The Red Lotus Lounge (4)

As Erik entered the VIP room, his senses heightened, and his focus sharpened. He could hear the faint murmurs of conversation and the tinkling of glasses, but all that mattered to him was his target: Achim.

With his usual mask on, Erik moved swiftly and silently; his flyssa gripped tightly in his hand.

Achim was still sitting with his girlfriend on the sofa in the middle of the room, engrossed in what was clearly more than a conversation. The awakener's heart pounded in his chest as he closed the distance between them, his eyes fixed on his prey.

Erik's grip tightened on his flyssa, and he lunged towards his target, determined to end the man's life once and for all.

But Achim's girlfriend, who was sitting beside him, spotted Erik out of the corner of her eye. Reacting instinctively, she pushed Achim out of the way and shielded him with her body, taking the brunt of Erik's attack. The sword sliced through the air, missing Achim by centimeters but striking the woman instead.