Three days had passed since Michael and Nixar first set their sights on the imposing Duke's palace, home to Marceline Fargo. Now, they found themselves concealed in the dappled shade of a large tree, its gnarled branches providing the perfect cover as they surveyed the sprawling estate. The air was thick with anticipation and tension, every rustle in the leaves echoing their mounting excitement.Both men were clad in black skull masks adorned with horns, their cloaks billowing slightly in the evening breeze. It was a look designed to evoke fear—perfect for the mission they were about to undertake. Above them, Raven and his clones flitted through the twilight sky, their dark forms merging seamlessly with the gathering shadows, scouting the palace grounds for any sign of activity."Are you sure you want to come with us?" Nyxar asked, his voice laced with concern. "You can stay here. Raven and I will handle it."Michael turned his gaze from the palace to Nixar, determination etched on his face. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. Are you ready to implement the plan?"Nyxar raised an eyebrow, skepticism written all over his features. "What plan? I didn't make any plans."Michael's frustration boiled over. "You idiot! What have you been doing these past few days? Didn't I tell you to make a plan?"With a shrug, Nixar replied indifferently, "Don't worry. It seems we've been lucky this time. Over the last few days, I gathered some intelligence that both the Duke and his family, along with their guards, are attending a party hosted by one of the nobles. I didn't bother to make a plan because of it."Michael's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Why didn't I hear about that?"Nyxar shot him a disdainful look. "Because you live like a barbarian! All you do is eat and train. You need to socialize, meet people, or at least try to contact some of your friends."Ignoring Nyxar's jab, Michael retorted, "Okay, okay. Don't remind me of old Matt."With a resigned sigh, Nyxar prepared to move. "Fine, I'll go now. Just keep watching."Nyxar activated a combination of his skills—{Stealth}, {Voidstep}, and {Silent Feet}—enhanced by a few carefully chosen artifacts. He slipped into the shadows, moving swiftly toward the building where the crimson wolf was located, his figure blending seamlessly with the shadows.As Nyxar departed, Michael summoned Sylas. It is one of his most skilled summons in stealth and concealment, after Raven and Nyxar. From the shadows, a sleek, serpentine creature emerged—a snake with glossy black scales that absorbed the surrounding light and piercing purple eyes. It measured about three meters in length, its form coiling with an almost hypnotic grace."Watch the surroundings and ensure there are no guards near the building behind the Duke's palace," Michael instructed, his voice steady but urgent.Sylas nodded, extending its forked tongue to taste the air before slithering away into the darkness, disappearing from sight with an uncanny silence.Michael leaned against the tree, his heart racing as he scanned the area. He felt a mix of excitement and anxiety; the stakes had never been higher.Time seemed to stretch as he waited. The sound of the wind moving the tree branches was nerve-wracking. It was a tempting distraction, yet Michael remained focused on their mission. The night was ripe with potential, and he couldn't afford to let his guard down.After what felt like an eternity, Raven returned, landing silently beside Michael."Nixar is nearing the Crimson Wolf's location," he reported, his voice low and serious."He's encountered minimal resistance so far.""Good," Michael replied, a sense of relief washing over him. "We need to be ready for anything. If the Duke's family is away, this could be our chance to strike."As they prepared to move, Michael's thoughts raced. He knew the importance of this moment. Infiltrating the Duke's palace was no small feat; it was a calculated risk that could tip the scales in their favor. The darkness of the night wrapped around them, and with it came a thrill of the unknown.Nyxar's voice echoed in his mind—his companion's casual dismissal of the need for a plan had left Michael feeling uneasy. But perhaps this gamble was necessary; perhaps fortune favored the bold.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps drew his attention. He turned to see a group of guards patrolling the perimeter, their armor gleaming under the light of the moon. Michael signaled to Raven and Sylas, urging them to remain silent and still.
"Keep your eyes open," one guard warned, his voice carrying a tension that underscored their precarious situation. "The Black Mamba gang has been active lately. We can't afford to let our guard down."
Michael's mind raced as he considered the implications of the Duke's awareness of the Black Mamba Gang's movements. With a determined focus, he activated his Ethereal Link skill, merging his vision with Nyxar's as the connection formed.
Nyxar had successfully infiltrated the building where the Crimson Wolf was being held.
"Is everything okay?" Michael asked, his voice steady but laced with concern.
"Yes, so far," Nyxar replied, his tone calm despite the tension of the situation. "There are only a few healers in the building. No strong Awakened ones."
"Are there any monitoring devices?" Michael pressed, knowing the importance of remaining undetected.
"Yes, but I've already bypassed them. The issue lies with the device in the Crimson Wolf's room. I'm not sure how I'll get past that one," Nyxar admitted.
"Okay, just be careful," Michael urged, a knot tightening in his stomach as he visualized Nyxar navigating the shadows.
Nyxar moved stealthily through the dimly lit corridors, his innate abilities allowing him to blend seamlessly with the shadows. He approached the Crimson Wolf's room, his heart pounding in anticipation. Once inside, he activated his skill, Void Senses, heightening his awareness of the surroundings.
Climbing to the ceiling, Nixar clung there, careful not to make a sound as he peered into the room. What he saw sent chills down his spine. A massive white wolf, three meters tall, lay sleeping in the center, adorned with striking crimson patterns across its fur. Surrounding the beast were strange devices and capsules that glimmered ominously, hinting at their arcane purpose.
Most alarming was a black coffin connected to multiple tubes that siphoned a crimson liquid—clearly blood—directly into the wolf.
"What the hell is going on here?" Nyxar muttered under his breath, unable to comprehend the scene before him.
He quickly reached out to Michael through their link, urgency seeping into his voice. "Something strange is happening here."
"What's going on?" Michael asked, concern etched on his face.
"Just look," Nyxar replied, sharing his vision with Michael, allowing him to witness the chilling tableau.
Michael's heart raced as he processed the sight. "It seems we're not just here to steal the Crimson Wolf," he remarked, his mind racing with possibilities.
"I agree, but I think there's a trap," Nyxar warned. "If I touch anything in this room, I'm certain I'll trigger all the alarms in the palace."
Michael's mind worked furiously, considering their options. "Thorin," he called out to the Dwarf residing in his shadow, "do you have any knowledge of formations and traps?"
"Yes," Thorin's voice resonated from the shadows, steady and clear.
Michael quickly shared Nyxar's vision, allowing Thorin to assess the situation. "This room is surrounded by numerous formations," Thorin stated after a moment of silence. "I don't have the ability to dismantle them all."
Nervous energy surged through Michael. "Is there a solution?"
"Yes," Thorin replied thoughtfully. "These formations are temporary, indicating they operate on a non-permanent power source. This means the power source is replaced periodically."
Michael's eyes widened, hope igniting within him. "So, if we can disable the power source, Nixar can steal what he needs and escape?"
"Correct," Thorin confirmed. "However, if we disable it, the guards will immediately sense the change. You won't have much time to escape."
Michael weighed the risks carefully. The chance to acquire what lay within that room was tantalizing, but the danger was palpable. "Nyxar, do you think you can manage it?" he asked, his voice steady despite the rising tension.
"I can try," Nyxar replied, determination shining in his eyes. "But I'll need to move quickly."
"Then let's do this," Michael said, adrenaline coursing through him. "Thorin, guide us. Nixar, be ready to act. We'll disable the power source, and you'll grab what you can."
As they formulated their plan, Michael felt the weight of their mission pressing down on him. The stakes had never been higher, and the threat of discovery loomed large. But with Nyxar's skills and Thorin's knowledge, they had a fighting chance.
"Let's make this count," Michael said, steeling himself for the challenge ahead. The time for hesitation was over; they were on the brink of something monumental, and failure was not an option.