The morning tranquility of Gaelius barely concealed the underlying tension that ruled the city. The mafias, agitated by the recent meetings and conflicts, were beginning to take drastic measures to protect their interests. Viktor, from the shadows, had activated his pieces on the board, while Akihiko, Aria, and Kael plotted their next move.
An Unexpected Message
While having breakfast at the hotel, Kael was examining a device he had created with his Arcane Forge. It was a receiver capable of intercepting local communications. Suddenly, a transmission caught his attention.
"...meeting confirmed at Pier 13. All leaders must be present."
Kael looked at his companions. "This could be our chance. It seems the gangs are planning another meeting, and if we manage to infiltrate, we could uncover their plans."
Akihiko nodded, but cautiously. "This could also be a trap. If Viktor's involved, he won't risk letting us spy so easily."
Aria studied the city map. "Pier 13 is in an industrial zone, away from the busiest areas. It's a perfect place for an ambush. But it's also our best chance to gather intelligence."
Preparations for Infiltration
The group spent the day preparing their equipment. Kael enhanced his devices with defensive and offensive properties, while Aria reviewed her protective spells. Akihiko, meanwhile, practiced with his katana, feeling how the Void responded to his will.
"We have to be precise," Akihiko said as he put away his weapon. "One mistake could cost us dearly."
Kael gave him a confident smile. "Trust me. My team won't fail."
Aria, always calculating, interrupted them. "The real problem won't be getting in, but getting out. If Viktor shows up, he could trap us in a trap from which there's no escape."
The Meeting at Pier 13
As the sun set, the group headed toward the pier. The area was almost deserted, except for an abandoned building illuminated by flickering lights. Akihiko led the way, moving through the shadows as they watched from a distance.
The air was thick with the smell of saltpeter and rusted metal. Waves gently crashed against the docked boats, and the creaking of the dock planks echoed with every step.
Inside the building, the leaders of the major mafias were arguing loudly. Isabella De Luca was at the forefront, verbally sparring with Dmitri Volkov.
"We can no longer ignore Viktor's threat," Isabella said, her voice full of authority. "Every day that passes, his influence grows. If we don't act now, none of us will be safe."
Dmitri banged the table, his gaze fixed on Isabella. "And what are you proposing? An alliance between mafias has never worked, and I doubt it'll start now."
From a corner, Kenji Hayato spoke coldly. "Perhaps we should let Viktor achieve his goal. Once he has the Lux Aeterna, we can take it from him."
Akihiko, Aria, and Kael watched everything from a broken window at the top of the building. Their conversation revealed the lack of unity among the mafias, but also their desperation.
Viktor's Ambush
Suddenly, the lights in the building went out. A heavy silence fell over the room before a dark laugh echoed through the speakers.
"Always so predictable," came Viktor's voice. "You thought you could plot against me without me knowing. But I'm always one step ahead."
The front door slammed shut, and hooded figures began to appear from the shadows. They were agents of the Order of the Eternal Night, armed with lethal skills and weapons.
"It's a trap!" Dmitri shouted, summoning his resilience to confront the attackers. Isabella unleashed her threads, commanding two of the agents to attack her companions. Kenji, meanwhile, ignited his ghostly flames, illuminating the darkness.
From his position, Akihiko looked at his companions. "We can't stay here. If Viktor wants to eliminate them all, we might as well turn this to our advantage."
Aria nodded. "We need to move quickly and find a way to get to Viktor."
Facing Chaos
The group descended into the building, joining the chaos. Akihiko used the power of the Void to move among the enemies, striking them with speed and precision. Kael deployed devices that unleashed electric shocks, incapacitating several Order agents. Aria protected the team with energy barriers, blocking the most lethal attacks.
In the midst of the confrontation, Viktor appeared on a raised platform, observing with cold indifference. "I warned you," he said, his voice amplified by the speakers. "The Tree of Eden does not belong to the weak. Those who cannot harness its power are destined to disappear."
Akihiko looked up at him, his eyes shining with determination. "Viktor! You won't escape this time."
Viktor smiled. "Try it, kid."
The Climax
The fight escalated when Akihiko directly confronted Viktor on the platform. The power of the Void clashed with the Entropy Viktor was manipulating, creating a series of explosions that shook the building. Meanwhile, Kael and Aria worked to contain the Order agents and protect the mafia leaders.
Finally, with a precise cut, Akihiko managed to temporarily disarm Viktor, but he escaped once more, leaving behind a warning.
"You are not yet ready to face the truth of the Tree," he said before disappearing into the shadows.
Final Reflections
When the battle ended, the mafia leaders looked at Akihiko, Aria, and Kael with a mixture of respect and suspicion. Isabella was the first to speak. "We don't know what your intentions are, but you've proven yourself to be more than just intruders. Perhaps we're willing to listen."
Akihiko nodded. "We're not looking for alliances with mafias; we just want to protect the Tree of Eden. If that means stopping Viktor, then our paths are aligned... for now."
Dmitri, his voice deep, chimed in. "Talk is easy, but for us, action is everything. If you truly want to protect the Tree, prove it."
The group left the building, knowing they had bought themselves some time, but that the real battle was far from over. Gaelius's shadows still loomed, and the Lux Aeterna still remained out of reach.