CHAPTER 8: PAWN OF CRIMSON

The Necron City was illuminated by the soft glow of the moon, abuzz with activity as people moved from one place to another in a hurry.

Within the most prestigious city of Azure Continent, at a tall building towering above all those nearby, a figure stood at the roof’s edge, his ocean-blue eyes absorbing the view below, etching it into memory. A wide grin was plastered on his face as he doused himself in the feeling of looking down at everything.

"That’s how it should be," he stated as his grin turned wider.

A few moments later, His grin disappeared as he remembered the conversation with Amaya a few hours ago.

Vincent left the rusty lantern, and Amaya followed behind him with quick steps. Soon they reached a blue car standing nearby. He walked towards the car and stood beside the Driver’s seat.

"Get in," He said in a gentle voice as he opened the door and took a seat.

Amaya nodded at him as she moved forward and sat in the seat beside the Driver.

"Where are we going?" Amaya asked as she looked at him with a slight smile.

"Somewhere silent and safe," Vincent replied as he pressed the accelerator and moved towards a safer location.

*Brr* *Brr*

Soon, they stopped in front of a tall abandoned building and entered it. Vincent walked towards the elevator and stepped inside. The old elevator roared as it began to ascend.

Moments later, the elevator stopped with a chime as its rusted door parted open. Vincent stepped outside and looked all around the window.

He walked towards the edge as he spoke.

"You were being followed."

"Huh? W-what do you m-mean?" Amaya questioned with a stutter; her eyes went wide, and fear gripped her heart.

"They didn’t follow us here," Vincent concluded as he stared at the bustling city.

"I-is that so?" Amaya still couldn’t believe that she was being followed and spied on.

"Heh... then they must have stopped following you when you set foot in the pub." He said and turned his head towards Amaya, trying to find out if she knew about this. But when he saw her shocked face, he shook his head and cleared all thoughts of her betraying him. After all, she couldn’t do it even if she wanted to.

"They most probably already know about Midnighters if they are being so vigilant..."

The more Amaya heard Vincent, the more scared she became.

"A-are we going to be fine?" Amaya said while quavering.

"Hahaha! You don’t have to worry about anything," Vincent said with a chuckle as he patted her head with a gentle smile.

"How are things going with Anieal Starborne?" Vincent questioned, his tone full of curiosity.

"They are going fine, I have already joined her friend circle," Amaya replied with a smile.

"Good, good," Vincent said as he moved forward and gave her a small hug.

"Make sure not to make them suspicious," Vincent commented.

Amaya nodded at his words and hugged him back with a radiant smile.

"You should leave now," Vincent said as his eyes glowed pink.

"Yes," Amaya replied in a hollow voice and began walking towards the elevator, and stepped inside it.

After Amaya left, the smile on Vincent’s face faded.

’Should I just kill her? They won’t have any way to catch me if I do that...’ Vincent thought, but he soon shook his head.

’No, she still has her use... and if I fail...’ he thought about it for a few more moments.

After nodding to himself, he reached into his pocket and took out a black envelope with shaking hands. Its seal was already torn, suggesting that he had already read it.

He gulped loudly and flipped the envelope and looked at the emblem on its back: a dark, spiked red emblem, a corrupted moon-like symbol or arcane seal, featuring a blood-red core surrounded by jagged, menacing rays.

When he saw the symbol, he shuddered. His mind went blank as he stared at it for a few minutes. Soon, a single thought took hold of his mind, and fear crept up his soul.

’Den of Demons.. The Crimson Moon,’ The very name filled him with dread and fear.

"Hah.." He sighed as he placed the envelope back in his pocket

’How did I get pulled into the mess of the Crimson Moon? I am sure they’ll kill me if I try to run away now...’

Moments later, he shook his head and mumbled to himself.

"I have to do it if I want to break through."

He lowered his head and looked at his hand with a bitter smile on his face.

"I am sure that someone was following Amaya... but who?"

"Could it be Crimson Moon keeping an eye on me? Or is it someone else altogether?"

"Hah..." He heaved a sigh with a shake of his head as he continued to mumble to himself.

"It doesn’t matter... I’ll capture Anieal Starborne and advance to the next rank."

"Soon... I’ll free you, soon,"

Vincent muttered in a determined tone as he turned back and began to leave the building.

"Haha!" The voice of a male’s laughter began to echo where Vincent had stood before, and a horned masked figure appeared at his location. He was covered in a dark hood, and only his mask was visible under the dim moonlight.

"Make sure to keep them entertained for long enough..." the horned masked figure said as he looked in the direction of Vincent, his eyes gleaming with amusement. He shook his head as he walked towards the edge of the roof and gazed at the Necron city with interest.

"After all, a pawn’s worth is determined by how useful it is," the horned masked figure mumbled to himself and began to chuckle.

His eyes glowed red, and his body began to blur into green blades before it disappeared completely.

Silence returned to the rooftop after the masked figure disappeared, yet the dangers to come loomed above.