Prologue
In a dimly lit room, illuminated only by the faint moonlight filtering through the frosted glass panes of the two doors on the opposite wall. A massive bookcase crammed with books covered the other side, and a dusty rug was placed just ahead.
In the center of it was a showy solid wood desk, elaborately inlaid. Seated behind it was a tall, thin man in a dark suit, crumpled white shirt and tight tie observing two individuals, standing in front of it.
"So how is Operation 'Somnus' going, Mr. Kogai?" asked the man, crossing his hands to each other expectantly.
"Slowly," replied the former by sliding his right hand into the pocket of his gray tailored pants.
This was a tall, slender young man wearing a black blazer, white shirt on which stood out a tie with strange rhomboid symbols, and rust-colored gloves on his hands. But the thing that seemed most unusual seemed to be his hair, bowl-cut and whiter than snow. "Although we have reached about thirty percent of the energy collection, it will take a few months for it to be sufficient. As if that were not enough, in order for the plan to be complete, 'you know what' are essential to speed it up," he finally said
"And on that note, Mr. Kozuka" He pointed his gaze to the second figure, a tall young man with thick unruly hair, dressed in a smart black suit "Have you verified that the information we have is well-founded and not simply the result of mere assumptions?"
"Affirmative, sir," he said. Unlike the other, he seemed to have a rather composed attitude "Our agent returned no less than two days ago, revealing how they were correct."
"Excellent," retorted the man, turning a rather sinister smirk on him. The lenses of his glasses shimmered in the reflection of the glow emanating in the room, contributing to his even more eerie appearance "What is the current status of the Jager team, Mr. Kogai?" he asked
"Indisposed, sir," he affirmed. "It is busy performing a task of the highest priority."
"Very good" declared the man "What about Shadow, however?"
"He is right outside" Kogai pointed to the door "And he is awaiting new orders"
"Excellent" retorted the man as he stood up "Send him in. I have an extremely delicate mission for him."
Three days later…
In a remote place, far from the most basic form of civilization, footsteps echoed down a long corridor, followed by flashes of crimson light flashing intermittently and alarm sirens howling like vicious beasts.
A middle-aged man shrouded in dark robes advanced at great speed as if something dangerous and terrible was at his heels, heading before a large finely crafted amber door and flinging it open impetuously, revealing inside the room four men in robes similar to his own who were arguing heatedly.
"...Mentor...anf...he must flee immediately..." said that individual with shortness of breath and his heart beating in his chest so loudly that it seemed as if it wanted to burst out of his side.
The four immediately interrupted, turning and looking at him with a rather strange expression.
"Calm down and tell me what happened," one of them replied. His voice was pure and soft as spring dew, and long cyan-colored locks peeped out from under his hood. It was probably a woman.
"... There is no time ... for this ... and ... we need to take you... to a safe place...". Still exhausted, he took a step forward. The flushed skin and burning smell that permeated his bluish robe were a clear testimony to how the man had just emerged from hell "...They...are...here..."
"Where is the key?" asked the elder in a peremptory tone. His long snow-colored hair and thick beard seemed to give him a solemn air, "We cannot allow it to fall into the hands of the enemy."
In response, the man opened his fist, showing a small, singularly shaped object that sparkled in the light of the candelabra hanging from the ceiling, "It's right here."
"How is it possible that they found us?" asked the second. At first glance he looked like the youngest of that handful.
He swallowed, feeling an icy chill spread through his body "I don't really know... All I know is that suddenly a group of armed men attacked the main entrance..."
As he said this, the old man approached him, took the key and, being careful not to damage it, hung it around his neck "But what we didn't know is that it was simply a diversion..."
"A diversion?" retorted the hooded man "What do you mean?"
The man resumed speaking "They wanted us to commit all our forces to repel the assault...while their agent infiltrated the sanctuary undisturbed..."
"Wait...you're not talking about him?" asked the third one intimidated.
He nodded, "Yes, the hunter has finally arrived..."
Suddenly the man stopped, falling ruefully to the ground as if he had been struck by something.
Careful analysis by those individuals revealed what had actually happened: His back had a deep gash from which blood was gushing profusely. This was probably what had just ended his life. It was almost as if a ferocious beast had scarred him, which was quite impossible since there were no beasts in or around the sanctuary capable of such acts.
The men exchanged a glance of understanding, then stealthily disappeared through the side exit.
A few minutes later the situation appeared far more critical than it portended: The entire complex had been overrun by smoke, and flames devoured everything that stumbled in their path. Utter chaos reigned supreme there.
Men wrapped in bluish robes fled screaming in every direction, trying to escape the ominous fate that awaited them. The walls and ceiling crumbled as if they were made of clay, and the floor collapsed as if shaken by a violent earthquake.
To make matters worse, the exits were blocked or acted as chimneys, and within moments the once idyllic place had now become a death trap. People were stumbling over the lifeless or agonizing bodies of their comrades, and everywhere they looked, there were dead or wounded.
Some were completely enveloped in fire, others had their clothes torn to shreds, and still others were bleeding like pigs on a spit, leaving their flesh to show signs of excoriation or claw marks.
Those who had fallen remained on the ground, being swept away by the crush desperately struggling for a glimmer of salvation, though in vain. And those who could not get up remained helpless on the bare stone, praying that this nightmare would soon end.
In the midst of that ruckus, a young man in a long sand-colored coat proceeded slowly, whistling a melancholy tune as he waited for men in black uniforms to join him.
His face assumed a sinister grin as with a quick movement he placed before him a strange weapon that resembled for all intents and purposes a duel disk used in the card game called Duel Monsters.
They were probably the material authors of that massacre and were now about to finish the job.
"What is our next move, sir?"
Meanwhile, the four had miraculously managed to avoid death and escape, stopping to admire from a distant rise what had long been their home and place of worship as it glowed red in the jaws of the fire.
The one who was known as the mentor shifted his gaze to those who had followed him here and then back to the building "There is only one thing left for us to do, flee this now ruined place and seek help to stop what may prove to be the most fearsome and darkest threat the world could ever face" He pulled out the key he had received from the dying adept, which in his hands and illuminated by the light of the new moon, began to glow with an almost otherworldly light "And this may show us the way"
"Master, do not keep us in the dark. Share what is on your mind, we will follow you anywhere" said the blue-haired girl stepping forward.
"Very well," replied the old man turning toward them, "What lies ahead will be an arduous journey fraught with danger and I cannot guarantee that along the way we may not be ambushed or worse, but I trust in you and your resolve."
"Count on us sir!" the four exclaimed in chorus, assuming an impish stance.
The old man marched off, putting back around his neck the object he had sworn to protect and guard at the cost of his own life "Onward, then. Limit City awaits us."