As the evening gradually transitioned into the veil of night over the city of Verul, a metropolis alive with the vibrancy of urban life, the atmosphere underwent a familiar shift.

Nightfall here marked the awakening of a very distinctive and lively nightlife.

Among the towering skyscrapers, a colossal building at the city's core symbolized the adoration of fervent enthusiasts of the city’s culture. The structure seemed to slowly stir with a newfound vitality, setting the stage for a vibrant narrative. 

“Quite the spectacle”

"Indeed," came the response, accompanied by a slight chuckle.

As the booming music echoed, orchestrating a chaotic celebration, Conversations were a rarity amidst the festivities. The event was a wild blend of mischief and revelry. Scores of attendees were lost in the depths of intoxication, with many barely clothed or even fully exposed.

At the heart of the large venue stood an impressive fountain, its serene waters replaced with a cascading river of alcoholic beverages. This grand centerpiece not only provided a visual spectacle but also contributed to the lively atmosphere as the diverse aromas mingled in the air.

The conversation continued in a corner of the venue.

“So tell me”

"Yes, sir. We've secured a perimeter within a five-mile radius and are currently engaged in isolating the network.” 

There was a brief silence

“It may need to be scaled to the entire city if the situation…..necessitates it" 

A sudden burst of cheers momentarily diverted their attention. 

“Chances of failure?”

“With what we know now, slim to none”

 “Good. Well done”

"Thank you, Mr Aric”

Aric - This celebration, graced by some of society's most influential figures, pivoted around the exploits of this man.

He reclined leisurely, supporting his head with his hand, and remarked casually, "Feel free to leave."

"Yes, sir," responded the other party politely, placing his drink on the table as he prepared to get up.

"But do remember, Arren, even the slightest mishap” He continued  “I’ll have you cut to pieces-" 

“Sir, you need not worry-“

“-and fed to your family.”

After a moment of silence, Arren bowed his head and replied firmly

“You will not be disappointed”

…

As Aric surveyed the extravagant scene before him, the chaos of the celebration melding into debauchery, he entered a contemplative mood.

The scenes and dynamics one witnessed stood in stark contrast to what one might have observed just a few decades ago.The profound shifts brought about by the flow of time sometimes became so staggering that their depth was a challenge to comprehend fully.

Just a couple of decades back, the world had swayed on the edge of a major global war. Conflicts erupted on multiple fronts, but just as all hell was about to break loose, things miraculously de-escalated within the short span of a few weeks.

The scale of the changes that ensued was beyond imagination.

As a collective, society seemed to develop a sense of purpose and urgency, growing less complacent. 

Governing bodies around the world immediately seized the opportunity, ramping up surveillance to unprecedented levels, which led to an incredibly sharp decline in endeavors like organized crime, drug circulation and similar enterprises. 

Among anti-government elements, and more specifically criminal organizations, only a very few barely survived, with one of them being the Zeir group. In the year of 2015, Aric, then in his early twenties, assumed leadership of this declining organization, adapting it to the revolutionary changes that had transformed the world.

By the current year, 2025, the globe had morphed into an unrecognizable landscape of progress, with advancements in technology and widespread accessibility to cutting-edge devices. Amidst these transformations, a gradual shift towards a more relaxed and liberal outlook emerged in society. However, challenges, such as expanding government surveillance, posed threats to positive developments and the global power balance.

In this intricate web of changes, Aric and The Zeir group played their cards well, maneuvering to become one of the leading forces in the western hemisphere.

Today's celebration marked the successful inclusion of a highly influential political figure—a significant triumph on their journey and, simultaneously, a show of power.

As the night advanced, the wildness of the event escalated progressively, reaching new heights of fervor and chaos.

Aric slammed back his drink in one gulp. 

"How's Eirik... where is he now?" he inquired, met only with a woman's soft moans and sighs as she trailed kisses across his neck and chest. 

"Still in the east hook" she eventually replied with bated breaths. "You know him, he—"

Her words were abruptly cut off by a loud scream. In the midst of a small crowd, chaos erupted as someone had thrown up, escalating the situation into a full-blown brawl

Aric's face took on a pensive expression as he observed the participants of the fight and the chaotic scene unfolding.

He gave a slight gesture to one of his men and shifted his attention back to the woman, who was now taking off her top. 

She lowered herself to her knees, her fingers tracing a deliberate path as they skillfully began to loosen the restraint of his belt.

As the familiar surge of pleasure embraced him, Aric reclined a little further. He closed his eyes momentarily, attempting to grasp a previous train of thought. However, as his mind began to drift towards the intricacies of recent developments, he abruptly halted himself.

His slowly refocusing gaze shifted back to the woman, who was now standing up, removing the last traces of her clothing and attempting to tie her hair.

This scene provided him with a rare sense of anticipation. Aric, who himself never lacked in terms of looks, seldom found another's appearance truly remarkable, and this was one of the rare exceptions.

He felt a twinge of amusement observing the newest recruit in the security detail, who had endeavored to maintain composure during the night's sights, now revealing cracks in his facade.

As he was getting more immersed...

“Once again, falling for the married ones” A voice suddenly cut through the air. “you really do have simple taste, Aric”

The voice emerged from close quarters, its source revealing itself as the large figure of a man.

A stillness enveloped the surroundings.

The man had an ethereal appearance, with deep green eyes and long grey hair. A circle of enigmatic symbols tattooed around his neck added to his distinctive presence.

One almost gleaned the impression of an otherworldly scholar from him, but the suffocating pressure emitted from the figure quickly overshadowed other thoughts.

Casually examining a bottle he had picked up, the man turned to face Aric with a slight smirk.

"It's been a while"

The people in the surroundings were still recovering their composure. 

"Sir, please refrain from getting too close—" The silence broke as a tall figure in the security detail moved to intervene, but Aric's swift grip on the man's arm halted the action.

"Stand down" Aric commanded.

The intruder maintained his gaze, and spoke slowly ,“Where are your manners, Aric”

Aric's expression shifted, and he promptly knelt, bowing his head.

“Please excuse my-” He was cut off by a laugh

“Just a joke, just a joke…...Don’t be so scared”

The urgency and fear etched on Aric's face translated swiftly to everyone on the scene.

Such an unnatural expression on a person of his stature was starkly apparent, especially considering the heavily guarded environment. 

Aric alone grasped the harsh reality of the situation. The collective manpower and weaponry in the vicinity stood completely powerless against this adversary.

The intruder retained his entertained demeanor.

“I’m here to pass on some information” He continued after a slight pause “The old man is up again..... Get ready for the storm, my friend”