Embrace of the void

After navigating the bustling streets of the city, Michael finally arrived at the Awakened Guild, his heart pounding with urgency. He pushed through the heavy wooden doors and made his way directly to the office of the Guild President, Lucian Grey.

"Old man, what's the plan now?" Michael asked, his voice direct and urgent. "What are we going to do?"

Lucian looked up from his desk, his expression a mix of indifference and concern. "We will not do anything. I will handle this myself," he replied, his tone dismissive.

Michael felt a surge of frustration. "You can't exclude us now! We're the ones who brought you this vital information. We will be part of the plan, or I'll take matters into my own hands."

Lucian let out a weary sigh, running a hand through his thinning hair. "You fool, this is not a game with the Black Mamba Gang. It's incredibly dangerous. The Crimson Hand Alliance is far more perilous."

He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "This alliance isn't just composed of gangs; it includes guilds and even noble families. Their influence stretches across nearly every human city."

Michael listened intently, absorbing the weight of Lucian's words. The gravity of the situation was becoming clearer.

"I'll involve you if something arises that threatens the awakening of your rank," Lucian continued, his gaze steady. "But I can't risk your lives now. In a confrontation between high-ranking Awakened, your rank means nothing. You could die simply by being in the vicinity or from the collision of auras. There's no need to put yourselves in danger."

Sighing, Michael conceded, "Okay, old man, but you have to involve us in any operations that involve obtaining spoils. I'm running low on resources to develop my summons."

Lucian nodded, a hint of appreciation in his eyes. "Don't worry. I'll take care of that. For now, focus on exploring your options and raising your rank."

"Understood. I'll leave now. Contact me as soon as anything happens, "Michael said, gathering his resolve.

"Be careful," Lucian replied, watching as Michael exited the office.

As Michael made his way back home, he felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. He needed rest, but he also needed information from Nixar. Time was of the essence.

Hours slipped by, and finally, Nyxar returned from his excursion to the black market, his demeanor tense but determined.

"Is there anything new?" Michael asked, eager for updates.

Nyxar shook his head, frustration evident in his expression. "Nothing on the Crimson Hand. I didn't risk digging deeper into their operations. However, I did manage to gather some intelligence on the Black Mamba Gang."

Michael leaned in; his interest piqued. "What did you find out?"

After a brief pause, Nyxar leaned forward, his eyes alight with curiosity. "I gathered information about some of their members," he began, his voice steady. "The gang leader is at the top of the A+ rank, while his right hand is positioned at the middle of the A rank. There are also two other members who are just beginning their ascent at the A-rank."

Michael listened intently, his mind racing as Nyxar continued. "In addition, there are around eight members with various B ranks, including Hammer and Scar. The numbers grow further, with more than twenty individuals at the C rank and many members at rank E and below."

"What did the old man tell you?" Nyxar asked, his curiosity piqued.

Michael's expression darkened. "The old man excluded us from his plans. He said the situation is far too serious for us to be involved."

"Damn that old man!" Nyxar snapped, frustration clear in his voice. "We don't have to listen to him. We can act on our own."

Michael held up a hand, trying to calm his friend. "No need to be rash now. We need to formulate a plan. When Lucian tries to make his move against the Crimson Hand Alliance, we can strike at the Black Mamba Gang. They are weaker, and since our goal isn't to defeat them but simply to rob them, I believe we can manage that."

"Alright, I'll follow your lead," Nyxar replied, though his tone was still laced with impatience. "Is there any food? I'm starving."

Just then, Morgoth emerged from the depths of Michael's shadow, his presence a familiar comfort. "I'm hungry too," he chimed in, rubbing his stomach dramatically.

"Okay, let's find something to eat," Michael said, moving toward the kitchen.

However, as he took his first step, he felt a familiar presence tugging at his consciousness. Raven was trying to contact him.

"Raven, what's happening?" Michael asked, a sense of urgency creeping into his voice.

"I've found out where the Crimson Wolf is, and he's still alive," Raven replied, her tone steady but tinged with excitement.

Michael's heart raced at the news. "Where is he?"

"He's in a small building behind the Duke's palace. They're trying to treat him there," Raven explained.

Michael's mind raced as he processed the information. He turned to Nyxar, his expression serious. "Nix, can you sneak into the Duke's palace again?"

"Why?" Nyxar asked, curiosity sparking in his eyes.

"Because the Crimson Wolf is in a building behind the Duke's palace. Can you plan our way to him?" Michael replied, urgency lacing his words.

Nyxar contemplated the challenge, his brow furrowing. "If he's not inside the palace itself, we can reach him with my innate ability and some artifacts I have on hand."

"Perfect. I'll leave it to you. Coordinate with Raven to conduct more investigations around the castle and the building. We'll reconvene in three days," Michael instructed.

"Okay, you can count on me," Nyxar confirmed, a sense of purpose returning to his demeanor.

As Michael prepared to leave, his mind buzzed with the implications of this new development. The possibility of locating the Crimson Wolf ignited a flicker of hope within him. If they could reach him, it might change everything.

"Let's make this count," Michael said, determination in his voice. He knew that the path ahead would be fraught with danger, but the prospect of gaining an ally like the Crimson Wolf was worth every risk.

With their plan taking shape, Michael felt a renewed sense of purpose. The stakes were higher than ever, and the clock was ticking. They had a chance to turn the tide, but only if they moved swiftly and strategically. As Nyxar and Raven prepared for their mission, Michael steeled himself for the challenges that lay ahead, ready to face whatever came next in their quest for justice and survival.