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Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: The Council of Shadows

Kael stood at the rooftop, the moonlight casting long shadows over the city. His breath was steady, his body poised for action. He was an assassin, after all—swift, silent, and deadly. His latest target was a corrupt businessman, and Kael had been hired by a rival faction to remove him from power. It was just another job, nothing out of the ordinary.

But as he moved through the darkened alleyways, his thoughts wandered back to Flora. He had just left her at home, and though his heart was warmed by the memory of her enthusiasm over their cooking adventure, the harsh reality of his job was never far from his mind. This life was dangerous—always filled with shadows, deceit, and blood. It was the life he had chosen... but Flora had given him something he never thought he would have again: a reason to come back home.

Tonight, however, he had no choice but to do what he was best at. The target awaited.

As Kael slipped into the building, his senses sharpened. Every movement was calculated, every step deliberate. He wasn't just any assassin—he was the assassin, feared and respected by all. The building was quiet, save for the occasional distant murmur of voices. He followed the sound, moving like a phantom, unseen by those around him.

He found the businessman in his office, pacing back and forth, unaware that his fate was sealed. Kael stood in the doorway for a moment, just watching him. The man was no different from the others Kael had eliminated: greedy, selfish, corrupt. He didn't deserve to live, not in this world.

In one smooth motion, Kael stepped forward, drawing his blade. The man froze, sensing the danger, but it was too late. Kael was already there—silent, deadly, swift. The man barely had time to react before the assassin's blade found its mark, a swift slash to the throat. Blood splattered across the room as the man crumpled to the floor.

Kael wiped the blade clean, his expression unchanged. It was over. He could feel the rush of adrenaline fading, replaced by a cold emptiness. This was his life: kill, move on, and never look back.

But as he turned to leave, a voice crackled through his earpiece.

"Kael, report," the voice commanded, cold and authoritative. It was a familiar voice—the voice of the Council of Assassins.

The Council.

Kael's lips twitched slightly. It was rare for them to call him directly after a mission. The Council was an ancient, secretive group that controlled the world's most lethal assassins. They didn't interfere with his work unless they had a special task for him. Kael was one of their best, but even he knew not to keep them waiting.

"Mission complete," Kael replied curtly, his voice calm. "Target eliminated."

"Good," the voice said. "Now, come to the meeting. We have... business."

---

Later that night, Kael found himself standing before the Council. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with tension. Shadows filled the corners of the vast chamber, and the members of the Council sat in a circle, their faces hidden behind elaborate masks. Each one was a master assassin, their skills honed to perfection over years of deadly work. Kael's reputation among them was solid, but he was never one to get too comfortable. The Council was not a place for familiarity.

As he entered the chamber, the murmurs died down, and all eyes turned to him. The silence stretched out before the leader of the Council—a tall figure shrouded in black robes—spoke.

"Kael," the leader's voice echoed through the room. "You've been doing well. But we have a new task for you."

Kael bowed his head slightly. "I'm listening."

The leader's hand gestured to a large screen that flickered to life. A series of images appeared: a powerful politician, a renowned businessman, and a high-ranking military officer. Each of them had been linked to an underground network, a secret alliance that was threatening to disrupt the balance of power. The Council had been keeping tabs on this network for months, but now, it was time to take action.

"This is your next mission," the leader continued. "We need you to eliminate these individuals, but this time, you won't be working alone. We're sending in a team of our best operatives. It's... complicated."

Kael raised an eyebrow. He had always worked alone. The thought of collaborating with others felt strange, even uncomfortable. But there was no room for disagreement in the Council. If they said it was a team effort, that was what it would be.

"Understood," Kael replied.

The Council leader gave a small nod, and the screen flickered again, showing the faces of the operatives who would be working alongside Kael. They were skilled, no doubt. But Kael had always preferred working alone. There was no need for anyone else to get in the way.

As the meeting continued, Kael's mind wandered back to Flora. She had no idea about the life he led, the shadows he moved through, the people he eliminated. She only knew him as Papa, the one who cared for her, the one who had brought her home.

But now, it seemed like the shadows were closing in on him again, and he had no choice but to dive deeper into the world of assassins and politics. He would need to be ready for anything, and that meant leaving Flora behind—just for a while.

---

Later that night, as Kael returned home, he felt a familiar sense of unease settle over him. The mission would be dangerous, but he would get through it. He always did.

When he opened the door, Flora was sitting on the couch, holding her flower-shaped doll, a content smile on her face as she hummed a little tune. Her innocence was a stark contrast to the blood he had just spilled, and it made him wonder: Could he really protect her from the darkness that surrounded him?

"Papa!" Flora's eyes lit up as she spotted him. "You're back!"

Kael smiled faintly, walking over to her and kneeling down. "I'm back. Did you miss me?"

Flora nodded vigorously. "Of course! I'm always happy when you come home! What did you do today?"

Kael hesitated. He couldn't tell her the truth—not yet, not ever. So, he just ruffled her hair gently and said, "I took care of some things. But now, I'm here. How's your curry?"

Flora giggled. "It was delicious, Papa! But next time, I'll help you even more, okay?"

Kael laughed, his heart warming at the thought. "We'll make it together, then."

And for the first time in a long while, Kael felt a small spark of hope. Maybe he wasn't as lost in the shadows as he thought. Maybe, just maybe, Flora could light his way back home.

End of Chapter 4