The streets of New York were filled with chaos.
Smoke rose into the sky as frightened civilians fled through the city, their screams echoing between towering buildings. Police officers and soldiers rushed toward the center of the city while emergency sirens wailed without stopping. Windows had been shattered, vehicles overturned, and several buildings burned as dark-cloaked figures continued their assault.
Nigel tightened his grip on his sword as he, Eldric, and Vandon ran through the crowded streets.
"They're everywhere," Nigel said, watching a group of masked assassins overpower several city guards.
Eldric raised his staff.
"We have to help them!"
Before the assassins could strike again, Eldric swung his staff through the air.
"Radiant Pulse!"
Golden light burst from the tip of his staff, knocking several assassins backward. Nigel immediately charged into battle.
With a single slash, he disarmed one assassin before spinning to knock another unconscious with the flat side of his blade.
Vandon raised one hand.
"Waves of Judgment."
A stream of water burst from the broken pavement, wrapping around three assassins before throwing them into a nearby wall.
Within moments, the remaining attackers retreated.
One wounded police captain staggered toward them.
"You... you're adventurers?"
Nigel nodded.
"We're here to help."
The captain pointed toward the city's largest cathedral, visible several streets away.
"They're heading for the cathedral... The Gem of the Deaths is hidden beneath it."
Without another word, the three rushed toward the massive building.
As they approached, dozens of unconscious guards lay scattered across the cathedral courtyard. Deep cuts covered the stone floor, and broken arrows littered the ground.
Nigel frowned.
"They defeated all these guards..."
"They're stronger than ordinary assassins," Vandon replied.
The cathedral doors slowly creaked open.
A cold breeze swept through the hall.
The three stepped inside.
Candles flickered along the enormous chamber, illuminating the grand altar at the center. Floating above a stone pedestal was a crimson crystal surrounded by black mist.
The Gem of the Deaths.
Standing before it were five figures dressed in black cloaks.
Each wore a silver mask hiding their identity.
The tallest among them slowly turned around.
His long black coat reached the floor, and a crimson emblem shaped like a broken crown was stitched across his chest.
Behind him stood four more assassins.
One carried an elegant bow.
Another rested two curved daggers on his shoulders.
A young woman spun twin knives between her fingers.
Behind them waited dozens of armed personnel.
The leader smiled.
"So... the defenders have finally arrived."
Vandon stepped forward.
"Who are you?"
The man bowed slightly.
"I suppose introductions are appropriate."
"My name is Xears."
He extended one arm toward the others.
"These are my companions."
"Kertz."
The man with the dual daggers gave a confident grin.
"Jen."
The young woman nodded silently.
"Shots."
The archer rested his bow over one shoulder without saying a word.
"We are the Assassination Crimes."
Nigel pointed his sword toward them.
"Whatever you're after, it ends here."
Xears chuckled softly.
"I admire your courage."
His eyes shifted toward the floating crystal.
"We've come for only one thing."
"The Gem of the Deaths."
Vandon narrowed his eyes.
"You'll never take it."
Xears sighed dramatically.
"Must everything be solved through violence?"
Nigel answered by drawing his sword completely from its sheath.
"Yes."
For a brief moment...
Silence filled the cathedral.
Then Xears snapped his fingers.
"Kill them."
The cathedral exploded into chaos.
Dozens of assassins rushed forward simultaneously.
Nigel met them head-on.
His sword flashed through the air as he blocked dagger after dagger before striking several enemies aside with powerful swings.
Eldric remained behind him.
"Blessing of Valor!"
Golden light surrounded Nigel, increasing his speed and strength.
Nigel smiled.
"I'll make good use of it!"
Suddenly—
An arrow flew toward Nigel's face.
He barely managed to block it.
The force pushed him backward several steps.
A second arrow followed immediately.
Then a third.
Each one struck with enough power to crack the cathedral floor.
Nigel looked upward.
Standing on one of the cathedral balconies was the silent archer.
Shots.
Without speaking, Shots drew another arrow.
Dark energy gathered around its tip.
Nigel pointed his sword toward him.
"So you're my opponent."
Shots finally smiled beneath his mask.
"If you can reach me."
The arrow shot forward like lightning.
Nigel dodged at the last second as the projectile exploded against a pillar behind him.
Stone fragments rained across the floor.
Nigel rushed toward the staircase leading to the balcony.
Shots fired again.
Then again.
Every arrow forced Nigel to dodge, leaving deep craters wherever they landed.
"He's incredibly accurate," Nigel thought.
As Nigel disappeared onto the upper level, Eldric suddenly found himself surrounded.
Kertz twirled one dagger between his fingers.
"So..."
"The healer stays behind."
Jen smiled.
"This should be easy."
Eldric tightened his grip on his staff.
"I wouldn't underestimate me."
Several assassin personnel charged him.
Instead of retreating, Eldric slammed the end of his staff against the marble floor.
"Holy Restoration!"
Golden circles appeared beneath the assassins.
Kertz laughed.
"A healing spell?"
The laughter quickly stopped.
The glowing circles suddenly erupted.
Instead of healing, the magic violently overloaded the assassins' bodies with radiant energy.
Several were blasted backward, crashing into the cathedral walls.
Jen's eyes widened.
"He turned healing magic into an attack?"
Eldric raised his staff once more.
"I spent years studying how life energy can also become a weapon."
Golden bolts of light shot across the chamber, striking assassin after assassin.
Even Kertz was forced to retreat.
Meanwhile, near the altar, Vandon slowly approached Xears.
Water began circling around his arms.
"I won't let you touch the Gem."
Xears calmly removed a black sword from beneath his cloak.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
The air around him suddenly turned heavy.
Dark energy spread across the cathedral floor like smoke.
Vandon immediately responded.
"Tidal Dragon!"
A massive dragon formed from swirling water burst forward, roaring as it raced toward Xears.
The mysterious assassin simply smiled.
Then he raised his sword.
The collision shook the entire cathedral.
Stone pillars cracked.
The floor trembled violently.
Outside, the sound of battle echoed across New York as the fate of the Gem of the Deaths rested on three desperate battles happening at once.