2025-01-29 05:04:09In another part of the city, Marcus stood in a darkened room, his arms crossed as he listened to the report from one of Dean’s informants.
“The Dud’s grown stronger,” the informant said, his voice shaking slightly. “He’s got some kind of... spectral beast with him now.”
Marcus frowned. “A beast?”
“A wolf,” the informant clarified. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. Glowing, silent, dangerous.”
Marcus turned toward the window, his gaze fixed on the city below. “And Dean knows about this?”
The informant hesitated. “I... haven’t told him yet. Thought it best to bring it to you first.”
Marcus nodded slowly. “Good. Keep quiet about this for now. Dean doesn’t need distractions.”
“But what do we do?” the informant asked.
Marcus’s lips curled into a faint smile. “We let the Dud think he’s winning. And when the time comes, we'll remind him who holds the real power.”
---
Back in the alley, the group rested briefly.
“You think Dean’s already heard about this?” Luthor asked, glancing nervously at the spectral wolf.
“Of course he has,” Selene said, leaning against the wall. “Dean’s got ears everywhere. And if he hasn’t heard yet, he will soon.”
“Then we need to move,” Vardy said, pushing off the wall.
“Move where?” Ferah asked, her tone sharp. “We can’t just keep running blindly. We need a plan.”
“We have a plan,” Vardy said, his eyes hard. “We take down Dean.”
“That’s not a plan,” Selene said, her smirk returning. “That’s a goal. A lofty one, sure, but it’s not going to happen overnight.”
“Then we’ll make it happen piece by piece,” Vardy said, his voice firm.
---
In a hidden chamber beneath Haven City, a group of mercenaries gathered around a map spread across a table.
“The Dud’s becoming a problem,” a broad-shouldered man said, his voice low and gravelly.
“He’s always been a problem,” a silver-haired woman replied, her tone calm but edged. “But now he’s more than that. He’s a threat.”
“And Dean’s paying us to deal with threats,” the man said, a faint grin tugging at his lips.
The woman’s eyes narrowed. “This isn’t going to be like the others. The Dud’s got power, and he’s not afraid to use it. If we go after him, we need to be prepared.”
The man chuckled. “I’m always prepared.”
The woman’s expression didn’t change. “Good. Because if we fail, Dean won’t be forgiving.”
---
The group moved through the city, their pace quick.
The spectral wolf stayed close to Vardy, its presence both comforting and unsettling.
“We’re being watched,” Selene said suddenly, her eyes scanning the shadows.
“By who?” Ferah asked, her hand resting on her sword.
“Dean’s men, probably,” Selene replied. “Maybe others. Doesn’t matter. We need to keep moving.”
Vardy nodded, his gaze focused ahead. The whispers in his mind grew louder.
He could feel the artifact’s power coursing through him.
They continued and stopped in a small courtyard.
“We’ll rest here for now,” Vardy said, his voice steady.
The others nodded, their exhaustion evident.
The spectral wolf lay at Vardy’s feet, its glowing eyes scanning the shadows.
“What’s next?” Tracy asked, breaking the silence.
“We keep pushing,” Vardy said, his gaze distant. “Dean won’t stop, and neither can we.”
“Then let’s make sure we’re ready,” Ferah said, her tone firm.
Unknown to them, beyond the courtyard, a pair of eyes watched silently, their gaze fixed on Vardy and his group.
The hunt had begun.
—-
“I’ll trap him down,” Dean growled, his voice low and filled with venom.
Across the room, Marcus shifted uneasily, his hands clasped behind his back. “And you’re certain this will work?”
Dean turned, his sharp eyes locking onto Marcus with a force that made the man stiffen. “Of course it will. Vardy may have power, but he’s predictable. He cares too much about the people around him. That’s his weakness.”
Marcus hesitated before speaking. “Using Sly’s death as bait, it’s a bold move. If it fails…”
“It won’t fail,” Dean snapped, his tone cutting. He moved to the center of the room, where a map of Haven City was spread across a large table.
The red ink marked key locations, and his finger traced a line to the slums. “Sly was one of his. A useful idiot, but loyal. Vardy won’t be able to resist investigating when he hears about it.”
“And when he does?” Marcus asked.
Dean’s lips curled into a cold smile. “We’ll be waiting.”
---
Vardy and his group moved cautiously through the streets.
The spectral wolf padded silently beside him.
“Are you sure about this?” Ferah asked, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.
Vardy nodded, his jaw set. “We don’t have a choice. If Sly’s really dead, we need to know why. And if this is a trap….”
“Then we fight our way out,” Tracy finished, her spear glinting faintly in the moonlight.
Luthor, trailing behind the group, swallowed hard. “I don’t like this. It feels... wrong.”
“Of course it’s wrong,” Selene said.
She walked with her daggers drawn, spinning one absently between her fingers. “It’s Dean. He doesn’t do anything unless it serves his purpose.”
“And yet, here we are,” Vardy said, his tone cold.
The group fell silent as they approached the meeting point, an abandoned courtyard in the heart of the slums.
Vardy stepped into the center of the courtyard, his staff glowing faintly. The spectral wolf stayed close to him, its eyes scanning the shadows with a predatory focus.
“This doesn’t feel right,” Ferah muttered, her grip on her sword tightening.
“It’s not supposed to,” Selene said, her tone low.
Tracy moved to Vardy’s side, her spear raised. “If this is a trap, it’s a damn good one.”
“Stay alert,” Vardy said, his voice steady.
A soft breeze rustled through the courtyard, carrying with it the faint scent of blood.
Vardy’s eyes narrowed as he stepped closer to a pile of debris near the far wall.
“Sly?” he called, his voice echoing in the silence.
There was no response.
Ferah moved to his side, her expression grim. “There’s no one here.”
“Not yet,” Selene said, her gaze fixed on the shadows.
From their hiding place, Marcus signaled to the other men positioned around the courtyard.
“Wait for the signal,” Marcus murmured, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Vardy knelt near the pile of debris, his hand brushing against a torn scrap of fabric. It was stained with blood.
“Sly’s cloak,” he said, his voice tight.
“He’s gone,” Ferah said, her tone sharp.
Vardy stood, his staff glowing brighter now.
“This was a message.”
“And a damn obvious one,” Selene said, her voice cold.
The air around them shifted, the faint sound of movement echoing through the courtyard.
“We’re not alone,” Tracy said, her spear raised.
The first arrow flew from the shadows, narrowly missing Luthor as it struck the ground near his feet.
“Ambush!” Ferah shouted, drawing her sword.
The mercenaries emerged from the shadows, their weapons raised as they closed in.
“Now!” Marcus shouted from the hideout as they ran out.
The battle erupted in chaos. Vardy raised his staff, a surge of dark energy pulsing outward and knocking back the nearest attackers.
The spectral wolf leapt into the fray, its glowing fangs tearing through the mercenaries.
Ferah fought with a fury, her blade flashing in the dim light as she held off two attackers at once. Tracy moved with efficiency, her spear striking through.
Luthor, however, was less fortunate. He stumbled as an attacker closed in, his dagger slipping from his grasp.
“Luthor, behind you!” Vardy shouted, but it was too late.
A blade slashed across Luthor’s side, and he cried out, collapsing to the ground. Blood pooled beneath him, his face pale as he clutched at the wound.
“Luthor!” Ferah screamed, cutting down her opponent and rushing to his side.
Vardy turned, his staff glowing brighter as he sent a wave of energy toward the remaining mercenaries. The force made them crippled.
Marcus, watching from the shadows, cursed under his breath. “Fall back,” he ordered, signaling the retreat.
The surviving mercenaries melted into the shadows, leaving the courtyard silent once more.
Vardy dropped to his knees beside Luthor, his heart pounding. The wound was deep, the blood flowing too quickly.
“We need to stop the bleeding,” Ferah said, her voice shaking.
“I can’t...” Luthor whispered, his eyes fluttering closed.
“Don’t you dare,” Ferah said, gripping his hand tightly. “You’re not dying on me, Luthor. Not now.”
Vardy’s mind raced, the whispers in his head growing louder. He could feel the artifact’s power, but he knew it wasn’t enough to save Luthor.
Selene knelt beside him, her expression unreadable. “He’s not going to make it without help.”
“Then help him!” Ferah snapped, her eyes blazing.
Selene’s smirk returned, though it lacked its usual humor. “I can, but it’ll cost you.”
Vardy looked at her, his jaw tight. “What do you want?”
Selene’s eyes gleamed faintly in the moonlight. “A favour. One I’ll collect later.”
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“Is that all you’ve got?” Simon smirked, the flames in his hands intensifying again.Vardy didn’t answer. He stepped forward, his staff glowing brighter as he sent another blast, hitting Simon on the chest as he staggered backward.Simon growled, anger written on his face. The flames in his hands grew larger as he charged toward Vardy.Ferah, now!” Vardy shouted.Ferah moved quickly, her sword slashing toward Simon. He blocked her strike with a wall of fire, the heat forcing her to retreat. Tracy moved with her spear, aiming for his side, but Simon twisted away, the fire around him forming a protective barrier.“You’re persistent, I’ll give you that,” Simon said, his voice filled with mockery. “But it won’t save you.”Simon slammed his hands on the ground, sending a wave of fire spreading across them.“Move!” Vardy shouted, raising his staff.The artifact pulsed with energy, and a barrier of dark magic formed around the group, shielding them from the worst of the flames. Simon laugh
