The Dark Warlock's Game

Chapter 36: Crossing the Line

“And you expect us to stop him?” Ferah asked, her skepticism clear.

“I expect you to try,” Selene replied. “And if you’re smart, you’ll listen to me. Because without me, you don’t stand a chance.”

“What makes you so special?” Tracy asked, her tone cold.

Selene smirked. “Because I know where to hit him. Dean’s not invincible. He has weaknesses. You just have to know where to look.”

“Then start talking,” Vardy said.

Selene leaned forward, her green eyes gleaming. “Dean’s network is built on fear and control, but it’s also built on resources. Supplies, weapons, manpower. You take those away, and his empire starts to crumble.”

“And how do we do that?” Luthor asked.

Selene’s smirk widened. “That’s where I come in. I know his routes, his safe houses, his informants. I can get you inside his network, but it’s not going to be easy.”

“Nothing ever is,” Vardy said.

“Good,” Selene replied. “Then you’re ready for what’s coming.”

---

Across the city, in the ruins of an old church, a small group of rebels gathered.

“We can’t keep running,” one of them said, slamming a fist on the table. “Dean’s forces are closing in. We need to fight back.”

“With what?” another asked. “We have no weapons, no allies.”

“There’s talk of a Dud,” a young woman said, her voice hesitant. “They say he’s fighting Dean.”

The first man scoffed. “Rumors won’t save us.”

“But what if they’re true?” the woman pressed. “What if he’s the one who can stop Dean?”

The man fell silent.

“You think Dean will show up tonight?” one of the them asked, his voice nervous.

“No. Dean doesn’t waste his time on places like this. That’s why we’re here. To make sure nothing goes wrong.”

“And if something does?” another asked.

“Then, I don't know...”

---

Selene stood, brushing the dust from her cloak. “Look, you don’t have to trust me. But if you want to take Dean down, you need me.”

Vardy studied her, his expression unreadable.

“Fine,” he said finally. “You’re in. But if this is a trap..”

“It’s not,” Selene interrupted, meeting his gaze without flinching.

“Then let’s get to work,” Vardy said, his voice steady despite the storm raging in his mind.

Selene smiled faintly. “Smart choice.”

Selene moved ahead of the group, her steps confident as if she belonged to them. The walls were scarred with age.

“This way,” Selene said, her voice low. She glanced back, her piercing green eyes briefly meeting Vardy’s. “Stay close. And try not to look like you’re ready to stab everyone you see.”

Ferah snorted, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. “I make no promises.”

Luthor stumbled over a loose stone, muttering a curse under his breath. “Are you sure this place is safe?”

“It’s not safe,” Selene replied without looking back. 

“That’s the point. Dean’s people don’t hide in places that feel cozy. They hide in places where everyone’s too scared to look.”

“Comforting,” Tracy muttered, her spear ready at her side.

The alley opened up into a wider courtyard, and it felt like people, no monsters were lurking around.

Selene slowed her pace. She raised a hand, signaling the group to stop.

“Is this it?” Vardy asked, his voice barely audible.

Selene nodded. “That building,” she said, pointing to a narrow structure with boarded-up windows and a sagging roof. “That’s where they gather. Dean’s men use it as a meeting spot.”

Ferah frowned. “Doesn’t look like much.”

“That’s the point,” Selene said. “It doesn’t need to look like much. What matters is what’s inside.”

“What’s inside?” Luthor asked nervously.

Selene smirked. “Information. Plans. Maybe even people…”

“What’s the layout?” he asked.

“Two floors,” Selene said. “The main floor is a mess, tables, chairs, and some scattered supplies. Upstairs is where they keep the important stuff. Maps, records, anything Dean doesn’t want out in the open.”

“And the people?” Tracy asked.

“Six, maybe seven,” Selene replied. “Mostly grunts, but they’ll be armed. Dean doesn’t trust anyone to sit idle, not even here.”

“So we’re outnumbered,” Luthor said, his voice tinged with worry.

Selene turned to him. “When aren’t you?”

Ferah’s grip tightened on her sword. “We’ve faced worse.”

“Good,” Selene said, her smirk fading. “Because if we’re not careful, this’ll be the last thing we face.”

They exchanged glances.

“Follow me,” Selene said as she slipped toward the building’s side entrance. 

The door was old, its wood warped and cracked, but it was reinforced with iron bands.

“How do we get in?” Vardy asked.

Selene reached into her cloak, pulling out a set of thin tools. “Give me a minute,” she said, kneeling by the door.

Ferah raised an eyebrow. “You have come handy…should we be worried?”

“Only if you’re on the other side of the door,” Selene replied without looking up.

The lock clicked open and Selene pushed the door open.

She peered inside before motioning for the others to follow.

The interior was dimly lit, the flickering light of lanterns was everywhere.

“Stay quiet,” Selene whispered, her voice barely audible. “Let's move faster...”

Vardy nodded, gripping his staff tightly. The whispers in his mind grew louder, urging him forward. He pushed them aside, focusing on the task at hand.

Selene led the way, Ferah followed closely, her sword drawn and ready. Tracy and Luthor brought up the rear, their weapons held tightly.

Selene stopped at the base of the stairs, holding up a hand to signal the group to halt. She turned to Vardy, her expression serious.

“Up there,” she whispered. “That’s where the important stuff is. But it won’t be unguarded.”

“We’ll deal with it,” Vardy said.

Selene nodded. “Stay close. And whatever happens, don’t stop moving.”

The group ascended the stairs, their movements careful. The wood creaked faintly under their weight, but the voices above masked the sound.

As they reached the top, Selene peered around the corner, her body tense. She turned back to the group, mouthing the words: “Three guards.”

Vardy nodded, his grip on his staff tightening. He stepped forward, raising his hand. A faint, dark energy began to coalesce around him.

Selene’s eyes widened slightly as she saw the energy, but she didn’t say anything.

With a sharp motion, Vardy unleashed the energy, sending it hurtling toward the guards. The blast struck the first two, throwing them against the wall with a dull thud. 

The third turned, his weapon raised, but Ferah was on him in an instant, her blade flashing and cutting them.

The room fell silent, the guards fell unconscious on the floor.

“Awesome…” Selene murmured, stepping past the bodies.

“Let’s keep moving,” Vardy said, his voice cold.

The upper room was smaller than the down floor, but it was far more organized. A table in the center held maps, ledgers, and a collection of sealed letters. Shelves lined up in the walls, filled with supplies and documents.

“This is it,” Selene said, moving to the table. “Anything Dean doesn’t want out in the open ends up here.”

Vardy scanned the room, his eyes landing on a large map pinned to the wall. Red circles marked several locations across Haven City, with notes scrawled in the margins.

“What is this?” he asked.

“His network,” Selene replied. “Every supply line, every safe house, every contact he uses. This is how he stays one step ahead of everyone else.”

Ferah moved to the shelves, her eyes narrowing as she examined the contents. “There’s enough here to cripple him.”

“Exactly,” Selene said, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Now we just have to get it out of here.”

Before anyone could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from below.

“Looks like we’ve got company,” Luthor said, his voice trembling.

“Get what you can and move,” Vardy ordered, his tone sharp.

Selene grabbed a handful of documents, stuffing them into her cloak. Vardy pulled the map from the wall, folding it quickly.

The footsteps grew louder, accompanied by angry voices.

“We need to go. Now,” Tracy said, her spear ready.

Selene nodded, leading the way toward a window at the back of the room. She pushed it open, glancing down at the alley below.

“Jump,” she said.

Ferah climbed out first, landing with a soft thud. 

Tracy and Luthor followed while Vardy went last, gripping the map tightly as he landed.

Selene closed the window behind them, her smirk returning. “Told you it wouldn’t be easy.”

“Everybody, look around, see what you can find..” Vardy instructed.

“Wait!” Selene said, “be careful too, Dean mostly keeps deadly traps…” 

Everyone stared up, “why does this feel like a trap?” Ferah said, looking round.

“The more reason, we should be fast and leave…” Vardy said firmly. 

They all sprang to action, each of them searching with cautiousness.

“Is this really right?” Tracy whispered to Ferah who was holding a file up.

“Well, that's why we're here…” Ferah responded.

“What do you mean?” Tracy asked, pausing in her steps.

“We should just be fast.” Ferah said.