Jax narrowed his eyes at Arelos. "What are you thinking, Arelos? I can see your wheels turning."

  Arelos exhaled, his gaze locked onto the open gate. "I can't help but think—Darin stepping away for a minute? Sure. But the gate just left open? That’s not right."

  Jax scratched his chin, his doubt creeping in. "Maybe nature just happened to be calling?"

  Arelos frowned, unconvinced. "That still doesn’t explain why the gate is wide open."

  Soren shifted uneasily. "So what’s our next move?"

  Arelos turned his gaze to Viktor. "You, Viktor, scout ahead. See what you can find."

  Mira shot Arelos a sharp look, suspicion lacing her voice. "Why him?"

  Arelos didn’t waver. "Trust me on this."

  Mira crossed her arms, her tone firm. "Sticking together seems smarter."

  Viktor hesitated, looking between them. "Maybe splitting up isn't the best idea right now?"

  Arelos took a deep breath. "Viktor can handle it, trust me."

  Mira’s expression was full of conflict. "I'm sorry Arelos, I just don't think it's a good idea. I say we stick together."

  Jax shrugged. "Maybe we’re overreacting. Darin’s not exactly known for his diligence."

  Arelos exhaled, clearly frustrated. "Seriously. Don’t make me pull rank."

  Viktor stepped in. "Calm down, Arelos. They’re not wrong. We need to be smart."

  Arelos leaned toward Viktor, lowering his voice. "Viktor… I’m asking you to 'scout.' Or have you forgotten your training already?"

  Viktor’s brows furrowed, then his expression cleared. "Ah. Right. I can't believe I didn't think of that."

  Mira’s suspicion deepened. "Think of what? Don’t tell me you’re heading out alone. If you go, I go."

  Viktor hesitated. "Look, just stay here with Jax and Arelos. I’ll take Fenric and Soren with me. We’ll move east along the fence, try to get a better look. We won’t even advance toward the mansion. It’ll be safe, and we won’t be gone long."

  Mira remained unconvinced. "Why them? No offense," she looked to Fenric and Soren, "but, both me and Jax have been training for much longer than they have."

  Viktor replied carefully, "They’re familiar with the scouting technique Voralis has had me working on."

  Arelos cut in, impatient. "We’re wasting time. Get moving."

  Viktor nodded. "Fenric, Soren—you’re with me. East along the fence. Let’s go."

  Mira’s voice softened. "Be careful."

  Viktor, Fenric, and Soren slipped away from the others, moving cautiously along the fence. The air was thick with unease, the mansion looming ahead in eerie silence. When they reached the east corner, Soren asked, "Think we’re far enough?"

  Viktor glanced back, making sure they were out of view. He nodded. "Yeah."

  Fenric nudged him, lowering his voice. "Time to work your magic, Vik."

  Viktor exhaled, trying to steady himself. "Give me a moment."

  Soren spoke softly. "We’ve got your back. Take your time."

  Fenric smirked. "No pressure, but we’re counting on you."

  Viktor closed his eyes, focusing. The familiar sensation of his power unfurled outward, stretching through the unseen spaces of the orphanage. It was like touching the edges of a vast, invisible map, each presence a faint pulse against his senses.

  Inside, motion.

  First floor, second floor—people shifting. Some hurried, others still. Then, his breath caught. A cluster of unmoving figures. Bodies. His pulse quickened.

  "There are people inside," Viktor murmured, his voice uneven. "Some are moving. But... others aren’t."

  Fenric leaned in closer. "Can you tell who?"

  Viktor shook his head. "It doesn’t work like that. I can’t tell if they’re our people or not."

  Then, something else. An odd, lingering presence.

  "There’s something strange about one of them," Viktor muttered.

  Soren tensed. "What do you mean?"

  "It’s hard to explain," Viktor admitted. "There’s… a kind of energy around them."

  Fenric arched a brow. "Weird energy aside, can you tell what they are they doing?"

  Viktor focused, trying to make sense of it. "They’re dragging something—no, piling something."

  A beat of silence.

  Soren’s breath hitched. "What?"

  Viktor focused, honing in on the pile of... people? No, bodies.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Viktor gulped down the rising panic, attempting to regain focus. His skin chilled and his resolve wavered.

  Fenric noticed the change in Viktor's demenour. "What do you see?"

  Viktor clenched his fists. "Bodies. A lot of bodies."

  Soren's expression darkened. "Please tell me they’re not our people."

  Viktor swallowed hard. "I don’t know."

  Soren paled. "What do we do?"

  Viktor wrenched himself from the overwhelming sensation, his eyes snapping open. His focus shifted abruptly—movement, to the west.

  "Someone’s coming from the west corner. Heading for the gatehouse."

  Soren inhaled sharply. "Friendly?"

  Viktor’s expression was grim. "I don’t know."

  Fenric’s jaw tightened. "We assume the worst."

  Soren exhaled, glancing between them. "Intercept?"

  Viktor hesitated only a moment before nodding. "We don’t have a choice. Let’s get the others, then move into position."

  Jax was tense, scanning the fog as if expecting something to lunge at them from the shadows. "Did you see anything?"

  Viktor exchanged a glance with Arelos before nodding. "Yeah. I’ve got a bad feeling about this."

  Arelos returned the nod, understanding the weight behind Viktor’s words.

  Jax’s grip on his belt tightened. "Are you sure? I mean, it's dark and all—"

  Viktor cut him off, his tone firm. "I’m sure. Trust me on this one."

  Mira crossed her arms, skepticism flickering in her eyes. "Why? What did you see?"

  Viktor hesitated for a fraction of a second before choosing his words carefully. "Someone’s coming around the west corner."

  Jax frowned, glancing toward the obscured path. "How could you possibly see that?"

  Before Viktor could answer, Fenric chimed in smoothly. "We saw it too."

  Soren nodded, backing him up. "Yeah, definite movement."

  Jax still looked doubtful. "But from where you were standing—"

  Mira pressed on. "Did you recognize them?"

  Viktor shook his head. "Too far. Could be anyone."

  Mira’s fingers tapped against her arm. "So what do we do?"

  Jax muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else. "I’m so confused right now."

  "There’s no time. We intercept now. Friend or foe, we’re not waiting to find out." Arelos stated, clearly growing impatient.

  No one argued.

  They moved swiftly, keeping low behind the hedge line. Viktor motioned for them to crouch, then caught Fenric’s eye and gestured subtly.

  Fenric grinned, understanding the signal, and moved ahead.

  Viktor inhaled slowly, stretching his senses outward once more. The figure was closer now, walking with purpose.

  Then, the sound of boots against damp leaves. A slow, deliberate pace, crunching twigs underfoot. Whoever it was, they weren’t being careful.

  Viktor moved first, stepping out abruptly.

  The man startled, halting mid-step, eyes wide in alarm.

  Then Fenric struck.

  Quicker than a breath, he slipped out from the shadows, grabbed the man from behind, and clamped a hand over his mouth. A blade pressed firm against his throat.

  "Tsk, tsk." Fenric’s voice was a whisper of amusement. "I wouldn’t reach for that blade if I were you."

  The man’s fingers twitched toward his belt.

  Fenric didn’t hesitate. The knife bit slightly into the skin. "Was I not clear? Lower your hand before I make breathing a little more optional."

  The man stilled, then slowly let his hand drop.

  "Good." Fenric’s smirk was audible. "I’m going to move my hand now. Don’t scream. Unless you want a second smile on your throat."

  The man nodded frantically.

  Fenric removed his hand, keeping the knife pressed tight. Then, he flicked his gaze to Viktor. "Well? You gonna ask him, or are we just gonna stand here all night?"

  Viktor stepped forward, voice sharp. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

  "I—I’m Greg," the man stammered.

  Fenric snorted. "Greg? What kind of name is that?"

  Viktor shot him a look. "Focus."

  "I’m focused, I’m focused."

  Soren, who had been keeping an eye on their surroundings, spoke up. "I’ll scout ahead."

  Viktor gave him a curt nod before turning back to Greg. "Okay, Greg. Why are you here? Who sent you?"

  Greg licked his lips nervously. "The Hollow Hand. Please—don’t hurt me. I’m just following orders."

  "Orders to do what?" Viktor pressed.

  "Hit this place. It’s supposed to be Black Cipher’s turf."

  Arelos folded his arms. "And your exact orders?"

  Greg’s voice shook. "Just to rough you up. Send a message."

  Arelos narrowed his eyes. "And why are you alone? Where’s the rest of your crew?"

  Greg hesitated, then sighed. "They told me to sweep the area."

  Jax, silent until now, reached out and wrenched the knife from Greg’s belt, turning it in his hands. His fingers found the tacky stain on the steel. "Whose blood is this?"

  Greg paled. "Self-defense. I swear."

  Fenric pressed the knife a little harder. "Against who? What did you do?"

  "Nothing, I swear! Just let me go."

  Before Viktor could reply, Soren returned, urgency written across his face. "Guys. Eight men. Heading this way. And they do not look like friendlies."

  Fenric exhaled sharply. "Well, that’s just fantastic. What do we do with him?"

  Jax muttered, more to himself than anyone else, "I’ve got a bad feeling about this."

  "Kill him." Arelos stated, without a hint of hesitation.

  Greg began to tremble. "Please, no! I swear, I’ll leave—I won’t go back!"

  Viktor hesitated, his mind racing with the decision ahead.

  Arelos pressed Viktor, his voice flat. "Viktor, we should finish him."

  Viktor turned on him. "Shut up. We’re not killing him in cold blood."

  Arelos gestured at the knife. "It’s not in cold blood."

  Viktor didn’t back down. "You don’t know that."

  Arelos took a step closer. "Viktor, you're about to make a mistake."

  The tension between them crackled. The sound of approaching footsteps grew louder.

  Fenric, voice sharp, broke the moment. "What’s it gonna be?"

  Arelos pushed. "Think about the consequences!"

  Jax’s voice was strained. "I don’t care what you do, but decide. Now."

  Viktor turned to Greg, his gaze cold. "Promise me you’ll go?"

  Greg nodded frantically. "Yes! I swear, I’ll leave."

  Viktor exhaled through his nose. "Let him go."

  Fenric cursed but pulled back his knife, giving Greg a rough shove forward.

  "Now get out of here," Viktor ordered.

  Greg wasted no time, bolting into the darkness and vanishing from sight.

  Arelos watched the spot where Greg had disappeared, his expression unreadable. "Just don’t say I didn’t warn you."

  Viktor let out a slow breath, his gaze sweeping over the group. "What's done is done," he said firmly, making it clear there would be no more discussion about Greg.

  Soren, stepped closer to Arelos. "We need to move. Now!"

  Jax hesitated, shifting uneasily. "But where? Where the hell do we go?"

  Soren shot him a sharp look. "Anywhere is better than here."

  Viktor’s mind worked fast, filtering through the possibilities. "The training hall."

  Mira frowned. "Why there?"

  "It’s empty. No one’s there," Viktor said with conviction.

  Jax still looked uncertain. "And you know this… how?"

  Before Viktor could formulate an answer, Arelos cut in, his patience fraying. "Training hall it is. Let’s move. Now."

  No one argued. With quick, measured steps, they started toward the hall, sticking close to the shadows and moving with careful precision.

  "Stay close. Stay quiet," Viktor murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

  Jax exhaled slowly, nerves evident in his rigid posture. "I don't like this."

  "Oh, you don't like this?" Mira whispered back, her voice sharp with tension. "You think we do? Idiot."

  Arelos, a few paces ahead, shot a wary glance over his shoulder. "Quit talking, both of you."

  The training hall was just ahead. The large wooden doors loomed in the dim light, a familiar sight that suddenly felt alien. Viktor reached out, testing the handle—it gave without resistance.

  "Clear?" Arelos asked quietly, his stance ready for a fight.

  Viktor nodded once. "Yeah. Let’s go."

  One by one, they slipped inside, their footsteps ghosting over the floor as they entered the vast space. The moment they were all in, Viktor let out a slow breath—

  Suddenly, there was movement. A glint of metal flashed in the dim light, and before Viktor could react, he felt the cold press of steel against his throat.