Midas Touch ➸ Taekook

- Forty-fifth -

The building stood before them, austere and imposing, its grey stone walls eaten away by time. Apparently, the Assassins' Guild had chosen it for its isolation, and no one could deny that. The night was dark, and only the flickering light filtering through the building's dirty windows betrayed the feverish activity going on inside.

Taehyung, followed by Logan, Yoongi, Jimin and Hoseok, arrived first. Despite the tension he felt, he kept his usual mask of nonchalance.

"We seem to be the first." he murmured, looking at the front of the building.

"Not for long." Logan replied, pointing to the shadow in the distance.

Jungkook emerged from the darkness, accompanied by Bella and his father. The Cajun couldn't help but give Taehyung an emotional look, which the boy tried to ignore, despite the frantic beating of his heart that the mere glance had provoked.

"Everyone's here..." remarked Jungkook, his dark eyes searching everyone's faces. "We're ready to go."

Beside him, Bella adjusted her coat, her breathing coming in short gasps. She was by far the most tense of all, because she knew that for her it was a matter of life or death. She hated having to team up with the X-Men (or rather with Taehyung), but she'd swallow her pride for tonight.

Taehyung stepped forward, his confident tone breaking the silence.

"We know why we're here. Tonight, we've only got one chance to get that potion. The priority right now is to remain invisible."

Jungkook nodded.

"He's right. We really must wait until the Walker has revealed the potion before we act. Not before."

Everyone nodded. They knew what this meant. This Walker would only show himself on this very specific occasion, so if they did the wrong thing, and this mysterious man got suspicious, they would never see this potion again. This was their one and only chance.

Taehyung looked around the group. It was rather strange to see them all together like that. Some of them hated each other, and yet today they would have no choice but to cooperate.

"We may not be used to working together, but tonight we have no other choice. We'll have to work hand in hand..."

They didn't waste another minute setting out the plan that Taehyung and Logan had spent a week putting in place. Jean-Luc and Logan would secure the outside corridors to monitor the movements of the guild members. Bella and Jimin would stay close to the main entrance, providing cover. Jungkook, Taehyung, Yoongi and Hoseok would take up position on the balcony to observe the ceremony and intervene as soon as the Walker unveiled the potion.

Everyone nodded, the gravity of the situation taking precedence over any other consideration.

They entered the building cautiously. The interior was cold and bathed in flickering light from the lamps lining the walls. The heavy smell of incense saturated the air, mingled with a metallic perfume.

In the large central hall, the members of the guild stood in a circle around a still empty altar. The silence was heavy and Taehyung felt a chill run through him at the oppressive atmosphere. All these men were bloodthirsty killers, and for him, who had never taken a life, it was nauseating.

As they all watched the scene silently, remaining as hidden as possible so as not to be noticed, a shadow loomed over the altar, and soon an imposing figure appeared, nearly two metres tall, wrapped in a thick black cloak, his face hidden from them by an equally dark hat. His aura was at once imposing, mysterious and terrifying. Taehyung knew immediately who they were dealing with.

The Walker.

He had thought about him many nights, but had never been able to imagine what he might look like. Not even his imagination had been able to put a face to this legend. And what he had in front of him was the materialisation of that myth.

Until then, the crowd of assassins had been whispering and chatting, but all voices fell silent when the Walker appeared. All eyes were on him, whether from his group or the guild. He commanded respect without even speaking, without even revealing his face.

A man suddenly stood out from the crowd, and Taehyung immediately recognised Alexandre, the man who said he was the next leader of the guild.

"Who are you?" asked the Walker, in a deep, powerful voice that sounded like a horn.

Taehyung felt his breathing quicken, although he tried to maintain his apparent calm. His gaze fixed on the interaction between the Walker and Alexandre, he assessed the slightest movements of the two men. He knew that every word, every gesture counted. The tension in the air was almost palpable.

Alexandre, his chest bulging, took a step forward, his flamboyant gaze sweeping the room as if to challenge anyone who dared oppose him.

"I am Alexandre Pontou, the next legitimate leader of this guild." he declared, his voice echoing through the room like a promise and a threat.

The Walker bowed his head slightly, his gloved hands resting on the altar. His face was still masked by the shadow of his hat, but his aura alone seemed to plunge Alexandre into a moment of uncertainty. When his voice rose again, it was deep, almost hypnotic.

"And is this legitimacy, Alexandre, based on everyone's consent? Or is it just personal ambition in disguise?"

A shiver ran through the room, amplified by the echo of the Walker's words. The assassins exchanged glances, murmurs arising, dying down, then rising again like flickering flames.

Taehyung watched the reactions carefully. This was the critical moment, the moment when everything could change. It was the ideal moment to speak out. Yet no one spoke. The weight of fear seemed to crush the potential dissenters.

Alexander pivoted slightly, scanning the crowd. His voice resounded again, full of provocation.

"Is there anyone among you who would challenge my position? If so, let him speak now. If not, let him remain silent forever."

An icy silence echoed his words. The murmurs ceased, replaced by an unbearable tension. The assassins looked away, none of them wanting to find themselves in the crosshairs of Alexandre or the Walker.

The Walker nodded, as if he had anticipated this outcome. He stood up slowly, towering over the room.

"So be it." he murmured, his voice resonating despite its faint intensity. "With no opposition and no direct heir, I see no reason to refuse your ascension."

With a fluid, barely perceptible movement, he pulled a transparent bottle from under his cloak and placed it on the altar. The red liquid it contained caught the faint light, emitting an almost supernatural glow.

"This is the Blood of the Life. Once absorbed, it will consecrate your status, Alexandre. It will give you the power that belongs to any leader, and no-one will be able to challenge your authority."

From their posts, Taehyung and Jungkook exchanged tense glances. It was now or never. They knew that the slightest mistake could cost them dearly, but now was not the time for doubts.

Taehyung gritted his teeth and nodded slowly, his eyes riveted on Alexandre, who was already advancing, one hand outstretched towards the coveted object.

"Not so fast!"

The man paused, and all eyes turned to the entrance to the great hall, where stood a young woman with long blonde hair and a fiery gaze. The Walker cocked his head to one side in curiosity, while the assassins' eyes widened in amazement, as if they'd seen a ghost. Alexandre included.

"And who are you?" asked the Walker, his voice as calm and enigmatic as ever.

The young woman puffed out her chest, showing off all her pride and self-confidence.

"I'm Bella Dona, and I'm the sole heiress of Marius, your late leader!"

~🌻~

This arc seems endless...😅 I will try to end it soon, so things can get a little more interesting...