The deeper they walked into the City of Dawn…
…the quieter the streets became.
Windows shut.
Doors locked.
Curtains shifted slightly as eyes watched from the dark.
Some stared openly.
Some looked terrified.
Others?
They looked hopeful.
Like they were waiting for something to finally happen.
The Black Sun Syndicate kept walking.
No hesitation.
No fear.
Just footsteps echoing through the city streets.
At the far end of the city—
The palace finally came into view.
But it wasn't normal.
A massive outer wall surrounded the structure like a fortress built to protect something ancient.
Black stone.
Tall towers.
Symbolic markings carved into the walls.
Even the air around it felt wrong.
Heavy.
Like curses had soaked into the foundation for centuries.
Darius narrowed his eyes.
"…You can come out now."
Kaelus exhaled softly.
"There's no use hiding."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Twelve figures appeared around them simultaneously.
Black clothing.
Masks.
Weapons hidden beneath coats.
Their movements were silent and coordinated.
Professionals.
Then—
Another figure appeared standing atop the wall.
A man.
Tall.
Black robes fluttering slightly in the wind.
His mask was smoother than the others'.
More refined.
He looked down at them.
"State your purpose, intruders."
Eryndor stepped forward calmly.
The wind around him stirred slightly.
"This palace reeks of curses."
His sky-blue eyes glowed faintly.
"If your City Lord has no morality…"
"…then I'm going to kill him."
Silence.
Then Eryndor smiled slightly.
"And I don't mind killing all of you in the process too."
The masked man laughed.
Not nervously.
Not arrogantly.
Just amused.
"We are Compass."
His voice echoed across the streets.
"We are connected everywhere in this city."
He spread his arms.
"And currently…"
"…the city is locked down."
"There is nowhere to run."
Rein suddenly laughed.
A dangerous laugh.
"Run?"
He cracked his neck.
"Who's running?"
Golden dominion energy flickered around his arms.
"It's actually a good thing the city is shut down."
He grinned.
"We won't have any problems killing all of you here."
The masked man slowly raised his hand.
Then removed his black glove.
A symbol was carved into his palm.
Zero.
The man's eyes sharpened behind the mask.
"Compass…"
"…Engage."
BOOM—
The street exploded into movement.
Every Compass operative lunged simultaneously.
Fast.
Precise.
Deadly.
But the ones they attacked…
…were monsters.
Kaelus moved first.
Or rather—
Tempest did.
He simply gestured with his hand.
The sword rose without him touching it.
Then—
SHHHK.
Two heads flew into the air instantly.
Their bodies collapsed before blood even sprayed.
Kaelus scratched his cheek lazily.
"Too slow."
A woman engulfed in flames rushed Stellar next.
Her fist descended like molten magma.
Stellar moved minimally.
Just one step to the side.
BOOOOM—
The woman's punch hit the ground.
The street melted into lava instantly.
Stellar jumped back lightly.
Cold air escaped her lips.
She placed her middle finger beneath her thumb.
Then flicked it.
The air froze.
Instantly.
Dozens of thin ice spears materialized around her.
Beautiful.
Deadly.
Silent.
FWISSHHH—
The spears launched forward.
The fire woman immediately crossed her arms defensively as frost exploded around her.
Alucard transformed next.
His arms shifted grotesquely.
Bones cracked.
Muscles twisted.
His hands became the razor limbs of a gigantic praying mantis.
SHHK—
Two Compass operatives lost their arms instantly.
Another lost both legs.
Darius stepped forward calmly.
Shadows erupted beneath several enemies.
Chains and darkness wrapped around their bodies instantly.
They couldn't move.
Couldn't scream.
Couldn't even struggle properly.
Eryndor?
He didn't even look serious yet.
Two operatives attacked him from behind.
He caught one wrist.
Deflected the second blade effortlessly.
Then—
SLAM.
He smashed both their heads into the ground simultaneously.
The street cracked apart.
Before the bodies even settled—
He spun.
And kicked two more away hard enough to fold their bodies.
Then he looked up.
Directly at the masked man on the wall.
Sky-blue eyes glowing faintly.
"Send all of them."
The masked man clicked his tongue.
"Tch."
Then he raised his hand higher.
"Miriams."
"Representatives."
"Council."
"Move."
The city changed.
Suddenly—
Figures began appearing everywhere.
On rooftops.
Windows.
Alleys.
Walls.
Streets.
Hundreds.
Then more.
Then even more.
Enough people flooded the streets that the city itself looked alive.
A black tide moving toward the group.
The masked man smiled behind his mask.
"You have what you want."
Eryndor smiled.
Coldly.
"Go have your fun, guys."
The heavens answered him.
CRAAACKKK—
Lightning bolts descended into the army.
Buildings shook.
Screams erupted instantly.
Bodies exploded apart under divine lightning.
Rein grinned wildly.
Then charged directly into the crowd.
BOOOOM—
He punched straight through a man's head.
The body collapsed before the blood even sprayed.
Rein spun backward mid-motion—
And slammed his foot downward.
CRACK.
Another operative's skull buried into the dirt.
And all across the city—
The Black Sun Syndicate unleashed hell.