In the previous chapter
West Side of Gwalior
A dimly lit room on the west side of town. A man named West leaned over a stack of documents. His sharp eyes scanned the pages detailing the activities of Raze Gang in recent times.
The numbers simply weren't adding up, though. Their profits were dwindling, and the encroachment on their territory by the Axiom Gang was turning into a problem.
"This can't continue," West muttered, tapping his fingers on the desk.
His train of thought stopped when he was interrupted by a knock on the door. A person attired with the logo of the Raze Gang walked into the room.
"One of our people got killed last night," the messenger reported. "Word has it that the Axiom Gang was behind it."
West's face darkened. He rose from his chair, crumpled the document in his hand, and threw it aside.
"Call the other executives at once," he ordered in a cold, commanding tone.
The subordinate nodded and hurried off, leaving West sitting by himself, staring out into the faint light of a lantern.
"This is a war that had to happen," he whispered. "Let's be sure it ends in our favour.".
______________________
Unknown Location in Gwalior
"West, why have you brought us here?" North demanded, her voice as sharp as her blade. "If this is another one of your little games, then my sword will meet your skull."
"It's important, North," West said evenly, standing his ground.
South said, his voice measured but firm. "If West called us here, it must be serious."
"Yes," said West, his expression grim. "One of our own has been killed. By the Axiom Gang."
"Do you have proof?" South asked.
No," said the fourth man in the room, East for the first time. "But it has to be them. Their turf has been getting more aggressive, and ever since the city raised taxes, our profits have been bleeding."
"We should report this to the boss," South said decisively.
Before anyone could even think of answering, the door crashed open. A giant entered the room, his muscles bulging under his coat. A cigar hung loose from his lips, its smoke curling in the dim light. His presence was stifling, a silent demand for submission.
The four leapt to their feet and bowed in unison. "Gang Leader."
"Sit," he ordered, his deep voice rumbling. "We aren't going to start a war based on a hunch. It isn't even definitively going to be the Axiom Gang. Until then, double our patrols, and tell the boys to be on their toes. If it happens again."
He glared darkly.
".then it will be war."
Axiom Gang Lair
There was a similar scene played out in the Axiom Gang's base. One of their men died within the Raze Gang's territory. Suspicion hung in the air and whispers of retaliation.
In the City Spiraling into Chaos
Chaos ruled over the Raze and Axiom gangs as tensions reached a boiling point, with each night slowly bringing in more bloodshed as men from both sides died mysteriously. Amidst all this chaos, Sreet—a cunning opportunist with the requisite skills—exploited the fight to hone his abilities and sow discord, and the city itself turned into a battlefield, literally riddled with fear.
One Week Later
It then erupted to the public into full open warfare between gangs. Once secretive killings in murders became street killings where both sides wanted vengeance.
Inside the battlefield, West and North cornered an Axiom Gang executive of Raze Gang. Their swords clashed as the sparks circulated, and North delivered the finishing blow. Before she could catch her breath again, a shadow darted from behind. A blade pierced her back. She screamed in agony.
"North!" West shouted, spinning into a defensive stance. His training as a Knight apprentice was calling to the fore, instincts honed to perfection.
The attacker issued from the darkness: Sreet. His movements were unnaturally fluid, his blade glinting in the moonlight. West lunged, his strikes calculated and fierce. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed, the fight going on for minutes.
"It's over," West growled, gaining the upper hand. "Scum like you won't—"
But before he could finish, Sreet vanished, disappearing into thin air. A moment later, he reemerged behind West; his blade cleaved through the warrior's neck. West's body crashed onto the ground, and the person with his many years of experience came to an instant end.
"well that skill certainly worked"
_____________
Flashback to the day when Sreet started killing gang members and started a war between them
After killing a few of the people of both gangs a prompt suddenly appears in front of Sreet
[New Message!!!]
[Skill Unlocked:
Skill: Veil of Shadows
Description:
It allows the user to become invisible for up to 10 seconds, which is ideal for evasion or stealth.
Lasts up to 10 seconds, and can be ended early
Cooldown; 15 minutes
]
"well that will certainly be useful in my future endeavours"
_____________________
Flashback End
Sreet turned to North, the blood pooling at her heels as she gasped for breath. He crouched down, his cold eyes locking onto hers.
Now," he said, his voice low and menacing, "I want to know everything about your gang. Their hideouts, their leaders, their weaknesses. I want it all."
North's lips trembled as blood flowed from the wounds on her face. "Monster.... mage," she whispered, eyes wide with terror. North spoke about the endless struggle for domination ruling through the eyes of lost hope of the town of Gwalior. The two gangs, Raze and Axiom, clashed incessantly, filled the streets with blood and terrorized citizens.
He listened attentively, feeling that he could not handle the strength behind their unison, but strength was not his - his mind was. Sreet conceived a plan; a gambit to end their reign of terror.
The Letters
Double letters arrived at both gang headquarters, each stamped with the unmistakable ring of the rival leader.
Training Room of Raze Gang
A muted hum of steel-cutting air filled the room as Raze's leader practised his swordsmanship. The blade glows faintly pulsing aura with every swing sharper than the last. A knock interrupted the rhythmic sound.
"Enter," he said without ever looking up.
A nervous-looking man stepped in, holding a folded letter. "Boss, a message. It's. from Axiom."
The leader sheathed his blade with a hiss, snatching the letter and scanning it. His expression darkened. "Fake," he muttered, tossing it aside.
"I don't think it's fake, boss," the man insisted, his voice steady despite the tension. "They're calling for a truce. With the way this war's going, the only one gaining power is the city lord. If he grows strong enough, he might call for reinforcements from Bhramavati. We'll be wiped out."
The leader stared at the letter, then at his lieutenant. After a tense pause, he grunted. "Fine. We'll meet. But this reeks of a trap."
The Meeting
A few days later, at an abandoned warehouse on the edge of town, the two gangs gathered. Neither side came alone—each leader brought their full retinue, distrust evident in every glance and grip on their weapons.
Inside, in a cavernous space, a magnificent wooden table stood centre. The leader of the Axiom strode in front of a man with sharp eyes and the aura of him crackling faintly around him.
Moments later, the Raze leader entered in his heavy, almost suffocating presence. They met eyes across the table, tension hanging between them.
"Why did you call this meeting?" the Raze leader growled.
"I didn't," said the leader of the Axiom, his voice icy. "You called us."
Both froze, realization dawning. Before either could react, arrows sliced through the air, striking several Axiom gang members.
"Ambush!" someone shouted. Chaos erupted as blades were drawn and gang members charged at one another.
________
The battle turned into a blur of steel and blood. The clash of swords was punctuated by screams and yells, echoing through the warehouse. Sreet watched from the shadows, his lips curled in a sardonic smile. His plan was working out perfectly.
As the fight raged, Sreet moved stealthily, finishing off scattered survivors and fallen fighters. His dagger struck swift and true, killing silently, with no witnesses.
The battle lasted an hour, reducing the two gangs to a handful of exhausted fighters. Only the leaders remained standing, locked in a brutal duel.
The Duel
The Axiom leader lunged, his blade flashing toward the Raze leader's chest. The latter parried with a grunt, their swords locked for a moment before they broke apart, panting.
"You're slowing down," the Axiom leader taunted, wiping blood from his lip.
So are you," the Raze leader retorted, readjusting his grip.
An arrow whizzed through the air, nipping the Axiom leader's shoulder. The distraction proved sufficient. The Raze leader leapt forward, slicing into his rival's side with a blade.
The Axiom leader fell to his knees, clutching the wound. With a final growl, he plunged his sword into the Raze leader's chest. Both tumbled over, mortally wounded, their breaths shallow.
Sreet's Move
The silence of the battlefield settled as Sreet stepped from the darkness. His boots scattered pieces of shattered glass as he edged up to the battered leaders.
The Axiom leader's eyes narrowed when he saw the black figure. "You," he croaked, blood oozing from his lips.
Sreet didn't speak. He drew out a small blade oozing with a dark liquid instead.
"Poison…" the Axiom leader whispered, foam bubbling at his mouth. His body convulsed before going limp.
Sreet turned to the Raze leader, who struggled to lift his sword. "Fuck you" he muttered before Sreet's dagger found his throat.
With both leaders dead, Sreet surveyed the carnage, his expression cold. He wiped his blade clean and searched the bodies, pocketing anything valuable.
System Notification
A faint chime echoed in Sreet's mind.
[Mission(s) Completed]
Sreet permitted himself a small grin before disappearing into the darkness, leaving a town at the brink of transformation behind.
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End of Chapter