"Phantom Rebirth: The Last White Raven’s Path to the Ultimate Assassin"

The night sky stretched endlessly above as Seraphis soared through the cold air, her white raven form blending seamlessly into the moonlight. Wings outstretched, she rode the wind currents, her sharp eyes locked onto her next destination—

The mansion of Count Leoson.

A noble. A man with power.

And the one who sent her that pathetic threat letter.

She smirked inwardly. Big mistake.

The Mansion in the Shadows

Leoson's estate loomed ahead—a massive gothic mansion, its spires piercing the sky like claws of stone. Black iron fences encircled the property, and heavily armed guards patrolled the perimeter, their torches flickering in the darkness.

A fortress.

But Seraphis had never met a fortress she couldn’t breach.

Diving low, she circled once over the grounds. Two guards at the front gate. Four on the walls. Two watching the side entrances.

She noted the second-floor balcony, the open window, and the unlocked study beyond.

Perfect.

She folded her wings, plummeting toward the balcony before shifting mid-air—

Her human form landed silently on the railing, boots barely making a sound.

And then she slipped inside.

The Count’s Secrets

The study was massive. A fireplace crackled in the corner, casting eerie shadows across the bookshelves lined with expensive tomes. A mahogany desk sat in the center, covered in documents, maps, and sealed letters.

Seraphis moved swiftly, her fingers brushing over the papers.

Then she saw it.

A letter, sealed with a black wax crest.

She cracked it open.

The Letter That Changed Everything

Count Leoson,

The assassin has become a problem. She must be dealt with before she disrupts our operations further. I expect this to be handled swiftly. No loose ends.

—Lord V.

Seraphis narrowed her eyes.

Lord V?

This wasn’t just about Count Leoson. There was someone bigger. Someone pulling the strings.

And she hated being someone else’s target.

Footsteps in the Dark

A creak in the hallway.

Seraphis didn’t move, her senses sharpening.

A guard. Heavy boots. Armed.

She ducked behind the desk, her breathing controlled, her hand resting on a throwing knife.

The door swung open.

A man entered, scanning the room. He frowned at the open balcony doors, suspicion creeping into his gaze.

Seraphis waited.

The moment he turned toward the desk, she struck.

With a swift motion, she grabbed his collar, yanked him down, and slammed his head against the desk’s edge.

A muffled thud.

The guard collapsed.

Seraphis exhaled. Too easy.

The Count’s Bedroom

She didn’t have time to waste.

Slipping through the hallways, she moved like a shadow, her steps silent, her knives ready.

She reached the master bedroom.

Inside, a figure lay sleeping.

Count Leoson.

Seraphis stepped forward, drawing one of her razor-sharp metal cards and pressing it to his throat.

His eyes snapped open.

The Silent Threat

The Count froze, his breath catching.

Seraphis leaned down, her voice a whisper.

"Good evening, Count. Lovely mansion you have."

His body trembled. "W-Who are you?"

She smirked. "The woman you tried to have killed. You sent me a letter, remember?"

His face went pale.

"I-I was just following orders!" he stammered. "I had no choice!"

Seraphis traced the blade along his jaw. "You had a choice. You just made the wrong one."

He swallowed hard. "Please, I—"

Seraphis leaned in closer.

"Tell me about Lord V."

His face twisted in fear.

"I—I can’t," he choked out. "He’ll kill me."

Seraphis tilted her head. "And if you don’t talk, what do you think happens next?"

A moment of silence.

Then—

"I don’t know his full name," Leoson whispered. "No one does. He operates from the capital, hidden behind powerful nobles. He has influence over the guilds, the black markets, the underground networks."

Seraphis frowned.

This was bigger than she thought.

Leoson licked his lips, eyes darting around. "If you leave now, I can pretend this never happened. I’ll withdraw the bounty. I swear."

Seraphis smiled.

Then she slammed the butt of her dagger into his temple.

The Count went limp.

The Next Step

Seraphis stood, watching his unconscious form.

She could kill him now.

But he was just a pawn. The real threat was Lord V.

And she wanted him to know she was coming.

Pulling a black ink bottle from the Count’s desk, she dipped her finger in and drew a raven symbol on his forehead.

A message.

You started this game. Now let’s play.

With that, she vanished into the shadows—leaving only the Count, his terror, and the mark of his new nightmare.