The mist swirled through the narrow alleys of Backlund's East Borough, cloaking the city in a damp chill. Shadows danced in the flickering gas lamps that lined the cobblestone streets, which were empty except for the occasional drunken reveler stumbling home. An unnatural hush lay over this usually bustling district, as if the entire city held its breath in apprehension of the night ahead. Drawn by an inexplicable urge, a lone figure wound through the mist, sticking to the darker side-passage...