Velkar – Underground Safehouse
Kael sat in the dimly lit room, tending to his wound. The assassin’s blade had cut deeper than he thought. A thin line of blood dripped onto the wooden floor as he applied a healing salve.
Across from him, Lyria leaned against the table, arms crossed. Her violet eyes studied him with a mix of amusement and concern.
"You're getting sloppy."
Kael smirked. "Or maybe my enemies are getting better."
Lyria scoffed. "That was the Phantom Lotus. One of the best killers-for-hire in the underworld."
Kael tightened the bandage around his arm. "She failed."
"She won’t next time."
Kael met her gaze. "Then I’ll kill her first."
A tense silence hung between them. Lyria sighed. "The Black Talons won’t let this go. You wiped out one of their strongholds. Now they’ll retaliate."
Kael loaded fresh rounds into his revolver. "Let them come."
Lyria shook her head. "You’re impossible."
Kael smirked. "And yet, you’re still here."
She rolled her eyes. "Because someone has to keep you alive."
A knock at the door interrupted them.
Three short taps. A pause. Two more.
The code.
Kael moved first, pistol raised. Lyria flanked the door, dagger in hand.
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Kael cracked it open—just enough to see the figure outside.
A hooded man. Face shadowed.
"Got information," the man rasped. "Big move happening tomorrow night. Black Talons. Smuggler’s Wharf. You want revenge? This is your chance."
Kael studied him. "Who sent you?"
"Doesn’t matter. You want the lead or not?"
Lyria tensed beside him.
Kael exhaled. "Fine. But if this is a trap, you’re dying first."
The man chuckled. "Noted."
---
Smuggler’s Wharf – The Setup
Night blanketed the wharf in darkness. The scent of salt and damp wood filled the air.
Kael crouched on the rooftop, rifle in hand, watching as the Black Talons moved below. Crates of stolen goods. Arcane weaponry. Illegal magic artifacts.
And in the center of it to all—the Phantom Lotus.
The assassin stood near the docked ship, speaking to a Talon commander. Her posture was relaxed, but Kael knew better. She was waiting.
Waiting for him.
Lyria’s voice crackled in his earpiece. "See anything?"
Kael smirked. "Oh yeah. I see our old friend."
"Phantom Lotus?"
"Bingo."
Lyria cursed. "She’s expecting you."
"Let’s not disappoint her then."
Kael adjusted his scope, targeting the commander.
"Taking the shot."
A heartbeat.
*Click—!*
---
Chaos Unleashed
The bullet hit **right between the eyes**.
The commander dropped.
Panic erupted.
The Black Talons scrambled, drawing weapons, scanning the rooftops.
Kael moved fast. **Bang! Bang!** Two more fell before they even knew where he was.
Then—
A shimmer of motion.
Kael twisted, barely dodging as a dagger **whizzed past his cheek.**
Phantom Lotus was already there.
"*You should have stayed hidden, Marksman.*"
Kael grinned, flipping his rifle into pistol mode. "Where’s the fun in that?"
She attacked.
Steel clashed against enchanted bullets. Sparks flew as Kael **parried** her blade with the barrel of his gun.
She was **faster than before.** More aggressive.
Kael ducked, rolling backward, firing three quick shots.
Lotus deflected one, dodged the second—
The **third clipped her shoulder.**
She hissed. A flicker of anger.
Kael smirked. "Not so untouchable now, huh?"
Her eyes narrowed. "You talk too much."
Then she vanished.
Kael cursed, pivoting just as she reappeared behind him, blade flashing—
A gunshot from below stopped her attack.
Lyria.
The bullet forced Lotus back.
Kael wasted no time. He flipped back onto the rooftop, gun aimed.
But Lotus was already retreating—fading into the shadows.
Again.
Kael exhaled. "Persistent damn assassin."
Lyria joined him. "She won’t stop."
Kael reloaded, watching the last of the Talons flee.
"Then neither will I."
---
End of Chapter Nineteen
