A group of hooded figures gathered around a dark gate. The leader of this group stood apart from the rest, beside one of the dark glittering posts of the small gate. The other hooded members twitched and shuddered anxiously behind him. They were not nervous or afraid of their mission, but of the sinister aura surrounding their leader. The group members held respect and a frightened awe of this ominous man. He alone had faced many fearsome opponents and yet still remained before them, enveloped in a mysterious dark mist. Those who had worked with him before knew to keep their distance. They were on the same side of course, but that didn't mean he wasn't dangerous.
According to the rumors from other members in their Order, their leader today was the right-hand man of one of the elders. Essentially, he was their glorified assassin. When their Order had finally started to step back into the light of society and slightly reveal themselves, he was on the frontline yielding terrifying results.
"Everyone prepare themselves. Once the gate is activated and you come into contact with the void, stay close to me or you will be forever lost." Said the leader as he traced his fingers along the carvings on the void gate's post.
The fidgeting and movements among the group stopped after the instructions from the leader as they stood alert.
"Good." Said the leader as a ring was produced from within his black fitted sleeves and began to glow.
White carvings began to resonate with the white glowing ring from the void gate. Their whitish gleam flickered as a strange liquid-like substance began to form between the lighted posts. In a few moments, the entire space inside the empty gate was filled with this black substance. It drifted from the center to extend towards the inner sides of the posts.
Many of the hooded figures held back a gasp as they witnessed the void gate form for the first time.
The leader stepped in front of the wavy void gate before stopping and saying, "Remember my words. Or else these will be the last words you ever hear."
The man stepped through into the void. In an instant, his presence vanished with a ripple waving from its center. The other group members looked at each other and nodded before following after him.
One by one, the group quickly vanished into the void until the glowing runes dimmed on the gate's posts before completely diminishing.
The small group of hooded figures drifted together through the emptiness. Here, inside the void, there was no such thing as light, life, nor time. There was only space and darkness. In this space, they discovered the horrors of the void.
If not for their leader calling ahead, "Get it together! We must get to the coordinates quickly," then the men would have surely gone insane.
It did not take long for one to completely lose their bearings here. The space around them seemed to be rippling and convulsing incessantly with no end. One of the men even wondered whether they had actually entered into the stomach of a mythic beast. However, the torture was finished as if it had never happened, as a light unveiled from ahead and consumed them all.
Timidly, they opened their forcefully shut eyes to find themselves standing or laying on solid ground again. The texture of grass tickled the sides of the ones lying on the ground and confirmed their location.
Some of the men, who had gone through for the first time, immediately began to vomit. Let alone the mental toll, the physical one was equally shocking for first-timers.
"Get yourselves together. We have work to do." Said the leader who was completely unaffected by the afflictions of the void.
Those who were used to void travel merely stretched themselves and exhaled a deep sigh to recollect themselves. Their pitying glances were shared amongst themselves for the retching first-time travelers.
After a short break for the rest of their members to regain their composure, the group began to scale the Roman wall. Their mission was simple: infiltrate and steal the remaining artifacts held by the empire. Each one of their members were skilled in these fields and were either assassins, spies, or trained thieves.
Their Order had extensively prepared them for missions such as this. Although the first-time void travelers may have displayed an unsightly appearance before, they were still professionals when it came to the mission.
The Roman Capital, located in the center of the continent, was the epicenter of power and trade. Here, even the average citizen held a value far greater than those of the surviving kingdoms. Actually, many from their Order had originated from the empire since most skilled and capable people were found here.
Militia, education, opportunity, and wealth was immense in this empire but even the greatest of empires would fall before time. The order kept many records containing information on kingdoms and great powers like this that had fallen in the past.
Each of the members knew such a thing was inevitable but it was still hard to believe after seeing the capital. Its size was astronomical when compared to any other current kingdom and its defense was likewise impressive.
The great walls they scaled proved such a fact. Light from torches held by guards, who patrolled the wall, glinted in the darkness of night. The sudden indication of life halted the ascending group, only proceeding after it passed.
"I'll meet you at the top. Take care of the rest." Said the leader as the dark mist around him thickened before disappearing.
The leading scalers nodded in response before motioning the ones below to catch up. The muffled sounds of slashing and death wafted from the wall above them. When the group had all gathered at the top, they found three Roman guards lying against the wall's edge.
"Toss them over." Said the shadowy leader.
Three small thuds could be heard from the bottom of the wall before the group on top vanished into the city.
"Group A with me, group B remain here and await our return." Said the leader in a whisper.
The entire group had gathered together in an alley near the outskirts of the city. It was the perfect location for their infiltration and quick escape.
They all nodded their heads in response to their leader's instructions and split themselves in accordance.
"Stay close to me or the transport will fail." Said the shadow as the dark mist around him began to enclose the small group he would be taking.
Unlike the void, the mist felt cold as it molded itself around their bodies. It thickened until it felt as if their entire bodies had been submerged into the depths of dark arctic water. Suddenly, the cold mist subsided and the group found themselves inside a vault room.
The room was rather bare with four walls only decorated with long flowing tapestries that spiraled all the way down to the floor.
Pedestals about a meter tall lined the center of the room with only one containing an item on its surface. The item was a small brooch with a jet black gem with ruby veins inside it adorning the accessory.
"Weren't there others?" Asked one of the group's members.
The leader who was still surrounded in the dark mist shook his head, causing the sinister cold mist to shimmer slightly.
"Only this one remains. Grab it and let us leave quickly before they notice." Said the Shadow.
Suddenly, the sounds of metal striking the edges of sheathes shrieked around them. From inside of the winding folds of the illustrious tapestries, walked out four Roman elites. They brandished their short swords while a spear remained mounted to each of their backs.
Their faces were covered by a golden sigil mask containing the sparking emblem of the Thunder Legion. Their eyes could not be seen through the small slits provided by the masks which created an even more intimidating presence.
"Three of you come with me to deal with these dogs. The rest of you secure the artifact." Ordered the shadow who's appearance morphed once again into a thickening dark mist along with three others.
"Toss the powder!" Shouted one of the Roman elites.
Four hands reached for the pouches each located respectively at their waists. Unwinding the twine that sealed the small rag pouches, the elites released the powder in an arching motion with their hands. From within the pouches burst forth a red powder into the air.
The room was now enveloped inside of a bright red dust cloud that blinded some of the Order's members after it came into contact with their eyes. Tears streamed down many of their members' faces as they rubbed at their itching and irritated eyes.
The Roman elites were completely unfazed by the cloud as their slitted masks provided the proper protection against the irritating substance. They carefully scanned the particles wafting around the room and slashed their swords against any stir or movement that was indicated by the swishing particles.
A yelp of pain rang out as one of these slashes came into contact against the flesh beneath one of the dark hooded members. Although the leader of the group and three of their assailants were cloaked in shadows, it was impossible to escape from the red powder that indicated their hidden movements.
Two more yelps followed as the Romans' swords were wetted by the blood of their obscured enemies. But this momentum was only momentary, as two of the Roman elites fell to the floor with their throats slashed by a crimson blade.
"Did you see him?" Asked one of the remaining elites to his comrade.
"No, he's too fast. I can't locate him."
"Shit."
The two elites gulped as they continued their search for the remaining hidden assailant. The disturbed particles began to settle in the room with no apparent movements appearing any more.
Suddenly, the sound of choking and gurgling erupted from beside the now lone elite. Quickly, he retrieved the spear from his back and pierced directly over the shoulder of his slain comrade.
A pained grunt resonated from a shadow that became slightly visible behind the dead elite's figure, as the spear fortunately found its target.
"The artifact! Is it secured?" Shouted the leader of the group through his gritted teeth.
He pulled the lodged spear out from his shoulder with another grunt, tossing it on the marble floor of the vault.
"Got it!" Rang out from the other side of the vault.
The last remaining Roman narrowed his eyes, realizing their final mission was at its end. He signaled with a whistle right before a crimson dagger slid through his throat.
"Quickly, gather on me! We must leave immediately!" Shouted the leader as he gripped his bloodied shoulder. His usually pitch black mist had become slightly crimson in color.
However, before the other members could rush to his side, the sound of metal striking and sparks sizzling halted their advance.