worked on the tail of a feral. Players blended in with NPCs, distinguishable only by the discreet "NPC" marker above their heads.

Valantz led Aster down a hallway with walls decorated with pearl mosaics until he stopped in front of a room. He opened the door and motioned for Aster to follow him.

Inside the room, on a plush velvet bed of deep blue with silver embroidery, lay a small black pegasus, its coat gleaming and its eyes red as rubies. Its wings, though small compared to its body, were perfectly symmetrical and adorned with feathers that seemed to be made of silk. A she-human masseuse with long brown hair was working with extreme delicacy on its wings, applying a golden oil that emitted a faint glow.

Valantz approached, nodded a greeting to the masseuse, and then spoke in a firm yet affectionate voice: "Nyxial, that’s enough massage for today. We need to go."

The small pegasus lifted its head with a regal air and replied in a high but sweet masculine voice: "A few more minutes, Valantz."

Valantz smiled, but without waiting, he bent down and picked up the pegasus effortlessly. "We don’t have time. My friend Aster needs our help. His Guide of the Egg has been kidnapped."

Nyxial, the pegasus, allowed himself to be carried away without much fuss, but as they exited the massage center, he cast a wary glance at Aster, scrutinizing him from head to toe. "An elf, huh?" he said with a displeased tone. "I don’t like elves. They always prefer unicorns over us pegasi."

Aster, caught off guard, stammered something, but then, trying to win over the pegasus, he said with conviction: "Not me! I much prefer pegasi over unicorns."

Nyxial’s eyes lit up with joy, glowing with a bright red light. With a sudden change in attitude, he said: "Then I like you, elf! I will help you, but only because you’re an elf with good taste."

Outside the massage center, Valantz set Nyxial down and spoke in a decisive tone: "Ascend, Nyxial. We need your other form."