The private jet cut through the night sky, heading straight toward Milan.
Inside the cabin, the atmosphere was quiet.
Not peaceful.
Focused.
Ares sat near the window, his gaze fixed on the darkness outside. His mind was already ten steps ahead.
Across from him, Luca worked on a tablet, tracking security reports.
"The tower is still offline," Luca said.
Ares didn't look away from the window.
"Security teams?"
"On standby."
"And Sebastian?"
Luca shook his head.
"No visual confirmation yet."
Elara stood near the aisle, arms crossed.
"You're both assuming he's still there."
Ares finally turned his head slightly.
"He is."
"How are you so sure?"
A faint, dangerous smile appeared on his lips.
"Because Sebastian Vale doesn't send invitations he doesn't plan to attend."
Silence followed.
The jet continued through the dark sky.
Below them, the lights of Italy slowly began to appear.
Soon—
they would reach Milan.
Arrival
Two hours later, the jet landed smoothly.
The moment they stepped onto the private runway, the cold night air hit them.
Cars were already waiting.
Luca looked around cautiously.
"You feel that?"
Elara frowned.
"What?"
"Too quiet."
Ares walked toward the car calmly.
"That's because he wants us to feel watched."
The convoy moved quickly through the city streets.
The towering skyline of Milan rose around them, bright and alive.
But the Valentino Financial Tower stood darker than the rest.
Its upper floors were completely black.
No lights.
No activity.
The car stopped near the entrance.
Ares stepped out first.
The massive glass building loomed above them.
Luca checked the security panel beside the door.
"Still offline."
Elara looked up toward the dark floors.
"He's inside."
Ares nodded once.
"Yes."
They entered the building carefully.
The lobby lights flickered weakly.
The elevators were shut down.
Luca sighed.
"Of course."
"Stairs," Ares said.
They began climbing.
Floor after floor.
The building remained eerily silent.
When they reached the top floor, the hallway lights suddenly turned on by themselves.
Elara stopped.
"That's not creepy at all."
At the end of the corridor—
one office door stood open.
Light poured out from inside.
Ares walked forward without hesitation.
Luca followed.
Elara right behind them.
They entered the office.
And froze.
The room was empty.
But in the center of the office—
a large chessboard sat on the table.
Two glasses of whiskey.
And a single black chess piece already placed.
Ares stepped closer.
The black king.
Waiting.
Luca looked around the empty room.
"…Did he just leave?"
Elara picked up a folded paper beside the board.
"Another message."
Ares' voice remained calm.
"Read it."
She opened the note.
Her eyes moved across the words slowly.
Then she looked up at Ares.
"What does it say?" Luca asked.
Elara read the message aloud.
"Welcome to Milan."
Silence.
Then she continued.
"The real game begins upstairs."
Luca blinked.
"…We're already on the top floor."
Before anyone could react—
a slow clap echoed from the shadows behind them.
All three turned instantly.
From the dark corner of the office, a man stepped forward.
Tall.
Elegant.
Calm.
His sharp eyes met Ares' directly.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Sebastian Vale.
Alive.
And standing right in front of them.
"Good evening, Ares," he said smoothly.
The room filled with tension.
Because the devil had finally come face to face—
with the man who refused to stay dead.