The sea was a sheet of black glass.
As the sleek Vendetta transport glided silently over the water, Kael could feel the unease gnawing at him. Even the steady hum of the engines couldn't drown out the weight in the air. The island ahead was barely visible, cloaked by a dense fog that seemed to rise from the depths themselves.
"This place gives me the creeps," James said, his voice low.
He didn't like the water, Kael knew that much. Something about being confined in a vehicle on top of it unsettled him. James wasn't a man afraid of much, but put him in the wrong situation, and even he had his limits.
"Stay sharp," Edith called from the cockpit. "We're entering restricted airspace. No chatter. Eyes and ears open."
The silence in the cabin grew tighter.
Luna sat beside Kael, eyes scanning the island as it loomed larger. The dim glow of the moon barely touched the jagged cliffs rising from the ocean, and the silhouette of what looked like a fortress loomed in the distance.
"Think they'll notice us?" Kael asked, voice quiet.
Luna shrugged. "If they do, we'll make sure they regret it. But I don't think they've seen the likes of us before."
Kael let out a breath and settled back in his seat, fingers tapping the edge of his armor. He had been focused on training, on controlling his fire, but the nagging thought of Kaas—and the man's cryptic warnings—kept pulling at his thoughts. Something about this mission felt off.
Landing Zone – Site Vanta
The transport touched down at the edge of a thick forest on the island, the engines cutting off with a soft whine. The team disembarked swiftly, keeping their movements quiet and deliberate.
Kael felt the pull of his fire again, the familiar burn within him. But this time, he reined it in—relying on precision and control, not fury.
Edith moved to the front, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes.
"We're in. The primary objective is to find intel. Secondary is sabotage if necessary. Remember—this is recon, not a full-on assault."
They moved into the forest, avoiding the exposed areas where the faint glow of guard lights flickered in the distance. Each step was measured, every sound muted.
The path led them to the edge of a cliff overlooking a hidden cove. Below, Kael saw the sprawling complex—black walls, barbed wire, and turrets lined the perimeter. It looked like an industrial fortress, but there was something unnerving about the absence of any real movement outside.
"What's the deal with this place?" James asked, voice low. "It looks like a ghost town."
Edith squatted low, observing the thermal scans on her wrist device.
"Not quite. There's activity inside. It's just... contained. They're waiting for something."
Kael felt a sudden rush of heat in his chest. Something wasn't right.
"We're not the only ones here," Kael muttered, looking around. "Feel that?"
Luna glanced at him. "What are you—"
Before she could finish, a sharp noise split the air—a soft, high-pitched whine that seemed to come from all around them. It was barely perceptible, but the hairs on Kael's neck stood on end.
"Ambush," Kael hissed.
The trees around them began to rustle. Figures emerged from the shadows, moving fluidly and silently.
"So much for stealth," James muttered, drawing his revolvers.
They were surrounded. Figures clad in dark, flexible armor. Faces hidden behind masks—cold, empty eyes staring through slits.
"Crimson Sickle," Edith hissed under her breath. "I knew it."
The Fight
The ambush came fast.
The first figure lunged at Kael, a blade flashing through the air. He barely managed to parry with his arm, sending a burst of fire to force the attacker back. But it wasn't enough.
They were fast—quicker than most. Each move precise, deadly. They seemed to move through the shadows, blending in with the trees as if they were part of the island itself.
Kael fought back, his flames erupting in arcs, trying to overwhelm his attackers with speed and force. But they were ready, anticipating each strike, dodging and weaving through his fire like it was nothing.
Luna joined in, her spear dancing through the air with perfect control. The sharp tip sliced through armor, blood spilling onto the ground.
James wasn't far behind. Twin revolvers spinning in his hands as he fired off quick, clean shots at anyone that got too close.
But it was Edith who truly turned the tide.
As the enemy closed in, she moved like a shadow—graceful, precise. Her karambit flashed as she took down one attacker after another, her movements so fluid it was like watching a dance of death.
"We're not done yet," Edith called, her voice a cool, calculated whisper. "Get to the facility. The mission isn't over."
Kael pushed forward, adrenaline surging in his veins.
The Facility – Approaching
The team sprinted toward the compound, but Kael's mind was still spinning from the fight. They hadn't expected this—an ambush by the Crimson Sickle? Here?
They were clearly more entrenched on this island than anyone had anticipated. And they weren't just watching Kaas. They were waiting for something far worse.
Edith led them to the facility's outer wall, slipping a small device from her jacket. She planted it against the surface, and the wall flickered as a security breach signaled.
"We're in," she said, and the gates opened with a soft hiss.
Kael stepped into the shadows.
This was it. The heart of the storm.
And Kael could feel it—the heat was rising again.