The royal palace was huge — full of gold, guards, and people who smiled with their mouths but not their eyes.
Today, a big meeting was going on.
The King sat on his throne. The Hero stood proudly near him. And behind the Hero, calm and sharp-eyed, stood Raven — the man who saw everything.
The hall was filled with nobles, each one pretending to be loyal. Raven could tell half of them were liars.
Then a new voice spoke — clear, strong, and full of confidence.
> "Your Majesty, the attacks on the border aren't just random raids."
Everyone turned.
A woman stepped forward. She wore silver armor with a black cloak, and a blue jewel pinned near her shoulder. Her hair shined like moonlight, and her eyes were sharp — smart eyes, the kind that saw through lies.
Raven looked at her closely. She's not afraid. Interesting.
> "The raiders knew exactly where to strike," she continued. "They weren't stealing. They were testing our defenses."
The King frowned. "You mean it's planned?"
> "Yes," she said. "Someone's giving them inside information."
The crowd went silent.
A noble near the throne — Lord Althros — laughed lightly.
> "Lady Selene, always suspicious."
She looked at him without blinking.
> "I don't guess, my lord. I study patterns."
Raven's lips curled slightly. She's sharp. Very sharp.
The King nodded slowly. "Lady Selene, you may investigate. I trust your instincts."
She bowed. "I'll find the truth."
As the meeting ended, Raven's and Selene's eyes met for the first time.
No smiles.
No fear.
Just understanding — two hunters spotting each other in the dark.
> "You're staring," Vee teased in Raven's mind.
"I'm observing," Raven whispered.
"She's strong."
"So am I."
---
Outside the hall, Raven stood alone in the corridor.
Selene approached him, armor glinting in torchlight.
> "You're the Hero's teacher," she said.
"And you're the King's knight," he replied.
Her lips curved slightly.
> "You're blunt."
"You're confident."
She crossed her arms. "I've heard about you. The strategist from the Church. The one who doesn't smile."
> "And you? The knight who questions kings."
She tilted her head. "There's corruption here. Someone powerful is playing a dangerous game. You're in the middle of it."
Raven's tone was calm. "I prefer shadows. They show me what light hides."
> "Then maybe we should work together."
Raven smirked. "You trust too easily."
> "I don't trust. I check."
Their eyes locked. A silent agreement passed between them.
> "Fine," Raven said softly. "Let's hunt."
---
That night, the palace held a grand masquerade — a huge party full of dancing, laughter, and lies.
Raven stood in the corner, watching nobles twirl under golden chandeliers.
He hated parties. Too much noise. Too many fake smiles.
The Hero was dancing awkwardly with a noble girl, trying not to step on her feet.
> "You could dance too," Vee teased.
"No interest," Raven said.
"Then why are you watching that lady knight again?"
"Because she's watching everyone else."
Selene stood across the hall, mask silver, dress black. Even in silk, she looked ready for battle.
She walked over.
> "You don't wear a mask."
"I don't need one."
"That makes people nervous."
"Good."
She leaned closer. "I followed the trail. The one behind the raids — it leads to a noble. Baron Luthen. He's here tonight."
Raven's eyes sharpened. "Then he's ours."
Selene raised a brow. "How? In the middle of a dance?"
> "Simple. We dance too."
She smirked. "You? Dancing?"
> "Just follow my lead."
---
Raven held out his hand.
Selene hesitated a second — then took it.
Gasps spread through the hall. The mysterious church man, dancing with the fearless knight?
Music swelled.
Their moves were smooth, sharp — not gentle, not romantic. Each spin, each step was planned. They moved closer and closer to Baron Luthen, who stood near the edge of the room, nervous, sipping wine.
> "Target's moving," Selene whispered.
"Stay calm," Raven said.
As the music reached its peak, they slipped out of the crowd, following the Baron into the hallway.
The corridor was quiet.
> "Leaving so early, Baron?" Raven's voice echoed softly.
The man jumped, eyes wide.
Selene blocked his escape.
> "W-what do you want?"
"Answers." Raven's tone was calm but cold. "You gave information to the raiders."
"N-no! I— I just followed orders!"
"Whose?"
The man's hands shook.
> "Lord Althros! He said it was a test for the Hero!"
Selene's jaw tightened. "He lied. It was a trap."
Raven's gaze turned sharp as ice. "Sign this."
He pulled out a paper — a confession written with magical ink.
> "If you lie, it burns your soul. If you sign, you live."
The Baron stared at the glowing paper, then scribbled his name quickly, terrified.
Raven took it back, folded it, and said,
> "Forget we ever met."
Then he and Selene walked away, leaving the man shaking in the dark.
---
They stopped by the garden fountain. The moon shined on the water.
Selene looked at him.
> "You forced him to confess without a fight."
"Fear's faster than steel," Raven replied.
"You're dangerous."
"So are you."
For a moment, neither spoke. Just quiet understanding.
> "You're not like other priests," she said finally.
"I'm not here to save souls," Raven said. "I'm here to build power."
Selene smiled faintly. "Then maybe we're more alike than I thought."
Vee giggled softly in his mind.
> "You like her."
"I respect her."
"Same thing."
"Not for me."
Raven looked back at the glowing palace.
He'd gained more than a confession tonight.
He'd found a partner — smart, bold, and dangerous.
And in this world full of liars, that was worth more than gold.
----
The night was cold, and the moon hung low like a silver blade.
Raven stood at the edge of the palace garden, cloak fluttering in the wind.
Selene walked beside him, silent but alert.
They had a confession in hand. Proof of betrayal. But in a place like this, proof was never enough.
> "If we show this to the King," Selene said, "Lord Althros will twist it. He'll say it's fake. The nobles will side with him."
"Exactly," Raven replied. "So we don't show it."
"Then what do we do?"
"We take everything he owns. Reputation, allies, secrets — all of it."
Selene glanced at him. "That's not justice."
> "It's survival."
Vee's voice chimed softly in Raven's mind.
> "Ooh, plotting already? I like it. Want me to pull some files?"
"Yes. Search all records of Lord Althros' trade, bribes, and offshore vaults."
"You got it, boss~"
Selene noticed Raven's eyes flash faintly red. "Your system?"
> "She's efficient."
"She?"
"Don't ask."
Vee giggled. "You could at least introduce me~"
> "Not now."
Selene smirked slightly. "Talking to yourself?"
> "Always," Raven said dryly.
---
As they walked deeper into the garden, they reached a locked gate hidden behind vines.
Selene pushed them aside. "This isn't on the palace map."
Raven knelt, pressing a hand against the lock. A faint hum vibrated — runes.
> "Magic seal," he muttered.
"You can break it?"
"Easily."
He placed a small crystal on the lock. It glowed, cracked, then vanished.
The gate creaked open.
Beyond it lay a spiral staircase descending underground.
Selene frowned. "Secret passage."
> "No. Secret gathering."
They exchanged a look — then stepped down together.
---
The staircase led to a massive hall lit by floating candles.
Masked figures stood in a circle, whispering.
A tall man with a silver mask stood at the center.
> "Welcome, friends, to the Court of Masks. Tonight, we discuss… the fall of the Hero."
Selene's eyes widened. The Hero?
Raven's face remained calm. So that's their game.
He whispered, "Don't draw your sword. Listen."
> "They're plotting against the Hero."
"Yes. Which means they're plotting against me too."
The masked leader raised his hand.
> "The Church grows strong. The Hero gains fame. If we don't act, our influence dies. We must control the strings, not be controlled."
Another masked noble stepped forward.
> "What of Lord Althros? He said the raids would break their faith."
"Althros failed," the leader spat. "He'll pay for his incompetence."
Raven's eyes narrowed. They're cleaning house already.
Selene whispered, "They'll kill him."
> "Let them. It saves us the trouble."
The leader lifted a dagger, dripping red.
> "The time has come. We choose our next move."
He turned — and his gaze swept dangerously close to Raven and Selene.
For a moment, everything froze.
Then —
> "New members?"
Raven stepped forward smoothly.
> "Invited by Althros. He said there was an opportunity."
The masked man studied him. "Name?"
> "Shadow."
A pause. Then a low laugh.
> "A bold name. Fine. Speak. What do you offer the Court?"
Raven's eyes gleamed under the dim light.
> "Chaos," he said simply. "The kind that makes heroes kneel."
The room fell silent.
Then —
> "Interesting. We'll see if your words hold weight."
The leader turned back to his council.
Selene whispered under her breath, "You're insane."
> "Effective," Raven corrected.
---
As the meeting went on, they listened carefully.
Names. Plans. Hidden routes. Corruption trails.
Each word was gold. Each whisper was a blade.
Vee's voice came through softly.
> "I'm recording everything. These nobles are dirtier than a pigsty."
"Keep scanning," Raven replied.
One noble mentioned a location:
> "The next shipment arrives at Blackvine Port. That's where the Hero will be ambushed."
Raven's eyes sharpened. So that's their trap.
Selene gritted her teeth quietly.
> "They're planning to kill him."
"Yes. And we'll let them try."
"What?"
"If we stop them, they hide again. If we let them act, we catch them all."
"You'd use the Hero as bait?"
"He'll live. I'll make sure of it."
Selene didn't answer, but her expression was torn — between duty and strategy.
She whispered finally, "You're not a saint."
> "Never claimed to be."
---
After the meeting ended, Raven and Selene slipped away unnoticed.
They climbed back to the garden, moonlight shining on their faces.
Selene exhaled. "That was… close."
> "Close gets results."
She turned to face him. "You walk on thin ice and pretend it's stone."
> "I don't pretend. I just don't fall."
For a second, her serious face softened.
> "You're dangerous, Raven."
"You said that already."
"I meant… you're dangerously interesting."
Vee snickered in his head.
> "Ooooh, someone's catching feelings~"
"Quiet."
"You can't hide from chemistry~"
"I can try."
Selene tilted her head. "Talking to your 'efficient system' again?"
> "She never shuts up."
"Sounds like a friend."
"Or a headache."
Selene smiled faintly. "Either way… I like her."
> "She likes you too," Vee teased aloud through his voice.
Selene blinked. "Did she just—?"
> "Yeah."
"She's… sassy."
"She learns from me."
Selene laughed softly. It was the first time Raven had heard her laugh — quiet, short, but real.
> "What now?" she asked.
"Now, we prepare. Blackvine Port. We let the snakes come out."
"And when they do?"
"We cut off every head."
---
Hours later, Raven sat alone in his quarters.
A candle flickered beside him.
He unrolled the confession paper, the list of names from the meeting, and the map of the port.
Each piece fit together perfectly — like chess.
Vee appeared beside him in her glowing holographic form, silver hair flowing like starlight.
> "You really planning to use the Hero as bait?"
"Yes."
"That's cold, even for you."
"It's necessary. He'll survive. He's lucky."
"And what about her?"
"Selene?"
"You trust her too fast."
"No. I watch her too closely."
Vee hovered near his shoulder.
> "Still… she's different, huh?"
"She sees the rot. That's rare."
Vee's tone softened.
> "And you?"
"I don't see rot. I am the rot."
She sighed. "You don't have to be, you know."
> "I do. Heroes save kingdoms. Villains build empires."
For a moment, the candle flickered brighter — like it agreed.
Raven's eyes reflected the flame — calm, sharp, untouchable.
He whispered, "This time, no one uses me."
---
Meanwhile, across the palace, Selene stood by her window, removing her armor piece by piece.
Her mind replayed the meeting — the masks, the whispers, the way Raven stood without fear.
She clenched her fist. "He's dangerous."
But her lips curved slightly. "And brilliant."
She sat down, staring at the moon.
> "If he's really planning to fight from the shadows… maybe I should follow."
Her reflection in the window smiled faintly.
> "For the kingdom," she whispered.
But deep down, she knew —
It wasn't just for the kingdom anymore.
---
The next morning, the King summoned Raven.
> "Raven, the Hero will leave for Blackvine Port soon. Join him."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
The Hero grinned. "We're finally doing something fun!"
Raven smirked. "You'll call it 'fun' until the arrows start flying."
The Hero laughed. "You worry too much."
> "I plan too much," Raven corrected.
As they walked out of the palace, Selene joined them in armor once again.
The trio looked unstoppable — a Hero, a Knight, and a Villain in disguise.
Vee's voice whispered in Raven's mind.
> "Three pieces on the board. A storm's coming."
Raven's eyes gleamed.
"Good. Let's see who drowns first."
To be continued...