Mira was careful—too careful.
Kael knew that if they approached her directly, she'd likely see them as a threat and attack on sight. So, instead of risking a direct confrontation, they would let her come to them.
Orin smirked as he leaned against the damp tunnel wall. "I'll handle it."
Kael gave him a look. "No unnecessary risks."
Orin chuckled. "I'm insulted. When have I ever—"
Kael's stare hardened.
Orin sighed. "Fine. No risks. Just a simple message."
Then, before Kael could say another word, he was already gone.
The Phantom's Infiltration
The underground tunnels were dangerous, but Orin moved through them like a whisper. No one saw him. No one heard him.
Mira's hideout was beneath the arena—a secured chamber reinforced with traps. It would've been impossible for anyone else to enter unnoticed.
But Orin wasn't just anyone.
He slipped past the guards, avoided the tripwires, and found himself inside Mira's quarters.
A simple room—minimalist, with only the essentials. Weapons, maps, and a single candle burning low.
Orin pulled out a small piece of parchment and scribbled a quick note:
"You fight the Syndicate. So do we. Meet us at the Black Fang Tavern. Midnight. No tricks."
He placed the note on her table, weighting it down with one of her daggers. A calculated risk—if she saw that he had been here and could've killed her but didn't, she might consider hearing them out.
Then, just as quickly as he had arrived, Orin disappeared back into the tunnels.
Waiting for the Answer
Kael and Orin sat in the Black Fang Tavern, waiting.
The place was dimly lit, filled with mercenaries, thieves, and exiled warriors. A place where no one asked questions.
Orin sipped his drink. "You think she'll come?"
Kael's gaze remained fixed on the door. "She will."
Then, the door creaked open.
Mira stepped inside, her crimson blades strapped to her back, her gaze sharp and unreadable.
She had come.
But whether she was here to talk—or to kill them—was still uncertain.
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