Chương 7: A Gathering of Shadows

The night was cold, the wind rustling the leaves in the trees as Cid Kageno walked through the dense forest outside the Kageno estate. The sky was clouded over, blocking the moonlight, and the world was shrouded in darkness. To most, the night was a time for sleep, a time to rest. But for Cid, it was the perfect time to operate. The perfect time for shadows to gather.

Beside him walked Alpha, her expression calm but focused. She had come a long way since he had first saved her from the Diabolos Curse. She was his most trusted ally now, the one who had helped him lay the foundation of Shadow Garden. Together, they had started building an organization that would fight from the darkness, protecting the world from threats unseen. And tonight, their ranks were about to grow.

Three new recruits were waiting for them in a secluded clearing ahead—three women who had been selected by Alpha for their skills, their potential, and their shared history of suffering at the hands of the Diabolos Cult. Each of them was different, with their own strengths and weaknesses, but they all had something in common: they had nowhere else to go. They had lost everything, and now they were ready to give their loyalty to Shadow Garden.

As Cid and Alpha approached the clearing, the faint glow of a small campfire came into view. The three women sat around it, their faces illuminated by the flickering light. They looked nervous, uncertain, but there was a steely determination in their eyes. They were ready to fight, even if they didn't fully understand what they were fighting for.

And that was exactly what Cid needed.

---

The first woman to notice their approach was Beta. Her long, silver hair shimmered in the firelight as she stood up, her sharp, intelligent eyes locking onto Cid and Alpha as they stepped into the clearing. She was tall and graceful, with an air of quiet confidence, though her gaze carried a hint of wariness.

"Is that him?" Beta asked, her voice soft but filled with curiosity.

Alpha nodded. "Yes. This is Shadow—our leader."

Beta's eyes widened slightly, and she quickly bowed her head in respect. "It's an honor to meet you, Shadow."

Cid gave a small nod in return, his expression calm and unreadable. He didn't need to say much. The persona of Shadow didn't require lengthy introductions or explanations. His presence alone was enough to command respect, and that was exactly what he had intended.

Beta straightened up, her gaze still lingering on Cid. "I've heard a lot about you," she said quietly. "About how you've been fighting the Diabolos Cult… about how you saved Alpha. I want to help. I've… I've lost everything because of the Cult. My family, my home, my future. I want to make them pay."

Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, but there was a fire in her eyes—a burning desire for revenge that Cid recognized all too well. Beta had been a noble once, the daughter of a powerful family in the kingdom. But when her father had been falsely accused of treason and executed, her family had been stripped of their title and wealth. Left with nothing, Beta had fled, surviving on her wits and intelligence.

Cid nodded again, his expression thoughtful. Beta's story was tragic, but it also made her useful. She was smart, resourceful, and driven by a desire for vengeance. She could be a valuable asset to Shadow Garden, as long as she believed in the myth he was creating.

"You've suffered because of the Diabolos Cult," Cid said, his voice low and calm. "But that suffering can give you strength. Shadow Garden will give you the power to fight back. To make them pay for what they've done."

Beta's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of hope crossing her face. "I'll do whatever it takes," she said, her voice steady. "I swear my loyalty to you, Shadow."

Cid nodded once more, pleased with her response. "Then welcome to Shadow Garden, Beta. Your loyalty will not go unrewarded."

---

The second woman, Gamma, remained seated by the fire, watching the exchange between Cid and Beta with interest. Her short, black hair framed her face, and there was an air of quiet authority about her. Unlike Beta, she didn't appear nervous. In fact, there was a calm confidence in her posture, as if she had already made up her mind about what she wanted.

When Cid's attention shifted to her, Gamma stood up and gave him a respectful nod. "Shadow," she said simply, her voice measured and steady. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Alpha had already briefed Cid on Gamma's background. She had been a skilled merchant in the capital, running a small but successful business. But when the Diabolos Cult had targeted her business as part of their scheme to launder money, Gamma had been forced to flee. She had lost everything—her business, her reputation, and her future.

Cid studied her for a moment, noting the way she carried herself. Gamma was different from Beta. Where Beta was driven by a burning desire for revenge, Gamma was more calculating, more strategic. She had the mind of a tactician, someone who could see the bigger picture and plan accordingly.

"You've lost much," Cid said, his voice calm. "But you've gained something as well. The Diabolos Cult may have taken your past, but Shadow Garden will give you a future."

Gamma nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I've always believed that strength comes from adapting to your circumstances," she said. "When the world turns against you, you don't fight it head-on. You find another way. And I believe Shadow Garden is that way."

Cid's lips twitched into a small smile. Gamma understood, perhaps more than the others. She saw Shadow Garden not just as a tool for revenge, but as an opportunity—a chance to rebuild herself and rise from the ashes of her past.

"You're right," Cid said. "Shadow Garden isn't just about fighting. It's about survival. It's about shaping the world from the shadows, controlling the flow of events without ever being seen."

Gamma's eyes gleamed with interest. "I like the sound of that," she said, her tone confident. "I'm in."

Cid nodded in approval. "Then welcome, Gamma. Your skills will be invaluable to our cause."

---

The third woman, Delta, was completely different from Beta and Gamma. She was a wild force of nature, her long red hair untamed, her eyes sharp and predatory. There was a raw energy about her, a ferocity that was almost palpable. Unlike the others, Delta didn't wait for an introduction or a formal greeting. The moment Cid's gaze landed on her, she sprang to her feet and crossed the distance between them in an instant.

"You're Shadow?" she demanded, her voice a low growl. "The one who's going to help me fight?"

Cid raised an eyebrow, surprised by her forwardness, but he didn't flinch. Delta wasn't the type to be intimidated, and he knew that meeting her aggression with calm was the best way to handle her.

"Yes," Cid said simply. "I'm Shadow. And if you're willing to follow me, I'll give you the power to fight."

Delta's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Good," she said, her voice eager. "I'm sick of hiding. I want to tear them apart—the Diabolos Cult, anyone who gets in my way. I'll fight for you. I'll do whatever it takes."

Cid could feel the raw energy radiating from her. Delta wasn't like the others. She wasn't driven by revenge or strategy. She was driven by instinct, by the desire to fight and win. She was a weapon, a force of nature that could be unleashed upon the world if properly controlled.

"Your strength will be valuable to us," Cid said, his voice calm but firm. "But strength without control is dangerous. You'll need to learn discipline if you want to fight effectively."

Delta grinned, her expression feral. "Discipline? I can handle that. Just point me in the right direction, and I'll do the rest."

Cid nodded, satisfied with her response. Delta's raw power would be an asset to Shadow Garden, as long as he could keep her focused. "Then welcome, Delta. We'll make sure your strength is put to good use."

---

As the three recruits—Beta, Gamma, and Delta—settled into their roles within Shadow Garden, it didn't take long for a certain dynamic to develop. Each of them believed in Cid—no, in Shadow—but their belief was based on their own interpretations of who he was and what he stood for.

Beta saw Shadow as a master strategist, a man who was always several steps ahead of his enemies. She believed that he had a grand plan, one that would lead to the downfall of the Diabolos Cult and the restoration of order in the kingdom. To her, Shadow was a visionary, someone who could see the bigger picture and manipulate events to his advantage.

Gamma, on the other hand, saw Shadow as a master of subtlety and control. She believed that Shadow Garden was about more than just fighting—it was about shaping the world from the shadows, influencing politics, commerce, and society without ever being seen. To Gamma, Shadow was a kingmaker, someone who wielded power not through brute force, but through intelligence and cunning.

Delta, of course, saw Shadow in a completely different light. To her, Shadow was a warrior, a leader who would guide them into battle and tear their enemies apart. She believed that Shadow was the strongest fighter in the world, a man who could crush anyone who stood in his way. To Delta, Shadow was a force of destruction, someone who would lead them to victory through sheer strength and violence.

And Cid? Cid found the whole thing amusing.

He hadn't intended for any of this to happen. In truth, he had no grand plan, no elaborate strategy. He had created the persona of Shadow as a way to hide his true self, to operate from the shadows without drawing attention. But somehow, his recruits had built him up into something more—a mythical figure, a leader they all revered in their own way.

They believed in Shadow. They believed in the legend.

And Cid was more than happy to let them.

---

With Beta, Gamma, and Delta now fully integrated into Shadow Garden, Cid knew it was time to test their abilities in the field. The Diabolos Cult was vast and dangerous, and while they had dealt a few blows to its outposts, the real threat still lay ahead.

Their first mission as a team would be a simple one—an infiltration and intelligence-gathering operation. According to the information Alpha had gathered, there was a small group of cult operatives operating out of a warehouse near the outskirts of the capital. Their goal was to find out what the cult was planning and disrupt their operations without drawing too much attention.

As the team gathered in a hidden chamber beneath the Kageno estate, Cid stood before them, his figure once again shrouded in shadow.

"This mission is simple," Cid said, his voice calm and steady. "We gather information, we disrupt their plans, and we leave no trace. We operate from the shadows. No one should know we were ever there."

Beta nodded, her expression serious. "Understood. I'll handle the intelligence gathering. I can access the cult's records without being seen."

Gamma folded her arms across her chest, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I'll take care of the logistics. We'll need to move quickly and efficiently to avoid detection."

Delta, of course, was practically vibrating with excitement. "And I'll take down anyone who gets in our way."

Cid nodded in approval. "Good. You all know your roles. Let's move."

---

The warehouse was dark and silent, the only light coming from a few dim lanterns scattered throughout the building. Shadow Garden moved through the shadows, their presence undetected as they infiltrated the cult's stronghold.

Beta slipped into the back room, where the cult's records were kept, her movements precise and silent. She quickly scanned the documents, her sharp eyes picking out the important details. Gamma, meanwhile, coordinated their escape route, ensuring that their presence would go unnoticed once the mission was complete.

Delta, true to her nature, stood guard near the entrance, her body tense and ready for a fight. Her predatory instincts were on high alert, but for once, she managed to restrain herself, waiting for the signal from Cid before attacking.

As the mission progressed, Cid observed from the shadows, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. His recruits were performing exactly as he had hoped. They were strong, capable, and loyal. And most importantly, they believed in Shadow.

When the time came, the team moved swiftly and efficiently, leaving the warehouse without a trace. The cult's plans had been disrupted, their records stolen, and their operatives left confused and scrambling in the dark.

---

Back at their hidden base, the members of Shadow Garden gathered around Cid, their expressions filled with pride and satisfaction. The mission had been a success, and each of them had played their part perfectly.

"You've all done well," Cid said, his voice calm and measured. "But this is only the beginning. There are more battles ahead, and we must be ready."

Beta stepped forward, her eyes filled with admiration. "We'll follow you, Shadow. Whatever it takes, we'll see this through."

Gamma nodded in agreement. "We believe in you. We believe in your vision for Shadow Garden."

And Delta, of course, grinned fiercely. "Just point me in the right direction, and I'll take down anyone who gets in our way."

Cid smiled faintly, his eyes glinting with amusement. They believed in him—believed in the myth he had created. And that was exactly what he needed.

"Good," he said, his voice low and confident. "Because Shadow Garden is only just beginning to grow."

As the night deepened and the shadows gathered around them, Cid knew that the legend of Shadow Garden had truly begun. And with Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Alpha by his side, there was nothing that could stand in their way.

The world would soon learn to fear the name Shadow.