Absolute Cheater

Serena crossed her arms. "Damn right it is. The moment we walk away, we become loose ends."

Asher nodded. "Exactly. Which is why I need to at least pretend to play along."

Serena's eyes widened. "You're thinking of infiltrating them?"

"It's the only way to learn what they're really planning," Asher said. "They've been ahead of us this entire time. We can't keep fighting blindly."

Serena gritted her teeth. "And what if they see through it? What if they know you're lying and you walk straight into a trap?"

Asher smirked. "Then I'll make sure they regret it."

Serena groaned, rubbing her temples. "You're impossible."

"I'm realistic," Asher corrected. "Right now, we don't have enough power to take them head-on. If they're willing to invite me into their ranks, I can use that to our advantage."

Serena stared at him, her expression conflicted. "This is reckless, even for you."

Asher met her gaze. "It's necessary."

A tense silence stretched between them.

Finally, Serena sighed. "Fine. But if you're going to do this, you're not doing it alone."

Asher arched an eyebrow. "You plan to join too?"

Serena shook her head. "No. But I'll be watching. If anything feels off, I'm pulling you out—whether you like it or not."

Asher chuckled. "Sounds fair."

Serena huffed. "You say that now, but don't think I won't drag you out by force if I have to."

Asher smirked. "I'd like to see you try."

Serena rolled her eyes but didn't argue further.

A knock suddenly echoed at the door. Both of them instantly tensed.

Asher turned, his blood sense flaring. A familiar presence stood on the other side.

Evelyn.

He glanced at Serena before stepping forward and opening the door.

Evelyn stood there, her violet eyes gleaming in the dim hallway. "I assume you've had time to think?"

Asher gave her a slow, unreadable smile. "I have."

Evelyn tilted her head. "And?"

Asher met her gaze.

"I'm in."

Evelyn's smile widened, satisfaction gleaming in her violet eyes. "A wise choice, Asher. I knew you weren't like the others."

Serena stiffened beside him, but Asher remained calm. "Let's not pretend this is some great honor," he said. "I'm not joining because I believe in your cause. I'm joining to learn the truth."

Evelyn chuckled, stepping closer. "And that's exactly why you're valuable to us. The ones who blindly follow never last long." She glanced at Serena. "And what about your… companion?"

Serena crossed her arms. "I don't buy any of this Red Fate nonsense."

Evelyn sighed theatrically. "A shame. But expected." She turned back to Asher. "I'll be taking you alone, then."

Serena immediately stepped forward. "Like hell you will."

Asher placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her before she could get closer. "It's fine, Serena."

Serena shot him an incredulous look. "No, it's not—"

"I need you on the outside," Asher said calmly. "If anything happens, I want someone who can act without being tied down by their rules."

Serena's jaw tightened. She didn't like this. Not one bit. But she also knew Asher wasn't someone who made decisions lightly.

After a long pause, she exhaled sharply. "Fine. But if you don't check in, I'm coming for you."

Evelyn smirked. "Oh, I like her."

Serena shot her a glare, but Evelyn only chuckled.

"Now then," Evelyn said, turning back to Asher. "Shall we?"

Asher nodded, stepping forward. Serena watched him go, her grip tightening on her daggers.

Evelyn led Asher through the city's darkened streets, weaving through narrow alleys until they reached a secluded courtyard. A lone carriage awaited them, its black exterior bearing no markings.

Evelyn gestured toward it. "After you."

Asher didn't hesitate. He stepped inside, taking a seat against the cushioned interior. Evelyn followed, closing the door behind them.

The moment the carriage began moving, Evelyn turned to him, her expression unreadable. "Before we arrive, I have one question for you."

Asher met her gaze. "Go on."

Evelyn leaned forward slightly. "How far are you willing to go to change the future?"

Asher didn't flinch. "As far as I have to."

Evelyn smiled. "Good."

The carriage rolled forward, carrying him deeper into the unknown.

The carriage ride was eerily smooth, the clatter of hooves muffled by whatever enchantment had been placed on the vehicle. Asher sat back, arms crossed, watching Evelyn carefully. She looked relaxed, almost amused, as if she were enjoying some private joke.

"I have to say," she mused, tracing a gloved finger along the edge of the seat, "most people resist a little more before coming around. But you…" Her eyes gleamed. "You intrigue me, Asher."

Asher met her gaze with calm indifference. "I'm not here to amuse you."

Evelyn chuckled. "No, I suppose you're not. But you are here because you understand the bigger picture." She tilted her head. "Or are you simply pretending?"

Asher smirked slightly. "Does it matter?"

Evelyn's smile didn't falter. "Not at all. In the end, actions speak louder than words."

The carriage slowed, and Asher felt a subtle shift in the air—wards, he realized, powerful ones. Wherever they were going, it was well hidden. The outside world seemed to fade as the vehicle rolled into a space unlike any ordinary city street.

Evelyn glanced toward the window. "We've arrived."

Asher followed her gaze as the door was opened from the outside. A hooded figure stood waiting, their posture stiff and formal. Beyond them, a towering stone archway led into what looked like an underground facility, its entrance lined with intricate red markings pulsing faintly with energy.

"Welcome to one of our sanctuaries," Evelyn said smoothly as she stepped out.

Asher followed, his senses sharpening. He could feel the presence of many others inside—strong auras, some of them eerily unnatural.

The hooded figure bowed slightly. "Lady Evelyn."

Evelyn waved a hand. "This is Asher. He'll be undergoing evaluation before anything else."

The figure turned their hooded gaze to Asher. Though he couldn't see their face, he felt the weight of their scrutiny.

Evelyn smiled. "Come along now. The fun is just beginning."

The Red Fate's Sanctuary

Asher followed Evelyn through the towering archway, stepping into the underground facility. The air was thick with a strange energy, humming through the stone walls like a heartbeat. Red sigils pulsed faintly along the corridors, their intricate designs shifting as if alive.

The deeper they walked, the more Asher noticed. Hooded figures moved silently through the halls, some carrying scrolls, others clad in armor that bore no insignia. He could sense them watching him—assessing him.

Evelyn led him into a spacious chamber lined with glowing crimson crystals. A circular platform stood at the center, surrounded by runes similar to the ones outside. Several figures waited there, their faces obscured by deep hoods.

One of them stepped forward. Their voice was smooth, yet firm. "So this is the one?"

Evelyn gestured toward Asher. "He is."

The figure studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Then let's begin."

Asher raised an eyebrow. "Begin what, exactly?"

Evelyn smirked. "Your evaluation, of course. We don't just let anyone into our ranks, even if they come highly recommended."

Asher glanced at the glowing runes. "And what does this test involve?"

The hooded figure answered. "Strength, conviction, and… compatibility."

The last word lingered in the air, carrying an ominous weight.

Asher stepped forward without hesitation. "Fine. Let's get this over with."

Evelyn's smile widened. "That's the spirit."

She gestured toward the platform. "Step into the circle."

Asher did as instructed, feeling the magic pulse beneath his feet. The moment he stood at the center, the runes flared to life, surrounding him in a crimson glow.

The hooded figures raised their hands, and suddenly, the chamber around him shifted.

The air grew heavier. The walls blurred.

And then—

He was no longer in the underground sanctuary.

Instead, he stood in a vast, blood-red void.

A deep, rumbling voice echoed around him.

"Show me your worth."

The void around Asher pulsed like a living thing, its crimson light shifting with each slow beat. Then, without warning, the first attack came.

A monstrous claw, black as night and wreathed in swirling red energy, slashed toward him from the emptiness. Asher reacted instantly, twisting his body as he summoned a crimson blade from his own blood. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the void, his feet skidding slightly against the strange, unseen ground beneath him.

A deep chuckle echoed through the space.

"Not bad. But you will need more than reflexes to survive this."

Asher tightened his grip on his blade, his sharp gaze scanning the shifting void. He could feel them now—multiple presences, watching, waiting. He was being hunted.

The next attack was faster. A barrage of crimson spikes erupted from the darkness, aimed directly at him. Asher's eyes gleamed red as he raised a hand, controlling the blood around him to form a shield. The spikes clashed against it, some melting into the shield while others shattered upon impact.

Before he could counter, the ground beneath him shifted, and a massive force slammed into his back, sending him flying. He twisted mid-air, stabilizing himself just before another clawed hand swiped at him. This time, he didn't dodge—he countered.