The location was far from the compound—a place only a select few knew existed. Ryan and Seraphine stood in the heart of a desolate valley, the air thick with mist and shadows. It was as if the land itself held its breath, knowing that something deadly was about to unfold. Even in the stillness, the atmosphere seemed charged with tension, an undercurrent of power that swirled invisibly through the air.
The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the barren landscape. The silence was absolute, broken only by the soft crunch of gravel beneath their boots as they waited. Seraphine's eyes flickered with excitement, though she remained as calm and poised as ever. She thrived in moments like these—moments of anticipation before something catastrophic would be set in motion.
Ryan stood a few feet ahead of her, his hands clasped behind his back, his posture rigid but calm. His expression was unreadable, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon, though his mind was miles away, already calculating, already thinking of the destruction that would soon follow.
Then, out of the mist, they appeared.
The Ghosts.
A team of figures, moving like shadows in perfect unison, materialized out of the darkness. There were five of them, each draped in dark, flowing clothes that covered their entire bodies. Their faces were hidden behind smooth, featureless masks, and even their eyes were veiled beneath strips of black cloth, leaving nothing exposed. It was impossible to tell if they were human—or something far more sinister.
They moved soundlessly, like true phantoms, their presence felt more than seen. Each of them exuded a deadly aura that could make even the bravest warriors freeze in terror. The world knew legends of the Ghosts, but no one had ever seen them—no one, except for The Lord.
And at their head, kneeling before Ryan, was their leader.
Her name was known only to Ryan and Seraphine, though many in the underworld whispered of her existence. She was called Nyx, named after the ancient goddess of the night—a title that suited her perfectly. Nyx was a vision of deadly beauty, her dark hair cascading in waves beneath her black hood, her features sharp and mesmerizing even behind the faint veil that covered her face. But it was her presence that was truly terrifying. The aura of death that clung to her was palpable, suffocating. She was the embodiment of darkness—silent, swift, and unstoppable.
Nyx knelt before Ryan, her head bowed, her body motionless. Behind her, the Ghost squad mirrored her stance, kneeling with perfect discipline and precision, as if they were shadows themselves, waiting for their master's command.
Ryan took a step forward, his eyes fixed on Nyx. "Stand up."
At his words, Nyx rose gracefully to her feet, her movements fluid and almost inhuman. Her squad followed suit, each of them standing in eerie synchronization. Despite their ghostly appearance, there was nothing supernatural about them. But their presence—the sheer weight of their power—made it feel like the Ghosts were more than just humans. They were something far deadlier.
Ryan's gaze swept over the squad before settling back on Nyx. His voice was calm, but there was a cold edge to it, the kind of authority that brooked no argument. "You have two days."
Nyx's head tilted slightly, the only sign of acknowledgment.
"I want complete destruction," Ryan continued, his tone low but filled with undeniable power. "The Black Phoenix Syndicate should be erased. There should be no trace of them left in this world. Every member, every spy, every ally—kill them all. Burn their operations to the ground. Destroy their networks. And when it's done, it should look like it never happened."
Nyx's lips curled into a faint, deadly smile beneath her veil. She said nothing, but her silence spoke volumes.
"I don't want anyone knowing this was my doing," Ryan added, his eyes narrowing. "It must look like an accident—a complete collapse. The world cannot know I was involved."
For a moment, the night seemed to grow even darker, as if the shadows themselves were pulling closer, drawn to the weight of Ryan's command.
Nyx finally spoke, her voice a soft whisper, but one that carried a lethal certainty. "As my king commands."
Her words hung in the air, cold and absolute.
Ryan gave a single, almost imperceptible nod. He knew Nyx and her Ghost squad would not fail. They had never failed. They were the unseen, the untouchable, the ones who could erase entire organizations from the world without leaving a trace.
Seraphine, who had been watching in silent admiration, couldn't help but smirk. "It's hard to believe you'll wipe out one of the world's most powerful syndicates in just two days. For anyone else, it would be a joke."
Ryan's eyes flicked to her, his voice a low rumble. "For anyone else, maybe. But for us… it's a simple task."
Nyx turned to face her squad, her movements precise and fluid. She was a commander in every sense, leading a team that obeyed without question, without hesitation. They were more than loyal—they were shadows bound to her will.
Nyx glanced back at Ryan one last time, her voice soft but filled with an eerie finality. "It's ghost time."
And then, in the blink of an eye, they were gone.
The entire squad vanished into the night, as if they had never been there. No sound, no trace. Just silence and shadows, as if the Ghosts had melted into the darkness itself. One moment they were there, and the next, the valley was empty, the mist swirling where they had stood.
Seraphine let out a low whistle, shaking her head in awe. "Every time… it's like watching phantoms at work."
Ryan said nothing, his gaze still fixed on the spot where the Ghosts had disappeared. He had no doubt in his mind that Nyx and her team would succeed. The Black Phoenix Syndicate wouldn't just fall—they would be erased, wiped from the pages of history, as if they had never existed. And no one would ever know how it happened.
Seraphine glanced at Ryan, her smile returning. "You sure know how to pick your weapons, my lord."
Ryan's lips curved into a faint smile, the same kingly smile that sent chills down the spines of those who saw it. "I only choose the best."
Seraphine nodded, a spark of excitement gleaming in her eyes. "The syndicate won't know what hit them."
Ryan turned away from the valley, his expression as cold and unreadable as ever. "And that's exactly how I want it."
End of Chapter 31