The Ironstride base was quieter than usual, the muted buzz of activity echoing through the hallways as Felix made his way to Victoria's private quarters. Her summons had been abrupt, but Felix wasn't surprised. Victoria's recent behavior—her growing possessiveness and lingering stares—had been a slow crescendo leading to this moment.
He paused at the door, adjusting his shirt and running a hand through his dark, wavy hair. His crimson eyes gleamed faintly under the mana-infused lights, giving him an otherworldly aura that never failed to draw attention. He exhaled lightly, his foxlike smirk returning as he pushed the door open.
Victoria stood near the window, her silver braid catching the soft glow of the city lights outside. Her armor had been replaced with a sleek, black leather coat that emphasized her sharp features and commanding presence. She turned at the sound of the door, her piercing blue eyes locking onto him with an intensity that made the air between them feel heavier.
"You came," she said, her voice low and almost… satisfied.
"Your invitation was hard to refuse," Felix replied smoothly, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him.
Victoria gestured toward a chair across from her desk, but Felix remained standing. He didn't need her to feel like she held all the power.
"Things are shifting within the guild," she began, leaning against the edge of her desk. "You've noticed, haven't you?"
Felix tilted his head, feigning mild curiosity. "The tension, the whispers? Hard to miss."
Victoria nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Ironstride is stagnant. We've been playing it safe for too long—taking just enough risks to survive but not enough to thrive. That ends now."
Her words were sharp, each one cutting through the air like a blade. Felix studied her, noting the way her fingers tapped against the desk, a telltale sign of her restless ambition.
"And what's your plan?" he asked, his tone deliberately light.
Victoria's lips curved into a smirk, but it didn't reach her eyes. She straightened, crossing the room until she was mere inches from him. Felix didn't move, holding her gaze with a calm, unreadable expression.
"Take Ironstride for myself," she said bluntly.
Felix raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "A bold move."
"It's necessary," Victoria shot back, her tone firm. "The current leadership is weak—content to play second fiddle to guilds like Obsidian Guard. They lack vision, and their complacency will be Ironstride's downfall."
Felix leaned back slightly, his eyes glinting with curiosity. "And you think you're the answer to that?"
Victoria's smirk deepened, her confidence radiating like a storm ready to unleash its fury. "I know I am."
She turned away, pacing the room as she spoke, her voice growing more impassioned. "The key players are predictable. Weak. I've studied them—Bryce with his fragile ego, Lena with her misplaced loyalty, and Malcolm, who's too old to keep up with the game. It won't take much to topple them."
Felix listened carefully, his mind whirring as she laid out her plan. She spoke of leveraging internal alliances, exposing weaknesses, and consolidating power in ways that bordered on ruthless. Her words were sharp, calculated, but what intrigued Felix most was the way she kept glancing at him, her eyes filled with a glint of something… more.
"And where do I fit into all of this?" Felix asked, his tone deceptively casual.
Victoria stopped pacing, turning to face him fully. For a moment, the intensity of her gaze made even Felix's foxlike smirk falter.
"You're not just part of the plan," she said, stepping closer. "You're integral to it."
Her hand reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against his. Felix didn't pull away, though every instinct in him screamed to keep his distance. Victoria's ambition was like fire—dangerous but useful if handled correctly.
"You've proven yourself time and again," she continued, her voice softer now. "Your insight, your instincts—they're unmatched. With you by my side, Ironstride won't just rise to the top. We'll surpass even Obsidian Guard."
Felix chuckled lightly, tilting his head. "And what makes you think I'd want that?"
Victoria's smirk returned, but this time there was a predatory edge to it. "Because you're like me, Felix. You see the cracks, the opportunities. You don't just survive—you thrive. Together, we could reshape everything."
Her words hung in the air, and Felix felt the weight of her ambition pressing down on him. He studied her carefully, noting the way her gaze lingered on him, the faint flush in her cheeks, the slight tension in her posture.
"You're building an empire," he said finally, his tone measured.
"Not just an empire," Victoria corrected, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "A legacy."
Felix's crimson eyes narrowed slightly, his mind racing. He had to admit, there was something intoxicating about her drive, her vision. But he also knew better than to trust someone who burned so brightly. Ambition like hers was a double-edged sword—useful, but deadly if mishandled.
System Notification:
Quest Unlocked: "Support or Sabotage Victoria's Takeover"
Reputation Points: +20 (Gained deeper trust from Victoria)
New Skill Unlocked: Influence Maneuver (Passive)
Felix's lips twitched into a faint smile at the notification. The system was always watching, always nudging him toward the next move.
"I'll admit, it's an intriguing proposal," he said after a moment.
Victoria's eyes lit up, a flicker of triumph crossing her features. "Then you're with me?"
Felix held her gaze, letting the silence stretch just long enough to keep her guessing. Finally, he nodded, his voice smooth and reassuring. "I'm with you, Victoria."
Her expression softened, but the hunger in her eyes remained. She stepped closer, her hand reaching for his as she leaned in. "Then we'll take Ironstride and more," she whispered, her voice laced with both promise and danger.
Felix's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Careful what you wish for," he thought, knowing full well that this alliance was as dangerous as it was ripe with opportunity.