Seven months had passed since the Assassin Guild endured devastating losses at Anthony's hands.
Anthony had turned eighteen.
Yet, there had been no celebration.
His parents and grandparents remained in seclusion, their absence stretching endlessly.
His subordinates, consumed by relentless training, fought for twenty hours each day, honing their battle experience through ceaseless battle.
Anthony stood alone, utterly and irrevocably alone.
But he wasn't bored.
Far from it.
In a way, he preferred things this way… or at least, something close to it.
The grand balls, the extravagant celebrations that often accompanied birthdays, those had never been to his taste.
Anthony sat in front of the television, fingers moving swiftly over the gaming controller, eyes locked onto the screen.
An online battle unfolded before him, his focus unwavering.
Then, suddenly, he paused.
A presence stirred at the edge of his awareness.
Familiar.
