Those in the lower districts that had homes to return to, did so to avoid whatever dangers the night held.
For those that didn’t, they had no choice but to find shelter in the streets, hopeful that the elements would be kind to them.
It was in one such street where the homeless congregate that a man suddenly appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.
Dressed in a black long hooded cloak with two swords placed in an X at his back and a cowl over his head, the man’s presence seemed to escape the senses of the homeless individuals.
He looked upon them as one would regard cattle and seconds after, singled one out.
Making his way over to the individual in question, it turned out to be a budding young man.
The hooded man reached down and grabbed the man, jolting him awake but before the beggar could react, he fell asleep again.
Once this was done, the hooded man retracted his hand, concealing the needle he’d pierced into the young man, ensuring he wouldn’t be causing any troubles.
Then, he picked him up and placed him on his shoulder before making his way out.
Soon, other hooded figures revealed themselves, numbering twenty, swiftly making quick work of the other beggars.
By the time they were gone, there was no evidence that anyone ever stayed in that alleyway.
With their work done, they followed the first hooded man, swiftly making their way out of the lower districts.
However, just as they were close to crossing the boundary between the lower and the middle districts, the hooded man in the lead paused, causing the others to do the same.
He swept his gaze around, taking in the sights of the dilapidated buildings and other ruins until finally, he found it.
It was a black bird that resembled a crow and even acted like one, but the hooded man, perhaps due to experience, could tell that something was off.
Pulling out a small knife, he tossed it with precision towards the bird and though the avian tried to flee, it was way too slow and due to this, it paid the ultimate price.
Its body fell to the ground with a dull thud before dissipating into black and white light.
Upon seeing this, the hooded man did not panic and instead, handed over the young man he had kidnapped to one of his subordinates.
"Leave." He said. "Now."
The other hooded figures exchanged looks before ultimately, heading their leader’s words.
They turned to flee, making their way into the middle districts only for their figures to disappear like a lie.
Once this was done, the hooded figure pulled out one of his swords and waited.
Then a voice was heard.
"To think that the Assassins Guild was actually real."
The hooded man glanced in the direction of the voice, his gaze quickly landing on a man in a dirty leather jacket along with a white undershirt and dirty khakis and boots.
With a wide brimmed hat on his head, the other man resembled a bounty hunter from Zion.
Taking a moment to regard the hooded man, the hunter intoned. "I had no idea you guys had shifted trades. When did you start kidnapping beggars from the street?"
The assassin gave no response, merely waiting for the hunter to act.
"Where are you taking them?" The hunter asked. "Why are you taking them?"
"You will answer my questions, one way or another."
The assassin’s eyes narrowed only for him to suddenly disappear at which point a snap was heard and Eternal Night, a domain of evernight with stars and a moon in the sky, revealed itself.
"I heard claims that your Guild worships the Figure Hidden in the Shadows and judging from that title, I’m guessing it has something to do with Concealment." The hunter calmly remarked as he got to his feet.
Then, he added, "You can hide, I’ll give you that, but I promise that you definitely won’t be able to run."
Then, there was a response.
A squelch echoed causing the hunter to look down, quickly realizing that something invisible had been rammed into his chest.
From what he could feel, he guessed it was a sword.
Behind him, the assassin’s head suddenly appeared as he muttered coldly. "I don’t plan on running."
Then, he pulled out his sword and pushed the hunter down from the building he was standing on.
The corpse fell to the ground below with a dull thud but unfortunately, the assassin couldn’t relax just yet as Eternal Night had not dissipated.
Almost immediately, the assassin disappeared just as a blade cut through his location.
Though it cut nothing, its wielder remained calm as her golden eyes looked both ways, while her spiritual body made out of black and white light got into an attacking stance.
Sensing something, she turned and swung her blade, clashing with the invisible assassin.
But you should be able to tell by now.
Unlike you that is made of mere flesh and blood, I am made of Evernight. You are destined to lose.
The assassin pulled back only for a noxious gas to explode in front of Charlotte, causing her body to degrade.
With a frown, she regarded this unique gas that was clearly the gaseous form of a Concoction.
Though it ate at her, her body quickly recovered but by then, the assassin had already left.
Charlotte gave chase.
Meanwhile, above, right under the moon of Eternal Night, Alex floated with Humphrey beside him.
Wearing a cloak forged out of Embers of Twilight with a spatial barrier about him, his gaze was zeroed down on the area below, seemingly searching for something.
You won’t be able to see him no matter how hard you look.
Humphrey calmly said while standing guard beside him.
With a smile on his lips, Alex replied. "It doesn’t matter."