Deep within a sprawling estate, The Herd's castle reigned supreme. Its walls, an arresting blend of modernity and Egyptian Neo-Mamluk design, seemed to kiss the skies. The vast courtyard it overlooked was a marvel, characterized by precisely manicured front lawns and the calming gurgle of a three-tiered garden fountain.
By the main entrance, two figures stood, their youthful faces contrasting the grandeur of their surroundings. Volker Hendriks, 16, was an imposing figure. His brawny build and blonde fade haircut made him appear older, as did the intricate tattoos winding their way down his neck and arms.
Beside him, leaning casually against a pillar, was Leah Hendriks. Two years his senior, she wore her blonde locks under a beanie, and her blue eyes gleamed with mischief. Their quiet chatter was a hushed melody of playful bickering in their native Dutch tongue.
"This better be good," Leah muttered, her thoughts still lingering on a recent poker game. "I was having a lot of fun."
Volker chuckled, "You lost, then killed all of them and took the money anyway."
Leah's retort was quick and unapologetic, "Okay? And? I was having fun!"
Their banter was interrupted as the grand gates creaked open, revealing the approach of an immaculate white Rolls Royce. As it pulled to a smooth stop, Leah's face contorted with slight annoyance, "Oh God, not them..."
Before she could add more, the driver hurriedly stepped out and swung open the back door. First to disembark was Nicolaou Savva. Despite his young age of twenty-three, his aura screamed seriousness. Blood stains on his butcher uniform and the knife he clutched only heightened the effect.
Next was Anaxandra Baros. Twenty years old, she was a stark contrast to Nicolaou. Dressed in a flowing floral dress, her presence seemed to radiate a comforting warmth, softening the atmosphere.
The last to emerge was the imposing figure of Angelo Romano. At forty-five, he exuded an air of seasoned authority. His extended goatee was neatly groomed, and his jet-black hair was slicked back, perfectly complementing the blazer and clerical shirt he wore. The very sight of him commanded attention.
Leah stealthily ducked behind a sturdy pillar. The marbled stone felt cool against her touch. In Dutch, she whispered, "I'm behind the pillar, don't tell Ana."
Volker, always the playful sibling, responded with a wry smile, "Sure."
As Anaxandra approached with her signature radiant warmth, she wrapped her arms around Volker, enveloping him in a comforting embrace. "Volker! So glad you're here! Where's your sister?"
True to his word, Volker betrayed Leah instantly. "Behind the pillar."
From behind her hideaway, Leah groaned. With a drawn-out, exaggerated smile, she stepped out. "Hey... Ana."
Anaxandra, ever the enthusiastic one, wrapped Leah in an equally tight embrace, pressing their cheeks together. "Leah! Happy to see you!" Leah's voice was laced with feigned enthusiasm as she replied, "Right back at ya..."
Nicolaou, never one for emotional exchanges, interrupted. "Enough with the lovey-dovey crap! What are you two doing waiting outside?"
Leah quipped, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Enjoying the lovely sun."
"Come on, don't chat shit," Nicolaou growled. He made a move towards the door, attempting to force it open. As the door refused to budge, Leah taunted, "What a surprise! It's locked, genius."
The tension thickened, becoming palpable. Nicolaou's patience was clearly running thin. "Hey, you better watch your tone when you're talking to me!"
Leah's eyebrows arched provocatively, "Or what?"
Her challenge was met with a sneer. "I'll cut you to fucking pieces, that's what!"
Leah's eyes sparkled with amusement, "But what are you gonna cut me with?" As Nicolaou fumbled in his pocket, Leah revealed his butcher knife, having secretly swiped it earlier. "You should pay more attention to your stuff... airhead."
Nicolaou's anger swiftly transformed into a malicious smirk. Muttering an incantation, "Kalo: Devil's Cleaver," a cleaver enveloped in a sinister purple aura appeared in his grasp. "I'm going to feed your body parts to the wolves."
Not to be outdone, Volker chanted, "Kalo: 4oz Flesheaters," summoning two brass knuckles that gleamed with the same eerie aura. "I'd like to see you try..."
Amidst the escalating tension, Anaxandra pleaded, "Come on, guys...we don't need to fight."
Nicolaou's voice dripped with arrogance, "Don't worry. We won't be fighting. It'll be a one-way massacre..."
The final words were scarcely out of his mouth when both men, weapons ready, charged at each other with a ferocity that threatened to shake the very foundations of The Herd's castle.
As the tension mounted in the castle courtyard, a solemn voice sliced through the air, drawing everyone's attention. It was Father Angelo, his wise, aged eyes regarding them with a mix of sadness and exasperation.
"Friends... it seems you've forgotten."
The weight of his gaze settled heavily on them.
"The pressure is on us," he warned.
Suddenly, an overwhelming force descended like a storm sweeping through the plains. Nicolaou, Volker, and Anaxandra found themselves pinned to the ground, their strength vanquished by the force pressing upon them. Remarkably, Leah remained untouched, her gaze locked with Father Angelo's.
Father Angelo continued, his voice firm yet compassionate, "The world teeters on the brink of extinction. The Second Apocalypse is nigh, and Dovanity's influence wanes. We are all that remains. And yet, here we are, at odds with each other. We should be united, for we are kin, sheep under the same Shepherd's watch. This is not the time to forget."
As suddenly as it began, the crushing force ceased, allowing them to rise. They gulped in air, their faces a mask of humility and regret.
Nicolaou's voice, usually so proud, trembled with newfound reverence. "Forgive us... Father Angelo."
Leah responded icily, "Why did I have to get dragged into that?"
Father Angelo chuckled lightly, his stern demeanour replaced by a twinkle in his eyes. "I had no doubts you'd withstand it. You're one of the Elite, after all."
Leah's eyes flashed defiantly, but before she could retort, the castle doors creaked open to reveal Carrington, a dignified figure who stood as the gatekeeper to the inner sanctum.
"Apologies for the delay. The Shepherd awaits in the conference room. Please, come in."
Nicolaou and Anaxandra started forward eagerly, only to be halted by Carrington's outstretched arm. "I'm afraid this meeting is reserved for the Elite."
Anaxandra sighed, her frustration evident. She slumped onto the castle steps, her posture one of defeat. Volker nodded to Leah, his loyalty evident, "I'll stay here, Leah."
With a swagger only she could muster, Leah passed Nicolaou, her smug grin widening as she handed back his butcher knife. He took it, a storm of emotions swirling in his eyes. But he said nothing.
With Leah at his side, Father Angelo entered the castle, leaving Nicolaou and Volker in their wake, contemplating their roles in the grand scheme of things.
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Within the majestic walls of Herd's Castle, a grand room bathed in the soft, yellow glow from an opulent chandelier extended outward. The U-shaped table beneath, crafted of dark mahogany, stood surrounded by plush seats. The centrepiece of the room was a state-of-the-art digital screen, which at the moment remained dormant, waiting for its cue.
Shepherd, the enigmatic leader, was seated imperiously at the table's head. The notorious black rabbit mask obscured his face, making him as inscrutable as ever. His high-collared sweatshirt adds an additional layer of mystery to his persona. To his left, Father Angelo sat attentively. Leah was perched on his right, her demeanour a curious mix of disdain and anticipation.
The air grew heavy with the weight of the revelation, and Leah's voice, usually dripping with sarcasm, now wavered. "Akira's...dead?"
Carrington, who had been standing to one side, finally spoke, confirming the tragic news, "Indeed."
"But how? The Dove Captains?" Leah's mind raced, trying to fathom the reasons.
Carrington shook his head, "The Dove Corporation wasn't involved."
Leah's confusion deepened, "Then who?"
Shepherd cleared his throat, capturing everyone's attention. Without a word, he reached for a remote control, activating the giant screen. It flickered to life, revealing a captured image of Udo.
"Isn't that... the Fiend kid?" Leah asked, recognizing the young man from recent events.
Shepherd rose from his seat, pacing as he spoke, his voice tinged with a blend of exasperation and intrigue. "Udo Iche. From the Iche clan. Akira's mission was to capture him for me. However, it appears Akira met his match."
"Why did you want him?" Leah queried, her curiosity piqued.
Shepherd paused his pacing, shooting Leah a chilling look. "You don't need to know that, Leah."
Father Angelo, ever the voice of reason, chimed in, "So, why summon us? Was this merely about Akira?"
"No. I wanted to warn you both."
Leah's heart skipped a beat. "Warn us? About what?"
Shepherd leaned in, the gravity in his voice palpable, "He'll be coming for both of you."
Leah's usually unflappable demeanour seemed ruffled, and her fingers betrayed the slightest hint of a tremor. She fixed Shepherd with an intense gaze, her tone edged with both concern and defiance.
"Why the fuck would he come for us?" she challenged.
Shepherd's reply was eerily calm, "We took something important to him. So he'll be coming for it soon."
Leah's mind raced, searching for answers, "But he doesn't have that much intel on us, does he? Our names...our faces-"
The masked leader cut her off, "That won't be an issue for him. He won't be alone in this fight. Trust me. He'll get everything he needs on us."
Father Angelo's eyes locked onto Leah's. His expression was intense, probing, "Are you intimidated, Leah?"
Leah's glare met his, fierce and unwavering. "I'm not intimidated. I just want to know a little more about the situation at hand-"
Father Angelo leaned forward, enjoying the challenge, "I don't know...to me. You seem to be a little nervous..."
"Don't start with me," Leah warned.
Shepherd, growing impatient with the bickering, intervened, "Enough. That's beside the point..."
Drawing himself up, he retook his seat, his voice cold and commanding, "If any of you happen to come across him, I want you to bring him back to me...alive. Do whatever you can. You can even rip him apart, limb from limb. Just make sure you bring him alive. Understood?"
Both Father Angelo and Leah were quick to respond, their voices in unison, "Yes, Shepherd."
With a curt nod, Shepherd dismissed them, "Thank you. You may take your leave."
As the room's heavy door closed behind the departing duo, Shepherd's attention turned to his loyal aide. "Carrington."
Carrington straightened up, "Yes, Shepherd."
"With Akira's death, we're without an assassin. You know what to do."
The aide nodded, "As you please, sir, I will make sure to find the most suitable candidate for the role."
As Carrington's footsteps faded into the distance, Shepherd leaned back into his chair, lost in his thoughts. The room was silent, save for the occasional flicker of the chandelier.
With a deep sigh, he murmured to himself, "I'll be waiting...Udo."