The heavy twin doors of the Council Chamber groaned open, unveiling a grand circular hall carved from deep-black obsidian stone. The ceiling stretched high above, its surface enchanted into a living mural where shadows swirled and twisted like dark tides, ever-moving yet never settling.
At the heart of the room stood a singular, imposing obsidian table, shaped like a seven-pointed star. Each point represented one of the Syndicate's Divisions—pillars that sustained the vast underworld Omega had forged.
Seated around the table were six figures, the leaders of these divisions. Their faces, though schooled into composure, reflected a blend of anticipation and subtle tension.
They were the Syndicate's Pillars—the unseen architects of the kingdom's true economy.
As Omega entered, the muted conversations ceased. The soft glow from floating arcane lights illuminated his golden hair, while his sharp violet eyes swept across the assembly. With every measured step towards his seat at the head of the table, the weight of his presence suffused the chamber.
Fang trailed a half-step behind, his gaze vigilant.
"I see all divisions are present, save for Information," Omega began, his tone a steady cadence of calm authority. "Their absence is excused. They are... engaged in operations that require their silence."
The division heads exchanged silent glances. Only Fang knew the truth—the Information Division was executing a covert infiltration against a Noble spy network.
Omega's eyes narrowed, his presence intensifying. "Let us proceed."
First Head Garrick "Ironhand" (Gambling & Loans Division)
A towering man, his weathered face crisscrossed with old battle scars. His crimson vest contrasted sharply with his coarse voice.
"Business remains stable, My Lord. We've restructured debt enforcement—reduced the bloodshed. However, Noble-backed loan sharks are infiltrating the outer districts."
Omega's lips curled into a subtle smirk. "We'll sever their claws soon enough. Lower the interest rates. Increase the benefits for loyal clients. Make them understand whose hand truly feeds them."
Garrick nodded, a grim smile forming. "As you command, Lord Omega."
Second Head Velra "Silkblade" (Smuggling Division)
Velra's keen emerald eyes gleamed beneath her hooded cloak.
"Our networks remain unseen, My Lord. But border tensions escalate. The Nobles may enforce embargoes. We need alternative routes, quickly."
Omega nodded, his gaze sharp. "Prepare contingency routes. Mobilize the Silent Fleet. Use every source to acquire more goods. Starve the Nobles of their own luxuries."
"Yes, Lord Omega," she replied, her tone icy with purpose.
Third Head Malrec (Magic Item Distribution Division)
An elder mage, his silver eyes reflecting cold calculation.
"Demand for enchanted items has soared. However, the Magic Tower is tightening its scrutiny on unauthorized distributions. A misstep could provoke a crackdown."
Omega's tone turned razor-sharp. "The Tower prefers bargains over conflict. I'll ensure they're too 'occupied' to notice our expansions. Meanwhile, lower our prices slightly and release exclusive items we've developed. We'll dominate this market before they realize what happened."
Malrec inclined his head. "Understood, My Lord."
Fourth Head Beryn "Redwolf" (Mercenary Operations Division)
A broad-shouldered warrior, his wolf fang earring a symbol of his battlefield prowess.
"Our ranks are strong, fully staffed. However, Noble conflicts are bleeding into our contracts. Some elites have been dragged into their private wars."
Omega's eyes darkened. "This underworld is not their playground. Tighten neutrality clauses. Any Noble who attempts to trespass here will find themselves negotiating with shadows."
"Yes, My Lord," Beryn responded, his expression fierce.
Fifth head Aliera (Potions & Alchemy Division)
Clad in flowing robes, her face hidden beneath a soft cowl, Aliera's voice was calm yet resolute.
"Our herbal farms prosper. Yet, Nobles are attempting to monopolize potion supplies in the central districts."
Omega's gaze chilled. "Arrange for their suppliers to... vanish for a week. Quietly buy them out. Simultaneously, flood the market with superior potions at reduced prices. Let the Nobles taste helplessness."
Aliera bowed slightly. "It shall be done."
Sixth Head Dornan (Market & Auction Division)
A rotund man whose cunning eyes belied his jovial appearance.
"Auctions flourish, My Lord. Yet Noble influence creeps into the bidding halls. If unchecked, they'll manipulate prices from the shadows."
Omega leaned forward, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Then we'll drag them into the light. Organize a special auction—one designed to expose their greed. Also, marginally adjust market prices to disrupt their economic foothold."
Dornan's grin widened. "They won't know what hit them."
---
With all reports delivered, Omega rose to his feet. His mere act of standing realigned every gaze upon him.
"For generations, the Nobles have dictated the flow of wealth, exploiting the people beneath a veneer of law and tradition. They feast on power while their own systems rot from within."
He gestured, and the enchanted table came alive—projecting a vast, intricate web of trade routes, supply chains, and economic arteries sprawling across the kingdom.
"We've purged the Underworld of its filth. Now, it is time to expand—not through violence, but by dominating what the Nobles treasure most: control over necessity."
Omega's voice deepened, each word striking like a blade.
"Our objective is clear: dismantle their monopoly on essentials—food, medicine, transport, information. Not through open war, but by rendering their power structures obsolete. Stability, fair prices, and reliability will be our weapons."
The Division Heads leaned in, their expressions a mixture of fervor and cold calculation.
Dornan, ever cautious, spoke up. "My Lord, this expansion... it won't escape the Royals' notice."
Omega raised a hand, silencing further concerns. "The Royal House fractures from internal strife. Their attention is fractured, their grip weak. So long as we do not directly threaten their thrones, they'll remain conveniently blind."
A moment of heavy silence passed as his words settled.
"In one month, we execute Operation Eclipse," Omega declared, his tone absolute. "While the Nobles squabble over petty disputes, we'll solidify the Syndicate's grip on the kingdom's foundation. By the time they notice, it will already be too late."
---
As the meeting neared its crescendo, a Shadow Assassin materialized beside Fang—emerging from the darkness as if woven from it. A low whisper passed between them, audible only to those attuned to the silence.
Fang's expression hardened. He leaned towards Omega. "My Lord, the Information Division has suffered a breach. A mole has been confirmed—leaking assets to an external force."
Omega's smile vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. His voice dropped into a silken threat. "Betrayal from within… inevitable, yet no less disappointing."
He turned back to the Syndicate Heads, his aura now suffocatingly dense.
"Before we expand outward, we must cleanse our roots."
His gaze swept across the chamber, voice sharpening with lethal precision. "Let it be declared—the punishment for betrayal is not death. It is irrelevance. Find the traitor. Strip them of their identity. Erase their purpose. Let them exist, forgotten, a husk in the shadows."
Fang's bow was deep, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Consider it done, My Lord."
---
The council adjourned, its members dispersing to orchestrate the next phase of Omega's grand design. The chamber, once filled with quiet discussions and undercurrents of tension, now resonated with purpose.
Omega returned to his Operations Office, his stride measured. The game had only just begun. On his desk, he placed a single parchment—a meticulously crafted set of instructions addressed to his most trusted aides.
Satisfied, Omega glanced at the silent room, his mind already shifting to his next move.
"I'll see you all soon" he murmured, his smile a razor-thin line as he vanished into the shadow gate.