The tension in **Starter City** was palpable. Everyone could sense that something was coming—something big. **Golden Fang**, once a dominant force, had been slowly but surely losing its grip on the city, thanks to CODE's strategic moves. Their **supply lines** were being disrupted, their **allies** were wavering, and their **merchants** were abandoning them for the protection offered by CODE. But Alex knew that Golden Fang wouldn't go down quietly.

In the days following the **attack on Iron Chain**, the city had been buzzing with rumors of Golden Fang's imminent collapse. Other guilds were beginning to see the cracks in their once-unshakable empire, and they were starting to hedge their bets, aligning themselves with CODE or staying neutral, waiting to see how the power struggle would end.

But Alex wasn't interested in waiting. The time for subtle moves and indirect pressure was coming to an end. It was time to finish what they had started. **Golden Fang** needed to fall.

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of the **Obsidian Gambit**, casting long shadows across the room as Alex, Betsy, Drax, and Luke gathered for what would likely be their final war council before making their move against Golden Fang. The tension in the room was thick, but there was also a sense of **anticipation**. The endgame was in sight.

"We're close," Betsy said, her voice steady as she stood by the map of Starter City. "Golden Fang is losing ground. Their merchants are defecting, their allies are pulling back, and we've disrupted their supply lines enough to cripple their operations. But they're not going to go down without a fight."

Drax leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, a grin playing on his lips. "Let them fight. We've got the upper hand now, and they know it. One good push, and they'll fold."

Alex nodded, but his expression was serious. "We can't get cocky. Golden Fang is desperate, and that makes them dangerous. They've still got powerful allies—some of the **NPC nobles** and a few remaining guilds are still loyal to them. If we make the wrong move, we could turn those allies against us."

"So what's the plan?" Betsy asked, her eyes sharp with focus.

"We need to **cut off their head**," Alex replied, his voice calm but filled with quiet determination. "Golden Fang's leadership has been trying to hold everything together, but if we take out their leaders, the rest of the guild will crumble. Their remaining allies will scatter, and their power will collapse."

Betsy nodded slowly, understanding the weight of what Alex was proposing. "You're talking about going after their **Guild Master**, aren't you?"

Alex's eyes were cold and calculating. "Yes. **Zane**, the Guild Master of Golden Fang, has been the one holding everything together. He's ruthless, but he's also smart. He's been trying to buy time, hoping we'll overextend ourselves. If we take him out, Golden Fang will lose its leader, and the remaining factions will turn on each other."

Drax grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Sounds like a good old-fashioned fight. I'm in."

Luke, standing silently by the window, gave a single nod. "**Verum.**"

Betsy, always the voice of caution, raised an eyebrow. "Taking out Zane isn't going to be easy. He'll be heavily protected, and you can bet he knows we're coming for him."

Alex smiled faintly. "That's why we're going to make sure he doesn't see us coming."

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---

The plan to take down **Zane** was simple in its concept but intricate in its execution. Golden Fang's Guild Master had holed up in a fortified mansion in the wealthiest part of Starter City, surrounded by his most loyal guards and allies. It was a fortress, designed to withstand any direct assault. But Alex had no intention of attacking it head-on.

"We're going in quietly," Alex explained as he and the team gathered to finalize the details. "Betsy, you're going to use your contacts to get us information on the **guards' schedules**, entry points, and any weak spots in the mansion's defenses. Drax, you'll take a small team of our best fighters to act as backup. You'll stay outside the mansion, ready to move in if things go wrong."

Drax's grin widened. "I love a good backup plan."

Betsy smirked. "And what about you, Alex? What's your role in this?"

"I'm going in with Luke," Alex replied. "We'll infiltrate the mansion and deal with Zane directly. Once he's out of the picture, the rest of Golden Fang will fall apart."

Betsy frowned slightly. "And if Zane's expecting us?"

"He won't be," Alex said calmly. "We're not going through the front door. I'll use the **shades** to get us inside. Zane's paranoid, but he's not prepared for what we can do."

Betsy still looked concerned, but she nodded. "Alright. Let's get to work."

---

The next few days were spent gathering intel and preparing for the strike. Betsy worked her contacts tirelessly, securing detailed information on the **mansion's defenses**, including guard rotations and the layout of the building. Meanwhile, Drax organized a team of CODE's most skilled fighters, preparing for any potential fallout.

Alex, for his part, spent hours honing his connection with the **shades**, preparing for the infiltration. His control over the shades had grown stronger over time, and he knew that they would be the key to slipping past Zane's defenses unnoticed. But this mission wasn't just about stealth—it was about precision.

Luke, as always, remained by Alex's side, his calm presence a constant reminder that they weren't alone in this fight. Luke had become the heart of the team in his quiet way, and though he rarely spoke, his actions spoke volumes.

As the night of the operation approached, the team gathered for one final briefing.

"We're ready," Betsy said, handing Alex a **detailed map** of the mansion. "I've marked the weak points and the routes the guards take. Once you're inside, you'll need to move quickly. Zane's got a lot of protection, but there's a window of opportunity when his most trusted guards change shifts."

Alex studied the map carefully, committing it to memory. "Good work, Betsy. This is exactly what we need."

Drax, leaning against the wall with a casual grin, chimed in. "Just say the word, and we'll be ready to make some noise if things go sideways."

Alex smiled faintly. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

---

The night of the strike was dark and moonless, perfect for an infiltration. Alex and Luke moved through the quiet streets of Starter City, their footsteps silent as they approached the **mansion** that served as Zane's stronghold. The shades moved with them, their shadowy forms blending seamlessly into the darkness, invisible to any watchful eyes.

Betsy's information had been spot-on. The **guards** were in the middle of their shift change, and the outer defenses were momentarily weakened. Alex and Luke slipped through the shadows, bypassing the sentries with ease as they made their way to the **side entrance**.

As they reached the door, Alex extended his hand, and the **shades** responded to his silent command, shifting the locks with ease. The door swung open soundlessly, and they stepped inside.

The mansion was eerily quiet. The dimly lit corridors were lined with expensive tapestries and statues, but there was an underlying tension in the air. Zane knew he was losing control, and this place felt like the last refuge of a man clinging to his power.

Alex and Luke moved through the mansion with practiced precision, avoiding patrols and slipping past the guards. Every now and then, Alex would summon a shade to distract a sentry or to manipulate a door lock, but they encountered little resistance. Zane had clearly not anticipated a direct infiltration.

As they approached the inner sanctum of the mansion, where Zane's chambers were located, Alex paused. He could sense the weight of the moment, the culmination of weeks of planning and strategy.

"Ready?" Alex whispered to Luke, though he already knew the answer.

Luke gave a single nod. "**Verum.**"

With a deep breath, Alex opened the door to Zane's chambers.

---

Inside, Zane stood waiting. The Guild Master of Golden Fang was a tall, imposing figure, his dark armor gleaming in the dim light. His face was lined with the stress of leadership, but his eyes were sharp and dangerous.

"So," Zane said, his voice low and filled with menace. "You finally came."

Alex stepped forward, his expression calm but cold. "It's over, Zane. Your guild is falling apart. You've lost your allies, your merchants, and your power. You can't win."

Zane sneered. "You think you can just walk in here and end me? You have no idea what you're dealing with, boy."

He moved with surprising speed, drawing a **blade** from his side and lunging toward Alex. But Alex was ready. With a wave of his hand, the **shades** surged forward, intercepting Zane's attack and pinning him in place.

Zane struggled, his eyes wide with shock as the shadowy forms tightened around him, immobilizing him. "What… what are these?"

"They're the

future," Alex said quietly. "And you're the past."

With a final, effortless gesture, the shades tightened their hold, and Zane collapsed, unconscious.

Alex stood over him for a moment, feeling the weight of the victory. It wasn't the **end**—there was still work to do—but this was the moment that would change everything.

Golden Fang had fallen.