The night was like ink, soaking into the rusty metal buildings. The unremarkable tin house at the end of the alley finally let out its last wisp of dim yellow light.
As the rusted door hinge emitted an ear-piercing creak, followers from all over filed out, their faces glowing with the unique, devout red sheen of believers, illuminated by the moonlight.
They tightened their tattered coats, dispersing silently into the city's vein-like alleys, like a school of silent fish.
No one noticed the five figures surveying this finale from high above.
To the left of Judicial Bureau Deputy Director Bode, his metal prosthetic eye glowed with a ghostly blue light, the chip in his skull marking the identity traits of each believer before his eyes.
In the shadows behind him, four captains of his security team lurked like beasts ready to pounce.
An Nishang has close confidants, and Bode equally has his own trusted aides.
