The explosion’s shockwave trembled through the city, sending embers and debris into the air. Phantom’s sharp eyes locked onto the rising inferno in the distance—one of the noble districts was burning. Screams filled the night as chaos erupted. The Red Jackal’s forces weren’t just seizing control; they were purging the city of its old rulers.

  The warlord turned to Phantom, his smirk widening. “Beautiful, isn’t it? A city cleansed in fire. The weak fall, the strong survive. A new empire is born.”

  Phantom’s grip tightened around his blade. “You’re no ruler. You’re a butcher.”

  The Red Jackal laughed. “Tell me, Phantom, do you truly believe in the prince’s vision? A golden empire ruled by law? You and I, we live in the dark. We kill to shape the world.”

  Phantom remained silent. The warlord wasn’t wrong—Phantom had long operated in the shadows, dealing death to the corrupt. But there was a difference between striking down tyrants and slaughtering innocents.

  The enforcers formed a defensive perimeter around their leader. Phantom was outnumbered, and he knew a direct fight would be reckless. He had to retreat—there was still much to uncover. With a final glare at the Red Jackal, he leapt backward, vanishing into the maze of rooftops.

  Phantom moved swiftly through the city, navigating collapsing streets and dodging panicked civilians. He needed answers, and only one person could provide them.

  Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

  Raven.

  He found her in an abandoned tavern, shrouded in the corner, her dagger resting on the table. A bottle of stolen wine sat half-empty beside her. Her hood was pulled low, but her golden eyes flicked up at his approach.

  “You look troubled,” she mused, swirling the wine in her glass.

  Phantom wasted no time. “The Red Jackal isn’t just seizing power. He’s burning everything.”

  Raven sighed. “I know.”

  Phantom narrowed his eyes. “You knew?”

  Raven met his gaze without flinching. “I suspected. I followed his movements after the Crimson Veil fell. He didn’t just recruit mercenaries—he made alliances. Smugglers, rogue noblemen, even the prince’s own guard. He doesn’t want to conquer the empire. He wants to tear it apart.”

  Phantom’s jaw clenched. The city was fighting a war it didn’t even realize had already begun. But something about Raven’s tone was off—too resigned, too knowing.

  He stepped forward. “You’re hiding something.”

  Raven’s fingers tightened around her glass. Then, she exhaled, setting it down with a quiet clink. “I made a deal.”

  Silence hung between them.

  Phantom’s voice was dangerously low. “What deal?”

  Raven stood, meeting his gaze. “I promised the Red Jackal your location tonight. In return, I get safe passage out of the city.”

  Phantom felt his pulse slow. Not with panic, but with cold clarity. He had trusted Raven for years—fought beside her, bled beside her. And now, she had sold him out.

  Boots echoed in the alley outside. Shadows moved against the windows. The trap was already closing.

  Phantom’s expression remained unreadable. “Why?”

  Raven hesitated. “Because I know how this ends. The Red Jackal isn’t just strong—he’s inevitable. You can’t stop him.”

  Phantom’s heart was steady. “You’re wrong.”

  A crash shattered the moment—enforcers stormed through the door, weapons drawn. Raven stepped back, her expression unreadable as Phantom spun into action.

  The hunt wasn’t over.

  It had only just begun.