Y/n woke slowly, the tendrils of sleep releasing their hold with a reluctant gentleness. He blinked, his eyes adjusting to the dim morning light filtering through the closed window. The first thing he noticed was Irene, her silhouette framed against the soft glow, seated at the dresser. She moved with a quiet grace, combing her long, crimson hair, each stroke precise and deliberate. The rhythmic motion was almost hypnotic, the brush gliding through her tresses like a whisper of silk.

She reached for a small jar, unscrewing the lid and dipping her fingers into the creamy contents. With deft movements, she began to apply makeup, adding subtle touches that enhanced her natural beauty. The sight was both intimate and mesmerizing, a rare glimpse into her private routine.

"Morning," Irene said, her voice soft but carrying an undertone of alertness. She caught his reflection in the mirror and turned slightly to face him. "How well did you sleep?"

Y/n stretched, feeling the comforting weight of the thick elderdown over him. "Well enough, considering everything." He propped himself up on one elbow, watching her with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. "You?"

"Restful, surprisingly," she replied, a faint smile playing on her lips. "The bed here is quite comfortable, more than I expected."

He nodded, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "So, how do we proceed with today?"

Irene put down the makeup brush and turned fully towards him, her expression serious but not devoid of warmth. "We'll start with breakfast. It's important to have a good meal before we move forward." She paused, her eyes meeting his. "After that, we'll head to the brothel."

Y/n raised an eyebrow, intrigued but not entirely surprised. "The brothel? That's our next lead?"

Irene nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Yes. It's where we were told to go. The Velvet Fang. It's a common gathering spot for members of the dark guild we're investigating."

"How do you know?" He asked and Irene merely motioned to her lacrima cristal. "The Alvarez empire has its ears anywhere it sees them necesary."

He swung his legs over the side of the bed, feeling the coolness of the floor against his feet. "Alright then. Breakfast first. Do we have a plan for the brothel?"

"We are to meet up with our informant," Irene said, standing and smoothing out her dress. "But be prepared for anything. These places can be unpredictable."

Y/n nodded, standing up and starting to get dressed. He watched as Irene moved to the window, chanting softly in the old language. Her voice was a melodic murmur, and he could see the air shimmer slightly as the spell took effect. The window opened, and with a flick of her wrist. Watching outside she noticed the thick layer of snow on the roof. "That much snow at this time of year?" She questioned confused.

She closed the window with a final word, sealing it shut. Turning back to him, she flashed a quick, mischievous smile. "Ready for breakfast?"

Irene nodded and stood up, moving to her wardrobe. Y/n watched as she began to dress, her movements fluid and deliberate. She pulled on her iconic outfit, an ornate black and white dress that hugged her curves and flowed gracefully around her legs. The dress had a diamond cuttout showing her underboob, adorned with intricate patterns and lined with golden accents that shimmered in the morning light.

First, she slipped on her high-heeled thigh high boots, the leather creaking softly as she adjusted them. Next, she secured the bodice of her dress, tightening the laces at the back to accentuate her slender waist. The dress had a makeshift skirt with just a front and back that let her thighs show slightly at the hips, giving her an air of regal elegance. Last to come on where her long sleveed black gloves.

As Irene adjusted her attire, Y/n marveled at her transformation. The witch's clothes gave her an air of authority and mystery, fitting for the formidable sorceress she was. She caught his gaze once more and smirked. "Do I look ready for the day?"

"Always," Y/n said, a hint of admiration in his voice. "You wear it well."

She gave him a playful wink before donning her cloak, which draped over her shoulders and added an extra layer of mystique to her appearance. With a satisfied nod, she turned to face him fully. "Let's get the others."

Y/n and Irene moved through the narrow hallway of the inn, their steps muffled by the thick, worn carpet. The door to Heine and Juliet's room was slightly ajar, and from inside, they could hear the sounds of a spirited pillow fight—shouts, laughter, and the muffled thud of pillows connecting with their targets.

Irene exchanged a knowing glance with Y/n and then pushed the door open, stepping inside. The scene before them was one of chaos: feathers floated through the air, and Heine and Juliet were engaged in a fierce battle, each armed with a pillow.

"Enough of that," Irene called out, her voice cutting through the noise. She laughed, a genuine, lighthearted sound that momentarily disarmed the two girls.

Heine paused mid-swing, her pillow held high, while Juliet blinked in surprise, still clutching her own pillow to her chest. "We were just—"

"Having fun, I see," Irene said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "But it's time to get dressed and come downstairs for breakfast. We have a meeting at the Velvet Fang later, and we need to be prepared."

The two girls exchanged reluctant glances but nodded, understanding the seriousness of the situation. They tossed their pillows aside and began to gather their clothes.

"Yes, ma'am," Heine said with a mock salute, earning a playful glare from Juliet.

As Irene turned to leave, Rose, the small exceed, fluttered over to Y/n and landed on his shoulder. "I was afraid they'd hit me with the pillows," she whispered, her tiny voice filled with a mix of concern and relief.

Y/n chuckled softly, reaching up to give Rose a reassuring pat. "You're safe now. Let's get downstairs."

Irene led the way out of the room, her demeanor shifting from playful to serious as she considered their upcoming task. The Velvet Fang was no ordinary brothel; it was a haven for dark guild members, a place where secrets and schemes were traded as easily as coin. They needed to be on their guard.

Downstairs, the inn's common room was warm and inviting, the scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon filling the air. The innkeeper greeted them with a nod, and they found a table near the fireplace, where they could dry off and enjoy a hearty breakfast.

Heine and Juliet joined them shortly, their hair still slightly disheveled from their earlier antics but otherwise ready for the day. Plates of steaming stew and mugs of mead were brought to the table, and the group settled in to eat.

"We'll meet our informant at the Velvet Fang later," Irene reminded them between bites. "Stay sharp and be ready for anything."

Heine and Juliet nodded, their earlier playfulness replaced by a determined focus. Rose perched on Y/n's shoulder, watching the room with vigilant eyes.

As they ate, the conversation drifted to their mission. They discussed the dark guild, its members, and the potential dangers they faced. Heine and Juliet were especially interested in the plan, asking questions and offering suggestions.

By the time they finished their meal, they were all in high spirits, ready to face whatever challenges the day would bring. Y/n felt a sense of camaraderie and purpose as they prepared to leave the inn, grateful for the team he had beside him.

"Let's go," Irene said, standing and leading the way. "We have work to do."

With that, they left the warmth of the inn behind and stepped out into the bustling town, ready to confront the dark guild and whatever secrets awaited them at the Velvet Fang.

The group exited the inn, the wooden door creaking as it swung shut behind them. Heine immediately remarked on the weather, her breath visible in the crisp air. "It shouldn't be snowing this time of year," she said, looking up at the overcast sky. Snowflakes drifted lazily down, adding a fresh layer to the ground beneath their boots, which crunched with each step.

Juliet exhaled warm air onto her hands, trying to fend off the chill. A smirk caught on her lips, She bent down, scooping up some snow and forming it into a ball. "It's freezing," she muttered, her fingers red from the cold. She looked over to Heine, the oblivious compagnion, taking aim she threw it right at her back. "You'll pay for this." She shouted.

Irene glanced at them, her expression serene despite the biting wind. "Up here in the north, there are only two months without snow falling," she said, her voice carrying an air of calm authority. "This is just a mild snowfall compared to what we'll face later in the year."

With that, she led the way, her cloak billowing behind her as they made their way through the snow-covered streets. Y/n watched the merchants open their shops in the early morning. The town was quiet, the usual hustle and bustle subdued by the weather. Few people were out, and those who were moved quickly, heads down against the wind.

"Any idea what kind of place that is?" Y/n asked and Irene just chuckled. "You'll notice it soon enough." She stated glancing over to him.

They soon arrived at the Velvet Fang, a nondescript building that blended in with the rest of the town. However, the discreet symbol etched into the door marked it as a place of importance for those who knew what to look for.

Inside, the warmth of the Velvet Fang was a welcome relief from the cold. Y/n immediately caught on what Irene meant, the scantly clothed girls were in no doubt working here. His breath was caught for a moment, disgust being felt when he noticed a girl of short height. "Do they have children working this too, she couldn't be older than nine?" A heavyset man at the door recognized them immediately and, without a word, led them through a series of dimly lit hallways to a private room. Irene her face cold knew what happened in such places all too often. The room was furnished with plush chairs and a low table, the walls lined with heavy drapes that added a sense of opulence and privacy.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable," the man said gruffly before exiting, leaving them alone.

The group settled into the chairs, appreciating the warmth and comfort after the cold walk. Rose perched herself on the arm of Y/n's chair, looking around curiously.

Y/n leaned back, his eyes scanning the room. "Nice place," he commented, though his tone was more cautious than impressed.

Irene nodded, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Let's hope our informant doesn't keep us waiting too long," she said, her tone laced with impatience.

Juliet and Heine sat across from each other, exchanging glances as they tried to warm their hands.

Time seemed to stretch out as they waited, the silence only broken by the occasional murmur of voices from the other rooms. The atmosphere was tense, each of them lost in their own thoughts, preparing for whatever information the informant might bring.

Finally, the door creaked open, and a man stepped inside. He was dressed in simple, weather-beaten clothes, but his eyes were sharp and wary. He glanced around the room, his gaze lingering on each of them before he spoke.

"I hear you're looking for information," he said, his voice low and guarded. Irene leaned forward, her eyes locking onto his. "That we are," she replied smoothly. "And we're willing to make it worth your while."

The man hesitated, then nodded, stepping further into the room and closing the door behind him. "All right," he said, taking a seat across from Irene. "Let's talk."

Y/n watched closely, his senses alert. The game was afoot, and they were ready to play their part.

Irene leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the informant. She raised her hand, and a faint glow began to emanate from her fingertips. The air in the room grew heavy with the oppressive weight of her magic. A crimson magic circle formed on her palm.

"Let's not waste time," she said, her voice soft but laced with menace. "Where is the hideout of the dark guild we seek?"

The man swallowed hard, his eyes darting nervously to the glowing light at Irene's fingertips. He was not one to find out what that magic would  do to him. He took a deep breath before speaking. "It's... it's in the nearby valley, at the end, in a fortress. They are the strongest one around here. The head of the dark guilds in the northern region." His voice wavered, but he pressed on. "I'm part of them. I warn my members of people who snoop around looking for us."

Irene's expression softened, and she extinguished the light from her fingers. She reached into her cloak and pulled out a small sack of coins, tossing it onto the table in front of him. The sack landed with a heavy thud, the coins inside clinking softly.

"Your information better be accurate," she said, standing up. "If it isn't, you won't like what happens next."

The man nodded vigorously, his fear evident. "It is. I swear it."

Irene turned to Y/n, her eyes meeting his with a knowing look. He stood up as well, preparing to leave. Heine and Juliet, having recovered somewhat from their earlier indulgence, followed suit, albeit a bit unsteadily.

As they moved to exit the room, Irene paused and looked back at the informant. "Stay out of trouble," she warned. "And if we find you've betrayed us, we'll find you."

The man nodded again, his face pale. "I won't. Y. ..you have my word." He stutered.

Irene gave him one last, hard look before turning and walking out of the room with the others. The tavern was still relatively quiet, the patrons engaged in their own conversations, unaware of the tense exchange that had just taken place in the private room.

Outside, the snow was still falling, and the cold air was a stark contrast to the warmth they had just left. Irene pulled her cloak tighter around her and glanced at Y/n. "Let's get moving," she said. "We have a fortress to find."

Y/n nodded, glancing back at the tavern. "He seemed scared enough to tell the truth," he said. "But we should stay alert. Just in case." He demonstratively reached for the sword which was fastened onto his backpack.

Heine and Juliet, now more composed, nodded in agreement. Rose perched on Y/n's shoulder, her eyes sharp and attentive.

As they set off towards the valley passing the village gate, Irene's thoughts were focused on the task ahead. The fortress loomed in her mind, a symbol of the dark guild's power in the region. "From the intel we could gather about the dark guilds in Ishgal, the ones here in Alvarez are way stronger." Irene stated but she was determined to dismantle it, piece by piece, and bring order to the north. 

"Who you got the intel from?" Y/n asked looking at her from the side. Irene turned her head to him. "God Serena, his knowledge of the dealings in Fiore are a god send for us and the plans of the Alvarez empire."

They walked in silence for a while, the snow crunching under their boots, each of them lost in their own thoughts. The valley lay ahead, shrouded in mist and mystery.

The group trudged through the snow-laden path, the distant silhouette of the fortress growing larger with each step. The air was filled with a tense silence, broken only by the crunching of their boots against the frozen ground. As they approached the fortress, a horrific sight made Y/n's blood boil—burned corpses were scattered everywhere, laying on the ground or impaled on stakes, their twisted forms a testament to the brutality they had suffered.

"These were civilians," Irene murmured, her voice heavy with sorrow and anger. "Innocents caught by those who are insane and indulge in harming others for their pleasure."

Y/n clenched his fists, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. Rage simmered within him, threatening to spill over. They reached the massive, iron-bound door of the fortress. Irene stepped forward and knocked, the sound echoing ominously. When no response came, her eyes narrowed with determination.

"Stand back," she commanded, raising her hand. Around her, several crimson magic runes formed. "Disappear."

With a flash of magic, the door exploded inward, splinters flying as it disintegrated. The group stepped through the ruined entrance, only to be met with the sight of a heavily armed dark guild, their weapons gleaming in the dim light. The room was filled with the stench of sweat and steel, and the eyes of the guild members gleamed with malice and anticipation.

Y/n drew his sword, a dangerous grin spreading across his face. "This is going to be fun," he said, his voice laced with dark amusement.

Irene remained calm, her gaze sweeping over the assembled adversaries. "We are here with a message from Emperor Spriggan," she announced, her voice carrying the weight of authority. "I demand to see the head of your guild."

A murmur ran through the crowd, but no one stepped forward. Irene's eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin. "You have two choices," she continued, her voice colder than the surrounding snow. "Join the army of the Alvarez Empire, or meet your end right here and now."

There was a moment of tense silence before one of the dark guild members, a tall man with a scar running down his face, stepped forward. He looked at Irene, then at Y/n and the rest of the group, weighing his options.

"What guarantees do we have if we choose to join you?" he asked, his voice gruff.

Irene's eyes flashed. "Your lives," she said simply. "And the chance to fight for a cause greater than your petty crimes. Serve the Emperor, and you will be granted a place in the new order. Refuse, and you will face the full might of our power."

The scarred man stood his ground, a flicker of defiance in his eyes. "If you're as powerful as you claim, prove it. Show us your strength."

Irene sighed, an air of annoyance settling over her. With a flick of her wrist and a snap of her fingers, the towers of the fortress erupted in a cacophony of explosions. Stone and debris launched into the air, crashing down with violent force. The guild members cried out in fear, ducking for cover as fragments of the towers rained upon them, some pieces cutting into flesh, drawing blood.

"Would you like me to test it on your head as well?" Irene asked, her voice calm and dangerous.

The man shook his head vehemently, taking a step back. "No, that won't be necessary."

Before the tension could ease, another member of the dark guild, his patience frayed, lunged at Y/n with a wild cry. His weapon aimed for Y/n's throat, but he barely had time to blink. In one fluid motion, Y/n drew his sword. A flash of steel and Y/n standing with his sword drawn high behind the culprit, the attacker's head detached from his neck, landing with a sickening thud. The decapitated body crumpled to the ground, blood pooling around it.

The remaining guild members stared in stunned silence, a mix of fear and awe in their eyes. No one could even see his movements. Irene's eyes gleamed with a sadistic satisfaction. She raised her staff and with a powerful throw, impaled another dark guild member through the chest. Blood sprayed as the staff struck, and the man collapsed, lifeless.

Irene remembered how she used to do this constantly, ending lives without a second thought. Now, just thinking of ending the life of an innocent person made her stomach turn. But criminals like these, she thought, as she retrieved her bloodied staff, were a different matter entirely. Under the law of Alvarez only the Spriggan twelve and the army were allowed to use deadly force without any pursuit of the government. Which more often than not ended in blood baths being created.

"Any other questions?" Irene asked, her voice icy and commanding.

The scarred man swallowed hard, his bravado now completely shattered. "No, no more questions. We'll join you."

"Good," Irene said, her tone brooking no argument. "Gather your men. We have much to discuss." Her heels clacked on the stone floor.

As the dark guild members scrambled to comply, Y/n sheathed his sword, his eyes still cold from the swift kill. The sight of the burned corpses outside remained a haunting reminder of the brutality they were up against, and the blood on the ground inside the fortress spoke to the necessity of their mission.

Irene placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch grounding him. "We will make them pay for what they've done," she said softly, her voice a promise of vengeance. Y/n nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yes, we will."

Irene walked into the heart of the fortress, her steps echoing through the cold, stone halls. Her presence was commanding, each stride filled with purpose. The room at the center, the boss's quarters, held a large table strewn with maps and documents. Without hesitation, she made her way to the imposing chair behind the table and sat down. She leaned back, kicking her legs up onto the table, her boots narrowly missing the scattered papers.

The remaining dark guild members looked on, a mixture of fear and respect in their eyes. Irene's gaze swept over them, settling on the scarred leader. "Contact all the dark guilds you know," she ordered, her voice cold and authoritative. "Tell them to prepare for integration into the Alvarez Empire. Once you've done that, write a detailed letter to Lord Zeref. Make it clear who now holds dominion over this territory."

The scarred man nodded hurriedly, his hands trembling as he reached for the communication lacrima. Irene's eyes followed his every move, ensuring compliance.

Y/n stepped forward, his gaze falling upon the map spread out on the table. It marked all the villages and other dark guild hideouts in the region. He carefully rolled it up, securing it under his arm. Turning to the leader, he spoke with a chilling calmness, "If any of you think of running away, your fate will be far worse than what you did to those innocent civilians. I will find each and every one of you, and I promise, there will be no mercy."

The leader's face went pale, and he swallowed hard, nodding frantically. The other guild members exchanged nervous glances, the gravity of their situation settling heavily upon them.

Irene leaned back further in the chair, a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips. "Remember, we are not here to destroy you. We are here to offer you a place within a greater empire. Cooperation will be rewarded. Defiance will not be tolerated and met with harsh punishments."

As the guild members began their frantic preparations to contact their associates, Irene and Y/n exchanged a knowing look. They had made their point clear. The power dynamic had shifted, and the dark guilds would soon fall under the banner of Alvarez. One step closer to Lord Zeref's plan.

Y/n glanced around the room one last time, ensuring that the fear they instilled would keep the guild in check. Satisfied, he turned back to Irene, who was now twirling her staff idly, her gaze distant and contemplative.

"We will bring order to this chaos," Y/n said quietly, his resolve strengthening with every word.

Irene nodded, her eyes meeting his with unwavering determination. "Yes, we will. And they will learn to fear the name Alvarez."