The Obsession of ARES

The girls returned to the studio to finalize their plans, gathering and checking every piece of equipment they would need for the mission. As usual, whenever they worked on a major operation together, they decided to spend the night at the studio - their unofficial headquarters and safe space.

By the next day, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. The gala was set for that evening, and every detail had to go perfectly. Amara disguised herself as one of the workers at the mayor's residence, slipping in quietly to observe and assess the environment from within.

Meanwhile, Sora was at her station, fingers flying across the keyboard as lines of code streamed down her screens. Selene, the strategist of the group, stayed on comms, coordinating their movements through the earpieces linked between them.

Everything was falling into place. The mission had begun.

--

It was finally the night of the gala. The mayor's residence gleamed like a palace under the golden evening lights, music drifting softly from within as luxury cars pulled up one after another.

Selene and Amara were dressed elegantly for the event - Selene in a sleek midnight-blue gown that shimmered subtly under the light, while Amara's red mermaid dress hugged her curves perfectly. Selene had managed to secure an official invitation for herself thanks to her family connections, but Amara... not so lucky.

That left them with one option.

Outside the venue, Amara scanned the line of guests until her eyes landed on a young woman dressed in an elegant black gown and lace mask, clutching her invitation card proudly. Perfect.

Amara approached with a sweet smile. "Oh my God, your dress is stunning!" she gushed dramatically, stepping closer. "Where did you get it?"

The woman blinked in surprise but smiled back, clearly pleased. "Oh, it's custom-"

Before she could finish, Amara pretended to trip on her own heels and grabbed the woman's arm for balance. "Ah! I'm so sorry-your perfume's so strong, it's making me dizzy," she said in mock distress.

The woman, flustered, waved her hands. "No, no, it's fine-wait, are you okay-"

That was when Amara discreetly pressed a small device against her neck. The woman blinked twice, slumped to the side, and Amara caught her effortlessly before anyone noticed.

Moments later, Amara emerged from behind a decorative hedge wearing the woman's elegant black mask and holding her invitation card. Her red lips curled into a sly smile as she adjusted her hair and smoothed her gown.

She handed the card to the security at the gate, who scanned it and let her through without question.

"Phase one accomplished," she whispered through the earpiece with a confident smirk, her voice calm and teasing.

Across the grand hall, Selene caught sight of her. Amara gave her a subtle nod, her expression unreadable beneath the mask - the game had officially begun.

The gala began in full swing.

Music drifted through the grand hall, a graceful waltz mingling with laughter, clinking glasses, and the low murmur of conversations. The mayor's mansion gleamed with gold accents and crystal chandeliers, every corner filled with the city's wealthiest elites flaunting smiles and status.

Amara and Selene moved carefully among them, each keeping their composure behind elegant masks. To anyone watching, they were just two more beautiful guests.

The mayor eventually took the stage, raising his glass for attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began proudly, "tonight marks a new era for Ravenscout. We have acquired a revolutionary device that could change the future of technology itself. And this evening, it will be officially delivered by our distinguished guest from the Blackwood Enterprise."

The moment that name was mentioned, the crowd stirred. Murmurs broke out, the air thick with curiosity and awe.

Those who didn't know whispered, Who are the Blackwoods?

Those who did... fell silent.

The grand doors opened.

A small entourage entered, men in black suits, their steps synchronized, with unreadable expressions behind dark glasses. But it was the man in the center who made the entire room still.

Tall. Composed. His presence heavy, and commanding.

Even behind his elegant mask, his aura was impossible to miss - cold, lethal, and unmistakably powerful. People instinctively cleared a path.

The mayor rushed forward, his smile almost trembling with excitement.

"Welcome, welcome! It's an honor to meet the head of the Blackwood subsidiary!"

Elias, walking just a step behind the tall man, spoke smoothly, "Correction, we're not from the subsidiary. We represent Blackwood directly."

The mayor froze for a heartbeat before his face split into a shocked grin.

"Directly... from Blackwood?" He nearly bowed. "This is-this is a great honor! Please, this way!"

He guided them toward a private section, keeping up a stream of praise and small talk, though it was clear the tall man barely listened. He exuded quiet dominance, the kind that made people afraid to speak too loudly around him.

The presentation went on, ending with the mayor receiving the prized high-tech device amid applause and camera flashes. But as Selene and Amara observed from the sidelines, both exchanged a knowing glance.

That wasn't the real device.

Years of experience told them that the one presented on stage was a decoy, the real transfer would happen later, away from the public eye.

As guests began preparing for the exclusive dinner event, Selene frowned, checking the details again.

"Damn," she muttered under her breath. "My invite doesn't include the private dinner. But I think the one you took... does."

Amara's lips twitched. "Guess I'm going solo."

Selene's voice came through the hidden mic in her ear, soft but serious.

"Be careful. That man - something about his aura feels wrong. I think the real exchange will happen after dinner. Stay sharp, Amara. I'm counting on you."

"Copy that," Amara murmured, swirling her wine glass calmly even as adrenaline coursed through her veins.

Across town, in their studio, Sora's fingers flew across her keyboard, her high-tech glasses reflecting the live feed from the event. "All systems stable. I'm seeing through your angle clearly, Amara. Don't mess this up - you're too pretty to die."

Amara smirked faintly, whispering, "Not planning to."

She sat elegantly among the other guests, her eyes darting subtly toward the man who now had everyone's attention without even trying.

He sat like a king among mortals, bored yet powerful, a faint shadow of amusement in his cold eyes as if the entire world was beneath him.

Amara studied him discreetly, analyzing every movement, and every interaction. If the device isn't with the mayor... it's probably with him.

But perhaps she stared too long.

Because suddenly, Damien's dark eyes lifted - straight at her.

His gaze met hers across the hall, sharp and piercing like a blade. The air in her chest caught; she choked slightly on her wine and turned away quickly, cheeks burning beneath her mask.

Sora's teasing voice came through the mic.

"Oh no... target spotted you, didn't he?"

Amara exhaled shakily. "Shut up."