Preparation for War

John and Robert raced through the darkened streets, their breath coming in ragged gasps as they ran for their lives.

Their hearts pounded in their chests, and their eyes darted nervously around every corner, searching for any sign of pursuit.

Finally, John reached into his jacket and pulled out his radio. He keyed the mic and spoke in a hushed voice,

"Anyone in? We are dealing with a high tier ascendant, and not a regular one. She's a chosen of a god, over."

After a moment of static, Eugene's voice crackled through the speaker.

"Got it. You did good! Retreat to HQ. It's time to bring out the big guns. We need to remind the heretics what they can and what they can't do... and keep them out of the city, over and out."

John's heart leapt with relief at the sound of Eugene's voice.

He replied quickly,

"Roger that. Over and out."

With that, he and Robert sprinted towards headquarters, their legs pumping furiously as they ran.

As they ran, John couldn't help but think about the terrifying power of the ascendant they had just faced.

He had never encountered someone with such raw aura and unrelenting determination before. It was clear that this was no ordinary heretic.

But despite the fear that threatened to overtake him, John knew that he and his fellow agents were the only hope for the city.

They were the last line of defense against the darkness that threatened to consume everything they held dear.

With that thought in mind, John and Robert pushed themselves to run faster, their eyes fixed firmly on the prize - a safe haven in the heart of the city, where they could regroup and plan their next move.

As John and Robert ran through the dimly lit alleyway, their hearts racing with fear, they suddenly heard a voice that sent chills down their spines.

It was Mary's voice, the same voice that haunted their dreams and made their blood run cold.

"Run along little boys," she taunted,

"I hope you bring all your little friends. We need all the blood we can get."

The sound of her laughter echoed in the background, sending shivers down their spines.

The two comrades glanced at each other, their faces drenched in sweat.

They frantically searched for Mary's location, but the darkness made it impossible to see anything.

Their hearts pounded as they struggled to maintain their composure.

John gritted his teeth and whispered to Robert,

"Ignore her, we have to keep going. We need to get to headquarters and report everything."

Robert nodded, his eyes flickering with determination.

They continued running, their breaths coming out in ragged gasps as they pushed themselves to their limits.

Mary's voice continued to taunt them from the shadows, but they remained focused on their goal.

Finally, they burst out of the alleyway and into the bright lights of the city streets.

They sprinted towards headquarters, their hearts pounding with excitement and fear.

As the group approached the headquarters, the sound of heavy boots hitting the cobblestone streets echoed in their ears.

The sight before them was one of organized chaos as police officers filled the area. Each one was dressed in a uniform that seemed to have been crafted from the finest materials, yet it still showed signs of wear and tear from long hours on the job.

The officers were a mix of young and old, some with fresh faces, while others had scars and lines etched deeply into their skin.

All of them were armed to the teeth with batons, revolver, and other weapons that hung from their belts. The group could sense the tension in the air as the officers attempted to maintain order in the face of the growing crowd.

As they made their way through the throng, a stern-looking officer stepped in front of them, holding up his hand to halt their progress.

"Halt! This area is closed to the public. Please turn around and leave immediately," he barked.

John stepped forward and pulled out his identification badge.

"We are from The Order. We have business here," he said firmly, his eyes fixed on the officer.

The officer's expression softened slightly as he inspected the badge, his gaze flickering back and forth between John and Robert.

After a moment, he nodded and stepped aside, gesturing for them to pass.

"Very well. But be careful. Things are getting out of hand," he warned before disappearing back into the crowd.

The group moved forward, their footsteps echoing on the cobblestones as they made their way towards the headquarters.

They could feel the eyes of the officers on them, watching their every move, and tension mounted with each step they took.

But they knew they had a job to do, and nothing was going to stop them from completing it.

The group pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the headquarters, revealing a dimly lit room that was filled with tension.

Standing before them were three of the most trusted members of The Order: Kline, Akira, and Eugene.

Normally, Eugene could be heard cracking jokes and engaging in light banter, but today, he was uncharacteristically silent.

Kline, the stoic leader of expeditions, stood with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the group as they entered the room. Akira, the fierce warrior, stood by his side, her eyes scanning the room for any potential threats. The gravity of the situation was evident in the expressions etched onto their faces.

The room was a hive of activity as members of the organization moved about, gathering their gear and checking their weapons.

The sound of metal clashing against metal could be heard as they sharpened their knives, and the smell of gunpowder hung heavily in the air.

As the group approached, Eugene looked up from behind his desk, his expression grim.

With a sense of gravitas, Eugene spoke, his voice low and steady as he imparted the news,

"We've received intelligence that tonight the enemy is planning a major ritual that will implicate the entire city."

Eugene's words hung heavily in the air, causing a tense silence to settle over the room.

Robert and John nodded, they understood that sooner or later the heretics were going to strike.

Kline, ever the composed leader, turned to Robert and John, addressing them in a reassuring manner,

"Good to see you in one piece. But where is Shadow?"

The response was a heavy one, delivered by John with a somber tone,

"He's dead. We were ambushed by Black Hand members."

The room fell silent, the weight of the news hanging heavily in the air. Kline's expression shifted from composed to one of fury as he seethed,

Kline's eyes widened in shock and anger. "Dead? How could this happen? I thought Shadow was one of our most skilled fighters."

"Those bastards... the city is in peril and they still have time to attack us. There will be a time when I will bury every single one of them."

John's voice shook as he spoke.

"The Black Hand member went to great lengths for a suicide attack, pushing himself beyond his limits. We did what we could, but it wasn't enough."

Kline's jaw clenched as he took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

"Those bastards... the city is in peril and they still have time to attack us. There will be a time when I will bury every single one of them."

His eyes blazed with anger as he absorbed the news of Shadow's death. He had trusted the Black Hand members to honor the peace agreement they had signed, but it seemed they couldn't be trusted after all.

"Those bastards..." Kline muttered under his breath, clenching his fists.

"The city is in peril and they still have time to attack us. There will be a time when I will bury every single one of them."

Robert watched as Kline seethed with anger, his heart heavy with grief for his fallen comrade.

He knew that Kline's rage was fueled not only by the loss of a friend, but also by the knowledge that their entire city was at risk.

"We need to focus on the task at hand," Kline said, his voice low but determined.

"We signed a peace agreement for now until we deal with the heretics. They assigned their members to defend the area, so we will be the attack team."

Kline turned to Robert and spoke with a measured tone.

"Robert, you have been granted permission to ascend. Join the fellow promising members to prepare for ascension. John will lead you there, and the doctor is waiting to explain everything."

Robert nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. Ascension was the ultimate goal of their group, but he knew it came with a price. He wondered what kind of trials awaited him, and whether he was truly ready for them.

John stepped forward and motioned for Robert to follow him.

"Come on, let's get you ready for the next step," he said, his voice reassuring.

Robert followed John out of the room, his mind racing with anticipation and fear. He knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but he was determined to see it through to the end.

As John led Robert to the room, he couldn't help but feel nervous. He knew that the process of ascension was a dangerous one, and he was unsure of what to expect.

The room they entered was dimly lit, and the air was thick with the scent of incense. In the center of the room, there was a small altar with a glowing crystal on top.

The promising members were gathered, each one looking determined and focused. Robert felt a sense of awe as he looked around the room, realizing that he was among some of the most talented individuals in the organization.

The room was filled with an air of anticipation as the members waited for the doctor to arrive.

Robert knew that the doctor was one of the most knowledgeable members of The Order when it came to the process of ascension, and he was eager to learn everything he could from her.

As they waited, Robert could feel his heart racing with excitement and nervousness.

He knew that the process of ascension was a risky one, and he wondered if he was truly ready to undertake it.

But he also knew that he had a duty to protect his family, the city and its people, and he was willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill that duty.