Light’s heart pounded as he scanned the area, his teal eyes darting between the guards and the gaps in the fence. Beside him, Riya adjusted her sleek black widow-esque outfit, her twin laser pistols strapped securely to her thighs. Mark gripped the reinforced baton he’d picked earlier, his usually carefree grin replaced with a focused frown.

“We’ve got about six guards,” Riya whispered, her emerald eyes narrowing as she counted. “Two at the gate, four patrolling in pairs.”

“Great,” Mark muttered, tightening his grip on the baton. “How are we doing this? Head-on or sneaky?”

“We’re sneaking,” Riya said sharply, glaring at him. “We can’t afford to get caught, remember?”

Mark sighed. “Fine. I’ll follow your lead, Miss Assassin.”

Light stayed silent, his mind racing. He didn’t feel as nervous as he expected—Aria’s presence on his shoulder was oddly comforting. The bird tilted her head, her sharp eyes gleaming in the dim light.

Trust your instincts, Light, her telepathic voice whispered in his mind. You’ll know what to do when the time comes.

Light took a deep breath, calming the storm of thoughts in his head. “Alright, let’s move,” he said, his voice steady.

The trio slipped through a hole in the fence, moving in perfect silence. Light led the way, his movements fluid and precise, while Riya followed close behind, her steps ghost-like. Mark, despite his bulkier frame, managed to stay quiet, though his baton occasionally brushed against his side.

The first two guards stood by the entrance, their rifles slung lazily over their shoulders. They were chatting, their laughter breaking the silence of the night.

“I’ll handle them,” Riya whispered. Before Light or Mark could respond, she melted into the shadows, her figure disappearing as if swallowed by the darkness.

Light watched in awe as Riya reappeared behind the guards, her pistols raised. She moved like a phantom, her presence undetectable until it was too late. With two quick strikes to the back of their necks, the guards crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

“Clear,” Riya whispered, signaling them forward.

Mark grinned. “Remind me not to get on your bad side.”

They entered the warehouse through the main door, slipping inside before the patrolling guards noticed. The interior was dimly lit, with crates and barrels stacked haphazardly. The faint smell of saltwater and rust filled the air.

“Where’s the key?” Mark whispered, his voice barely audible.

“Probably in one of those crates,” Riya replied, scanning the room. “But we need to be careful. There could be more guards inside.”

Light nodded, his eyes narrowing. “Let’s split up. Mark, check the left side. Riya, you take the right. I’ll search the center.”

The trio dispersed, moving silently through the maze of crates. Light felt his pulse quicken as he searched, the weight of their mission pressing down on him. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Light froze as he heard footsteps approaching. A guard was patrolling nearby, his flashlight sweeping across the room. Light ducked behind a stack of crates, his heart pounding.

Stay calm, Aria’s voice whispered.

The guard’s footsteps grew louder, and Light clenched the dagger in his hand. Just as the flashlight’s beam fell on his hiding spot, Light acted. He lunged forward, his movements swift and precise. The guard barely had time to react before Light struck, the hilt of his dagger slamming into the side of his head. The man crumpled to the ground without a sound.

“Nice,” Mark whispered from across the room, giving him a thumbs-up.

Light exhaled, his grip on the dagger relaxing. He glanced at Aria, who gave him an approving chirp.

Riya, meanwhile, was moving with practiced ease. Her shadow manipulation allowed her to blend seamlessly with her surroundings, her pistols drawn and ready. She found herself in a small side room, where a single crate sat on a table.

“This looks promising,” she muttered, prying the crate open. Inside, she found an assortment of trinkets and valuables, but no key.

“Damn,” she whispered, closing the crate and moving on.

Mark, on the other hand, was making less progress. He searched the left side of the warehouse, his movements slower and less precise. He grumbled under his breath as he opened crate after crate, finding nothing but junk.

“This better be worth it,” he muttered.

As the trio regrouped in the center of the warehouse, Light spoke first. “No sign of the key yet. Did you guys find anything?”

Riya shook her head. “Nothing. It’s got to be here somewhere, though.”

Mark groaned. “I’ve been opening crates for what feels like hours, and all I’ve got to show for it is a splinter.”

“Let’s keep looking,” Light said, determination in his voice.

Their search continued, but as they moved deeper into the warehouse, the air grew tense. Light couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched.

“Guys,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “I think we’re not alone.”

Riya and Mark froze, their eyes darting around the room. The faint sound of footsteps echoed from somewhere nearby, followed by a low chuckle.

“Well, well,” a voice called out, smooth and mocking. “Looks like we’ve got some intruders.”

The trio turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man step out from the shadows, flanked by two guards. He wore a smirk, his eyes glinting with amusement.

“And here I thought tonight would be boring,” he said, cracking his knuckles.

“Who are you?” Light demanded, his dagger at the ready.

The man chuckled. “Let’s just say I’m the guy who’s about to teach you a lesson.”

The fight erupted in an instant. The two guards rushed forward, their weapons raised, but Riya and Mark were ready.

Riya’s pistols fired rapidly, their laser bullets striking with pinpoint accuracy. One guard fell, clutching his shoulder, while the other stumbled, his weapon clattering to the ground.

Mark charged forward, his baton swinging with brutal force. He absorbed the impact of the guard’s desperate punches, his Kinetic Surge glowing faintly as he redirected the energy into a powerful strike. The guard crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Light, meanwhile, faced off against the smirking man. The man was fast, his movements precise and calculated. He dodged Light’s strikes with ease, countering with quick, powerful punches.

“You’ve got potential, kid,” the man said, grinning. “But you’re way out of your league.”

Light gritted his teeth, his teal eyes blazing. He focused, channeling his determination into his movements. His attacks grew faster, more precise, and he began to sense the man’s movements before they happened.

It was subtle, like a whisper at the edge of his mind, but it was enough. He dodged a heavy punch, his dagger slicing through the air and grazing the man’s arm.

The man hissed, his smirk fading. “Not bad,” he muttered, stepping back. “But this isn’t over.”

Before Light could respond, the man threw a smoke bomb, the room filling with thick, choking fog. By the time it cleared, he was gone.

The trio stood in the aftermath, catching their breath.

“Who the hell was that?” Mark asked, his baton still in hand.

“No idea,” Light said, his grip on his dagger tightening. “But we’ll find out.”

Riya nodded, her pistols at her sides. “Let’s grab the key and get out of here before more show up.”

Light spotted a small box on the table nearby, its lid slightly ajar. Inside, nestled among the other trinkets, was an ornate, ancient-looking key.

“Got it,” he said, holding it up.

“Finally,” Mark muttered, his shoulders relaxing.

As they slipped out of the warehouse and into the night, Light couldn’t shake the feeling that their mission was far from over.