Athena walked through the quiet pathways of the estate, the cold night air wrapping around her as she made her way back to the villa.
The gentle rustling of leaves filled the space between her footsteps, but something in the air felt wrong.
A shadow flickered in the periphery of her vision.
Her instincts screamed at her, and before she could fully react, a deafening explosion erupted from the treetops.
The shockwave sent a burst of dust and debris into the air, causing her to shield her face as she staggered back.
Figures descended from the darkness, dozens of them. Their armor gleamed under the pale light of the hovering spacecraft above, their visors concealing their identities.
The insignia on their shoulders was unfamiliar, but Athena knew one thing for certain, these weren't ordinary mercenaries.
Her shadow guards materialized from the darkness, their weapons drawn as they surrounded her in a protective formation.
"Lady Athena, get back!" one of them ordered.
