Chapter 35 — Midnight Masks
The mansion was silent.
Goa's night air drifted through the open balcony doors. Palm trees swayed slowly outside under the dim moonlight. The ocean could be heard faintly in the distance.
Inside the mansion…
Everyone was asleep.
Except the night.
And the world that never slept.
At 12:47 AM, Lyra's phone vibrated violently on the bedside table.
She groaned slightly, half asleep.
But the moment she saw the screen…
Her eyes snapped open.
The number was encrypted.
Only one group used that line.
Lyra sat up instantly.
"Damn it."
She answered quietly.
"What happened?"
A rushed voice came through the speaker.
"Territorial conflict. Western Goa docks. Silver Fangs units clashing with Lotus Shadows patrols."
Lyra rubbed her forehead.
"Who started it?"
"Not confirmed. But both sides are preparing for escalation."
Lyra's expression darkened.
"Understood. Stand down until further orders."
She hung up.
For exactly two seconds she sat there silently.
Then she stood up and walked straight to the next room.
She knocked twice.
Ash opened the door half asleep.
"What."
Lyra crossed her arms.
"We've got a problem."
Ash's eyes sharpened immediately.
"What kind?"
Lyra replied simply.
"Silver Fangs."
Ash went completely awake.
"…You're kidding."
"Nope."
Both of them turned their heads.
Care's door opened slowly.
She had already heard everything.
Her expression calm.
But her eyes sharp.
"Explain."
Lyra sighed.
"Dock territory dispute. Our Lotus Shadows patrol ran into Silver Fangs units."
Ash muttered.
"Fantastic."
Care walked past them toward the stairs.
"Call the car."
Lyra blinked.
"Already?"
Care stopped halfway down the stairs.
Her voice cold.
"Before someone starts a war."
---
Meanwhile — Somewhere Outside Goa
A black SUV stopped near an abandoned shipping warehouse by the docks.
Two figures stepped out.
Both wearing black masks.
Both dressed completely in dark tactical clothing.
Cole adjusted the gloves on his hands.
Alex leaned against the car casually.
"Remind me again why we're here at midnight."
Cole looked toward the dark docks.
"Silver Fangs units reported interference from Lotus Shadows patrols."
Alex tilted his head.
"The Phoenix crew?"
Cole nodded.
"They've been expanding territory lately."
Alex smirked.
"Think we'll finally meet the famous Phoenix tonight?"
Cole crossed his arms.
"No one has ever seen Phoenix's face."
Alex chuckled.
"Then tonight's going to be interesting."
Both of them adjusted their black masks.
In the underworld…
Names weren't used.
Only titles.
Cole tonight was Onyx.
Leader of Silver Fangs.
And Phoenix…
Well.
No one knew who Phoenix really was.
---
Back at the Mansion
A black sports car rolled quietly out of the private garage.
Inside the car…
The mood was completely different.
Lyra was driving.
Ash sat in the passenger seat checking encrypted messages.
And in the back seat…
Care sat silently.
They reached an empty roadside parking area ten minutes later.
Lyra parked.
All three got out.
The trunk opened.
Inside were black weapon cases.
Clothing bags.
Masks.
The girls started changing quickly.
But not into casual clothes.
Into something completely different.
Something far more dangerous.
Lyra pulled on a sleek dark crimson leather jacket over a fitted black top. Combat boots and dark tactical pants completed the outfit.
Her long hair was tied into a tight high ponytail.
Ash changed into a deep violet combat suit with silver detailing and knee-high boots. She pulled black gloves onto her hands and strapped a dagger to her belt.
Then they both turned.
Care stepped out of the shadows.
She had changed last.
And the difference was… terrifying.
She wore a long black coat with dark gold embroidery shaped like flames along the sleeves. Under it was a fitted black combat suit that moved like liquid around her body.
Her boots were sleek and sharp.
A black mask covered the upper half of her face.
Golden phoenix patterns ran along the edges of the mask.
Her hair flowed freely behind her.
Lyra whistled.
"Damn."
Ash smirked.
"You really like dramatic entrances."
Care ignored them.
She adjusted her gloves slowly.
Her voice calm.
"Let's go."
Lyra leaned against the car door.
"One question."
Care glanced at her.
"Hmm?"
Lyra folded her arms.
"Silver Fangs."
Ash added,
"Friend or enemy?"
Care thought for a moment.
Then she answered simply.
"That depends on their leader."
Lyra started the car again.
"Well tonight we find out who Onyx really is."
---
The Meeting Point
The docks were dark.
Abandoned shipping containers formed narrow alleyways between them.
The ocean waves crashed softly nearby.
Silver Fangs members stood on one side.
Lotus Shadows members stood on the other.
Both groups armed.
Both tense.
Right in the center…
Two black vehicles approached from opposite sides.
One stopped near the Silver Fangs.
The other near Lotus Shadows.
Alex stepped forward first.
Cole followed beside him.
Their black masks hid their identities completely.
Across the dock…
Three figures stepped out of the other car.
Lyra.
Ash.
And the third figure.
Phoenix.
The air shifted immediately.
Even the Silver Fangs soldiers went silent.
Phoenix walked forward slowly.
Her long coat moved with the wind like burning shadows.
Cole noticed instantly.
He muttered quietly to Alex,
"That must be Phoenix."
Alex nodded.
"No wonder people are scared of her."
Phoenix stopped a few meters away.
Onyx stepped forward from the other side.
The two leaders stood face to face.
Both masked.
Both powerful.
Neither knowing who the other truly was.
Phoenix spoke first.
Her voice calm.
"Your men entered Lotus Shadows territory."
Onyx replied evenly.
"Your patrol attacked first."
Phoenix tilted her head slightly.
"Unlikely."
Onyx crossed his arms.
"Then someone is lying."
Behind Phoenix, Lyra whispered quietly.
"He's confident."
Ash replied.
"Too confident."
Phoenix studied Onyx silently for a moment.
Then she said,
"Neither of our organizations benefit from a war."
Onyx agreed.
"Correct."
Phoenix continued.
"So we find the real cause."
Alex stepped forward slightly.
"Dock security footage might help."
Lyra nodded.
"Our team can access it."
For a moment…
The tension faded.
Both sides realized the same thing.
Someone else had tried to start a conflict between them.
Phoenix spoke again.
"Until then…"
She extended a gloved hand slightly.
"Temporary ceasefire."
Onyx looked at the hand.
Then shook it.
"Agreed."
Neither of them realized something strange.
Both of their voices sounded…
Familiar.
But the masks hid everything.
Phoenix turned to leave.
Her coat flowing behind her like dark fire.
Lyra and Ash followed.
Alex watched them disappear into the night.
Then he looked at Cole.
"Well."
Cole exhaled slowly.
"That woman is dangerous."
Alex smirked.
"And impressive."
Cole nodded quietly.
"Yes."
Neither of them had any idea…
They had just negotiated peace…
With the girl living under the same roof as them.
Phoenix.
Care.