The Draconic System: Rise of To Ascendance

The final night before the heist was a quiet one, but Raizen knew it wouldn't stay that way for long. He sat in his dorm, the stealth-weave suit neatly folded on his desk, the drone resting beside it. His mind cycled through the plan over and over, ensuring he hadn't overlooked any details.

The system chimed softly.

[Mission Countdown: 12 Hours]

Raizen exhaled. He had gone over every possible scenario, but missions like this never went exactly as planned. He needed to be ready for anything.

A soft knock at his door pulled him from his thoughts. He stood and opened it to find Ayaka leaning against the frame, arms crossed, a knowing smirk on her lips.

"You've been quiet today," she said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.

Raizen smirked, closing the door behind her. "Didn't know you were keeping tabs on me."

Ayaka shrugged. "Word gets around when someone's planning something big." She let her gaze drift to the stealth suit and drone on his desk before meeting his eyes. "You're going after something dangerous, aren't you?"

Raizen studied her for a moment. He trusted Ayaka, but the fewer people involved, the better. Still, she wasn't the type to back off easily.

"It's something I need to do," he finally said.

She tilted her head. "Alone?"

He nodded. "Fewer moving parts. Less risk of getting caught."

Ayaka sighed and ran a hand through her dark hair. "You're smart, Raizen, but you're also reckless." She stepped closer, her voice dropping slightly. "If you get caught by House Valen, they won't just rough you up. They'll make an example of you."

Raizen smirked. "Then I guess I just won't get caught."

She chuckled but didn't look entirely convinced. "I won't try to stop you. Just… be careful."

He met her gaze, seeing something genuine beneath the usual confidence. Concern.

"I will," he assured her.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Ayaka's smirk returned. "Guess I'll have to find a way to reward you if you pull this off."

Raizen chuckled. "I'll hold you to that."

She rolled her eyes playfully before heading for the door. "Good luck, Izumoto. Try not to die."

As the door shut behind her, Raizen turned back to his desk. The countdown continued, and by this time tomorrow, everything would be different.

The system chimed one last time.

[Mission Countdown: 10 Hours]