Kael had faced assassins, betrayals, and the unknown depths of his own power. But tonight, a new enemy had emerged—a traitor within the Obsidian Veil.
The masked figure's presence confirmed what he had feared: the Nightfall Syndicate's influence reached deeper than he thought.
And now, he had only one goal—unmask them.
A Trail of Lies
Kael returned to his quarters but didn't rest. Instead, he pieced together every clue, every detail from his encounter.
The masked figure had used shadow magic. Only the most elite assassins or those with bloodline abilities could manipulate darkness like that.
They wore a symbol from the Nightfall Syndicate's ritual chamber. This wasn't just a rogue assassin—this was someone with direct ties to his past.
They spoke as if they knew him. Not just his name, but what he was meant to be.
Someone in the Veil had been watching him, guiding him down a path they controlled.
Kael clenched his fist. No more.
It was time to strike first.
The Watchful Eyes
In a place where everyone was a killer, information was the deadliest weapon.
Kael spent the next day moving carefully, observing his fellow assassins. He paid attention to details that others overlooked—who avoided eye contact, who whispered when they thought no one was listening, who disappeared at strange hours.
Then, a breakthrough.
A young assassin named Riven—a skilled scout who had always been friendly toward Kael—was acting… differently. He was quiet, more cautious than usual. He avoided direct conversations, and when Kael caught his gaze across the training hall, Riven looked away too quickly.
More importantly, Kael had seen Riven near the corridors where the masked figure had vanished.
Coincidence? Kael didn't believe in coincidences.
The Confrontation
That night, Kael followed Riven into the Veil's lower chambers, where only high-ranking members were allowed.
Hidden in the shadows, Kael watched as Riven entered a restricted archive room. Inside were ancient records, hidden texts, and secrets that only the Veil's elders could access.
Kael moved swiftly, slipping in before the doors closed.
Riven stood before a sealed chest, his fingers tracing the lock as if he had done this before.
"Looking for something?" Kael's voice cut through the silence.
Riven froze, his hand hovering over the chest. Slowly, he turned, his face carefully blank. "Kael."
Kael stepped forward, his daggers hidden but ready. "What are you doing here, Riven?"
For a moment, Riven hesitated. Then his shoulders relaxed, and he sighed.
"Looking for answers. Just like you."
Kael narrowed his eyes. A lie.
"If that's true," Kael said, "then tell me—why did you run from me last night?"
Riven stiffened. His fingers twitched—the sign of an assassin preparing to attack.
Kael tensed. If Riven made a move, it would be his last.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Then Riven did something unexpected.
He smiled.
"You're getting close, Kael. Closer than they ever expected." His voice was low, almost amused. "But be careful. Some truths are better left buried."
Then—he vanished.
Kael lunged forward, but he was too late. The shadows swallowed Riven whole, leaving nothing behind.
The Puzzle Deepens
Kael turned toward the sealed chest Riven had been trying to open.
Something inside it was important—important enough for a traitor to risk being caught.
His instincts screamed at him to open it. But before he could, the air grew heavy, and a cold voice echoed from behind him.
"That chest is forbidden, Kael Veyne."
Kael's blood ran cold.
He turned slowly—and found himself face-to-face with the Keeper of Secrets.
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