Barracks on lock - tight as a trap closing.
Guards were posted twice as thick at each entrance. Every sixty minutes, patrols marched across the courtyards. Rumors crept along the corridors - "Seris' killers," "blame the desk man," "Holt chasing shadows."
Aiden slumped in the records chamber, pen still, death's whisper buzzing near his skull. Danger sparked faintly - like far-off flames - with three roots: one drifting from the stables, a pair lurking by Holt's door.
Seris's blades drawing nearer.
Varro burst through the door, face slick with sweat. "Captain's calling all hands. Palace wedding's still on - tomorrow dawn. Extra security. You're stuck here."
Aiden shut the book. Was it Holt's call?
"Direct. No one in or out till he says." Varro glanced at the windows. "Seris pulled her people back. Scared or scheming."
"Both," Aiden said.
The sergeant lingered. "You stir something up out there, Grant?"
Numbers," Aiden said while tapping the ledger. "They tend to add up either way."
Varro snorted, still doubting, then walked off. The door hadn't even latched when a wave of danger hit - fast and fierce.
Stairs. Coming up.
Aiden got up without a hitch, fingers sliding toward the blade tucked out of sight. Inside, just a single exit and a window - way too tight to crawl through. Ideal place if someone planned to strike fast.
Footsteps paused outside.
Knock. Quiet. Doesn't fit Holt.
"Come," Aiden called.
The door creaked open a bit. Then Rowan ducked inside, hood pulled high, gripping the bag hard. From deep in the cloth, Ghost's eyes shone faintly.
"Guards downstairs," the boy hissed. "Said no one's leaving. But I heard - "
Death Sense yelled out loud down the hallway.
Aiden pulled Rowan under the table - "Get low."
Blade slipped in through the gap - checking. After that, the door flew wide.
One wore a dark cloak, a raven crest tucked beneath the collar - same as the other. These were Seris' murderers. Blades out, notched steel in hand. Their skin carried marks, souvenirs from battles long past.
He went straight for the desk. Aiden twisted sideways, blade rising fast. Metal clanged against metal. The guy blinked hard - shocked a clerk moved that quick.
Aiden vanished - his body flickering sideways. He slammed his shoulder into the killer's torso, fast and low. The impact snapped armor seams. Ribs gave way underneath. The guy wobbled, off balance, trying to breathe.
Another attacker moved to the side, eyes on Rowan. The kid's going down before anyone else
No chance.
"[Shadow Bind]."
Cracks in the floor shot out black chains, wrapping around his arms, then his legs. Just five seconds passed. He twisted hard, making no sound - just a muffled cry under the dark cloth stuck in his mouth.
Rowan shot to his feet, blade in hand - courageous yet trembling.
Aiden took the lead - one moment, the Grasp of the Grave pulled him down. Ghostly fingers squeezed his throat tight. A sharp crack broke the silence. The corpse dropped lifeless.
Second had a tough time facing off with Bind. With just three seconds remaining.
Aiden stepped close. "Seris sends her regards."
Eyes bulged. Recognition.
Dagger struck fast - heart hit clean though sudden.
Chains wore out. After that, the body followed up on it.
[Ding.]
[Two foes taken down. Gained 200 XP.]
[Stealth Defense Bonus: +50 Resentment.]
[Level steady: Lv.6.]
Rowan looked at the bodies, gasping for air. "Wait… did they come after us?"
"The web's broken," Aiden muttered, cleaning red off the knife. Yet she keeps torching strands
He pulled corpses behind cabinets, hidden under dusty files. For now. Holt'd track them down.
Good.
Rowan held Ghost closer. "So the wedding's going ahead?"
"Yes." Aiden straightened uniform. "And we're going."
His eyes shot open. "The lockdown - "
"Ends when Holt sees this." Aiden nodded at the bodies. "Blame on Seris. He hates loose ends."
They got away just when alarms started blaring - corpses were spotted. Down below, everything went wild.
Holt's yell echoed through the stairwell.
Palace gates stood there when night hit. Just before the wedding day began.
Aiden showed up by himself - Rowan was hidden away in the stables. Holt held up his seal, said it loud: "Guard duty. Came straight from the captain."
Guards motioned them forward. Inside, it was a mess - servants darting around with banners, priests mumbling holy words, while rich folks showed up dressed in shiny cloth.
Seris' carriage sat in the courtyard - alone, watched by six guards loyal only to her. She wasn't anywhere nearby.
Death Sense whispered, weak, off the carriage top. It's a Watcher.
Aiden swung far out, moving alongside the supply wagons. His footsteps vanished - Phantom Step erased them.
Roof shade moved - there he was, arrow ready on his bow. He stared down the sight toward the front gate of the palace.
Seris' insurance.
Shadow Bind. Ropes go still. The archer stops moving - sudden freeze.
Aiden pulled himself up the vines, gripping his dagger tight. With one slash - done. The guy's throat opened wide. He tumbled down, landing hard in the hay.
Half a minute gone. The guards shifted restlessly.
He jumped down to the train car. The door creaked ajar - not a soul inside. Another fake setup.
Voice echoes near the silk tent. That's Seris.
"...Kael arrives at dawn. Holt's men are contained." Her voice, calm ice.
Advisor replied: "The clerk survives. Varn confirmed it."
Silence. Then her laugh - cold. "Good. Holt trusts him. Use it."
Twist: Seris wants Aiden close.
Lookout? Or maybe lure for Holt?
Death Sense screeched - ten links snapping shut. Could be palace sentries... or her killers on the move.
No time.
Aiden slipped into the dark - Phantom Step pulled him toward the far edges.
Back at the barracks when pale light touched the clouds, Holt stood in the dirt - his gloves stained red, his stare full of storm. While shadows still clung to corners, he stayed quiet - one hand clenched tight around a rusted rail.
"Grant." Voice flat. "Seris' men hit the records room."
Aiden saluted crisp. "Saw the bodies. Her assassins."
Holt moved nearer. "I saw you back then
"Working late. Killed two."
Captain stared hard. "Handy."
"Competent."
Holt grunted. "Wedding security. You're on her carriage detail. Watch for more."
Perfect.
Seris kept him near.
He'd oblige.
[Ding.]
[Quest Update: Spider's Game.]
Goal: sneak into the wedding ride. Face Seris head-on
[Reward: Major Level Up + Revenge Milestone.]
Church chimes rang out. People came together.
Seris moved out of the pavilion - dark dress, a soft glow flickering around her. As she scanned the guards, her gaze finally hit Aiden.
Held.
She grinned - sharp, quiet, like she saw something you didn't.
The corpse got into her coach - yet she didn't flinch.
Her trap - or maybe his? Could be either one.
Dawn cracked open. The horses shifted forward.
Inside: soft silk pads. A tiny poison bottle tucked under the cushion - her scent still hung there, though faint.
Death Sense came shrieking from every direction.
Game on.