The Meeting of Shadows

The day was almost over. The sun was setting behind the tall buildings, dyeing the sky in gold and red as the city prepared for the darkness of night. In the lab, Seo Min-kyu moved with an enigmatic calm as always, carrying out his tasks with the precision that had earned him so much respect. He reviewed the latest notes on his experiments, putting a veneer of normalcy over the agitation that his true self carried. He had learned to master this skill: to act as the invisible man in the shadows, a dedicated scientist with his mind set on research, while secretly preparing for what was to come. As the workday drew to a close, he bid the other scientists farewell with a slight bow of his head. "See you tomorrow," he said, his voice as soft and cool as ever. The others gave him respectful glances, some even with a hint of admiration. It was hard not to be in awe when his genius shone through every project he touched.

He walked away unhurriedly, and as soon as he stepped out the door of the lab, a world apart awaited him. He walked toward his destination, his steps unperturbed as the flow of people followed him. No one seemed to notice the ordinary man he pretended to be.

As night fell, he made his way discreetly to an elegant casino, hidden away in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city. Its exterior drew little attention, but the lights and sounds inside the casino were seductive. The games, the laughter, and the clink of chips seemed to overshadow any external concerns. To anyone who walked through the door, it would be just another place of fun and distraction. But to Elysian, the casino was a facade.

He entered and mingled with the people, keeping himself apart. His eyes watched, absorbed every movement without being noticed. He followed narrow corridors, hidden staircases, until he reached a discreet room where no one noticed him. The lack of attention was exactly what he wanted.

The room was lit only by a soft lamp, creating dancing shadows on the walls. He headed towards the basement. There seemed to be nothing unusual, but he knew what he was doing.

At the back of the room, an iron door opened onto an empty space. There, he stopped, reaching for the control panel. With a quick, precise movement, the panel activated, revealing a vibrating portal. The air around him momentarily distorted, as if time and space were being manipulated by the energy within. Elysian did not hesitate. Without another word, he stepped through the portal.

As he stepped through the portal, Elysian found himself in a new environment. The room was austere, with concrete walls and cold lighting. It was part of the underground complex where the Horsemen of the Apocalypse held their secret meetings. A few meters away, the large meeting room was prepared for what would be a crucial night. He walked to the corner of the room, where a table was set up, covered in dark robes and a cold atmosphere of preparation. There, he changed his normal clothes for his Knight's garb, wearing black armor with red and silver details, the symbolism of his power. The time for the meeting was approaching. Leaving the next room, he headed to the large room where the other Heralds of the End were already waiting. Outside, the right arms of each of the Heralds were positioned, awaiting Elysian's arrival. With a subtle gesture of his hand, they all bowed before him, and the reverence they showed was more than clear: he was not only an important member, but someone whose presence defined the course of the organization. Elysian returned the gesture with a discreet nod and entered the room. The atmosphere was tense, but there was also a certain camaraderie.

Seraphina, a woman of imposing presence with reddish-brown hair that seemed to glow like an aurora, looked up at him as he entered. She smiled, a soft but genuine smile. "Good evening, Elysian," she said, her voice calm and steady.

"Good evening, Seraphina," Elysian replied, her tone equally calm, but there was something mysterious in her voice.

He sat in his assigned place, the center of the table, where all eyes turned momentarily in his direction. Silence hung briefly, as if every word spoken there was of utmost importance.

What followed was a casual conversation between the Heralds, an exchange of words about what had happened in the past few weeks. The strategies in progress, small victories and flaws to be corrected.

Everything seemed normal... until, as if time had stopped, the front door opened. The Heralds stood up, and all eyes turned to the two who entered the room. The first was a man of overwhelming presence. He had an aura of power that was almost palpable, and the cut of his dark hair and his impassive gaze were worthy of a leader. He wore a long black cloak that seemed to absorb the light around him. This was Avelar Noctis, the leader of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the Heralds of the End. His face displayed a cold calm, but in his eyes there was an intensity that only those who knew him could understand. Beside him, a woman with a penetrating gaze and a defiant posture. She had hair as black as night, which flowed fluidly down her back, and her smile hid more mysteries than anyone could imagine. This was Nyx Umbral, the vice-leader, the shadow that balanced the scales of power within the organization. Everyone stood up in respect, and Elysian, as always, remained seated and serene.

"Good evening, Avelar, Nyx," he said, his voice without any doubt.

"Good evening, Elysian," Avelar replied, his tone soft but full of authority.

"Good evening, everyone," Nyx said, her voice seductive and calm, which seemed to calm the tension in the air.

With that, Avelar gestured, and everyone returned to their seats, the moment of the meeting finally beginning.

"Let the meeting begin," Avelar said, his voice dominating the room.

The room was immersed in a dense stillness, as if the air around them was charged with tension. The Heralds of the End were all seated around the table, with their right and left arms in silence, waiting for the meeting to begin. The chairs were made of a dark, almost black material, matching the atmosphere filled with mystery. The soft glow of light on the walls reflected off the metal surfaces, but it was the energy within the room that seemed to illuminate the room in its own way.

Avelar Noctis, with his impassive gaze and oppressive presence, was the first to speak, his calm tone cutting through the silence. "Let us begin. It has been seven months since our last official meeting. Time is passing quickly, and our operations need to advance with greater precision. Elysian, you will begin."

All eyes turned to Elysian, whose posture remained unwavering. He glanced around, studying the faces of the other Heralds, before beginning to speak.

"Our main focus has been gathering information on the corrupt system that holds power. During these seven months, we have managed to infiltrate several networks, acquiring precious details about the heroes and their operations." He paused, observing the reactions of the others. "In addition, our mission to infiltrate mafia organizations has been more successful than expected. We have uncovered a network of informants who have been helping us monitor the movements of corrupt heroes. The information peddler we have been investigating is a key link between the government and criminality. Now, we are close to locating him and forcing him to give us more." His voice was calm, but the tension in his words made everyone pay even more attention. "I will work with Hana and Nikolai to ensure that this information peddler is found. We cannot afford to fail." Nyx, with her mysterious eyes and deep voice, spoke next. "As you all know, our division has been focused on supporting infiltration operations. Government corruption is more visible than ever, and we need to be prepared to infiltrate at the highest level. To this end, we are working with a group of dissidents from within the government, infiltrated in various agencies and control bodies." She paused, scanning the group with a piercing gaze. "We're waiting for the right opportunity to strike. When it comes, it will be a surefire strike."

Avelar gestured for Nyx to finish quickly, and she fell silent, returning to her seat. Gaea, with her solid posture and firm expression, stood up next. "My mission has been... to expand our influence over the military. There is much potential in the military that has yet to be explored. Some of our actions are paving the way for a new generation of soldiers loyal to our cause. It won't be easy, but we have already begun to corrupt the weaker units of heroes in the government." She sat down with a sigh, clearly satisfied with the initial results. Echo, who always maintained a serious and cold demeanor, followed Gaea. "Our part has been somewhat more subtle, but just as vital. We have worked on creating a clandestine communication network for the Knights. We are in contact with cells of our movement spread across several cities. So far, the results have been effective, but we cannot afford inactivity. We need to ensure that our message reaches every corner of the world. And who knows... maybe even create our own army." Seraphina, her eyes enigmatic and her smile light, spoke next. "Leo and I have been focusing on more discreet operations. We have tried to undermine the heroes' sources of power, attacking their financial networks and personal connections. When they fall, they will have nothing to fall back on." She looked around the room with an air of confidence. "We are making progress. We are no longer just in the shadows. We are at the heart of the system."

The room filled with a tense stillness as each considered the impact of Seraphina's words. It was clear that they were ready to take the next big step.

Vespera, with her ever-secret smile, stood up, her voice soft but full of authority. "Our efforts have been directed at weakening key figures in the power structure. The main mission now is to destroy the last defenses the heroes have, and that includes destroying their secret bases and their strongest alliances. We are getting closer, and the target is already being marked." She sat down with a satisfied expression, knowing they were closer to their goal.

Ignis, always with his fiery gaze, wasted no time. "Our focus is on destruction. If we need chaos to advance, then that's what we'll get. We're preparing something big, an offensive that will shake the government once and for all. Brute force will be our ally, and when we fall, all heroes will feel it." He exhaled a sigh of satisfaction, excited for what was to come.

Luna, with her mysterious eyes and her ethereal voice, followed next. "Our role has been to protect our base and ensure that what we're doing in the shadows isn't compromised. However, we've invested time and resources in researching the heroes and their weaknesses. Many underestimate the importance of understanding the enemy before attacking, and that's something we've been doing quietly." She paused, as if weighing the weight of her words. "When the time comes, the offensive will be relentless."

Finally, Orion, his gaze alert and his voice calm, spoke with his characteristic calm. "All movements are underway. The heroes do not know what is about to happen, but I can assure you that when we begin, it will be a deadly blow. We are close to our true revenge." Avelar stood, the weight of his presence causing everyone to quiet down. "Now that everyone is up to speed, the real war begins. Everyone is playing their roles effectively. But we need more. The world will never know what hit them." As the meeting ended, the atmosphere in the room felt lighter, as if a weight had been lifted from everyone. The tension of months of preparation now transformed into a sense of imminent action. After the meeting, the Heralds gathered in a corner of the room, beginning to chat in a more relaxed manner, since it had been a long time since they had met in person. They were not used to being together for long periods of time, and the conversation flowed as if they were reconnecting. "I knew you were watching me, Vespera," Ignis said with a mischievous smile. "I think I can get used to it now." Vespera smiled back, the mystery never leaving her expression. "You have a unique way of... standing out, Ignis." Luna chuckled softly, her laughter like music in the room. "We know no one can hide from you, Vespera." Echo, always playful, approached Avelar with a mischievous smile: "Avelar, you didn't tell me I'm the only one who knows how to make you smile like that, did you? I guess my dedication is finally being noticed." Nyx, who overheard the conversation and approached with an intrigued expression, replied sarcastically: "Oh, really? I swore that anyone who could make Avelar smile was a true miracle, but who can deny the charm of the Abyssal Shadow?" Avelar, in the middle of the situation, seems visibly uncomfortable and tries to change the subject, but the other Heralds start laughing and making fun of the situation.

Vespera, watching from afar, comments with a mischievous smile: "It seems like the competition for Avelar is heating up, huh? I don't know who's going to win this fight, but it's fun to watch you guys fight over him like you're kids."

The joke continues with everyone having fun, but Avelar is a little embarrassed, trying to maintain his composure as a leader while Echo and Nyx continue to tease him in a light and playful way. Elysian, who is watching from afar, doesn't miss the opportunity to joke with him.

Elysian approaches with a sarcastic smile as she observes the scene: "I always knew Avelar had a large number of admirers... But I didn't know it would be such a fierce competition. I think you have to choose soon, Avelar. Or both of them will make you even more tense."

Avelar, already visibly uncomfortable, tries to change the subject: "I'm not interested in... This isn't the time for this, Elysian."

Elysian, realizing Avelar's embarrassment, continues: "Be careful, if you keep ignoring me, maybe Nyx or Echo will end up offering to comfort you to ease your tension. What do you think, huh?"

The conversation quickly becomes a source of laughter among the other Heralds, with Nyx and Echo exaggerating their performances, trying to win Avelar over in an even more comical way. The joke continues, and Avelar ends up being forced to laugh at the situation, trying to maintain his dignity.

Vespera, always ready to add fuel to the fire, decides that the time has come to provoke Elysian and Seraphina with a speculation that has already been circulating among the Heralds: "Speaking of relationships, has anyone else noticed the chemistry between Elysian and Seraphina? I bet there's something more there. After all, the two of them are so... perfect together, aren't they?"

Seraphina, who is sitting next to Vespera, visibly tenses and blushes, freezing for a moment, her eyes wide with surprise. She tries to compose herself, but her embarrassment is evident: "Wh... what? No, no... that's not true. V-Vespera, you're completely wrong."

Elysian, who observes Seraphina's reaction, responds in a cold and impersonal manner, as always: "That doesn't make sense. There's no logic to it. There's no room for such distractions."

The situation becomes awkward for a moment, as Seraphina tries to compose herself and the other Heralds, including Vespera, begin to laugh at their reaction. Vespera teases a little more, but everyone soon realizes that the joke has gone too far.

Echo, trying to ease the tension, cracks a joke to lighten the mood: "Elysian, your cold heart will never melt, huh? I wouldn't be surprised if you froze any attempt at romance like a block of ice."

Everyone bursts out laughing, and the tension quickly dissipates. Seraphina, still a little embarrassed, tries to change the subject, while Elysian just gives a slight cynical smile, already used to the teasing.

The Heralds continued their conversation, laughing and exchanging glances. It was clear that, despite all the seriousness of their mission, they still shared a deep bond. They were an organization, united by purpose and the revenge that drove their souls.