Threads of Oblivion

Chapter 4: The Assassin's Gambit

Two years after the unlikely meeting

Present time

Opening Scene

The dim corridors of the Nexus pulsed with urgency. Shadows flickered under the sparse, wavering light as faint echoes of voices grew louder around Caelum and Yuuji. A storm was brewing-a chaos that wrapped itself around them like a tangible weight. Every step felt heavier, pressing them to move faster.

Caelum's mind raced, piecing together fragments of strategy. He glanced at Yuuji, whose wide-eyed determination barely masked his uncertainty.

Yuuji (panting, almost a whisper): "What if we're already too late? Alaric doesn't leave anything to chance. For all we know, he's three moves ahead."

Caelum (voice low but steady): "Then we' Il push him back. We don't have the luxury of hesitation. Let's find the others and regroup. We' II need every ally we can muster."

As they neared the central chamber, sudden footsteps approached, breaking the quiet tension. Yuuji tensed, his hand instinctively moving to his weapon. Before they could react, a group of armed adversaries- Alaric's minions-stepped out from the shadows, blocking their path.
Ambush in the Corridors

Without warning, the attackers lunged at them. Caelum and Yuuji sprang into action, defending themselves. Yuuji's clumsy, yet oddly effective style kept the attackers at bay, while Caelum's movements were precise and deadly.

Yuuji (grinning nervously): "Guess Alaric wanted to give us a warm welcome!"

The fight intensified, and just as one of the attackers was about to strike Caelum from behind, a shadow flickered through the dim light. In an instant, the assailant collapsed, a clean slash across his throat. Another attacker fell, his movements abruptly halted as if controlled by an unseen force.

Yuuji (wide-eyed, backing up): "Wait, what's going on? Is there someone else here? Another enemy?"

Caelum's gaze sharpened, watching the deadly precision of the figure moving through their opponents with effortless grace.

Caelum (a hint of recognition in his eyes):
"No... not an enemy. She's here.'

The Mysterious Assassin Revealed

With the last of the attackers falling, the figure stepped forward, her raven-black hair cascading over her shoulders. In the dim light, Astra Nerezza's piercing green eyes glinted as she regarded Caelum with a knowing smirk.

Astra (voice smooth, almost amused): "Nice to see you haven't lost your touch, Caelum."

Yuuji's jaw dropped, glancing between Astra and Caelum.

Yuuji (whispering to Caelum, uncertain):

"Are we sure she's on our side? Because she doesn't exactly scream 'friendly.'

Caelum (smiling slightly, reassured): "She' s... complicated, but yes, she's with us."

Astra sheathed her Chrono Blades, taking a step closer, her gaze shifting between Caelum and Yuuji.

Astra (with a slight smirk): "Relax, Yuuji. I'm not here to cause trouble-unless, of course, you make it necessary."

Yuuji gulped, caught off guard by Astra's charm, while Caelum offered a nod of gratitude.

Caelum:

"You arrived just in time. Alaric's forces are mobilizing faster than we anticipated."