The moon hung high over Lysvein's capital, casting silver light over the city. The streets, once lively, were now silent—too silent.
Kairos stood on the castle balcony, his sharp gaze scanning the rooftops. His instincts screamed at him. Something was wrong.
Then—
A bloodcurdling scream tore through the night.
BOOM!
An explosion erupted in the merchant district, followed by a second, then a third. Buildings collapsed in fiery wreckage, and the air filled with the cries of the wounded.
The city was under attack.
QUEST UPDATE: MIDNIGHT SLAUGHTER
Unidentified assassins have infiltrated Lysvein.
Protect the city. Identify the attackers.
Kairos leaped from the balcony, landing in the palace courtyard where King Orpheus and his guards were already scrambling to respond.
"Sir Kairos!" Orpheus called, eyes wide. "What's happening?!"
Kairos's eyes flashed. "Assassins. Someone wants us dead before the Draconian war even starts."
Before the words even left his mouth, a black-cloaked figure dropped from the rooftops, dagger aimed for the young king's throat—
SHING!
The assassin's body froze. A thin line of silver split across their chest.
Then—
They collapsed in two halves.
Kairos flicked Aetherfang, his divine blade, clean of blood. "Stay behind me, Your Majesty."
Orpheus gulped but nodded.
The air shifted. More figures emerged from the shadows—dozens, all clad in black, their weapons gleaming in the firelight.
Kairos tilted his head. "Oh? You brought an army?"
His lips curled into a grin.
"Good. I was getting bored."
They attacked at once.
Knives flashed. Arrows flew. Poisoned blades sliced through the air.
Kairos moved faster.
He vanished from sight, reappearing amidst the assassins, his blade a silver blur.
One swing—three bodies fell.
A step forward—a shockwave erupted, hurling enemies into walls.
Aetherfang sang, cutting through flesh and steel alike.
Blood painted the courtyard.
The assassins hesitated. Fear entered their eyes.
They had heard stories about Kairos.
But now?
They understood.
He wasn't just a man.
He was a storm.
One of the cloaked figures suddenly raised a hand.
"Fall back!"
Instantly, the remaining assassins threw smoke bombs to the ground. A thick black fog swallowed the courtyard.
Kairos tensed.
A trap?
No. A diversion.
Because at that moment—
An explosion rocked the royal palace.
Kairos's eyes widened.
They weren't here for him.
They were after King Orpheus.
Through the smoke, a single shadow darted toward the palace doors, moving too fast for an ordinary human.
Kairos vanished, reappearing just as the assassin lunged for the throne room.
His blade met theirs—
CLANG!
The impact shattered the marble beneath their feet.
The assassin's hood fell, revealing a pale face, sharp green eyes, and a twisted grin.
"Oh, you're fast," the assassin purred. "This'll be fun."
Kairos's eyes narrowed.
This one was different.
Stronger. Faster.
And familiar.
The assassin vanished, reappearing behind him, blade aimed for his heart.
Kairos twisted, catching the strike just in time. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed again and again.
His mind raced. Who is this guy?!
Then—
The assassin suddenly smirked. "Tell me, Kairos…"
Their voices dropped to a whisper.
"…how does it feel to be marked for death?"
And with that, they faded into the shadows—gone.
Kairos snarled, scanning the empty hall.
They had failed to kill Orpheus.
But this wasn't over.
Because whoever they were…
They knew his name.
And that meant someone powerful wanted him dead.