The cemetery gates loomed in the darkness. Iron twisted into shapes that might have been angels once. Now they looked more like warnings.
Raze pushed through. The hinges creaked. Too loud in the midnight silence.
His Combat Reflex tracked everything. Every shadow. Every sound. The way branches moved in the wind. The faint scurrying of rats between tombstones. His enhanced perception painted the world in sharp detail despite the darkness.
The old northern cemetery sprawled across five acres. Ancient graves. Crumbling mausoleums. Tombstones worn smooth by centuries of weather. Mist rolled across the ground like something alive.
Most people avoided this place even during daylight. At midnight it was abandoned completely.
Perfect for what Raze needed.
He navigated by memory and instinct. The game had featured this location. A side quest about restoring a family crypt. He'd done it twice. Memorized the layout. The paths between graves. The locations of significant markers.
And most importantly, where the Moonbell flowers grew.
Twenty minutes of careful walking. Weaving between tombstones. His boots crunched on gravel paths. The mist swirled around his legs.
Then he saw them.
Blue light. Faint but unmistakable. Growing near an ancient grave marker worn too smooth to read.
Moonbell flowers.
They were beautiful. Ethereal. Petals that glowed with soft blue luminescence. Stems thin as wire. Roots that seemed to drink moonlight itself.
Raze knelt carefully. Pulled out the special vials Kael had prepared. Glass treated with preservative coating. Cork stoppers sealed with wax.
Harvesting Celestial Dew was delicate work. The flowers only bloomed under moonlight. The dew formed on the inner petals. Touch it wrong and it evaporated. Damage the petal and it turned toxic.
He worked slowly. Methodically. Tilted each flower gently. Let the dew drip into the vial. Each drop caught the moonlight. Seemed to hold it.
One vial filled. Then another.
His perception prickled. That sixth sense that came with Combat Reflex.
Someone was watching.
Raze didn't stop working. Didn't look up. Just continued harvesting. Casual. Unaware. While his mind calculated escape routes.
Instant Transmission points identified. Behind that mausoleum. Between those two obelisks. Near the cemetery gates.
Scarlet Leap ready. His legs coiled with potential energy.
He filled the third vial. Corked it carefully. Only then did he speak.
"Curious thing to do. Watch someone in a cemetery at midnight instead of announcing yourself."
Silence. Then movement.
A figure emerged from behind a tomb. Female. Early twenties. Dark practical clothing. Leather armor under a cloak. Weapons visible. Twin daggers. A short sword.
She moved with predatory grace. Every step calculated.
His Inspect skill activated automatically.
[Night Warden]
Name: Elena Corvus
Age: 24
Rank: Expert (Mid)
Core: Refined (Peak)
Authority: Shadow Authority (Awakened)
Stealth: S
Perception: A
Agility: A
Strength: B
Status: Amused, Curious, Evaluating
Expert rank. Shadow Authority. S rank Stealth.
She could have killed him before he knew she was there.
"Curious thing to find in a cemetery at midnight." Her voice was smooth. Amused. Dangerous. "A boy harvesting alchemical components."
"Curious thing to find anywhere." Raze stood slowly. Kept his hands visible. Non threatening. "A Warden watching instead of stopping."
Elena stepped closer. The moonlight caught her face. Sharp features. Dark eyes that seemed to absorb light. A small smile.
"Bold. Most people would be stammering apologies by now."
"Apologies imply guilt. I'm harvesting flowers, not robbing graves."
"The Moonbell flowers are protected. City ordinance three forty seven. Harvesting without proper authorization is theft of municipal resources." Her smile widened. "That's my job. Enforcing ordinances like that."
"Is it?" Raze tilted his head. "Or is your job monitoring unusual activity? Preventing grave robberies? Handling supernatural threats that the regular guard can't?" He met her eyes. "Because I'm none of those things. Just someone who needs medicine."
Elena laughed. It came out genuine. Delighted.
"You move well for someone so young. That teleportation earlier. When you calculated escape routes. I saw you mark them." She circled him slowly. Evaluating. "Training? Or something else?"
"Something else."
"Recent acquisition? The movement is too smooth to be brand new. But you don't move like someone who's had it for years."
"You're very observant."
"That's my job too." Elena stopped circling. Stood directly in front of him. "Tell me why you need Celestial Dew. The truth. I can smell lies."
Raze weighed his options. His Absolute Genius processed scenarios.
She was Expert rank. He couldn't fight her. Couldn't escape if she decided to stop him. His only option was honesty.
Or at least, partial honesty.
"My sister has Black Cough. I'm working with an alchemist to create a cure. Celestial Dew is one of the required components." He kept his voice steady. "The Healing Hall charges fifty gold for treatment. I don't have fifty gold. So I'm making my own cure."
"Black Cough." Elena's expression shifted. Became serious. "The outbreak in the Riverside District. I've heard about it. Children dying." She studied him. "You're the one who treated a patient at the Healing Hall. Caused a scene. Got people talking."
"News travels fast."
"I pay attention. It's useful." Elena crossed her arms. "The flowers are protected because they're rare. Overharvesting kills them. But you're taking dew, not destroying the plants. That shows knowledge. Care."
"I'm not here to damage anything. Just to save my sister."
Silence stretched between them. The cemetery was peaceful. The only sound was wind through bare branches.
Finally, Elena nodded. "Alright. Here's what's going to happen. You can take what you need. I'll pretend I didn't see you. But you owe me a favor."
Raze felt his stomach tighten. "What kind of favor?"
"Unspecified. Future. I'll collect when I need it." Her smile returned. Sharp. Knowing. "Someone with your potential doesn't stay unnoticed for long. You're going to do something significant. When you do, I want the option to call in assistance."
"That's vague and dangerous."
"Yes. But it's better than me arresting you right now. Or worse, reporting you to people who would be very interested in a young man with recently acquired skills causing problems for certain criminal organizations."
The threat was clear. She knew about the Syndicate. About his interference.
Raze had no leverage here. No position to negotiate from.
"Fine. One favor. Within reason."
"Within my definition of reason." Elena extended her hand. "Do we have a deal?"
Raze shook it. Her grip was firm. Strong. The grip of someone who could break his hand without effort.
"Be careful out there." Elena released his hand. "Someone with your abilities tends to attract attention. Not all of it friendly. The Syndicate is hunting you. The city guard is asking questions. And there are other powers in this city that notice disruptions to the established order."
"Like you?"
"Like me." Her smile was enigmatic. "The Night Wardens exist outside normal authority structures. We handle things others can't or won't. Remember that when I come to collect."
She stepped backward. Seemed to fade into shadows. Literally. Her Authority manifesting. Darkness wrapping around her like a cloak.
Then she was gone.
Raze stood alone in the cemetery. His heart hammering. The three vials of Celestial Dew clutched in his hand.
One material secured. One future complication acquired.
He left the cemetery quickly. No reason to linger. The gates creaked again as he passed through.
The walk back to the warehouse took forty minutes. His mind raced the entire time. Processing. Planning. Elena was another variable. Another player in the city's power structure he hadn't known about.
Another debt that would need paying.
Tomorrow's problems are tomorrow's problems, he reminded himself. Tonight he had Celestial Dew. That was what mattered.
Dawn was breaking when he reached the warehouse. Pale light turning the eastern sky gray.
He pushed through the door.
Kael and Aslan were already awake. The alchemist worked at his table. Grinding something in a mortar. Aslan sat nearby. Reading one of his books.
Both looked up as Raze entered.
"You're back," Kael said. "How did it go?"
Raze set the three vials on the table. The Celestial Dew caught the lamplight. Glowed faintly blue.
Kael's eyes widened. "These are perfect. Absolutely perfect. The concentration is pure. No contamination." He picked up one vial carefully. Examined it. "You did excellent work."
"Had some help. And acquired a future complication." Raze explained briefly. Elena. The deal. The favor owed.
Kael winced. "Night Wardens are dangerous. They operate in gray areas. Outside normal law."
"I didn't have a choice. She could have stopped me. Or worse."
"True." Kael set down the vial. "But we have the Celestial Dew. That's one material secured. What about the other two?"
"That's today's problem." Raze moved to the washbasin. Splashed water on his face. "Silas offered a trade. Void Serpent scales for Phoenix Ash. I need to hunt Void Serpents in the deep sewers."
"Void Serpents?" Aslan looked up from his book. "Those are Adept rank equivalent. Extremely dangerous."
"I know. Which is why you're coming with me." Raze met his silver eyes. "Your strength plus my mobility. We can do this."
Aslan closed his book slowly. "If I transform during the fight..."
"Then we get the scales very quickly and very violently. Not ideal, but acceptable." Raze kept his voice steady. "You said you wanted to use your power for something good. Protecting children. This is part of that. We need the Phoenix Ash to fix my core. I need my core fixed to survive the Syndicate raid. Everything connects."
Aslan stood. "Alright. I'll help. But I'm bringing the sedative. If I feel the transformation coming and there's any chance I'll hurt you, I'm taking it."
"Fair."
Kael pulled supplies from his shelves. Antivenom vials. Light charms. Collection tools. A reinforced bag for the scales.
"Void Serpent venom is nasty. Causes paralysis. Organ failure. Death within minutes if untreated." He pressed the antivenom into Raze's hands. "Use this immediately if you're bitten. Don't wait."
"Understood."
"And the scales only come off cleanly if the serpent dies quickly. The venom damages them from inside if death is slow." Kael demonstrated with the collection tools. "Cut here. Along the ventral line. The scales separate cleanly."
They prepared in silence. Raze checking his equipment. His new skills humming in the back of his consciousness. Aslan standing still. Breathing deeply. Preparing mentally.
Finally, Kael spoke. "How many serpents do you need to kill?"
"Silas wants ten scales. Intact. Undamaged." Raze strapped the knife to his belt. "Figure three to five serpents depending on scale size."
"Three to five Adept rank monsters."
"We can handle it."
Kael didn't look convinced. "Just... be careful. Both of you. Come back alive."
They left as morning sun climbed higher. The city was waking. Merchants opening shops. Guards changing shifts. Normal life continuing.
Raze and Aslan navigated to the Riverside District. To the same maintenance grate Raze had used before.
Creeeak.
The grate protested as they pulled it open. The smell wafted up. Sewage. Rot. Chemical sharpness.
"Lovely," Aslan muttered.
They descended the metal ladder. Into darkness and stench.
The passage stretched away. Ankle deep water. Slick walls. The sound of dripping.
Raze's Combat Reflex activated fully. Tracking every detail. Every shadow. His enhanced perception painted the sewers in sharp clarity despite the dim light.
They moved forward. Raze in front. Aslan behind. Both silent.
The Blight Rat territories appeared ahead. Raze remembered them. The chamber where he'd fought three rats. Nearly died.
But this time was different.
The rats were there. He could see their eyes. Glowing purple in the darkness. Six of them. Maybe more.
But they didn't attack.
They fled.
Scurrying away. Disappearing into side passages. Running from something.
Aslan.
His silver eyes glowed faintly even when he wasn't transformed. Predators recognized a bigger predator.
"Useful," Raze said quietly.
"Sometimes." Aslan's voice was flat. "Other times it just makes me feel like a monster."
"You're not a monster. You're someone powerful who scares actual monsters. There's a difference."
They continued deeper. Past the rat territories. Into sections Raze hadn't explored before.
The architecture changed. Older stonework. More degraded. The water rose from ankle deep to knee deep.
Then they heard it.
Voices ahead. Echoing in the tunnels.
Raze held up his hand. Stop.
They pressed against the wall. Listening.
"...extraction rate needs to increase again. Boss says we're behind schedule."
"We're already pushing the ley line harder than we should. Any more and it'll collapse completely."
"Then we push harder until the collapse. Extract everything we can. By the time it fails, we'll be long gone."
Syndicate members. Working the extraction points.
Raze's Combat Reflex tracked the voices. Two people. Maybe twenty feet ahead. Around a corner.
He gestured to Aslan. Careful. Quiet.
They moved slowly. Wading through the water without splashing. His enhanced perception guided every step.
The tunnel opened into a larger chamber. Purple light glowed. Mana extraction equipment. Humming with power. Corruption visible as miasma in the air.
Two gray cloaked figures worked the machinery. Adjusting dials. Checking gauges. Neither was particularly alert.
Raze calculated. They needed to pass without being seen. The chamber was too open. Too exposed.
But he had Instant Transmission.
He grabbed Aslan's shoulder. Whispered. "Hold on. Don't make a sound."
Aslan nodded.
Raze activated his skill. Calculated the jump. Across the chamber. Behind a support column on the far side. Forty feet. Too far for one jump.
Two jumps then.
First activation. Reality blinked. They materialized halfway across. Behind a pile of crates.
The Syndicate members didn't notice. Too focused on their work.
Second activation. Behind the support column. Through to the exit tunnel.
Made it.
They kept moving. Deeper into the sewers. Away from the Syndicate operation.
The water continued rising. Waist deep now. The air felt wrong. Cold beyond natural. Thick. Corrupted mana saturating everything.
Ancient stonework. Partially collapsed tunnels. Darkness so complete their light charms barely penetrated.
"This is the deep section," Raze said quietly. "We're close."
Aslan's silver eyes scanned the water. "I can feel them. Something in the water. Watching us."
Raze's Combat Reflex prickled. Movement. Shadows beneath the surface. Circling.
Then attack.
No warning. The water exploded. A serpent erupted. Jaws wide. Aiming for Raze's throat.
Combat Reflex saved him.
He saw it coming. Processed in milliseconds. Activated Instant Transmission.
Blinked fifteen feet back.
The serpent's jaws snapped on empty air. Its body was massive. Twelve feet long. Scales that shimmered like oil on water. Eyes glowing purple with corrupted mana.
[Void Serpent]
Rank: Adept (Low)
Agility: A
Strength: B
Venom: Lethal
Perception: B
Status: Hunting
Four more emerged. Rising from the water. Surrounding them. A hunting pack.
Raze's heart hammered. Five Adept rank monsters. This was worse than expected.
But Aslan was already moving.
Not transformed. Not yet. Just his base strength. C rank but effective.
He caught one serpent by the throat as it lunged. His grip was iron. The creature writhed. Tried to bite. But Aslan slammed it into the stone wall.
Crack.
The serpent went limp. Neck broken.
One down. Four to go.
Raze used Scarlet Leap. His body blurred across the water. Impossible speed. A serpent struck where he'd been. Found nothing.
He drew his knife. Not ideal against these things. But better than nothing.
Another serpent attacked. From the side. Combat Reflex tracked it. Gave him time to react.
Instant Transmission. Behind it. Knife down into the back of its head.
The blade sank deep. The serpent convulsed. Thrashed. Its tail whipped around. Caught Raze across the chest.
He flew backward. Hit the wall. Hard.
His B rank Endurance kept him conscious. Kept bones from breaking. But pain exploded through his body.
The serpent was dead though. Knife still in its skull. Sinking beneath the water.
Three left.
Aslan fought two at once. His movements were controlled. Precise. Not transformed. Just strong.
But one got through.
Fangs sank into his forearm.
Venom pumped. Fast. Aggressive.
Aslan gasped. The pain. The adrenaline spike.
His silver aura began to flicker.
"Raze..." His voice strained. "It's happening..."
The serpents sensed weakness. All three attacked at once.
Aslan's aura exploded.
Silver light flooded the tunnel. Bright as a star. Blinding.
His body surged with power. Muscles hardened. Movements became blindingly fast.
But his eyes went vacant. Empty. The mindless state taking over.
He caught a serpent mid lunge. His hands closed on its body.
Then he tore it in half.
The sound was horrible. Wet. Final. Blood and internal organs sprayed across the water. Scales scattered.
Intact scales. The violence was so fast. So overwhelming. The poison didn't have time to damage them.
Aslan moved like a silver blur.
Grabbed the next serpent by the head. Slammed it into the wall repeatedly. Over and over. The stone cracked. The serpent's skull shattered.
Dead in seconds.
The last serpent tried to flee.
Aslan caught it. Dragged it back. Hands glowing with silver energy.
Broke its spine with one twist.
Then stood there. Chest heaving. Silver aura blazing. Covered in serpent blood and viscera.
The tunnel was silent except for water dripping. The carnage floating around them.
Raze pulled himself upright. His chest ached where the tail had hit him. But nothing was broken.
He approached Aslan carefully. Slowly.
"Aslan." His voice was calm. Steady. "It's over. The fight is done. You can stop now."
No response. Aslan's vacant eyes tracked him. Predator watching prey.
Raze's Instant Transmission was ready. Jump point calculated. If Aslan attacked, he could escape.
But he didn't want to escape.
He wanted Aslan to come back.
"Aslan." Raze took another step closer. Hands visible. Non threatening. "You're safe. Your friends are safe. The threat is gone. Come back."
Still nothing.
Raze reached out slowly. Extended his hand.
"Come back, Aslan. Please."
For a long moment, nothing happened.
Then the silver aura flickered.
Aslan blinked. Consciousness returning to his eyes.
He looked around. Saw the carnage. The destroyed serpents. The blood coating his hands.
Horror crossed his face.
"Did I... did I hurt you?"
"No." Raze's voice was firm. "You saved us. You were incredible."
Aslan collapsed to his knees in the water. Shaking. "I felt myself disappearing. Felt the silver taking over. Everything went white. Then nothing. Then I was back and..." He stared at his hands. "What did I do?"
"You fought. You won. You came back." Raze knelt beside him. "That's what matters. You came back."
"How long was I gone?"
"Maybe a minute. Maybe less. But you came back." Raze put his hand on Aslan's shoulder. "Last time you transformed, how long did it last?"
"Five minutes. Sometimes ten." Aslan's voice was quiet. "This was faster. Much faster."
"Because you're learning control. You stayed conscious longer before transforming. And you came back faster after." Raze squeezed his shoulder. "That's progress."
Aslan looked at him. Those silver eyes full of hope and fear. "You really think so?"
"I know so."
They sat in the water for a few minutes. Letting Aslan recover. Process. Come fully back to himself.
Finally, Raze stood. "We need to collect the scales. Ten intact ones. Then we leave."
Aslan nodded. Rose on shaky legs.
They worked together. Cutting scales from the dead serpents. Using Kael's techniques. Clean cuts. Careful removal.
The scales were beautiful. Iridescent. Shifting colors in the light. Each one larger than Raze's hand.
They collected exactly ten. Perfect specimens. Pristine quality.
"Silas is going to be impressed," Raze said.
"Or terrified." Aslan managed a weak smile. "We just killed five Adept rank monsters."
"You killed four. I managed one."
"You coordinated. You kept them from overwhelming me before I transformed. That counts."
They made their way out. Retracing their path. Back through the flooded sections. Past the Syndicate extraction points.
The gray cloaks were gone. Shift change, probably.
Good. Raze was too tired to deal with more complications.
They climbed out through the maintenance grate. Into afternoon sunlight. The air felt clean. Fresh. Amazing after hours in the sewers.
Both were soaked. Covered in serpent blood and sewer filth. People on the street gave them wide berth.
The walk back to the warehouse was quiet. Exhaustion settling over both of them.
Finally, Aslan spoke. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For not running when I transformed. For helping me come back. For..." He trailed off. "For treating me like a person instead of a weapon."
"You are a person. With a weapon inside. There's a difference." Raze kept walking. "And you're welcome. We're a team. Teams don't abandon each other."
They reached the warehouse as afternoon faded toward evening.
Kael looked up as they entered. His eyes widened at their appearance.
"What happened?"
"We got the scales." Raze set the bag on the table. "All ten. Pristine quality."
Kael opened the bag carefully. Examined the scales. "These are perfect. Absolutely perfect. And you're both alive. That's more than I hoped for."
"Barely," Aslan muttered. He moved to a corner. Sat down heavily. "I transformed. Lost control. Came back. But it was close."
Kael pulled out medical supplies. Started cleaning the bite wound on Aslan's arm. "The venom didn't spread far. Your transformation probably burned it out. You'll be fine."
"Physically." Aslan's voice was quiet.
Raze changed into dry clothes. Let Kael examine his bruised chest. Nothing broken. Just deep tissue damage. His Endurance had saved him again.
"So." Kael finished his examinations. "We have Celestial Dew. We have Void Serpent scales which I'm trading to Silas for Phoenix Ash. That leaves Void Crystal fragments."
"Mage Guild. I'll handle that this afternoon." Raze checked the time. Still early enough. The Guild would be open. "Then tomorrow morning I see Silas. Trade the scales. Get the Phoenix Ash. Tomorrow night we do the core reconstruction."
"And this afternoon?" Kael asked.
"This afternoon I meet Mariabel. Final recruitment. Get her commitment." Raze moved toward the door. "Everything happens fast now. No time to waste."
"Be careful," Kael called after him. "You're pushing yourself too hard."
"I'll rest after the reconstruction. After the raid. After the children are cured." Raze paused at the door. "Not before."
He left. Back into the city. His brown dyed hair still holding. His distinctive features shadowed by his hood.
The Mage Guild was in the city center. A tower that scraped the sky. Magical wards visible as shimmering light. Powerful auras everywhere.
Raze entered through massive doors. The interior was chaos. Apprentices running errands. Mages conducting experiments. Magical energy crackling in the air.
He approached a supply desk. A bored looking clerk barely glanced at him.
"What do you need?"
"Five Void Crystal fragments. Research grade."
The clerk consulted a ledger. "Ten gold."
Raze counted out the coins. Exact change. The clerk produced five small crystals. Dark purple. Almost black. They seemed to absorb light.
[Void Crystal Fragment]
Quality: Research Grade
Potency: High
Effect: Stabilizes mana pathways, prevents collapse
Perfect.
Transaction complete. Raze left quickly. No reason to linger.
As he walked away, he noticed wanted posters. New ones. His sketch. "White hair, blue eyes, approximately seventeen years old. Wanted for questioning."
The description was vague. The sketch mediocre. But it was there.
He was officially hunted.
Good thing his hair was brown now.
Raze returned to the warehouse briefly. Stored the Void Crystals with the Celestial Dew. Then washed out the hair dye.
Time for Mariabel.
The white returned. Striking. Distinctive. He combed it properly. Changed into his better clothes.
The walk to the Silver Lotus took thirty minutes. Through the upper district where guards watched everyone. Where his appearance drew looks.
But not recognition. Not yet.
He arrived exactly on time.
Mariabel was already there. Same table. Same bored expression.
Until she saw him.
Those amber eyes lit up. Real interest. Real pleasure.
"You came back, sweetie. I'm impressed. Most people disappoint me."
Raze sat without asking. Confident. Not supplicating.
"I promised details. Here they are."
He explained everything. The textile mill. The Syndicate operation. Estimated numbers. Enemy composition.
"Twenty to thirty members. Mix of ranks. Mostly Initiate and Adept. Possibly one or two Expert level overseers. The extraction equipment is large. Dangerous. Actively channeling corrupted mana from underground ley lines."
Mariabel leaned forward. Interested now. "And the plan?"
"Infiltrate at midnight when security is lighter. Shut down the extraction equipment. That stops the corruption immediately. Gather evidence of Syndicate involvement. Then escape before reinforcements arrive."
"How many people on your team?"
"Four. Me as tactical lead. An alchemist with combat enhancements and healing abilities. A close combat specialist with overwhelming strength. And hopefully you as our heavy hitter."
Mariabel's laugh was genuine. "Four people against thirty Syndicate members. You really are insane, darling."
"Four highly capable people against disorganized criminals. They're not expecting a raid. We have surprise, planning, and superior individual power." Raze met her eyes. "Each of us is worth five of them. Maybe more."
"And what exactly would my role be?"
"Destruction. Pure and simple." Raze leaned forward. "You're Expert rank with Flame Authority. You could level that building if you wanted. We need someone who can control the battlefield. Create chaos. Force them to react instead of think. Make them afraid."
"You want me to burn things."
"I want you to be yourself. Powerful. Unstoppable. The kind of threat that makes people run." Raze's voice lowered. "The kind of witch that legends are made from."
Mariabel's flames flickered on her fingertips. "The witch. I like that title."
"It suits you perfectly."
She studied him. Those amber eyes searching. Looking for deception. For weakness.
"You're very confident for someone so young. What makes you think we'll succeed?"
"Because I've been planning this for weeks. Because I know their operation inside and out. Because I've already disrupted them multiple times and survived." Raze leaned closer. "And because you're bored of being safe. Of playing the disgraced noble's daughter. Of wasting your Authority on nothing that matters."
Direct hit. Her flames flared larger.
"This is your chance to be legendary. The Witch who burned down the Twilight Syndicate. Who saved forty three children by destroying the corruption at its source." Raze's voice was intense. "People will remember your name. Not your father's failures. Not your family's disgrace. Your name. Your power. Your choice."
Mariabel stood slowly. Her flames dancing across both hands now. The tea house was warm suddenly. The air shimmering.
"You're either brilliant or completely insane, darling." Her smile was predatory. Eager. "Maybe both. I like it."
"Does that mean you're in?"
"Yes. Absolutely yes." She moved around the table. Leaned down. Her face inches from his. "But understand something, sweetie. If you're lying about any of this. If you're wasting my time. If this isn't as exciting as you promised..." Her flames grew hotter. "I'll burn you. Slowly. While you scream. Clear?"
"Crystal."
"Good." She straightened. "When do we do this?"
"Two days. Tomorrow night I handle something personal. Night after that, we raid at midnight."
"Midnight. How delightfully dramatic." Mariabel's smile was bright. Dangerous. "I'll be ready. Don't disappoint me, darling. I so rarely find people worth burning for."
She left. The staff watched nervously. Small scorch marks remained where she'd stood. The table top was warm to the touch.
Raze sat alone for a moment. Processing.
Mariabel Valtee. The Witch of Annihilation. Expert rank with Flame Authority.
Fully committed to their insane plan.
He paid for his tea. Left generous tip. Walked out into the evening air.
The team was complete. Four people against a criminal empire.
Tomorrow morning: trade scales for Phoenix Ash.
Tomorrow night: core reconstruction.
Day after tomorrow: raid the Syndicate.
Simple. Impossible. Necessary.
Raze walked back to the warehouse as darkness fell. The city lit up around him. Mage lights. Lanterns. The glow of civilization built on corruption.
Not for much longer.
He reached the warehouse. Pushed through the door.
All three materials sat on the work table. Celestial Dew glowing faintly blue. Void Crystals absorbing light. And tomorrow, Phoenix Ash completing the set.
Kael looked up from his work. "How did it go?"
"Mariabel is in. Fully committed. She'll meet us the night of the raid."
"So we have everyone. Aslan, me, you, and a powerful noble with fire powers." Kael set down his mortar. "This is really happening."
"Yes."
Aslan emerged from his corner. "I've been practicing. Trying to access just a little silver. Control it. I think I'm getting better."
"Good. We'll need that control during the raid." Raze moved to the table. Stared at the materials. "Tomorrow decides everything. My core repairs or breaks completely. Everything after depends on that success."
"Sixty percent chance," Kael reminded him quietly. "Those aren't great odds."
"Better than zero percent. Which is what I have if I do nothing." Raze met his eyes. "I'm doing this. Tomorrow night. No matter what."
Kael nodded slowly. "Then I'll prepare. Make sure everything is perfect. The procedure takes twelve hours. You'll need to be monitored constantly. Any deviation and I'll need to intervene."
"I trust you."
"Don't. Trust is how people die." But Kael's expression was soft. Worried. "Just... survive this. Please."
Night fell completely. The warehouse grew dark except for lamplight.
Three people. Three materials. One impossible procedure.
Tomorrow would change everything.
Raze lay on his bedroll. Stared at the ceiling. Thought about Sophie. About forty two other children. About Alex Dawnsblade arriving in less than three weeks.
About how much the plot had already changed.
The game never had a path like this. Never had someone trying to swallow the plot before the hero arrived.
Time to see if reality gave better rewards than the game ever did.
His last thought before sleep took him: Tomorrow I fix myself or break completely. Then we burn down an empire.
Simple.
Impossible.
Necessary.
Outside, the city slept. Unaware that in a dusty warehouse, everything was coming to a head.
The pieces were in place.
The story was shifting.
And the real game was about to begin.