~DRIP~DRIP~DRIP~

The air inside the dilapidated warehouse was thick with tension and the stench of decay. Dirty water dripped from the overgrown forestry that surrounded the warehouse onto the dust covered floor.

The overhead lights continuously flickered, barely illuminating the grimy, concrete walls, casting shadows of the various persons walking around.

The echo of dripping water was only covered by the murmurs and whispers of the men gathered in the warehouse's central room.

The leather jackets and tattooed arms betrayed the men's allegiance to the Black Talon~ a notorious syndicate dealing in everything from arms smuggling to narcotics in Redux City.

The men came from a combination of various races, some were FoxMen, some were Vampires, but the vast majority were Humans, including the leader.

In the midst of all the Black Talon members, that leader could be spotted. Viktor Sokolov, better know by his street name of 'Ironclaw'. He was a hulking figure with a ferocious gaze and a vicious scar running down his left cheek.

In Viktor's hands was a small, ornate vial. Inside the vial swirled an emerald green liquid, which was the latest and most valuable drug on the black market these days, 'Soulshade.'

Standing opposite Viktor was James Nightwood, a well known entity in Redux City, mostly known as the son of the CEO and owner of Nightwood Industries.

James was the classic college party boy, constantly doing drugs, drinking alcohol, and wasting away his time having fun. However, due to his influence, no-one really wanted to touch him.

"James," Viktor began, his deep voice cutting through the murmurs of the gathered men, and making James pay extra attention, "Soulshade ain't just your regular drug. It's a key to power, pleasure, and persuasion. Coke and Meth ain't got shit on this."

Viktor said, "One drop, and you'll be floating, riding the highest wave of euphoria you've ever felt. Forget your best high; this? This makes it look like child's play."

James nodded, his interest piqued. Soulshade was the newest drug on the streets and had already caused a massive buzz. All the biggest and best college parties already were handing it out, and it was the talk of the town.

"Two drops, and you're not just high—you're untouchable. Your senses sharpen, your confidence skyrockets. You'll feel like a god walking among mortals." He paused, his gaze narrowing, "But here's where it gets really interesting."

Viktor held up the vial, letting the emerald liquid catch the light, "You see, Soulshade isn't just for personal enjoyment. It's a tool, a weapon. A few drops slipped into the drink of any woman, and she's yours. Her pride? Gone. Her resistance? Melted away. You want to enjoy a lady without the games, the hassle? This makes it easy."

A few of the gang members chuckled darkly, and James chuckled as well. This was the real reason he wanted Soulshade.

"This isn't just about getting high and havin a good time. This is about control. With Soulshade* you control the night, the pleasures, and the people around you."

He turned to one of his men, who stood silently by the shadows. "Bring her in," Viktor ordered and the man left to go accomplish the task.

Moments later, the gang member reappeared, dragging a woman by her bound wrists. Her naked body was a canvas of abuse, her skin marred with hickies and semen that glistened in the dim light.

Her eyes were half-lidded, pupils dilated, and her lips parted in a slack, euphoric smile. Her body twitched and spasmed involuntarily, a testament to the potent effects of Soulshade coursing through her veins.

The men watched with a mix of fascination and lust as the gang member roughly positioned her in the center of the room. Her legs trembled, barely able to support her weight, and semen dripped from her pussy and asshole, creating small puddles on the dusty floor.

The scent of sex and sweat filled the air, mingling with the musty odor of the warehouse. The gang members licked their lips as they recognized this woman, this was Sasha Williams, one of the Cities most popular politicians.

Viktor stepped forward, his scarred face twisted into a cruel smile. He held the vial of Soulshade up to the light once more, letting the emerald liquid catch the flickering glow. "See this, James? This is what Soulshade can do. This is power."

James's eyes were wide with a mixture of awe and desire. He had heard Sasha got kidnapped, but he didn't expect to see her here, in this situation.

Viktor turned to Sasha, his voice a low, menacing growl, "Tell him, girl. Tell him what Soulshade did to you."

Sasha's head lolled to the side, her voice a slurred, dreamy whisper, "It... it made me feel... so good. So... powerful. I couldn't... couldn't resist. They... they all... they all wanted me."

Her words were punctuated by soft moans, her body still twitching with residual pleasure. The men around her chuckled darkly as some of them remembered how they 'enjoyed' her.

Viktor's smile widened, his gaze locking onto James, "Imagine what you could do with this, James. I know you love parties, well Soulshade will give you the best parties ever, parties where no-one can resist you. Slip it in a couple drinks and all the woman are yours for the taking."

James swallowed hard, his mind racing with possibilities, thinking of all the women he always wanted yet could never have, now they'd all be his. He licked his lips in anticipation.

"How much?" James asked, his voice clearly laced with excitement.

Viktor's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, "For you, James, a special price. We're old partners after all." He said, extending the vial towards James with a predatory grin, "Do we have a deal?" 

Before James could respond, the lights overhead flickered once more, then abruptly extinguished, plunging the warehouse into an oppressive darkness. The only sound was the distant dripping and the faint shuffle of uneasy feet.

"What the—" one of Viktor's men started, but his words were cut off by a sudden, strangled gasp.

**************

As this deal was beginning to take shape, in the pitch-black void, stood Arthur, the man known only by the whispers of those who survived his path, a contractor of surgical efficiency, devoid of emotion.

He had been overseeing the transaction, having been contracted to investigate the recent appearance of Soulshade, and the disappearance of politician Sasha Williams, which had lead him here.

Having listened to everything that went down, he had enough information to swoop in and end things. His first strike was swift, a dull thud as the butt of his knife met the temple of an unsuspecting guard, sending him crumpling to the ground.

"What the—" One of the thugs said startled, trying to draw his gun, but Arthur's hand was on his wrist before the gun could be raised.

A twist, a snap, and the weapon clattered to the floor, followed by the thug's groan as a precise strike to his solar plexus left him gasping for air.

Panic erupted. Shouts and curses filled the space as the remaining gang members fumbled for flashlights, weapons, anything to fight the unseen predator.

Arthur just continued his actions, moving like a blur of cold efficiency. A knee to the gut here, a knife-hand strike to the throat there, each action was cold and calculated to achieve maximum efficiency.

Before long, almost all of them men were either dead or knocked out, with Viktor being the only one left standing. His eyes darting through the darkness trying to see who it was that was killing his men.

"Come out!" Viktor roared, his voice shaking more from frustration than fear, "Face me like a man!"

A whisper of movement to his left. He swung his fist, but it met only empty air. A sudden, searing pain exploded in his leg as Arthur's boot connected with his knee, forcing him down.

Viktor barely had time to register the strike before a cold blade pressed against his throat.

"Who… who are you?" Viktor choked out, struggling against the iron grip that held him immobile.

Arthur leaned in close, his voice a whisper devoid of warmth or malice, "You don't need to know."

Viktor leaned back, "My~My Supply is a Demon Contractor, you don't want to mess with us, he'll kill you." Viktor tried to say, his voice growing weaker as he tried to intimidate Arthur.

"Kill me? I do not fear death, I do not fear anything." Arthur said, his voice monotone as he rendered Viktor unconscious with a swift strike, leaving him sprawled across the cold concrete floor.

Arthur clapped his hand, chains appearing out of thin air and wrapping around all of the gang members, restricting them and leaving them defenseless as they stayed passed out.

Then, he sheathed his blade, his gaze shifting to the broken figure of Sasha Williams, who lay crumpled and trembling, her body still trapped in the aftermath of Soulshade.

He approached her quietly, kneeling beside Sasha as he touched her shoulder, a wave of ethereal energy spreading from his fingers, cleansing her battered body. The hickies and bruises melted away, leaving her skin unblemished.

Any signs of abuse vanished, replaced by the healthy glow of a woman untouched by torment.With a flick of his wrist, Arthur conjured a simple yet elegant dress, weaving Mana into soft fabric that wrapped around Sasha, covering her body.

Arthur's golden eyes glinted as he placed his hand on Sasha's forehead, "Forget," he murmured, his voice devoid of compassion yet laced with an undeniable authority.

His Mana surged forward, wrapping around Sasha's memories of the horrific experience and locking them away in the deepest corners of her mind. Her gaze softened, her slack lips forming into a faint, untroubled smile as if the nightmare had never happened.

Satisfied, Arthur straightened and pulled out his sleek, black phone. The screen illuminated with a soft glow as he dialed a number and waited for the call to connect. After a moment, a familiar voice came through.

"Mr. Nightshade?" Sasha's brother, Nathan Williams, sounded breathless, his worry palpable even over the phone,"Did you find her?"

"Yes," Arthur replied, his tone emotionless, a stark contrast to Nathan's frantic concern. "Sasha is safe. She is unconscious but unharmed. I've taken care of the perpetrators. They are subdued and restrained in the warehouse on the corner of Deft & Zaxry Street."

A heavy sigh of relief echoed through the receiver. "Thank you," Nathan said, his voice cracking with emotion, "I... I don't know how to repay you. The payment will be sent immediately. Just—thank you for saving her."

Arthur's gaze drifted back to Sasha, lying peacefully on the ground, "Your gratitude is unnecessary," he said, his voice flat, "This was simply a contract." 

The call ended, and Arthur slipped the phone back into his pocket. Without another glance at the scene of destruction, he stepped into the shadows, vanishing into the darkness.