A deafening explosion reverberated through every level of the grand gala, plunging the opulent event into sudden chaos. Panic swept through the guests like wildfire as they grappled with the unexpected disruption.
Suki, her senses sharp and instincts honed, quickly scanned her surroundings, trying to make sense of the situation. Her training as a former head of the police department kicked in, urging her to assess the extent of the threat.
Amid the chaos, Alex stood with an air of quiet determination. He had anticipated this moment, and his expression remained resolute. Suki approached him, seeking answers in the midst of the turmoil.
"This is what you meant by 'The Clown'?" Amalia, a woman with a unique connection to Alex, questioned. Her voice held a mix of curiosity and concern.
Alex nodded, acknowledging that the ominous disruption had indeed signaled the arrival of the enigmatic organization known as The Clown.
As the gala's attendees grappled with fear and confusion, the stage was set for a high-stakes battle between the forces of darkness and those who dared to challenge them. The intricate dance of intrigue and danger had begun, and its outcome would determine the fate of all those who were unwittingly entangled in its web.
The Clown was an enigmatic and sinister organization that operated in the shadows, shrouded in mystery and led by a deranged and ruthless assassin. It was an unknown entity, its true nature hidden from the world's prying eyes.
Despite its elusive nature, The Clown possessed vast resources and wielded significant influence over the underground networks. Their actions were seemingly random and unpredictable, adding to the terror they inspired. What set them apart was their penchant for playing twisted games with their victims, deriving pleasure from the suffering they inflicted.
Even in the memories of Alex's future, The Clown remained beyond the government's reach, a spectral presence that continued to elude capture. Their enduring and unchecked reign of terror cast a chilling shadow over the world, leaving countless lives forever changed by their malevolent games.
As the chaos unfolded, Suki desperately attempted to contact headquarters, her fingers flying across her device, but all her efforts were in vain. It was as if every communication channel had been abruptly severed, leaving her isolated and unable to seek assistance.
In the midst of her frantic efforts, a startling phenomenon occurred. Shadows seemed to come to life, and the shadowists—guards skilled in manipulating shadows—emerged from their concealed positions. These shadowists had been discreetly safeguarding the gala's guests, particularly the nobility, their abilities granting them an advantage in protecting their charges.
However, a deep sense of foreboding swept over them as they realized that their shadow skills had been inexplicably restricted. The very essence of their abilities was rendered impotent. Panic spread among the shadowists, and they understood the gravity of the situation.
Suki, with her expertise and knowledge, recognized the dire implications. "This is troublesome," she muttered under her breath.
"The Clown possesses a heavenly artifact capable of suppressing our abilities. Now, all of us have been rendered mortal, vulnerable to whatever malevolent schemes they have in store." Alex added The gala had transformed from an evening of opulence into a night of terror and uncertainty.
"You know it?, how do you know"
"That's not our important Problems , Officer, Most of the people here may be dead"
"Dead?..., Explained"
"just Watch first officer, we cannot do anything afterall"
The panic among the gala's attendees was palpable as they witnessed the sudden chaos and the inexplicable loss of the shadowists' abilities. A noblewoman, her voice trembling with fear, turned to her guardian for answers.
"What's happening?" she implored, clutching at her guardian's arm. "Why can't they use their abilities?"
The guardian, equally perplexed and alarmed, shook his head. "I don't know, milady," he replied, his voice edged with anxiety. "I cannot use my abilities either. It's as if our very essence has been stripped away." The sense of vulnerability was overwhelming, and they could only hope for a swift resolution to this nightmarish situation.
------
The black circle that suddenly manifested beneath everyone's feet had an eerie, almost otherworldly quality. It appeared like a void in the fabric of reality, a perfect and impenetrable darkness that seemed to defy the laws of physics. Its edges were sharp and well-defined, as though it had been precisely conjured into existence.
As the panic and confusion spread among the gala attendees, the black circle emitted a subtle, ominous hum, as if resonating with some hidden power. Slowly, almost inexorably, it began to draw people in.
Individuals found themselves unable to resist its pull. It was as if an invisible force gripped them, tugging at their bodies and compelling them downward. They were sucked into the circle with a strange, inexorable inevitability.
The process was surreal and disorienting. People felt a sense of weightlessness and disconnection as they descended into the darkness. It was as if they were being swallowed by the void itself, disappearing from the gala and leaving the grand hall eerily empty, devoid of any trace of their presence. The transition from the bustling gala to the empty void was both swift and disconcerting, leaving those who witnessed it in a state of shock and bewilderment.
"Help", They are Panicked
In a matter of moments, the grand gala had been transformed into an empty expanse. The guests had vanished, leaving behind only eerie silence.
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Amidst a lush garden teeming with greenery, Alex awoke from his slumber. His expression remained unperturbed, as if he had been expecting this turn of events.
"Just as I thought," he murmured to himself.
He cast his gaze upon a distant group that had formed in the garden, and there he saw Suki and Amalia. They had ended up in the same group, which was not entirely unexpected given their close connection.
Suki appeared visibly shaken, her demeanor mirroring that of a lost and frightened child. In contrast, Amalia, though undoubtedly shocked, managed to maintain her composure. Alex couldn't help but be impressed, recalling her as a future winner in his memories.
However, there was one noticeable absence that caught Alex's attention. He scanned the garden, searching for Ethan, but there was no sign of him. Doubt and concern began to creep into his mind. Had he missed something? Where could Ethan be, and why wasn't he in their group?
The garden was a lush and verdant oasis, a stark contrast to the opulent and grandiose setting of the gala they had just left behind. It was a place of natural beauty, teeming with life and vibrant colors.
The garden was expansive, stretching out as far as the eye could see, with manicured pathways winding through meticulously maintained flowerbeds. A symphony of colors painted the landscape, with flowers of every hue in full bloom. Tall, ancient trees provided shade and shelter, their branches swaying gently in the breeze.
In the center of the garden, there was a tranquil pond, its surface adorned with water lilies. Koi fish glided gracefully beneath the water's surface, their bright scales flashing in the sunlight. A small bridge arched gracefully over the pond, inviting exploration.
Birdsong filled the air, as a variety of avian species flitted among the branches, adding their melodies to the natural symphony. Butterflies danced from flower to flower, and the gentle rustling of leaves in the wind provided a soothing background sound.
Despite the garden's idyllic appearance, an underlying sense of unease hung in the air. The guests who had been transported here found themselves surrounded by a beauty that seemed almost too perfect, too orchestrated. It was as though they had stepped into a meticulously crafted dreamscape, and the question of why they were here and what awaited them loomed heavy in their minds.
As the group found themselves in the tranquil garden, Suki approached Alex, her curiosity and concern evident in her gaze.
"Alex, please explain what happened," she implored, seeking answers to the mysterious events that had transpired.
Alex hesitated for a moment, knowing that he couldn't reveal his deepest secret—that he carried the memories of a future version of himself. In this world of assassins and intrigue, he understood the importance of holding onto every advantage and maintaining his enigmatic persona.
"I don't know," he finally replied, keeping his response deliberately vague. He watched Suki closely, aware of her growing unease.
Suki pressed further, inquiring about Ethan's whereabouts. Alex couldn't help but tease her slightly, referring to Ethan as her boyfriend.
"Your boyfriend?" he asked, a mischievous glint in his eye. However, he quickly realized his mistake and added, "I mean, I don't know where he is."
Suki, feeling irritated by the comment, snapped back, "He's not my boyfriend!" She didn't want to get sidetracked by discussing her personal life at a time like this, especially not with someone as enigmatic as Alex.
Amidst the confusion and uncertainty, a surreal sight unfolded before them. A layer seemed to materialize within the tranquil garden, and from this layer emerged masked individuals resembling clowns. Their presence sent shivers down the spines of those who had been transported to this mysterious place.
The Clown who appeared on the monitor bore a striking resemblance to the Joker from popular culture, with a macabre and maniacal appearance that sent chills down the spines of those who watched. His face was painted stark white, accentuating the deep scars and grotesque grin that stretched from ear to ear. His crazed eyes were highlighted by dark, smudged makeup, giving him a manic and deranged gaze.
He wore a flamboyant purple suit adorned with green accents, creating a jarring and chaotic color scheme. A bright red bowtie completed his eccentric ensemble. The Clown's disheveled, bright green hair added to his unsettling appearance, as it seemed to defy gravity, sticking out in all directions.
He wore a flamboyant purple suit adorned with green accents, creating a jarring and chaotic color scheme. A bright red bowtie completed his eccentric ensemble. The Clown's disheveled, bright green hair added to his unsettling appearance, as it seemed to defy gravity, sticking out in all directions.
"Hello, hello," one of the masked figures greeted them, his voice laced with an eerie tone.
The Clown's eerie laughter echoed through the monitor as he continued with his unsettling introduction, "Welcome, dear participants. I hope my handsome and grand appearance doesn't frighten you too much, hehehehe, and Welcome to the Clown Games.".
It was a chilling introduction to a perilous and enigmatic event that had unfolded, leaving the group of individuals in the garden bewildered and uncertain of what lay ahead. As the masked figures spoke, the world around them seemed to shift, and the first volume of this thrilling tale came to an end, leaving many questions unanswered and fates unknown.
End of The Volume one
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Author's Note:
And there you have it, the end of Volume One. Volume Two will delve deeper into the harrowing Assassin Vendetta, and I'll be taking a short break, approximately one week, to prepare for its release. heck this novel isn't under contract just yet, I'll strive to provide as many free chapters as possible before considering any premium chapters. Your support and readership mean the world to me, and I hope you've enjoyed the journey so far.
As with many novels, the first volume tends to be heavy on information, but it's all necessary to set the stage. I appreciate your understanding and patience as the story unfolds. Thank you for joining me on this adventure, and I look forward to bringing you Volume Two soon!