Rise in the Shadows: A New Darkness
Rise in the Shadows: A New Darkness
The Kingdom of Midgar. 23:47. An abandoned residence on the outskirts of the capital.
Over the past week, three magical artifacts and two influential nobles have vanished. At every crime scene, the same symbol was discovered—a burning crown. The Royal Authorities are suppressing the details, and Shadow Garden has launched its own investigation.
In a candlelit room, a map of the kingdom, intelligence reports, and a black envelope bearing an unknown seal lie upon the table.
She studies the documents intently before lifting her gaze.
— All three of the missing individuals received identical letters shortly before they disappeared. We have checked their connections and correspondence, but found no common thread. Someone is hiding their tracks very carefully.
Sitting on the windowsill, her wolf ears suddenly twitch, and her gaze snaps toward the door.
— Someone's coming. I don't know who, but I don't like this scent.
Another envelope suddenly appears on the table. No one noticed who brought it. Inside is a short note: "We know who hides behind the mask of Shadow. The next move is ours."
She slowly sets the documents aside, her usual composure giving way to wariness.
— Is this a provocation? Or does someone truly know more than they should?
A calm voice drifts from the dark corner of the room.
— How interesting. Someone has decided to make a statement without showing their face. Either they are exceedingly confident in their abilities, or they have no idea who they are dealing with.
Cid Kagenou / Shadow steps out of the darkness, clad in a black cloak. His face is obscured by his hood. He picks up the note and examines the seal closely.
She leaps down from the windowsill, looking at Shadow with impatience.
— Want me to catch them? I'm fast!
— Not yet. Let's see what they intend to do.
Suddenly, the streetlamps outside flicker and die. Three short knocks echo from the hallway. The heavy door begins to creak open.
She steps back from the table, leaving the note in plain sight.
— Whoever it is, they certainly know exactly where to find us.
He turns toward the entrance, his voice remaining steady.
— Enter. Since you've gone to such lengths to get here, you surely have a reason.
A stranger stands behind the door. Gamma watches the guest intently, Delta assesses them with a wary gaze, and Shadow waits for an explanation.
— Introduce yourself and explain what brought you here. And try not to waste my time.
A flash of lightning illuminates the map of Midgar. For a fleeting moment, the symbol of the burning crown flares with a crimson light, then vanishes without a trace. From outside, the distant tolling of bells rings out—exactly three strikes, even though the city clocks stopped long ago.