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The Exile’s Gambit

HeavenlyLotus
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Synopsis

Chapter 1 - Last demon

It was raining heavily, the kind of downpour that obscured the city skyline and blurred the neon lights that dotted the urban landscape. In the sprawling city center, the streetlights were aglow, casting a pale-yellow light onto the wet pavement below. Though it was the middle of the night, the city remained lively, bustling with activity.

 The rhythmic hum of machinery filled the air, a sound that had become synonymous with life in the city. Robots moved methodically, performing tasks that had long ago been handled by humans. They cleared debris from the streets, delivered packages to doorsteps, and patrolled the alleys to maintain order. Instead of humans laboring, machines now did the jobs efficiently and tirelessly.

The towering buildings that surrounded the streets rose up to an incredible height, some reaching as high as 2,000 meters into the sky. These skyscrapers were covered in a maze of reflective glass and steel, their facades glowing from within.

Each floor was filled with lights that flickered and shifted like stars trapped in an urban constellation. The architecture was sleek and futuristic, with gravity-defying bridges connecting various buildings at different levels. It was a sight from the future, a city that had evolved beyond its original constraints.

Humans walked along the streets without umbrellas, their clothing untouched by the rain despite the relentless downpour. It wasn't because of any special apparel but rather a subtle, invisible barrier surrounding each person, deflecting the water away.

At the base of every individual's neck, just below the hairline, was a small implant. The chip emitted a faint blue glow and was a marvel of modern technology, the latest invention from a multi-billion-dollar company known as "The Cooperation." 

The implant allowed its users to achieve extraordinary feats. With it, photographic memory was no longer a rare talent but a standard feature, and mental calculations that would boggle the human mind were performed effortlessly. Analytical abilities were sharpened to a razor's edge.

People could assess problems and devise solutions faster than the most sophisticated computers. These enhancements were all powered by "Overseer," the most advanced artificial intelligence ever created, a digital mind that governed and optimized the functions of every chip. 

Amid this technological marvel, a shadow flitted across the rain-slicked street. It was a subtle, fleeting movement that went unnoticed even by the numerous security robots and specialized surveillance cameras, which were programmed to detect anomalies.

The figure moved swiftly and with purpose, slipping into a narrow alley and vanishing from view. The shadow crouched at the mouth of a manhole, prying it open before descending into the darkness below.

The underground was a labyrinth of tunnels, a forgotten network of the city's older infrastructure. The shadow navigated these passages with familiarity, winding through the narrow corridors for five minutes until reaching a heavy steel door. The figure paused, glancing around at the dim, damp surroundings before rapping on the door in a precise rhythm. 

The door swung open to reveal a small, dimly lit chamber, barely illuminated by a few weak overhead lights.

Inside stood a woman, her posture calm but alert. She was striking, with shoulder-length hair as dark as a raven's wing, her blue eyes piercingly bright even in the low light. Her gaze was unyielding, like a cold winter wind, and her expression revealed nothing. Her black attire hugged her slender frame, the fabric dark and sleek, making her seem like a shadow herself.

"What is the password?" she asked, her voice carrying a sharp, commanding edge.

The shadow stepped forward, revealing a young man with unruly black hair that hung over his forehead. His face was partially hidden beneath a dark hood, but the sharp lines of his jaw and the intensity of his gaze were visible. He wore dark clothing that clung to his athletic build, blending him seamlessly into the night. His eyes, as dark as the shadows he had emerged from, gleamed with a subtle defiance.

He looked at her and chukled "Is there even a need, you known it is me."

The girl stared at him and said "If you don't tell, I will call the other members."

Kai shook his and said "The password is: 'The lunatic that fell from heaven.'"

The woman gave a small nod, acknowledging the correct response. "Did you disposed the target?" she asked, her voice was not cold anymore but gave feeling of warmth.

Kai, the man who had just spoken, let out a low chuckle, his lips curling into a slight smirk. "It might have been easy to kill him," he said, "but making it look like a suicide took a bit more creativity."

The woman's eyes narrowed, impatience seeping into her otherwise composed demeanor. "Did you complete the job or not?" she repeated, her tone sharpening.

"Of course, I did it." Kai replied with a nonchalant shrug, as if the question itself were insulting. 

The woman exhaled softly, a breath that hinted at relief, though her expression remained stern. "As expected from the person known as Kai, the last demon" she remarked, almost as if stating a fact rather than offering praise.

Kai's face darkened slightly at the mention of the title. He looked at the woman intently and asked, "Where is Jugo? I haven't seen him since last month, and he sent me this strange band." He pulled out a metallic bracelet that shimmered faintly in the dim light, holding it up for her to see.

She shook her head and said "I don't known where is he, you known he is never up to any good."

The woman's expression remained unreadable as she replied, "Hand over all your weapons and Nexus artifacts, then go to the scanner and put on the Anti-Nexus band." She gestured towards a scanner built into the far wall of the chamber.

Without hesitation, Kai placed his weapons on the table—a pair of sleek blasters, a blade with a darkened edge, and a small vial containing a swirling, iridescent liquid. He then added several artifacts, each one radiating a faint glow of Nexus energy.

These items were more than tools; they were connected to the mysterious power source known as Nexus energy, a force that few truly understood.

Kai's brow furrowed. "And the reason for this ridiculous precaution?" he asked, his voice dripping with skepticism.

"The Council has developed methods to track Nexus energy," she replied coldly. "This band will cloak your presence."

Kai gave a curt nod, but before he could step forward, his senses screamed a warning. His instincts kicked in, and he spun around just in time to see a glint of steel aimed at him. He moved to dodge, but the blade still grazed his cheek, leaving a thin line of blood.

He spun around, his eyes blazing with fury. "What in the hell are you trying to pull?" he roared, his voice echoing through the chamber.

But before he could lunge forward, a wave of dizziness crashed over him. His vision blurred, the world around him spinning and distorting. The woman's laughter filled the air, cold and mocking, as she stepped closer. "You can't escape this, Kai," she said, a twisted smile forming on her lips. "This poison is very potent. Fighting it is futile. Let it take you."

Kai's eyes burned with rage as he staggered back, clutching the wall for support. "Why?" he spat, his voice thick with venom. "After all we've been through, after everything We've done for you, what could possibly make you betray us?"

Her smirk widened, and her eyes gleamed with something that could almost be called pity. "Not everything is about you, Kai," she said, her voice softer, but no less chilling. "Some of us have debts to settle and orders to follow. I've made my choice."

Before he could react, a figure emerged from the shadows behind her, tall and ominous, the very air seeming to bend around him. His voice was deep, commanding, and filled with a terrible authority. "Don't blame her." he said. "She was just a pawn. my pawn."

Kai's face contorted with a mixture of disbelief and fury. "No… that voice," he said, his voice trembling. "You're not Jugo. This can't be, Jugo wouldn't do this to me!"

The figure stepped forward, the dim light revealing a cruel smile etched across his features. "Don't worry your friend(Jugo) will join you soon." he said, a dark chuckle escaping his lips. "I am the one you should fear. I am the new reality, and I am the God of this new world, you're just failed experiment from the past that's better forgotten and will soon turn to ashes."

Kai felt the strength draining from his body, and he collapsed onto the cold metal floor. The light overhead seemed to fade away, and darkness encroached on the edges of his vision. As his consciousness slipped, the last thing he saw was the woman's face, her expression a blend of triumph and cold indifference, her blue eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.

Summoning every ounce of his remaining strength, Kai growled, "I swear… even if I have to claw my way back from the pits of hell… I will return just to drag you down back to hell."

The bracelet on his wrist suddenly flared with a strange light, illuminating the chamber with an ethereal glow. As the glow intensified, Kai's body began to disintegrate, his flesh turning to dust that drifted upward like smoke. The glowing dust seemed to be absorbed into the bracelet, which pulsed rhythmically as if drawing in his very essence.

The women chukled and said "Why did you used his best friend voice?" 

The man laughed and said "I just wanted to see despair in his voice, Guess he recognized me."

Author:

Please support. This is my first novel. There might be some mistakes so comment without concern.