Chapter Twenty-Seven: The First Strike
Chapter Twenty-Seven: The First Strike
The morning air was heavy with tension as Rin and Mara sat in a nondescript café in the heart of the city. The map they'd retrieved from the warehouse was spread across the small table between them, its cryptic markings and scattered Xs hinting at an imminent threat. Mara sipped her tea, her sharp eyes darting between the map and the street outside, while Rin leaned back, arms crossed, his usual smirk absent.
"So," Rin said, breaking the silence, "this big X in the middle of the city—what do you think they're planning? Another heist? Or something worse?"
Mara tapped her finger on the map, her expression grim. "If it's the Order of the Red Veil, it's not just another heist. This location is too public, too risky. Whatever they're planning, it's going to be big."
"Fantastic," Rin muttered, rubbing his temples. "Why is it always the crazy cults? Why not something simple, like a bank robbery or a missing cat?"
Mara shot him a withering glare. "Focus, Rin. This isn't a joke."
"I know, I know," Rin said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I just deal with stress through sarcasm."
"Well, deal with it quietly," Mara said, finishing her tea and standing. "We've got work to do."
---
A Dangerous Stakeout
The building marked on the map was a sprawling, abandoned theater in the heart of the city. Its once-grand façade was now cracked and weathered, the marquee long since faded. Rin and Mara crouched on a nearby rooftop, their vantage point offering a clear view of the theater's entrance.
"Looks deserted," Rin said, peering through a pair of binoculars.
"Too deserted," Mara replied. "They're hiding something."
Hours passed with no movement. Rin fidgeted, tapping his fingers on the edge of the rooftop. "So, do we just sit here all day? Because I'm starting to lose feeling in my legs."
"Patience," Mara said, not taking her eyes off the theater. "If the Order is planning something, they'll show up eventually."
As if on cue, a black van pulled up to the theater's side entrance. Several hooded figures stepped out, carrying large crates.
"Looks like we've got company," Mara said, her tone sharp.
Rin grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Finally. Let's crash their party."
---
Into the Den of Thieves
Sneaking into the theater was easier than Rin expected. The side entrance the cultists had used was unguarded, the heavy metal door left slightly ajar. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of mildew and decay, the dim light casting long shadows across the dusty floor.
"Stay close," Mara whispered, her daggers drawn.
Rin followed her lead, his senses on high alert. They crept through the labyrinth of corridors, the muffled sound of voices growing louder with each step. Finally, they reached the main auditorium, peering through a crack in the door.
The scene inside was enough to make Rin's stomach churn. The stage was adorned with blood-red banners, the cult's symbol painted in vivid crimson across the floor. Dozens of hooded figures stood in a circle, chanting in a guttural, otherworldly language. In the center of the circle was a massive stone altar, its surface covered in glowing runes.
"That doesn't look good," Rin whispered.
"It's a summoning ritual," Mara said, her voice tight. "If they finish it, they'll bring something through."
"Something like what?" Rin asked.
"Something we don't want to meet," Mara replied.
---
The First Strike
Without waiting for a signal, Mara threw open the door and hurled one of her daggers at the nearest cultist. The blade struck true, dropping the man before he could react.
Rin followed her lead, charging into the room with a whoop. "Surprise, jerks!"
The cultists scrambled, their chanting interrupted as chaos erupted in the auditorium. Mara moved like a whirlwind, her daggers flashing as she cut through their ranks. Rin, meanwhile, relied on brute force, his punches sending cultists flying.
One of the hooded figures, larger than the rest, stepped forward, wielding a massive warhammer. He swung it at Rin, the air whistling with the force of the blow.
"Whoa!" Rin ducked just in time, the hammer smashing into the floor where he'd been standing. "Okay, big guy, let's dance."
The two clashed, Rin's agility and quick reflexes allowing him to dodge the cultist's powerful swings. Finally, he spotted an opening, delivering a powerful uppercut that sent the man sprawling.
---
The Ritual Continues
Despite their best efforts, Rin and Mara couldn't stop the remaining cultists from resuming the ritual. The glowing runes on the altar grew brighter, the air in the room crackling with energy.
"We're out of time!" Mara shouted, trying to fight her way to the altar.
Rin looked around frantically, his eyes landing on a set of scaffolding above the stage. "I've got an idea. Keep them busy!"
Before Mara could respond, Rin sprinted toward the scaffolding, climbing it with surprising speed. From his vantage point, he could see the cult leader at the center of the ritual, chanting louder than the others.
"Let's see how you like this," Rin muttered, leaping off the scaffolding and aiming a flying kick at the cult leader.
The impact sent the leader crashing into the altar, disrupting the ritual. The glowing runes flickered and died, the energy in the air dissipating.
---
Aftermath
The remaining cultists fled, their morale shattered. Mara approached the altar, inspecting the runes with a critical eye.
"Nice work," she said grudgingly.
Rin grinned, brushing dust off his jacket. "Was there ever any doubt?"
Mara rolled her eyes. "Don't get cocky. This was just a small cell. The real threat is still out there."
As they left the theater, Rin couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The Order of the Red Veil had been stopped here, but their plans were far from over.
"Hey, Mara," Rin said as they walked into the night.
"What?"
"Next time, can we pick a mission that doesn't involve creepy rituals and death cults?"
"No promises," Mara said, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
End of Chapter 27