The cathedral trembled as three battles unfolded at once.
On the upper balcony, Nigel charged toward Shots, weaving through a relentless barrage of arrows. Every shot was fired with incredible precision, forcing Nigel to rely on instinct more than sight. Arrows shattered pillars, pierced marble walls, and exploded against the floor, filling the air with dust and stone fragments.
Shots leaped gracefully from one balcony to another, never allowing Nigel to get close.
"You'll never reach me," Shots said with a calm smile as he released three arrows at once.
Nigel spun his sword in a wide arc, deflecting two arrows before the third grazed his shoulder, drawing blood. He ignored the pain and continued his pursuit.
"You talk too much," Nigel replied. "Stand still and fight!"
For the first time, Shots laughed.
"Very well."
He slung his bow over his shoulder and drew two short blades hidden beneath his cloak.
Nigel's eyes narrowed.
"You're not just an archer."
"I'm an assassin."
The distance between them disappeared in an instant.
Steel clashed against steel as sword met dagger. Sparks flew through the air while both warriors exchanged strikes faster than the eye could follow. Nigel's powerful swings forced Shots backward, but the assassin's speed allowed him to evade every fatal blow.
Shots suddenly kicked Nigel backward before jumping away and drawing his bow once more.
At point-blank range, he released an arrow.
Nigel barely raised his sword in time.
The impact threw him through a stone railing, sending both men crashing onto the cathedral floor below.
The ground shook beneath them.
Both struggled to stand.
Nigel's breathing became heavier.
Shots wiped blood from beneath his mask.
"You really are strong."
Nigel smiled despite the pain.
"So are you."
They charged one another again.
Nigel swung with all his strength while Shots fired his final arrow at the same moment.
The sword struck Shots across the chest.
The arrow pierced Nigel's left shoulder.
Both attacks landed simultaneously.
The force sent them flying in opposite directions.
For several moments, neither moved.
Finally, Nigel forced himself onto one knee.
Across the hall, Shots did the same.
The two stared at each other in silence before lowering their weapons.
"We continue another day," Shots said.
Nigel nodded.
"I'll be waiting."
Neither had enough strength to continue.
Not far away, Eldric stood surrounded by fallen assassins.
Bodies covered the marble floor.
His breathing had become uneven, and sweat dripped from his forehead.
Golden light continued flowing from his staff.
Kertz slowly clapped his hands.
"I'll admit..."
"I'm impressed."
Jen looked around at the unconscious personnel.
"A healer defeating this many fighters..."
Eldric pointed his staff toward them.
"I protect people."
"And if I have to fight to do it..."
"So be it."
Jen disappeared.
Eldric immediately looked around.
"Where—"
A knife sliced across his side.
He stumbled backward.
Jen reappeared behind him with another attack already coming.
Before Eldric could react, Kertz rushed in from the front.
His twin daggers struck like lightning.
Eldric barely blocked the first attack with his staff, but the second cut across his arm.
Pain shot through his body.
He stepped backward.
"Radiant Burst!"
A wave of golden energy exploded from his staff, throwing both assassins several meters away.
Several remaining personnel were blasted into nearby pillars.
Eldric breathed heavily.
"I... can still fight..."
Kertz smiled.
"You're exhausted."
Jen vanished once again.
This time Eldric couldn't find her.
Several knives struck him from different directions.
One hit his shoulder.
Another grazed his leg.
A third pierced his side.
Eldric fell onto one knee.
He tried raising his staff one final time.
"Healing... Nova..."
The spell never finished.
Kertz struck the staff from his hands before driving the hilt of one dagger into Eldric's chest.
The force knocked him unconscious.
Jen looked down at him.
"He fought well."
Kertz nodded respectfully.
"He deserves that much."
Near the altar, Vandon and Xears continued their devastating battle.
Water flooded the cathedral floor as Vandon unleashed wave after wave of powerful magic.
"Torrential Prison!"
Massive walls of water surrounded Xears from every direction.
For a brief moment, it seemed the assassin leader had been trapped.
Then darkness erupted.
The walls exploded outward.
Xears stepped through the water untouched.
"Your magic is remarkable."
"But not enough."
He raised his black sword.
Dark energy spread across the room like living shadows.
Vandon answered with everything he had.
"Tidal Dragon!"
The enormous dragon of water roared once again, crashing toward Xears with unstoppable force.
The leader calmly lifted one hand.
The shadows gathered around his blade before exploding forward.
The collision created a deafening shockwave.
Every remaining window inside the cathedral shattered.
The dragon dissolved into rain.
Vandon staggered backward.
His breathing had become heavy.
Xears slowly approached.
"You've survived longer than most."
Vandon smiled weakly.
"I've heard that before."
He gathered the last of his magic.
Water spiraled around him, forming dozens of razor-sharp spears.
"Water Judgment!"
Every spear shot toward Xears simultaneously.
The assassin leader disappeared.
Vandon's eyes widened.
"So fast..."
Xears appeared behind him.
"You lost."
His sword struck Vandon across the back.
The powerful blow threw the water mage across the cathedral floor.
He crashed into the altar, unable to stand.
His vision blurred.
He watched helplessly as Xears approached the floating Gem of the Deaths.
The crimson crystal slowly descended into Xears' waiting hand.
The moment he touched it, black energy surged throughout the cathedral.
The Gem had been taken.
Kertz and Jen walked toward their leader.
Shots soon joined them, supporting himself with his bow after his exhausting battle with Nigel.
Kertz looked at the Gem with hope in his eyes.
"You promised us."
"You said the Gem could revive my brother."
Jen nodded.
"We completed the mission."
Shots remained silent, watching Xears carefully.
Xears smiled warmly.
"Of course."
"I always keep my promises."
He closed his hand around the Gem.
"Once we reach our destination..."
"I'll bring your brother back."
Relief spread across Kertz's face.
Jen smiled for the first time that day.
Only Shots remained unconvinced.
Before he could question anything, Xears turned toward the cathedral entrance.
"Our mission is complete."
"Leave."
The remaining assassins quickly withdrew.
Within moments, the Assassination Crimes disappeared into the smoke-covered streets of New York.
Silence filled the ruined cathedral.
Broken pillars lay scattered across the floor.
The once-beautiful sanctuary had become little more than rubble.
Nigel struggled to his feet and looked toward the shattered altar.
"No..."
Eldric remained unconscious.
Vandon slowly opened his eyes, staring at the empty pedestal where the Gem had once floated.
"We failed..."
Outside, the city's bells rang once again—not as a warning, but as a mournful reminder that the Gem of the Deaths had fallen into the wrong hands.
Far away from the cathedral, Xears walked at the front of his organization, the Gem hidden beneath his cloak.
Kertz smiled, believing that his brother would soon live again.
Jen walked beside him, sharing the same hope.
Shots remained quiet.
Behind his mask, doubt slowly crept into his mind.
Xears glanced down at the Gem before a cold smile spread across his face.
None of them noticed.
None of them knew.
He had never intended to revive Kertz's brother.
The Gem of the Deaths was never meant for anyone but himself.
And with it finally in his possession, the first step of his true plan had begun.