Investigation and Ambush
The world had fallen into a quiet stillness as dusk painted Ginger Town in shades of blue and black. Samson stood in the dimly lit base, adjusting the strap of the special watch Avik had given him.
"This is a communication device," Avik had explained earlier, demonstrating how the watch worked. "No matter where you are, as long as you channel a bit of mana into it, you can send messages or call for help. We call it the 'Mana Relay.' It's custom-built and highly secure, so use it wisely."
Now, Samson tightened the device around his wrist on his right hand (as his left wrist is already occupied with his life changing watch) his heartbeat steady but purposeful. This was his first operation with the team, and he couldn't afford to mess up.
"Ready?" Sasha's voice cut through his thoughts. She stood at the entrance, her sharp green eyes assessing him.
"Ready," Samson replied, following her out into the cool night air.
---
The streets of Ginger Town were eerily quiet, the occasional flicker of lamplight illuminating their path. Sasha led the way, her movements precise and calculated.
As they walked, she glanced at Samson. "I know this is your first mission, so let me give you some advice. Stay sharp, and don't let your guard down for even a second."
Samson nodded. "Understood."
"Good," she said, her tone softening slightly. "By the way, you remind me of our injured teammate, Kieran."
Samson tilted his head. "Kieran?"
"He was the youngest member of our group before you joined," Sasha explained. "Specialized in illusions with his dark magic. He was a master at confusing our enemies and creating distractions. But during our last mission, things went south. He got badly injured while trying to protect the team."
Samson frowned. "What happened?"
Sasha's expression darkened. "An ambush. We underestimated our opponents. Kieran managed to shield us long enough for reinforcements to arrive, but he paid the price. He's recovering now, but it'll be months before he's back on his feet."
The weight of her words hung heavy in the air. Samson clenched his fists, silently vowing not to be a burden to the team.
---
The Merchant's Tale
The merchant's estate loomed before them, its grandeur dimmed by the shadows of the night. A pair of guards let them in after Sasha flashed a badge identifying her as part of the private eye group.
The merchant, a portly man with a nervous demeanor, met them in his study.
"I assume you're here about the theft?" he asked, wiping sweat from his brow.
"That's right," Sasha said, her tone firm. "Tell us everything you know. Leave out no details."
The merchant hesitated before speaking. "It happened two nights ago. My prized artifact, an ancient ruby-encrusted chalice, was stolen from my vault. The thieves bypassed all my security measures—runes, barriers, everything. I have no idea how they did it."
"Did you notice anything unusual before the theft?" Sasha pressed.
The merchant shook his head. "No. Everything seemed normal. But I did hear rumors about a gang operating out of the old inn on the edge of town. They've been causing trouble recently. Perhaps they're responsible."
Sasha nodded. "We'll look into it. Thank you for your time."
As they left the estate, she turned to Samson. "What do you think?"
"It's worth checking out," Samson said. "If this gang is behind the theft, they might still have the chalice—or know who does."
"Agreed," Sasha said, her pace quickening.
---
The inn was a decrepit building, its wooden exterior worn and weathered. Samson and Sasha approached cautiously, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement.
A few patrons sat at the bar, their gazes flickering toward the newcomers before returning to their drinks.
The bar area was dimly lit, occupied by a handful of patrons who barely glanced at the newcomers. The air was thick with the smell of alcohol and smoke. Sasha's movements were deliberate as she approached the bartender, a burly man cleaning glasses with a rag that looked as worn as the establishment itself.
"What can I get for you?" the bartender asked, his voice gruff.
Sasha leaned on the counter, her demeanor shifting to something more casual but no less commanding. "I'm looking for some information. Heard you might be the person to ask."
The bartender paused, his eyes narrowing. "Depends on what you're asking about."
"We're looking into the recent theft at the merchant's estate," Sasha said, her voice low but firm. "Rumor has it this place might be connected."
The bartender's expression didn't change, but his hands stilled for a fraction of a second. "I don't know anything about that," he said, his tone guarded.
Sasha slid a small pouch of coins across the counter, the clink of metal breaking the tension. "Maybe this will jog your memory."
The bartender hesitated, then leaned in slightly. "I've heard whispers. There's a gang that's been causing trouble around here. They keep to the shadows, but if you're looking for them, you might want to check the upper floors."
Sasha nodded, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Thanks."
---
As they turned to leave, a man approached them. He was tall and lanky, his features sharp and his eyes darting nervously around the room.
"I couldn't help but overhear," he said, his voice low. "You're looking into the theft, aren't you?"
Samson exchanged a glance with Sasha, who raised an eyebrow. "Maybe. Who's asking?"
The man glanced over his shoulder, as if checking to see if anyone was watching. "I have information. But we can't talk here. Follow me to the top floor."
Sasha hesitated, her gaze narrowing. "Why can't you tell us here?"
"It's not safe," the man said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Please. I just want to help."
Samson frowned, his instincts warning him that something was off. But before he could speak, Sasha gave a subtle nod.
"Alright," she said. "Lead the way."
---
The man led them up a narrow staircase, the wood groaning beneath their weight. The higher they climbed, the darker it became, the flickering lanterns on the walls doing little to illuminate their path.
As they reached the top floor, the man opened a door at the end of the hallway and gestured for them to enter.
"This way," he said, his voice steady now.
Samson and Sasha stepped inside, their eyes adjusting to the dim light of the room. It was empty, save for a few scattered pieces of furniture and a large window that let in the pale glow of the moon.
Something wasn't right.
Before Samson could voice his concern, the door slammed shut behind them
"Ambush!" Sasha shouted, drawing her dagger just as a group of masked figures burst into the hallway.
The attackers moved quickly, their weapons glinting in the dim light. Sasha fought with precision, her wind magic creating gusts that knocked her opponents off balance. Samson, meanwhile, summoned his ice magic, forming a barrier to shield them.
But the numbers were against them. One of the attackers managed to land a blow on Sasha, sending her crashing into the wall. She gasped in pain, clutching her side.
"Sasha!" Samson yelled, rushing to her side.
"I'm fine," she muttered, though her pale face said otherwise. She tapped her Mana Relay watch, sending out an S.O.S. signal. "Reinforcements are on their way. Just hold them off until they get here."
---
With Sasha injured, Samson knew he had to step up. He faced the attackers, his heart pounding but his mind focused.
Channeling his ice magic, he created sharp spikes that jutted out from the ground, forcing the attackers to retreat. When one of them lunged at him, he used an ice-enhanced dash spell to evade, slipping past his opponent with ease.
His movements were deliberate, his attacks precise. Though his mana reserves were limited, he made every spell count, using the terrain to his advantage.
As the fight wore on, Samson began to tire, but he refused to back down. He couldn't afford to fail—not now, not ever.
---
Just as the attackers began to close in again, a loud crash echoed through the hallway.
"Get away from them!" a booming voice roared.
Rahul and Bjorn charged in, their combined magic creating a devastating impact. Rahul's earth magic created barriers that protected Samson and Sasha, while Bjorn's fire magic engulfed the attackers, forcing them to retreat.
Within moments, the ambush was over. The attackers fled, leaving behind only their weapons and a few scattered belongings.
"Are you two alright?" Rahul asked, helping Sasha to her feet.
"I'll live," Sasha said, wincing as she stood.
"And you?" Bjorn asked, turning to Samson.
"I'm fine," Samson said, though his trembling hands betrayed his exhaustion.
---
Back at the base, Sasha turned to Samson, her expression unreadable. "You did well tonight. Better than I expected."
"Thanks," Samson said, unsure how to respond.
Rahul clapped him on the back. "You've got guts, kid. And skills to match."
Bjorn nodded. "Yeah. You might just fit in here after all."
As the team debriefed and tended to their injuries, Samson felt a flicker of hope. He had proved his worth tonight, not just to the team, but to himself.
And as he lay in bed that night, the Mana Relay watch still strapped to his wrist, he couldn't help but feel that this was only the beginning.