The war hall was steeped in darkness, lit only by flickering torches that painted the stone walls with restless shadows. Around a massive round table sat the deadliest warriors from every corner of the supernatural realm — The Shadow Legion.
At the head stood Verek, the Phantom King.
Cold. Commanding. Eyes like shards of ice that cut through the gloom.
"The Claw's Heart stirs," he said, voice low and sharp. "The Obsidians think themselves untouchable — "
He paced slowly, each step echoing like a warning. "That ends soon."
His gaze fell on the lone empty chair.
And the silence that followed was heavier than steel.
He paused.
The silence around the table tightened.
"So… she refused my invitation."
A low murmur rippled through the room.
"Mikasa," he said, his tone edged with disdain. "Still outside the Veil. Still playing by her own rules."
He placed one hand flat on the cold stone table.
"We gave her time. We gave her warnings. No more."
The torches flared, shadows on the walls writhing like spirits roused from slumber.
"She will either join us…"
His voice dropped, lethal.
"…or fall with the—"
The doors slammed open.
All eyes turned.
Mikasa stepped in — cloak billowing, face unreadable — flanked by two silent figures.
She didn't blink.
Didn't bow.
Didn't wait to be addressed.
"お待たせしました," she said softly.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
She stepped forward, her boots echoing softly on the stone floor as she moved toward the empty chair. The two figures flanking her remained by the door — cloaked, silent, dangerous.
"They can't be here!" a sharp voice cut across the room.
Commander Seraphine, one of the elder warlords, rose to her feet. Her silver armor gleamed in the torchlight, her eyes burning with authority. "They aren't permitted inside this room. And I don't even know why you're here."
Verek didn't flinch. He didn't even glance her way — his gaze remained fixed on Mikasa.
Still moving, still calm, Mikasa reached the empty chair and rested one hand on it.
"I'm here because you need me," she said, voice low and cold. "And if you want what I bring, you play by my rules now."
A stunned silence swept through the room.
Seraphine bristled. "You insolent child…"
Mikasa sat, head tilted slightly downward, a small chuckle escaping her lips.
"Verek… tame your dog," she said, meeting Seraphine's glare without flinching.
"I won't sit here and be insulted by something so… insignificant."
Seraphine's fists clenched, but Verek raised a hand — calm.
"That's enough," he said, voice low but absolute. "You're not here to trade insults."
Mikasa leaned back, crossing one leg over the other, her eyes slowly scanning the table. "Then let's skip the dramatics. You called me for war, didn't you?"
Uneasy glances flicked between the commanders.
Verek nodded once. "We share one interest: the destruction of the Obsidians."
A few murmurs rose.
Mikasa's gaze sharpened. "Speak for yourself."
The room stilled.
"I don't care about the Obsidians," she said, voice like silk over steel. "I came for one reason… and one reason only."
She leaned forward.
"I want the head of the one they call The Alpha."
Seraphine scoffed. "Typical. Personal vendettas dressed up as noble causes."
Mikasa didn't even look her way. "Say one more word," she said coldly, "and you die where you stand."
Verek raised a hand, firm. "This is my turf, Mikasa. You don't come here threatening my people… or do I need to remind you—"
"やめろ (Yamero)," she cut in, rising to her feet. "Save it. Get back to me when you're serious."
She turned and walked out.
Seraphine's eyes flared.
Verek's voice followed her like a warning growl. "Walk out now, and you walk alone."
Mikasa paused at the door, half-glancing over her shoulder.
"I've always walked alone," she said, voice calm, edged.
The door swung shut behind her, the echo settling like dust in the war room.
Silence reigned.
Then from the shadows, a low voice broke the tension — dry, amused:
"That went well."
The figure stepped forward, half-shrouded in cloak and smoke.
It was Kai — the Forsaken Hound.
A rogue tactician. Once loyal to the Shadow Legion… now no one truely knew where he stood.
Born of mixed blood — half human, half werewolf — Kai's hunger was legend. He didn't just crave the strength of the full-bloods…
He wanted the power of the First Ones.
And to get it, he committed the unforgivable:
He betrayed sacred bloodlines.
Desecrated the tombs of the Ancients.
Some even say he sold his soul.
They say he was exiled.
But others whisper…
He walked out smiling.