Night didn't fall gently over Aurelion Forge Academy.
It came down like a blade.
Cold. Quiet. Waiting.
Kalen stood by the window of the Sovereign Wing looking out at the distant lights of the academy grounds.
It was too quiet.
"They're coming " Asha'Kareth said.
Not a guess. A fact.
Lyra's voice was serious.
"…Yeah. I feel it too."
Nyxara moved closer behind him her, presence warm against his back.
"Don't go out tonight " she whispered.
Kalen didn't move.
"They already know where I am."
There was silence.
Then a flicker. The lights in the room dimmed.
Once. Twice. Then they were gone.
Darkness filled the space.
[SYSTEM ALERT: HOSTILE PRESENCE DETECTED]
A whisper was heard. "You should have run."
Kalen turned. It was too late.
A figure came out of the darkness.
He was masked. Quiet. His blade was already swinging.
Kalen moved; Just barely. The edge grazed past his shoulder instead of his throat.
He was fast. Too fast.
"Black Division." Lyra said.
Nyxara's voice became sharp. "They're not holding back."
The assassin didn't speak again. He didn't hesitate. His second strike was faster and deadlier.
Kalen stepped back.
The room was sealed. There was no space, no escape.
"Then we don't run " Asha'Kareth said. "Respond."
Kalen exhaled.
He stepped forward.
[SYNC INITIATED]
The assassin lunged. Kalen met him head-on, the blade came down. He caught the wrist and there was contact.
[AUTHORITY REVERSAL ACTIVATED]
The force snapped.
The assassin's movement stopped. His body twisted. He was thrown sideways crashing into the wall but he stood back up right away. He wasn't fazed.
"…Good," the assassin whispered.
Kalen's eyes narrowed. "You talk."
The assassin tilted his head faintly. "You resist."
The air suddenly shifted again. There was pressure and more presence.
Nyxara's voice dropped. "…There's more."
Kalen didn't look away. He felt it. There was another. Then another. Three assassins in total.
The room wasn't a room anymore. It was a cage.
And the hunt had just begun.