Chapter 167: A Warning in the Dark

The aftermath of the battle left an eerie silence over Kasen's villa. Bodies of the assassins lay strewn across the grounds, their dark clothing blending with the shadows. The guards moved quickly, clearing the area, while Jay, Mira, the traitor, and the woman stood near the entrance, their breaths heavy from the skirmish.

Kasen emerged from the secure room, his face set in a grim expression. "Is it over?" he asked, scanning the courtyard.

"For now," Jay replied, sheathing his sword. "But this was just the beginning. Isolde will send more if we don't act quickly."

Mira knelt beside the dead assassin, inspecting the broken vial of poison. "They're fanatics. This was no ordinary group of mercenaries. Isolde has them completely under her control."

The traitor stepped forward, wiping the blood from their blade. "She's always had a talent for manipulating people. But even fanatics can be broken. We just need to find the right leverage."

Jay glanced at the bodies being carried away. "Leverage or not, she's always two steps ahead. We need something that can turn the tide in our favor."

Kasen crossed his arms, his gaze hard. "She's targeting the king's allies one by one. If we don't stop her soon, there won't be anyone left to defend the throne."

Jay nodded. "That's why we need to change the game. No more reacting to her attacks—we have to strike first."

The woman, who had been silent throughout the conversation, finally spoke. "There's one place where we might find Isolde. But it's dangerous."

Jay's eyes narrowed. "Where?"

The woman hesitated, then sighed. "It's an underground hideout, deep beneath the city. It used to be a secret gathering place for the Order's highest-ranking members, before Isolde rose to power. If she's still using it, we might be able to catch her off guard."

Mira frowned. "How do we know she hasn't abandoned it by now? She knows we're hunting her."

The woman shrugged. "We don't. But Isolde is a creature of habit. She won't give up control of the Order so easily. That place is a symbol of her power. If she's desperate, she'll return there."

Jay thought for a moment, then made a decision. "It's worth the risk. We'll gather a small team and go after her. If we can corner her in the hideout, we might finally have a chance to end this."

Kasen stepped forward. "I'll come with you. I've fought in enough battles to know that an ambush is likely. You'll need more than just a few blades."

Jay appreciated the offer, but shook his head. "No. You're too important to the kingdom's defenses. If anything happens to you, the entire military structure will collapse. We can't afford to lose you."

Kasen grunted but didn't argue. "Just be careful, Prince. Isolde's not going to go down without a fight."

Jay exchanged a look with Mira, the weight of the mission settling on his shoulders. "We'll be ready."

Later that night, Jay and Mira made their final preparations. They gathered a small team of trusted fighters—those who had proven their loyalty time and time again. The traitor and the woman were part of the group, both willing to risk everything to see Isolde fall.

As they moved through the city's darkened streets, Jay couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The air felt thick, almost oppressive, as if the city itself knew the danger that lay ahead.

Mira walked beside him, her face set in determination. "You're thinking too much again," she said quietly.

Jay gave her a sidelong glance. "I can't help it. We've had so many close calls. What if this is another trap?"

Mira smirked, her eyes glinting in the moonlight. "Then we'll fight our way out. Like we always do."

Her confidence was reassuring, but Jay still couldn't shake the sense of unease. As they approached the entrance to the underground hideout, the traitor paused, motioning for the group to stop.

"This is it," the traitor whispered, pointing to a narrow, almost hidden doorway at the base of a crumbling building. "Once we're inside, stay close. The tunnels are like a maze."

Jay nodded, signaling for the group to move forward. The door creaked as it opened, revealing a staircase that descended into darkness. The air was cold, damp, and carried the faint scent of earth and mold.

They descended slowly, the only sounds being their footsteps echoing against the stone walls. Jay's hand tightened on the hilt of his sword, every sense on high alert. There was no telling what waited for them down here.

After what felt like an eternity, they reached the bottom of the stairs. The traitor led them through a series of winding tunnels, their path lit by flickering torches mounted on the walls. The deeper they went, the more the tension grew.

Finally, they reached a large, circular chamber. The room was dimly lit, but Jay could make out several stone pillars and an old, worn table in the center. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the walls were lined with shadows that seemed to shift with every flicker of the torchlight.

"This is it," the traitor whispered. "This is where the Order used to meet."

Jay stepped forward, his eyes scanning the room. There was no sign of Isolde, but he knew better than to let his guard down.

Mira moved to his side, her eyes narrowing as she studied the shadows. "It's too quiet."

Just as she spoke, a soft, chilling laugh echoed through the chamber. Jay's heart skipped a beat, his hand tightening on his sword.

"Welcome, Prince," a voice said, smooth and mocking. "I've been expecting you."

From the shadows, Isolde emerged, her figure cloaked in black. Her eyes gleamed with malicious amusement as she stepped into the dim light.

"You've done well to make it this far," she said, her voice carrying a dangerous edge. "But I'm afraid this is where your journey ends."

Jay's blood ran cold as he realized the trap had been set the moment they stepped into the chamber. The shadows around them began to move, revealing more of Isolde's assassins, hidden in the dark corners of the room.

"We're surrounded," Mira muttered, her blades drawn and ready.

Jay's mind raced. They were outnumbered, but they couldn't afford to back down now. Isolde stood before them, her smirk growing as she sensed their hesitation.

"Did you really think you could stop me?" she asked, her voice dripping with contempt. "You've been a thorn in my side for too long, Jay. It's time I removed you, once and for all."

Jay met her gaze, his resolve hardening. "You won't win, Isolde. No matter how many assassins you send, you'll never take the throne."

Isolde's smile faltered, her eyes narrowing with rage. "We'll see about that."

With a flick of her wrist, she signaled her assassins to attack. The chamber erupted into chaos as blades clashed and shouts filled the air. Jay fought with everything he had, his sword flashing in the dim light as he parried and struck at the enemies closing in on him.

Mira was a blur of motion beside him, her twin blades slicing through the assassins with deadly precision. The traitor and the woman fought alongside them, holding their ground despite the overwhelming odds.

But as the battle raged on, Jay couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him. Isolde was powerful, and her control over the assassins made her even more dangerous.

He needed to end this. Now.

With a roar of determination, Jay pushed forward, cutting through the last of the assassins standing between him and Isolde. She stepped back, her eyes flashing with fury as he advanced.

"Your time is up," Jay growled, raising his sword.

But before he could strike, Isolde let out a piercing scream, her body suddenly enveloped in a dark, swirling mist. The shadows seemed to pulse around her, growing larger and more menacing as she laughed.

"You think you can kill me?" she hissed. "I am the Order. I am the shadows."

And with that, she disappeared into the darkness, leaving nothing but silence and an empty chamber in her wake.