The crimson banners of Sir Riven's mansion loomed ahead, the mansion itself a monolith of stone and iron that stood tall against the backdrop of the night, a silent sentinel watching over the city's secrets. Each banner fluttered in the cold wind, the fabric a stark contrast against the moonlit sky.
The three of them, Aldwyn, the Sylvan Siren, and Blackwood, had found refuge in the shadows of an abandoned alleyway a safe distance away. The cobblestone streets were eerily silent, save for the distant howling of what could have been a wolf. Their eyes gleaming with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.
Blackwood turned to look at Aldwyn. "Remember what I explained to you. Use your shadow abilities to gain access without being noticed and distribute the capsules I gave you!
"They will make sure that his senses are restricted. It's essential for the success." He added.
He turned to the Sylvan Siren. "Your part is equally important. Under no circumstances is he allowed to realize, that Aldwyn is inside with you."
The Sylvan Siren nodded, her emerald eyes gleaming with confidence. "I understand. I will use my illusions to keep him distracted while you do what you need to do."
Without another word, she stepped out of the alley and walked towards the manor. Aldwyn slipped into the shadow she cast and he became one with the darkness.
Her hips swayed with a mesmerizing grace, a silent dance that seemed to lure the very shadows to follow her. As she approached the mansion gates, they swung open without a sound, as if by her will alone. She glanced over her shoulder, her smile a sultry invitation, before disappearing into the courtyard.
Her footsteps were light as whispers on the cold stone. She went to the door and knocked, the sound echoing through the manor like a funeral drum, a rhythm that spoke of doom and the inevitability of their presence.
The door swung open and standing in front of her was none other than Sir Riven himself. He was tall and lean, with a neatly trimmed moustache and piercing blue eyes. His attire was impeccable, a tailored suit that bespoke of wealth and power.
"Ah, my dear," he said, his voice a silky purr. "What brings you to my doorstep on such a chilly evening?"
The Sylvan Siren's smile grew wider, a hint of mischief playing at the corners of her lips. "I come bearing an offer," she said, her voice a sweet melody that seemed to dance through the air. "My boss, Dorian Blackwood, wishes to discuss a potential collaboration. He heard of your... unique talents, and he believes we might be able to help each other."
Sir Riven's eyes narrowed slightly, his nostrils flaring as he took in her scent. "I am intrigued," he replied, stepping aside to allow her entry. "Please, come in."
As they moved through the mansion's grand halls, the air grew thick with the scent of candles and incense, the flickering lights casting eerie shadows across the ancient tapestries that adorned the walls.
Aldwyn split from the Sylvan Siren's shadow, his figure briefly illuminated by a flickering candelabrum before he vanished into the gloom once more. His steps were silent, a ghostly presence that seemed to leave no trace on the cold, hard marble floor. Each room he entered was a testament to Riven's opulence and power.
Within the first room, he found a collection of rare tomes, their leather spines whispering of dark rituals and forbidden knowledge. He deftly placed a capsule atop the nearest bookshelf, the glassy orb casting an eerie glow before it dissolved into mist, the potion seeping into the very air.
Within 5 minutes, Aldwyn was in each room, spreading out the capsules that kept Riven from fully using his senses.
Meanwhile, the Sylvan Siren noticed that Sir Riven's movements had grown more erratic, his eyes darting about the room as if searching for a prey that only he could see. His usually calm demeanor had been replaced by a restless energy that made the air around him crackle with tension.
"Sir... are you all right?" she asked with a feigned concern, her voice a soft caress that seemed to soothe the beast within him.
He paused, his nostrils flaring as he sniffed the air. "I... I'm not sure. Something feels... off." His eyes searched the room.
Within a second, his pupils constricted like a predator, and he looked at her. The Sylvan Siren's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't flinch. She knew the plan was going into motion
"What... what have you done?!" Riven's voice was a snarl, his eyes flicking from the shadows that seemed to pulse with a malevolent energy.
Her smile disappeared and she said in a dry voice, "It was nice to meeting you, Riven."
With a flick of her wrist, the illusion shattered and the room grew darker. Riven's hand shot out, the claws slicing through the air where her throat had been a heartbeat ago, but she had already vanished. His eyes searched the room wildly, the potion's effects growing stronger by the second.
"What the hell is going on?!" He roared.
In the heart of the manor, Aldwyn emerged from a shadow just 5 meters behind Riven with his revolver drawn. The room was suffused with a dark energy that seemed to pulse in time with his racing heart. The Black Elemental revolver felt heavy in his hand.
He took a deep breath and with the calm of a storm before it breaks, he aimed and fired. The bullet, wrapped in a fiery aura, sped through the air, a crimson streak that pierced the darkness.
Riven's eyes widened as he sensed the heat. His instincts took over, and his claws swiped through the air, intercepting the bullet just before it could touch him. The explosion was deafening, a burst of flame that illuminated the room like a brief, fiery sunrise. The force of the impact sent Riven stumbling back, his hand singeing from the heat.
Blackwood, who was still waiting outside, felt the explosive force and took it as a sign. He stood up and moved at a tremendous pace towards the Manor.
Aldwyn holstered his revolver again and covered his whole body in shadow. His hands were covered in pulsating shadows, giving his blows more strength.
The Sylvan Siren stepped into the light, her eyes meeting Aldwyn's briefly before they both turned to face Riven. Her hands began to glow with a soft green light as she started to chant under her breath. The air around her grew thick with magic, coiling like a serpent ready to strike.
Riven, who regained consciousness, smiled slightly, "You may have nerves... You don't know what awaits you!"
He took a deep breath, his chest expanding with power. His eyes grew wild, and his hands began to quiver, the very essence of his transformation threatening to burst forth. The shadows grew darker around him, and the room's temperature dropped dramatically.
"Let the hunt begin," he whispered, and the darkness parted around him like a curtain.