I'm not gonna like this, am I? Leo frowned, taking a seat on the remnants of a car. What did they come up with this time?

'A plan for the move, pretty crazy one at that,' Nyx informed. 'At first, I thought your sister was just throwing out different ideas, but she already has every single detail panned out. The only thing that's missing is a green light from you.'

He sighed. All right, explain everything; don't skip any details.

'They want to move tomorrow as soon as the sun comes up. People are already ready, and everything important is packed up. Malcolm also had a few of his assassins map the safest path out of London. I checked it, and it's not bad. With Lily there, they shouldn't have any problems getting out.'

Tomorrow? Are they mad? They were supposed to coordinate with Frank's squad. He shook his head. What the hell is going on there, Nyx? Why are they rushing it so much?

'Payne's group,' the feline answered as if it explained everything, and maybe it did. 'We have a few scouts tracking their movement. For two days now, Payne and three others went into the Supercluster. You can guess why... Then, two other bigger groups of lower levels are working on taking down two nests. The hospital is one of them.'

So Lily wants to move while Payne is busy. Leo concluded. That sounds a bit better, even if it's still risky. What if you are spotted on the way out of London? We both know they have more people than just those you've mentioned.

'Indeed. That's why Lily came up with some countermeasures,' Nyx said, and even without seeing her, he could imagine the grimace on her face.

Ah, so that's the part I won't like, he grumbled. Go on. Rip off the band-aid.

'Don't be so overdramatic. It's not that bad.'

Let me be the judge of that.

Nyx snorted. 'Very well. Ever since you left, Malcolm had his people preparing more explosives. They have over thirty at this point, and all of them were installed with a slightly longer fuse—up to five minutes, if I remember correctly. This way, with enough runners, Lily wants to cause several explosions across the city to make Payne's people investigate.'

Leo nodded. Okay, you were right. That's a good idea. But it isn't all, hmm?

'No,' the feline admitted with an internal sigh. 'There is another side to this plan that depends on the two of us. Remember the two bigger groups I told you about?'

He blinked, only for his eyes to widen. Don't tell me...

'Yes, she wants us to attack them while they are clearing out the nests. You take one, I take the other. Strike when they least expect it. Payne won't be there to save them.'

It would be a slaughter. Leo closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. And Lily proposed that? She wants us to kill them all?

'She didn't say it outright, but she didn't need to. Everybody in the room knew what she meant. Their faces said it all. See for yourself.'

Instantly, a memory flashed right before his eyes—Malcolm and two others standing in silence while Lily explained the last part of the plan. Like Nyx said, their faces were painted with grim determination and acceptance. Though, at the same time, the hatred in his sister's eyes was obvious.

"Ah... I see," Leo muttered, opening his eyes to look at the sky. "The Outbreak has really changed and messed up all of us. Lily pretty much signed their death sentence. I had no idea she carried so much anger inside her."

'She saw Payne and his people slaughter innocent survivors. Can you fault her for wanting to do this?' Nyx asked, her voice as soft as velvet. 'Even if they are all manipulated and controlled, we cannot help it. Remember, this is war. You can't save everybody.'

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I don't plan to—never really did... I just didn't expect this. I knew we had to strike back at Payne sooner or later, but this? He shook his head. It will take a while for me to accept that this is Lily's work.

'That's... understandable,' the feline said. 'But what will you do? If you don't agree, Lily and Malcolm promised to figure out something else.'

There's no need. I will do it. He answered. It's an easy way for us to even the odds a bit. I just don't like how this was almost forced opon us. I'm gonna need to talk with Lily. I doubt this is an idea she just came up with.

'I would rather choose my prey myself too,' Nyx admitted. 'But, I understand why your sister did this. We're the only ones that can win against so many Blessed.'

Yeah. That's why I'm not even angry. Annoyed, yes, but not angry—at least not until I talk with Lily.

'When can we expect you in London, then? It would be best if you came before the night ended.'

Leo hummed, scratching his reptilian chin. I definitely have to talk with Holden first. The Void Gate here is opening during the night after this one. Also, I need you to quickly teach me how to push Creation with shadows to its final tier. I will need it for tomorrow.

'We really should have done this a while ago... At least it shouldn't take more than an hour with your current mastery of shadows,' Nyx said, their link filling with her confidence. 'Sit down and listen. We have to be fast.'

He smiled. Let's do it.

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Shadow: Creation (Master)

Creation with shadows has never been easier and stronger. Like with most mastered techniques, imagination is the limit. Additionally, you can now infuse your constructs with basic commands and make them act upon them.

As he stepped past Eden's border, Leo dismissed the description of his improved technique. Like Nyx said, it barely took an hour to make it advance, and now, he could finally form his own shadow minions. They were far from perfect creations, but for now, they should be enough.

Now, where's Frank? He scanned the squad of people gathered near the warehouse. He easily recognized most of them from yesterday's training session. Where are y—

"Leo!" A familiar voice shouted from behind. "What're you doing here? I thought you would be waiting for us at the town square."

He spun around, facing Frank. "Change of plans. I need you to get Holden. I have news from London. It's important, very important."

"Ah shite," the Fallen cursed and quickly looked toward the gathered crowd. "Dylan! Lin! I can't go with you for now. You two are in charge. Run the usual drills. I will try to join you as fast as I can."

Frank didn't even wait for an answer as he sprinted into the warehouse.

Leo sighed.

And so it begins...

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"Fuck!" Holden growled in an unusual show of emotions. "That's too fast. We're not ready to send our people to London yet. Shite... Frank, what's your opinion?"

The Fallen, who had been remarkably silent during Leo's explanation, frowned. "I would like at least another day or two to help everyone get to level twenty, but I guess we could do that on the way. Communication is the problem, though. If Hale leaves today, we will have no contact with the Wildborn."

Yeah. That's definitely an issue. Leo clicked his tongue. "How long will it take for your squad to get to London?"

"Honestly? I can't give you an accurate estimate. It could be anywhere from four to eight hours. I would like to say that we can do this faster, but a lot can happen in the meantime. What about you? We still need you here to deal with the bloody Void Gate."

He waved the man off. "At this point, I doubt I even need an hour. I will be here before the gate opens; don't worry."

"I still don't like this," Holden muttered. "I understand the need to use this opportunity, but this is far from the alliance I was promised." The chief raised his hand before anyone could cut in. "But this once, I won't try to stop you. You have done too much for this place for me to doubt you now. Just please, next time, I would like to be included in discussions about undertakings like this."

Well, it isn't really my plan this time, but I will take it. Leo nodded. "I will let Lily know. Trust me, I'm not too happy with this development either."

"I bet." Frank snorted. "You are the designated butcher. Bloody hell, I almost pity those bastards. Are you sure you can do this, mate? That will be a lot of blood on your hands."

Leo paused, his throat going dry.

Can I?

This was definitely one of the loudest thoughts in his head for the last hour. Over twenty years as a human should have made him dismiss an idea like that right away. However, just like Lily, he too, had changed. He had killed and would only kill more the longer he lived. There was no looking back anymore. The old order was dead.

Like Nyx said, this is war, no matter how small. And even then, Payne's people are far from innocent.

Leo looked up at Frank and nodded.

"I can, and I will."