Embrace of the void

As Michael and his companions advanced deeper into the forest, the air grew thick with anticipation. Each rustle of leaves and distant animal call heightened their awareness of the impending threat. The path ahead was fraught with uncertainty, but they were driven by a singular purpose: to disrupt the sinister alliance forming between the Black Mamba Gang and the Crimson Hand.

Michael led the way, his thoughts racing through the potential consequences of what they had learned. The looming chaos was immense, and the orcs caught in the crossfire were in danger of becoming mere pawns in a much larger game. The weight of responsibility pressed down on him, intensifying with each step.

As they approached the ancient ruins, the trees began to thin, revealing crumbling stone structures overgrown with vines and moss. The sacred site stood eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the urgency of their mission. Michael motioned for the group to halt, signaling for silence as he scanned the area for any signs of danger.

"Raven, are you watching them?" he whispered, hoping for a quick update.

"Not yet," Raven replied in a calm, focused tone. "But I'll keep looking.".

"Remember, don't get too close. Any powerful Awakened could sense you," Michael reminded her, his voice laced with concern.

"Understood," Raven affirmed, her focus unwavering.

Nyxar, ever vigilant, surveyed the surroundings. "We need to find a lookout point. If they're meeting here, we need to know who's arriving and what they're discussing.".

Michael nodded, leading the group to a nearby hill that overlooked the ruins. They settled into the shadows, their hearts pounding with the weight of the moment. The atmosphere was tense, as if the forest itself held its breath in anticipation of the unfolding events.

After a few tense minutes, Raven's voice broke the silence. "I see them. Tom and Max are here, along with several orcs. They're discussing a plan to consolidate their control".

Michael leaned forward, straining to hear. "What are they saying?"

Raven relayed the conversation, detailing how Tom had outlined a strategy to integrate the orc tribes into the Black Mamba's operations, effectively placing them under the influence of the Crimson Hand. The specifics were chilling—talk of raids and intimidation of nearby human towns and villages and plundering of trade caravans passing through the forest.

"They plan to launch their campaign soon," Raven warned, her voice steady yet urgent. "We can't let that happen.".

Michael's resolve hardened at her words. "We can't interfere. Tom is already at rank A or above; we can't risk being discovered."

Nyxar's eyes shone with determination. "Should we launch a suicide attack?"

"No, there's no need for that. We'll report everything to the old man. He can decide what to do next. We're too weak to take them on ourselves."

Nyxar, fueled by frustration, responded, "But we can create some chaos, steal some loot, and escape. It's better than doing nothing!"

Michael shook his head firmly. "As long as the leader of the Black Mamba and his right hand are here, we won't take any action. We'll wait until they leave, and only then will we assess the situation for other potential threats."

Nyxar reluctantly sat back, the fire of his earlier enthusiasm dimmed but not extinguished. "Okay," he conceded, though his impatience was palpable.

Hours passed in tense silence as they remained hidden, the forest around them alive with the sounds of nature. Michael's mind raced with thoughts of the implications of the meeting unfolding below. Just as he began to wonder if they had made a grave mistake in waiting, Raven's voice broke through once more.

"The leader and his right hand have left with some gang members, but a few Awakened remain at the site," she reported, relief washing over Michael and Nixar.

However, the relief was short-lived. "But there is a strong Awakened of rank B still present," Raven continued.

Michael's heart sank at the news. "What's his name?" he asked, his voice a mixture of concern and dread.

"It seems they call him Hammer," Raven replied.

Both Michael and Nyxar exchanged surprised glances. The name echoed in Michael's mind; it was the same individual he had confronted in a previous life. Memories of their past encounter flooded back into his mind, and the thought of facing Hammer again at his current rank filled him with fear.

"We need to reconsider our approach," Michael said, his voice strained now. "If Hammer is here and he is a B-rank, we can't take him lightly. We need to be strategic."

Nyxar nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "What's the plan then? We can't just sit back and let them regroup."

Nyxar glanced back toward the ruins, determination flickering in his eyes. "Fine, but we have to tell the old man before we make any move."

Michael retrieved a communication crystal and initiated a call to Lucian Grey.

"Hey there, did you find yourself in trouble and now need my assistance?" Lucian joked, his voice light.

"No, old man. Actually, you'll be the one needing my help," Michael replied with a scoff.

Lucian's tone shifted, surprise evident. "How do you plan to assist me?"

Michael proceeded to explain the situation to Lucian, detailing everything from their initial attack on the orc village to their current predicament.

The old man fell silent, deep in thought as he processed the information.

"From now on, refrain from taking any action. We can't risk alerting them that their plans have been compromised," Lucian advised.

"Also, don't worry about the two members you interrogated. I'll send someone to erase their memories," he added.

Michael and Nyxar exchanged disappointed glances, realizing their plan to undermine the gang had been thwarted. With a sense of resignation, they silently retreated, reassessing their next steps.

As Michael and Nyxar silently retreated from their vantage point, the weight of disappointment hung heavily in the air. They had hoped to uncover a strategy to thwart the growing alliance between the Black Mamba Gang and the Crimson Hand, but now they were left with uncertainty and a nagging sense of urgency.

"What's our next step?" Nyxar broke the silence, his voice low as they navigated the underbrush with caution. "We can't just let them go about their plans unchecked.".

Michael paused, contemplating the gravity of their situation. His mind raced through the available options, each one weighed against the risks involved. "We need to gather more information. If we can identify the remaining Awakened and understand their capabilities, we can formulate a more effective strategy.".

Nyxar nodded, determination rekindled in his eyes. "But we can't take on Hammer without a solid plan. We need to know his strengths and weaknesses."

"Exactly," Michael replied, feeling a sense of clarity amidst the chaos. "Let's head back to the city. There might be someone there who knows more about the gang's operations. If we can learn about their movements or discover any hidden vulnerabilities, we might find a way to disrupt them from the inside.".

With that, Michael ordered his followers to return to the safety of his shadow, except for Raijin and Nyxar.

Michael and Nixar ride on Raijin's back, who was waiting patiently, and together they took to the skies, flying back toward the city. The wind whipped around them as they soared above the treetops, a momentary reprieve from the tension that had gripped them.

As they approached the city, the sprawling landscape of rooftops and bustling streets came into view. Michael signaled for Raijin to land, and as they touched down softly, he returned Raijin to the comfort of his shadow. They set off on foot, their hearts racing with the urgency of their mission.

"I'm heading to the black market to gather information about the gang," Nyxar said, his voice resolute.

"Okay, just be careful," Michael replied, concern flickering in his eyes. "I'll go meet with the old man. We need to update him on everything we've discovered."

With a nod of understanding, the duo parted ways as soon as they arrived in the city. The streets were alive with the sounds of commerce and conversation, a stark contrast to the tension they had just experienced in the forest.

"Raven," Michael called through the Ethereal Link, "there's no need to monitor the gang members right now. I want you to shift your focus back to the Duke's sons".

"Understood," Raven replied promptly, her voice steady and professional.

Michael continued his journey through the bustling market square, weaving between vendors and townsfolk. The aroma of roasted meats and fresh bread filled the air, but he had no appetite for distractions. His mind was focused on the task ahead.