In the solitude of his villa, nestled deep in Borealis, Alexander stood by the window, his brow knitted in contemplation.
The crimson leaves danced wildly in the wind, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the profound silence of the room.He sighed, long and weary, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him like an ancient stone.
"Divine Drakebane," he whispered under his breath, a shadow of sorrow passing across his face. "You are the hero I most revere. Yet, it is you who has shattered the very laws that bind this world. I never wished for your end ... but you leave me no choice."
With a deep breath, he turned slowly, his gaze settling on the man in black who stood before him, poised and unreadable. The chill in his voice was unmistakable. "Shepherd sent you to seek my aid, didn't they?"
"If that is the case," he continued, his tone growing colder, "then you may leave now. We are not of the same cause."
The man in black bowed slightly, a wry smile playing on his lips. "General Marff," he said, his voice smooth as silk, "the world does not divide so neatly into paths and ranks. True, we may walk different roads, but those roads are driven by common interests."
He paused, his eyes narrowing, and leaned in closer, his words gaining weight.
"On this planet, every faction fights for its own survival, its own power. But if we set aside our differences, we could sit together and discuss matters of mutual concern."
"The appearance of Divine Drakebane has unsettled the balance of this world," the man continued, his voice now a whisper of urgency. "He threatens the very interests of the powerful."
The man's gaze sharpened, his eyes fixated on Alexander's."Your presence here speaks volumes. It tells me that when it comes to Divine Drakebane, your stance aligns with Shepherd's."
"Divine Drakebane has made his intentions clear—he seeks revenge on the Dark Night Alliance, and he's come to Borealis to do it. This is news the entire world welcomes."
He leaned forward, a calculating gleam in his eye. "I am sure, General Marff, that as a seasoned commander, you understand. This is the perfect moment to strike. This is your chance to eliminate him."
Alexander regarded the man for a long moment before slowly taking his seat at the conference table, his expression unreadable, his mind replaying the words that had been spoken.
The man in black pressed on, undeterred.
"We have learned that the Dark Night Alliance has already set a trap for Divine Drakebane in Tanqueria's Snow Valley. Should they succeed in killing him there, it will be the ideal outcome for all involved."
He let the words hang in the air for a heartbeat before continuing, his voice softening. "But in case the Dark Night Alliance fails, we have a backup plan."
"Our super martial art masters will cross into Tanqueria, positioning themselves near Snow Valley, ready to strike if the need arises."
The man's voice dropped lower, as if sharing a secret. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, General. A chance that will not come again."
He leaned even closer, his voice now a whisper. "Shepherd asks that you deploy special forces to assist us. Together, we can eliminate Divine Drakebane. It is a shared interest, a shared cause."
Alexander's eyes narrowed, a chill spreading through the room. His voice was cold, unyielding. "Divine Drakebane is my friend. I will not be a part of this betrayal."
The man chuckled, a sound sharp and knowing, as if he had expected this answer. "Mr. Alexander, loyalty and honor are always tied to a larger or smaller interest. All allegiances, all bonds of loyalty, are forged because the price is either too low or the threat not yet severe enough."
He smiled, his gaze almost pitying. "Do you truly believe, General, that you and your superiors do not understand the threat Drakebane now poses?"
The man leaned back slightly, his smile widening. "As Mr. Gilkes so wisely said, it is shared interests that bring us here, to this very moment."
His eyes gleamed with an unspoken promise. "Mecria's organizations have already reached out. They are preparing an operation in Mecria, hoping to strike down Divine Drakebane. The pieces are already in place."
Alexander's brow furrowed, a flicker of disbelief passing through his gaze. "Mecria too?" he asked, his voice tight with suspicion.
The man in black gave a soft, knowing chuckle, as though savoring a private joke. "General Marff, what else but profit could unite factions so varied, each with its own agenda, all to hunt down one man?"
"Divine Drakebane is reckless," Alexander muttered. "A world ruled by him would be chaos, and chaos serves no one."
A shadow crossed his face, darkening his features. He rose from his seat slowly, his voice sharp and resolute. "You've made your offer. But remember this—cooperation doesn't mean we're allies. You and I will never walk the same path. Now, leave."
That night, the border of Tanqueria Borealis lay cloaked in silence, save for the soft sound of boots pressing into the earth.
Dozens of black-clad figures moved swiftly and quietly toward Snow Valley, their steps synchronized, their weapons glinting faintly in the moonlight.
Among them, 30 super martial art masters from the Panacea Ocean Warriors Alliance advanced deeper into the valley, their movements fluid and deliberate, eyes sharp, scanning the shadows.
Snow Valley, once serene and untouched, now hummed with the tension of imminent danger.
The next morning, the golden rays of the Romantian sun streamed through the expansive windows of the Hilton Hotel's penthouse suite, filling the room with soft warmth.
Shirley stirred, her eyes still heavy with sleep as she gazed lazily around the lavish suite.
The opulence of the surroundings contrasted sharply with the dizzying recollection of the night before.
The memory lingered, warm and sweet, making her cheeks flush.
She instinctively drew the covers tighter around her, as if they could shield her from her own thoughts.
"You lazy thing, still in bed?" came a teasing voice, breaking the quiet.
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