Second Mission Part I

Gen. Luis looked around at the team, his expression serious. "Your next mission is another assassination, but this one's more complex. You'll be targeting a member of Carem's royal family—the king's cousin."

The team members exchanged uneasy glances. Riggs was the first to voice his concern. "Killing a royal could trigger chaos in Carem. Are we sure this won't lead to a war?"

Gen. Luis nodded gravely. "We understand the risks, but this man has forged a deadly alliance with a group aiming to overthrow the government. Many factions have already aligned with him, so our leaders want this handled before it spirals out of control."

Ember's face tightened. "This is the first time we've gone after someone so high-profile. Nobles are one thing, but a royal... this is risky."

"Understood," Gen. Luis replied. "The full briefing will come later today. You're dismissed until then."

After leaving the general's office, the group dispersed back to their quarters. Ember and Valens retreated to their rooms, while Bo, Exeo, and Riggs lounged in the common area, with Fon sitting beside Exeo, looking a little out of place.

Fon shifted nervously. "So…what happens to me now?"

Exeo looked him over and nodded. "In a few days, I'll start training you. But first, we need to find out if you've got an ability and what it is."

Fon's face fell slightly. "I wouldn't know. Before I got captured in Uryo, I never had a chance to check for an ability. Testing costs money we didn't have."

Bo and Riggs listened closely as Exeo explained. "Abilities come from mana—the energy within every living being. Most people can't sense it, but ability users can tap into it. Yours might still be dormant."

"Can you see if I have it?" Fon asked, eyes wide.

Exeo nodded. "Yes, I can sense it, but we'll need the right environment to test it. Let's head over to the general's house. There's a training room there."

The two slipped out of the dorms, but a few minutes later, Gen. Luis arrived at the quarters, only to find Bo and Riggs lounging in the living room. His eyebrows shot up. "Where's everyone?"

"Ember and Valens are resting," Bo replied. "Exeo and Fon went to your house."

Gen. Luis closed his eyes briefly, then sighed. 'Of course, Exeo. Always marching to his own beat.'

With another deep sigh, he set aside his irritation and nodded to Riggs and Bo. "Tomorrow morning, we'll have a detailed briefing on the mission. Let the others know."

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The next morning, after breakfast, Gen. Luis called Ember in for the full briefing, while the others waited in the common area. Once the debriefing was done, Ember returned, calling the group together.

"Alright," Ember began, "time for mission specifics. We'll be targeting Carem's prince—second cousin to the king, but that's only half the mission. Our objective is also to disrupt his alliance with a secret society that's moving to overthrow the monarchy. They're aiming to install a puppet ruler."

Bo's eyebrows shot up. "Sounds simple. Sneak in, eliminate the target, sneak out."

Ember shook his head. "There's nothing simple about it. Carem's forces number half a million strong. If we're discovered, we'll be surrounded. Our best option is stealth."

The team fell silent, feeling the weight of the challenge ahead. Ember glanced at each of them, gauging their readiness. "Riggs, you'll lead recon. Keep an eye on military activity, especially around the palace."

Riggs nodded. "Got it."

"Valens, you'll be backup. If things go south, your power is our last resort. But only if absolutely necessary."

Valens swallowed hard, nodding in agreement.

Later that night, they took off toward Carem in a military aircraft designed for silent transport. Dressed in black cloaks and equipped with advanced combat gear, they jumped from the aircraft under the cover of darkness, landing just outside the target's estate.

The team moved swiftly, with Valens holding back as the rest of them approached the perimeter.

Ember signaled to Bo via Mind Link. You're up. It's your turn.

Bo activated his camouflage ability, blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment as he advanced silently into the estate.

Within moments, he spotted the target in a moonlit garden, alone and lost in thought. Bo drew a small icicle spear from his hand, aiming carefully before launching it directly into the man's chest.

The prince gasped, clutching the wound as he fell to the ground. Just then, a guard emerged, noticing his fallen leader.

But before he could react, Ember, using Bo's camouflage, lunged forward and grabbed the guard, choking him until he passed out.

They dragged the unconscious guard with them to a safe house several blocks away, barricading themselves inside before reviving him.

Ember slapped the guard's face, waking him up. Dazed, the man blinked at the team surrounding him.

"I'm going to ask you some questions," Ember said, his voice low and steady, "and I'd suggest you answer truthfully." He tilted his dagger in the dim light, letting its edge glint menacingly. "Who is this secret society your master allied with?"

The guard trembled and spoke quickly. "I only know they want power. They believe they can control the people better if they remove the monarchy. They're planning to kill the king first."

Ember's eyes narrowed. "When and where are they meeting?"

The guard hesitated before replying, "A place called the Seven Towers. After the royal family falls, they're planning to meet there and solidify their power."

"That's all we needed to know," Ember said. Without another word, he drove the blade into the guard's throat, silencing him. Valens stepped forward, using his ability to erase the body in a flicker of dark energy, leaving no trace behind.

As they moved back toward their vehicle, Riggs reported, Movement near the main gate. The military's positioning itself.

Let's keep going, Ember said, urging them forward.

The ride to the Seven Towers was tense and silent, and as they neared their destination, Ember signaled for Bo to activate his camouflage again.

Valens followed suit, and together, they advanced toward the entrance while the others hid in the shadows, keeping watch.

The Seven Towers loomed above them—a sprawling, open-air structure resembling a giant arena. Inside, only a handful of people milled about, speaking quietly.

As Bo and Valens circled the entrance, they found a narrow hallway leading to a guarded door. Just as they reached it, the door opened, and a figure emerged—a tall man with a black fedora, dressed in a sleek suit. He paused, speaking in hushed tones to a group of men standing by.

"Tonight, we secure our hold on Carem," the man in the fedora said, his voice cold and unyielding. "And by tomorrow, this city will be ours."

The group murmured their agreement before slipping away into the shadows. Valens turned to Bo, barely breathing as he said, This is bigger than we thought, his Mind Link activated.

They crept back to Ember, who listened intently as Bo relayed everything they'd seen and heard.

Ember clenched his jaw, but communicated via Mind Link, We'll have to intercept them before they reach the king's quarters. Let's move.

They made their way toward the royal palace, with Riggs ahead, using his recon ability to keep an eye out for threats. The streets of Carem lay eerily silent under the moonlight, but soon the sounds of distant footsteps and shouts echoed across the empty buildings.

Riggs reported into his Mind Link, Movement, straight ahead. About two dozen soldiers approaching fast.

Ember nodded, glancing at the others. Stay sharp. We're outnumbered, but we've got one advantage: stealth. Let's finish this before dawn.

And with that, they vanished into the shadows of Carem, preparing to face the formidable challenge that lay ahead.