Ryo paced back and forth in his hideout, the dim light flickering with each movement. His mind was racing with everything he had seen and heard at the port. He could still picture the men in dark clothing setting up equipment, talking in hushed tones about a mysterious shipment. The urgency in their voices had made it clear that tonight was crucial, and Ryo couldn't afford to let the opportunity slip through his fingers.
But to pull this off, he needed more than his own skills—he needed allies. As much as he preferred working alone, Ryo knew he couldn't take on the Obsidian Order by himself, especially not when they were gearing up for something big. He had made a mental list of possible contacts, but none of them could provide the level of expertise he needed. None of them, except one.
Kira Velasco.
Ryo sighed, glancing at the clock on the wall. It was already late afternoon, and time was running out. He didn't want to do this, but he knew it was his best shot. Kira had the experience, the connections, and most importantly, she knew how the Order operated. She might not be trustworthy, but she was certainly capable.
Ryo grabbed his phone, hesitating for a moment before punching in the number he had managed to track down after some digging. The line rang twice before Kira picked up, her voice sharp and to the point.
"Who is this?" she demanded, not bothering with pleasantries.
"It's Ryo," he said, keeping his tone even. "We need to talk. I've got information about the Obsidian Order. Meet me at the old market in an hour."
There was a pause, then a soft chuckle. "You've got guts, calling me like this," Kira said, amusement lacing her words. "Fine. I'll bite. See you in an hour, Ryo."
The line went dead, and Ryo let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He tucked the phone into his pocket and grabbed his backpack, making sure he had everything he might need. As he stepped out into the fading light, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking into a trap of his own making. But there was no turning back now.
The old market was a sprawling maze of abandoned stalls and crumbling buildings, a relic of a time when the area had been a bustling center of commerce. Now, it was little more than a ghost town, perfect for meetings that needed to stay off the radar. Ryo arrived early, positioning himself on a rooftop overlooking the market's main square. He scanned the area, looking for any signs of trouble. It wasn't long before he spotted Kira, her dark hair unmistakable even from a distance.
She moved with a casual confidence, as if she owned the place, but Ryo knew better than to be fooled by her relaxed demeanor. Kira was a predator, and she was always on the hunt.
Ryo made his way down, his footsteps light as he approached her from the shadows. Kira was leaning against a rusted metal stall, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a calculated indifference. She didn't flinch as Ryo stepped into the open, her gaze flicking to him with a mix of curiosity and impatience.
"You're punctual," Kira noted, her tone dry. "That's rare in this line of work."
"Let's skip the small talk," Ryo replied, crossing his arms. "I found something at the port. The Obsidian Order is planning a major operation tonight. They're moving a shipment, and it's important enough that failure isn't an option for them."
Kira's expression remained neutral, but Ryo could see the flicker of interest in her eyes. "And why are you telling me this? You could've just gone in guns blazing, hoping for the best. Isn't that your style?"
Ryo clenched his jaw. "Because I can't do this alone. I need someone who knows the Order, someone who's dealt with them before. And you need me because of what I can do. I'm not just some reckless kid—you saw it yourself. I can be useful."
Kira studied him for a long moment, as if weighing his words. Then, she smirked. "Alright, Ryo. You've got my attention. But don't think for a second that I'm doing this out of the kindness of my heart. If you screw up, or if I even suspect you're holding back, I'll drop you faster than you can blink. Understood?"
Ryo nodded. "Understood. This isn't about trust. It's about a common enemy."
Kira pushed off the stall, rolling her shoulders as if preparing for a fight. "Good. Now, tell me everything you saw at the port. Details, Ryo. I want every single detail."
Ryo recounted the scene at the warehouse, the men, the equipment, and the snippets of conversation he had overheard. Kira listened intently, her expression hardening as he described the urgency of the operation. When he finished, she was silent for a moment, lost in thought.
"This shipment," Kira said finally. "It could be anything—drugs, weapons, monster parts, or something worse. The Order has their hands in all kinds of dirty dealings, but if they're this cautious, it means it's valuable, and dangerous."
"Do you have any leads on where they might be moving it?" Ryo asked.
Kira nodded. "There's a storage yard near the docks. It's been abandoned for years, but it's got enough space and security to handle something big without drawing attention. If I had to guess, that's where they'll be tonight."
Ryo considered her words, his mind already working through the possibilities. "Then we need to get there before they do. Figure out what they're moving and why it's so important."
Kira's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "You're catching on quick, Ryo. But remember, we're going in quiet. The last thing we need is to alert them and lose our chance to find out what's really going on."
Ryo nodded, the weight of the upcoming mission settling on his shoulders. This was his first real step into the world his father had warned him about, a world of shadows and secrets where every move could be his last. But he was ready. He had to be.
"Let's get moving," Ryo said, turning toward the path that would take them to the storage yard. "The Order isn't going to wait for us."
Kira fell into step beside him, her expression unreadable. "Just keep your head in the game, Ryo. The Order is more dangerous than you can imagine. And if you're not careful, they'll swallow you whole."
Ryo didn't respond, but her words lingered in his mind. He had seen enough to know she was right. The Obsidian Order was a beast of its own, lurking in the darkest corners of the city, and tonight, he was about to step directly into its lair.
As they made their way through the maze of alleys and backstreets, Ryo felt the shadows stir around him, a quiet reminder of the power he carried. He could feel the anticipation building, the rush of adrenaline that came before a fight. But this wasn't just another hunt—this was the beginning of something much bigger, something that could lead him to the answers he'd been searching for.
He glanced at Kira, her silhouette sharp against the fading light. Whether she was friend or foe remained to be seen, but for now, she was his best shot at taking on the Order. And if tonight went well, it would be the first step in uncovering the truth about his family and the legacy that had been thrust upon him.
Ryo tightened his grip on his knife, the cool metal a familiar comfort. He was ready to face whatever came next, even if it meant diving headfirst into the heart of shadows.