It was quiet. The kind of quiet that would make a person think twice before going down the dark alleyway hidden between the building in the far end of the city. But that didn't stop the man from stepping confidently on the uneven pavers that lead his path.
He had received the most unusual summons. And although he had a high enough standing in the underworld to have been offended by receiving such an informal message, he was mostly wary of who he was supposed to meet.
His protection detail surrounded him like the perfectly trained men that they were. It wasn't until they had reached the end of the dark and damp hallway created between the two building that they reached a metal door. It's brown and yellow stains were of a questionable nature, but so was the majority of the things involving the underworld. And given how accustomed he had grown to it, there was no hesitation when he commanded it to be open with a single nod. Giving view to the rather small and dim lit room beyond it.
"It's clear boss." One of the masked men in charge of protecting him said.
It was all it took for him to cruise inside. After inspection, it truly was an insignificant space. Completely bare of anything except for a table in the middle under a single light bulb. It's two chairs, although uninviting, told him all he needed to know. The space had been set up with the sole purpose of this meeting.
He took his time to take in the space before sitting down in the chair that looked towards the only door available. Having been told of the requirements to be able to proceed with the meeting, he wasn't surprised when his men simply stood by. Watching the entrance carefully. As if waiting for something.
Their expectations were met when a shadow like figure could be seen walking towards them. The exact same way they had all done to reach the room. However, the presence of this one man walking through the alleyway was undeniably ominous. Striking unease in them with his mere presence. And the closer he got, the more intense their wanting to have nothing to do with him grew.
"I believe you've successfully managed to live up to your expectations." The man sitting in wait spoke as if amused by what he saw. However, his outer demeanor said nothing of what went on inside him. Regardless of the amount of delusional confidence he had acquired during his years as an underworld prince, the shiver that ran down his back once the man reached the room's entrance was something he did not anticipate. Nor appreciate.
But he expected no less from the Bloodraven.
There he stood. As if he took up the whole space the open door frame had to offer. Dressed in head to toe black, the only thing they could assume was his gender. For no person that big and intimidating could be anything other than a man. And a deadly one at that. The cold killer air that accompanied him was enough to ensure that. Yet what would truly strike fear into a person was not just his intimidating appearance, but his masked face.
His head was completely covered by a masterfully crafted black raven mask. The detailed feathers and beak made him look more beast than man. And the jet black color was so dark that even his clothes seemed opaque in comparison. Not a spec of humanity could be seen on what they could easily assume was a creature of the night. The very creature that had mysteriously appeared in the underworld not long ago. And to with what purpose? Nobody knew.
But one thing was for certain, he had managed to rattle it.
"It is truly an honor to be of the selected few." The man had only dreamed of the opportunity to harvest a relationship with the dark one standing before him. Although the Bloodraven never seemed to follow a particular agenda, his feats were undeniable. He was a truly valuable asset to be allied with. "I'm sure that tonight's meeting will be a fructiferous one."
He couldn't help but grin in triumph as he gestured for the man to take a seat before him. Sensation that wouldn't last him long.
The Bloodraven took a few confident and long strides before comfortably placing himself in the other empty seat. As he crossed one leg over another and leaned back, he prolonged his silence. Dedicating himself to observe the very obviously smug man before him.
"I must admit I was surprised by your message of wanting to meet. My attempts to establish communication with you have been unsuccessful for years." Although pleased with the meeting, his arrogance wouldn't allow him to simply sit idly by without establishing some sort of power over the masked man. Or at least try to. "However, I'll be gracious enough to not take it personally. I imagine a man as sought after like yourself must have reasons to postpone such an important meeting." A few long minutes passed, yet his only reply was silence. Causing a hint of controlled irritation to be noticed in his voice. "I understand that for a conversation to be had both parties must speak." But once again, nothing. Not a single response. Provoking a slither of his true character threaten to peek out. "Are you deaf!?"
At that, the Bloodraven's eyes drastically sharpened. And although nobody noticed the gesture due to his mask, the sudden drop in the rooms temperature was enough to notice his sudden shift in mood. Something that all of the men present were quick to realize.
"Amused." Aiden's voice was as smooth as a knife's movement through butter. Yet the chilling effect it had on the security detail partially surrounding him was instant.
"You're....amused?" The man was as confused as he was in awe. Only a legend as brazen as the Bloodraven would have the balls to not only summon him like some third rate gangster, but to also show up with an army of one to such a meeting. Not to mention have the audacity to make him practically force a response out of him. And a confusing one at that. "Tell me then. Maybe I can share your amusement?"
After a few more seconds of silence, Aiden had decided he had seen enough of the scum before him. He had better things to do with his time. "You do." The grin under his masked went unnoticed as well, but the mockery in his voice did not. "I never thought the son of the Phoenix Clan's leader would be dumb enough to raid the home of one of the few men under my protection."
The man's eyes slightly widened at his words. But the next sentence he would utter would truly send his thoughts on a whirlwind of a ride.
"But only a man as blindly arrogant as you could believe I'm not capable of killing him. Isn't that right Calvin Kitsch?"
Not a full heartbeat later, every single one of those in the security detail aimed towards the Bloodraven's head with a firearm. Being as highly trained as they were, killing the night legend would go without a second thought.
"And here I thought I had finally gained your attention. "Calvin had always heard the rumors surrounding the Bloodraven, but was indeed impressed by his lack of fear. Not to mention decorum. However his expression wouldn't declare as such. "A pity it's not the kind I was aiming for."
"Enlighten me then." Aiden could care less if he was a trigger away from dying. He had not harvested his fame as the infamous man that he was by shuddering at the prospect of death. "What delusional thinking brought you to the conclusion that you were important enough to try my patience?"
"I was unaware that you provided such... services." Calvin was now intrigued. He had only sent men to the location his little butterfly was said to be at. Not really paying attention to whom the estate belonged to. But now, his interest in such unimportant details had spiked. "But sadly for you, I've never gotten around to apologizing to those beneath me. It's a shame really, I was hoping to put your abilities to better use. But alas, if playing baby sitter to another rich spoiled bastard is what you wish, then please do so." Calvin stood to leave, when in a split second, thudding sounds surrounded him.
It only took a moment to realize that all of the men he had brought had suddenly dropped to the floor. Pools of blood slowly seeping out of them from where the lethal head shots perforated their skulls. Calvin didn't even get the chance to fully stand before he instantly turned into one of the only two men that still drew breath within the room. Astonished, he looked at the masked man who hadn't even unfolded his arms. Much less move an inch to achieve such a thing.
"I don't remember saying I was done with you." Aiden spoke as if the bodies on the floor where that of mere swatted flies. "I haven't actually come to kill you."
"Your actions suggest otherwise." Calvin was visibly seething. The veins in his forehead could be clearly seen even under the dim lighting. Not to mention, the bloodlust oozing out of him was enough to understand his business persona had left as quickly as the life had left his men's bodies. "Do you understand what you've just done?"
"I've returned your favor." The fact that the man seething before him still had a sense of superiority about him amused him. But even from his seat, Aiden couldn't see him as anything other than a bratty kid. One without an ounce of self control. Something that would work to his advantage. "You made me realize some flaws within my way of doing things, so I just thought I'd return the same courtesy."
Calvin pressed his lips together as he tried to gain self control. He wasn't doubtful of his ability to kill, but bullets coming from so many snippers was something even he wasn't capable of dealing with without back up. And seeing as his own team of silent shooters hadn't intervened, it was easy to suspect that they had also been taken out. So he simply stood there while listening to what he now saw as a new enemy. One he had not predicted.
"Like I already said, I'm not here to kill you for your transgression. However, take this merciful moment as a warning." Aiden's snarky tone slowly turned into a more serious one. "Those under my protection are not to be touched. This extends to considering them collateral damage within an operation. "
"You've killed my men." Calvin's breath was as hot as hot as the blood boiling in his veins. 'Does he know?' A deep anger could be seen in his sharp stare. If the Bloodraven had figured out the why behind his infiltration attempt, then it made him yet another person to come between him and his most desired possession.
"And it's only due to the respect I hold for your clan that you aren't to be buried with them." Aiden stood up slowly. Being somewhat face to face now, he noticed the man still had to lift his gaze to properly face him. Amusing him even further. "My warning is final. It would be wise to heed my words." With the mocking tone coming back to his voice, he continued. "But given your track record, I doubt you're smart enough to do so."
Calvin could practically see him smiling through the mask as he turned around and disappeared into the night. In the same slow and quiet way he had arrived. And thanks to the absence of his men storming through the door to reach him, he correctly assumed that his phantom guards had also been eliminated.
As if something snapped in his head, he leaned his head back while a thunder of laughter erupted from his chest. And as soon as it ended a loud CRASH was heard throughout the alleyway. He had flipped the table with such ease that anybody would assume it was made our of cardboard instead of thick cold metal.
"Oh little butterfly." Calvin whispered to himself as he watched the dark alleyway. "The blood on your hands is about to grow."