The Necron City was illuminated by the soft glow of the moon, abuzz with activity as people moved from one place to another in a hurry.
Within the most prestigious city of Azure Continent, at a tall building towering above all those nearby, a figure stood at the roof's edge, his ocean-blue eyes absorbing the view below, etching it into memory. A wide grin was plastered on his face as he doused himself in the feeling of looking down at everything.
"That's how it should be," he stated as his grin widened.
A few moments later, His grin disappeared as he remembered the conversation with Amaya a few hours ago.
Vincent left the rusty lantern, and Amaya followed behind him with quick steps. Soon they reached a blue car standing nearby. He walked towards the car and stood beside the Driver's seat.
He opened the door and took the driver's seat as he spoke.
"Get in."
Amaya nodded at him as she moved forward and sat in the seat beside the Driver.
"Where are we going?" Amaya asked as she looked at him with a slight smile.
"Somewhere silent and safe," Vincent replied as he pressed the accelerator and moved towards a safer location.
*Brr* *Brr*
Soon, they stopped in front of a tall abandoned building and entered it. Vincent walked towards the elevator and stepped inside. The old elevator roared as it began to ascend.
Moments later, the elevator stopped with a chime as its rusted door parted open. Vincent stepped outside and looked all around the window.
He walked towards the edge as he spoke.
"You were being followed."
Her eyes widened upon hearing that, and she questioned in a stutter.
"Huh? W-what do you m-mean?"
Vincent turned and looked at the bustling Necron city.
"They didn't follow us here."
Amaya couldn't believe that she was being followed and spied on.
"I-is that so?" She replied, still scared.
"Heh... then they must have stopped following you when you set foot in the pub." He said and turned his head towards Amaya, trying to find out if she knew about this. But when he saw her shocked face, he shook his head and cleared all thoughts of her betraying him. After all, she couldn't do it even if she wanted to.
"They probably already know about Midnighters if they are being so attentive…"
The more Amaya heard Vincent, the more scared she became.
She quivered under his gaze and asked.
"A-are we going to be fine?"
Vincent chuckled at her question. Stepping forward, he began to pat her and answered.
"Haha! You don't have to worry about anything."
"How are things going with Anieal Starborne?" He questioned, his tone full of curiosity.
Amaya smiled at him and replied.
"They are going fine, I have already joined her friend circle."
"Good, good," Vincent said as he moved forward and gave her a small hug.
"Make sure not to make them suspicious."
Amaya nodded at his words and hugged him back with a radiant smile.
"You should leave now." He spoke as his eyes glowed pink.
"Yes," Amaya replied in a hollow voice and began walking towards the elevator, and stepped inside it.
After Amaya left, the smile on Vincent's face faded.
'Should I just kill her? They won't have any way to catch me if I do that...' Vincent thought, but he soon shook his head.
Thinking about it for a few more moments, he nodded.
'No, she still has her use... and if I fail...'
After nodding to himself, he reached into his pocket and took out a black envelope with shaking hands. Its seal was already torn, suggesting that he had already read it.
He gulped loudly and flipped the envelope and looked at the emblem on its back: a dark, spiked red emblem, a corrupted moon-like symbol or arcane seal, featuring a blood-red core surrounded by jagged, menacing rays.
When he saw the symbol, he shuddered. His mind went blank as he stared at it for a few minutes. Soon, a single thought took hold of his mind, and fear crept up his soul.
'Den of Demons.. The Crimson Moon,' The very name filled him with dread and fear.
He placed the envelope back into his pocket and heaved a sigh.
"Hah..."
'How did I get pulled into the mess of the Crimson Moon? I am sure they'll kill me if I try to run away now...'
Moments later, he shook his head and mumbled to himself.
"I have to do it to advance my awakened rank..."
He lowered his head and looked at his hand with a bitter smile on his face.
"I am sure that someone was following Amaya... but who?"
"Could it be Crimson Moon keeping an eye on me? Or is it someone else altogether?"
"Hah..." He heaved a sigh with a shake of his head as he continued to mumble to himself.
"It doesn't matter... I'll capture Anieal Starborne and advance to the next rank."
"Soon... I'll free you, soon,"
Vincent muttered in a determined tone as he turned back and began to leave the building.
"Haha!" The voice of a male's laughter began to echo where Vincent had stood before, and a horned masked figure appeared at his location. He was covered in a dark hood, and only his mask was visible under the dim moonlight.
"Make sure to keep them entertained for long enough..." the horned masked figure said as he looked in the direction of Vincent, his eyes gleaming with amusement. He shook his head as he walked towards the edge of the roof and gazed at the Necron city with interest.
"After all, a pawn's worth is determined by how useful it is," the horned masked figure mumbled to himself and began to chuckle.
His eyes glowed red, and his body began to blur into green blades before it disappeared completely.
Silence returned to the rooftop after the masked figure disappeared, yet the dangers to come loomed above.