An Urgent Mission

The Darkness GUILD was notorious throughout the Biola region, a band of criminals rumored to be more than just thieves—a cult dedicated to chaos and destruction. For Cecilia, the very thought of their name sent icy fingers of fear crawling down her spine. As she sat bound in the dimly lit room, her eyes were drawn to the masked figure that had just stepped through the door. He moved with a grace that was almost supernatural, gliding across the floor without making a sound. It was as though he was a living shadow, one that could slip into the darkness without a trace.

Behind him, Gordon stumbled into the room, his hands trembling slightly, not from fear, but from the thrill of excitement that coursed through him. This was the moment he had longed for—his chance at wealth beyond his wildest dreams, the reason he had dared to kidnap Cecilia in the first place. Yet even he couldn't shake the chill that crept up his spine at the sight of the masked man's fluid movements, as if he was an extension of the shadows themselves.

"This is perfect," the masked man intoned, his voice deep and resonant, echoing ominously in the confined space. "We have the Brandon brat." He didn't even glance at Cecilia as he spoke, his focus entirely on Gordon.

Gordon's heart raced at the mention of the Brandon name, but he quickly forced his excitement down. "You've got the girl. What about my payment?" he asked, stepping closer, desperation clawing at him. Time was slipping away; the Brandons would have discovered their daughter was missing by now. A search party would be out in force around Imperial City, and he wanted nothing more than to wash his hands of this mess.

"Right," the masked man replied, reaching into the depths of his cloak. He withdrew a heavy pouch that jangled with the sound of coins. Just as Gordon's fingers brushed the leather, the man withdrew the pouch, tucking it back into his pocket. "Not yet. The girl hasn't left the confines of Imperial City. I'll pay once we have her."

Gordon's eyes widened, and he felt a surge of anger. "That wasn't part of the deal!" His fists clenched at his sides, trembling with a mix of rage and fear. He knew he was no match for the masked man, whose aura radiated power and menace.

The masked man turned slowly, his face obscured by the mask, but Gordon felt the weight of his gaze. It was as if the man could see right through him, could sense his fear. A mocking smile seemed to stretch across the masked man's face, though nothing about him felt lighthearted.

"Well, the deal has changed," he said with a calm that only heightened Gordon's anxiety. "You shouldn't worry much about it, though. Most of my forces are already deployed around the city. Once it's time to move, we'll kill the guards at the western exit."

Cecilia's heart raced in her chest. The thought of guards being murdered sent a new wave of panic washing over her. She had to stay strong; Her family wouldn't abandon her. They couldn't!

"The Brandons seem quiet, though," the masked man mused, glancing towards the ceiling as if expecting something to happen. "I expected an alarm to be raised by now."

"Me too," Gordon sighed, his confidence wavering. "Maybe they really want the girl gone." He stepped back, eyes darting toward Cecilia, who sat on the floor, bound and terrified.

"Enough," the masked man said abruptly, grabbing Cecilia by the collar and lifting her effortlessly into the air. The grip was unyielding, and fear surged through her as she met his inscrutable gaze. "You, little girl, will be the leverage we need in the upcoming war."

His breath, hot and fetid, wafted across her face. The mask he wore was a pale black, blending perfectly with the shadows that clung to him like a second skin.

"They would never abandon me," Cecilia whispered, forcing conviction into her voice despite her trembling body. "They'll find me."

The masked man laughed, a low, sinister sound that sent shivers down her spine. "Then they'll have to try harder," he said, raising his other hand. Shadows coiled around his palm like serpents, and Cecilia felt a cold dread settle over her as his Endowment manifested—the ability to manipulate the shadows, a power befitting a Captain of the Darkness GUILD.

Tendrils of darkness snaked around her limbs, binding her tightly. The sensation was alien, suffocating, and all hope of escape slipped further from her grasp. She struggled against the restraints, but they held firm, each pulse of her heartbeat echoing the rising tide of despair.

In the distance, the rumble of a carriage pulling up to the abandoned building broke through the tension. The masked man lifted his head, eyes narrowing as he stared into the gloom above. "It's time," he murmured, a twisted smile creeping across his lips. "Let's ensure we fulfill the will of the King."

#####

Kai was in a frenzy, his heart pounding as he dashed through the rain-soaked streets of Imperial City. The urgent mission alert hovered before him, flashing ominously.

[Urgent Mission] 

[Kidnapped?] 

[Your sister has been kidnapped by the Darkness GUILD. Rescue her from their clutches before they leave Imperial City.] 

[Time Limit: 00:53:23]

"This is bad," he muttered, each word heavy with the weight of impending dread. A search party had been organized since early afternoon, but with night falling, time was slipping away. He had no leads on where they could be holding her, and panic clawed at his chest.

With every passing second, the timer felt like a noose tightening around his throat. "I can't let this happen," he whispered to himself. He had tried to find the Head Butler, but the man had vanished—now it seemed he was affiliated with the Darkness GUILD. That realization left Kai feeling utterly helpless.

The storm raged around him, rain pelting his face as he sprinted, desperation fueling his every step.

"Where are you, Cecilia?!" he shouted, his voice barely audible over the downpour. He could feel the energy of the city swirling around him, but it felt like a chaotic storm itself, muddling his senses.

He gritted his teeth, frustration boiling over. "Why did this have to happen?" He knew he had to find her. He could sense her soul energy, but the noise of the city overwhelmed him.

As the rain fell harder, Kai snapped his eyes shut and focused. At first, everything was dark—a void stretching out before him. But then, through the shadows, he sensed wisps of energy flickering around him. There were countless signatures, but he needed to dig deeper. He concentrated harder, pouring mana into his focus, pushing through the pain that throbbed in his temples.

Slowly, familiar energies began to emerge from the haze. Among the thrumming chaos of Imperial City, he found it—Cecilia's soul energy pulsing brightly. But there was also another presence, one that made his blood run cold: the Butler's energy, tainted and malicious… they were moving, heading for the Western gates of the city.

"Damn you," Kai spat, a surge of anger propelling him forward. "Damn you, Gordon."

With newfound determination, he sprinted through the rain, weaving through the streets, determined to rescue his sister before time ran out. The storm might rage outside, but within him, a storm of his own was brewing—one fueled by the unyielding bond of family and a desperate need for redemption.