The night sky was heavy with tension as if the stars were holding their breath, while the air was…thick, carrying the harsh scent of smoke that intertwined with the tang of blood.
Amidst this, a shadow began to kneel on the rooftop of an unknown house. As he knelt down, one could tell that, he was being respectful as he addressed the imposing figure before him.
"Captain, the pawn that leader had planted at Emberfang town downfall and the suspect of the incident also seems to be here in this town," the shadow spoke, his voice a low whisper that barely sounded on this devastating night. Though that, the captain heard it clearly.
The Shadow Captain, one of the high-rank Ascendents, and one of the preparators of this cause, was standing tall atop the weathered rooftop and remained motionless. His aura was also palpable as he exuded a high aura from his body, showing his authority before the kneeling person.
He did not even bother to glance back, his gaze locked on the turmoil below.
Without shifting his eyes, he responded, his voice cold and measured.
"And what makes you so certain?"
"One of our operatives, while doing their mission on the northern path, caught a glimpse of the boy's face, who was the 4-star wanted person we are chasing right now. Though he managed to flee from the grasp, we caught those following him. They await your command, Captain."
"Umm Good… For now, just follow the instruction of the Leader… then later we will interrogate them throughout… now do the thing we are here for"
The shadow nodded and slipped into the darkness, leaving no trace of his presence behind.
However, the Shadow Captain remained stood with a smirk playing on his lips as he still looked at the scene below him. It was too thrilling for him, just as they planted.
"Let the games begin,"
***
The city of Lumiera was ablaze, the night sky painted with the orange hues of destruction.
Lucifer lay sprawled on the rooftop of the unknown house and from his vantage point, the rooftop, where he was currently was, he surveyed the destruction unfolding before him. Amidst this, his form was not noticeable compared to the destruction that was happening around him, making him invisible in the chaos.
His one arm draped lazily over his eyes as if the destruction before him was nothing more than a mild inconvenience. Yet beneath his calm exterior, his mind was a storm of thoughts.
"This scene... the destruction that was happening,"
"There's something deeper at play. So… what are they here for? What are their true motives? And why the hell are higher-ups taking so long to respond? Are they having a party or what?" He pondered. Well, though he did not like to think hard, he only did for a brief second.
Despite the chaos, Lucifer's expression remained calm, thinking that whatever happening was not his concern. Thus, he lay low and scratched his back.
Well, he seemed more at ease than any man who would be in the middle of such devastation, his demeanor was a stark contrast to the mayhem below.
But even though he was disinterested in this scene happening in front of him, his senses were razor-sharp, glancing here and there from time to time.
He could hear the crackling of the flames as they devoured the town, the acrid stench of burning wood mingling with the metallic tang of blood in the air. The screams of the townsfolk, distant and desperate, reached through his ear, making him a little bit nostalgic.
He already thought of leaving this town but, there were lots of eyes at the corner so he could not do it right now, except lay low, as for helping others? He was not going to do that shit. Playing hero in the situation where your ass was on the line, he could not afford it now— one mistake then the story would be closed forever.
His eyes, sharp and alert, scanned the streets below with a curious intensity.
The assassins were moving like shadows, their speed was on par with Lucifer, and their black garb blended seamlessly with the darkness, making it hard to see their moves.
Their faces were hidden behind the masks, rendering them faceless harbingers of death.
Their every step seemed calculated and each strike precise—to kill, yeah they were here seemed like just to kill, just to make the scene more devastating and just to give the townsfolk and the person behind this town some kind of warning.
The town that was filled with joy, happiness, and hope for the greater good, now had become a graveyard. Well, the streets were littered with bodies—people died from being burned to death, copped to death and blood began to flow on the ground like a river of blood. The destruction was clear and the violence was brutal.
Lucifer's gaze sharpened as he noticed a shift in the chaos. A new presence was emerging from the smoke and flames—Ascendants, their aura unmistakable, their power palpable even from a distance.
They were the last hope for the miserable townspeople—well only for the surviving ones, as for the dead ones? Just a heartfelt condolence for them.
Thus, their arrival began a beacon of light in the darkness.
"Finally, the Ascendants have decided to show up," Lucifer murmured to himself, a note of amusement in his voice. "This might actually get interesting."
The Ascendants, clad in their distinctive armor, moved with purpose, their presence commanding. Their leader, a woman with a voice like steel, barked orders that cut through the chaos.
"Leave no enemy standing! Eliminate everyone responsible for this attack! Defend our city!"
Her words ignited a spark of hope in the hearts of the survivors, and the Ascendants surged forward, their power crashing against the Shadow faction like a wave against the shore. The battle intensified, the very air vibrating with the clash of steel and the crackle of energy.
Lucifer watched with a twisted sense of enjoyment, his eyes gleaming with morbid curiosity. He could feel the tension in the air, the anticipation of a confrontation that could tip the scales in either direction.
"So, they've come to play," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the din of battle. "Let's see what you've got."