Chapter 8: "The Masked Ball: Identities Unveiled"

The grand ballroom shimmered under the soft glow of crystal chandeliers. Guests in elaborate masks and gowns flocked to an event like moths to a flame. Servants circulated through the crowd carrying silver trays laden with glasses of champagne and hors d'oeuvres. The air thrummed with hushed conversations and the murmur of anticipation. A string quartet played elegant music in the corner, adding to the sophisticated ambiance.

Sarah surveyed the room, trying to absorb every detail. She raised her mask higher on her face, feeling a bead of sweat tickle her forehead. The mask, a simple black domino, felt like both a shield and a vulnerability. She smoothed the fabric of her borrowed gown, a midnight-blue creation she had acquired from a friend of a friend. The dress felt foreign against her skin. She had never attended an event like this before. The Meridian City elite milled around her, a spectacle of wealth and power.

She watched a group of masked figures laughing by the champagne fountain, their jewels sparkling in the light. A waiter offered her a glass, but she declined with a polite shake of her head. She needed to remain clear-headed. Her purpose here was not to enjoy the party. She was here to gather information, to look past the masks and uncover the truth.

The press of bodies around her made her feel slightly claustrophobic. A tall man in a wolf mask bumped into her shoulder. He muttered an apology and moved on. Sarah scanned the crowd again, searching for familiar faces. Valiant strode through the crowd. She recognized his distinctive build, even beneath a flowing cape and a mask that concealed the upper half of his face.

The noise level heightened as more guests arrived, each one trying to outdo the other with outrageous costumes. Sarah felt disoriented by the sheer excess. She needed to focus. The face that was Faceless could show up any time, and she had to be ready.

Centurion, disguised in a simple black suit and a plain white mask, bumped through the crowded ballroom, trying not to attract attention. He scanned the sea of faces searching for Valiant. He needed to clear his name, and the only way was to confront his former ally. He wanted to believe that Valiant was simply misinformed, misled by the same false evidence that had ruined Centurion.

He spotted Valiant near the grand staircase speaking with a woman in a peacock mask. Pushing past partygoers, Centurion approached them, tightening his fists as he moved forward. He drew a deep breath, rehearsing the words he wanted to say.

“Valiant, a moment?” Centurion said, his voice strained.

Valiant turned, expression hidden behind his mask. The lady in the peacock mask excused herself with a polite nod.

“Centurion? What are you doing here?” Valiant asked, tilting his head.

“We need to talk, about the allegations-"

“There’s nothing to talk about. This is neither the time nor the place," Valiant interrupted, his tone guarded.

“This is exactly the time and place! These allegations are lies! Fabrications! Someone is trying to destroy me!” Centurion said, his voice rising. Heads started to turn but all saw him as an unrecognized weirdo. The music seemed to fade.

Valiant took a step back and lowered his voice. "You need to calm down. You’re making a scene.”

“Calm down? My life and repuation are destroyed because of lies. How can you believe this?" Centurion said, stepping closer.

“The evidence speaks for itself," Valiant said, his tone colder than before.

“What evidence? There is no evidence. it’s all fabricated to make me look bad!” Centurion insisted his own voice trembled with resentment.

“The bank records, the testimonies…” Valiant began to list the accusations.

"All lies!! Those are fake", Centurion spat out, feeling his control slip.

Valiant sighed, shaking his head slightly with an air of weary disappointment. "I want to believe you, Centurion, I really do. But I can't ignore what's been presented.".

Centurion gripped his hands into fists, shaking with anger. “I protected this city! I saved thousands of people. Do you really think I would sell myself out for money?"

Valiant looked away, a flicker of doubt crossing his face.

"And who is making these "allegations" any ways?", Centurion asked trying to grab Valiant's attention. "Anonymous sources. With no proof. Just an informant with the truth".

"That is not important. What is is the truth, and everyone can already see it".

"You know that is not! The media is twisting the truth as always. I am telling you Valiant, some one is behind this. Someone is setting me up."

Valiant sighed and shook his head. "I think you're just having a hard time realizing and adjusting to the consequences of your actions"

Centurion's face turned red. "Are you deaf?! Open your eyes! Look around you! Some thing is up!" His voice boomed and everyone looked over at him.

"That's enough." Valian sighed and signaled the guards to escort Centurion from the party. "Take him away and make sure he can't get in here again"

Centurion didn't fight back and let the guards guide him to the doors of the party. "You will all see! I will get that informant. I'll be proven innocent". He couldn't tell whether his words sounded threathening or insane.

As Centurion was escorted from the ballroom he could hear the murmurs of on-lookers. He couldn't make out much but he could tell he was the main subject of conversation. He was sure people saw him as a crazed person who would grab at any straw to stay in power. His heart grew heavy.

Shackles strode through the ballroom, surrounded by a retinue of impeccably dressed individuals. His custom-made mask, a sleek silver design, glittered under the lights. He wore a tailored suit that screamed wealth and power. The crowd parted before him like the Red Sea.

He observed a hush falling over the room as he advanced deeper into the ballroom, each step deliberate, each gesture calculated. He wanted to be the main part of the ball, no more playing from the shadows. Tonight was his coronation as the underworld King.

"Ladies and gentleman" Shackles said with confidence as he stopped in the middle of the ball room. One of his henchman then stepped forward and handed Shackles a glass of Champagne. "I woud like to thank you for the warm welcome!" He moved the champagne to his lips but stopped before drinking it just to throw it behind on the henchman that handed it to him. "You are all dismissed", he addressed the rest of his henchman. "I don't need you anymore".

He then turned and looked at everyone. This moment was all his.

"People, I thank you for this opportunity. I want you everyone to know, how easy it is to twist everything. Everything that is right, can be wrong, and everything bad can shine as platinum. Nothing is written, so we write our own destiny!" He opened his hands as welcoming to all with a smile. "Anyone can be everything!" As Shackels made this clear, just everyone started looking at him, like looking for the next leader.

He took a step, and with every step he moved further the room went more and more silent, so you could hear his boots scuffing against the ground, it was just him against everyone. Everyone against him. And finally he stopped.

"This is my kingdom! I am the king!"

The applause seemed to shake the roof. Everyone was shouting his name. Everyone was telling him "King!"

In the corner Nightshade saw his opportunity.

"This madness has to stop."

Sarah watched Shackles’ display with a growing sense of unease. He spoke with too much charisma and power. All of this felt dangerous. As she was at the border of leaving the party, she felt someone grabbing her hand.

"Well hello, Miss!" He kissed her hand right as he spoke to her. "I am the face that you never saw, but always wanted to look for".

Sarah looked at his face. He was wearing a plain mask, one you could get from the store. His suit wasn't anything so special. What made him special was him, and how he moved.

"Are you serious?" Sarah whispered to him. "I see you are the funny one".

"Funny should be my second name!" He gave her other hand and embraced her, in a dance stance. "Can I have this pleasure, of dancing with this beatiful lady?".

Sarah accepted. She didn't know what to do. It was him. It was the face that she was seraching for. If she did anything wrong, she was sure she would miss him for the rest of her life.

The music started playing, and the dance began. She could feel him so close, and so far away.

"I know everything about you, Sarah Chen, the brave reporter of The Meridian Voice, looking for any truth"

"You know more than what someone should", Sarah replied with fear.

"I want to tell you everything. I trully do. But this place is full of people, they see everything, even what you don't want to be seen"

"Alright, I'll play" Sarah spoke softly, trying not to lose eye contact with him.

"Meet me" he took an air, as trying to create the best way to say his words. "Meet me behind the Old Theatre, where no one is there. Ask for the clown"

"And I think that is enough, let me go. I feel like this whole thing is a trap"

"The world is trap. What we can do here is playing as much as we can. Meet me there"

The dance ended. And instantly he let her go.

"I hope you see me!"

And quickly he disappeard into the crowd. This face that he wore, the one with freckles and a clown bright smile was so recognizable, all in the party turned their look into the disappeared faceless. No one could ever see it again but they knew.

And there a silhouette came closer.

It was Nightshade, dressed with an elegant black dress that showed all her perfect body.

"What are you doing here in my party, snoop?"

"Looking for the truth, like every reporter"

"There is no truth here, more than everything"

"You know who he is. Maybe you are one of him".

"I am not, but please, don't follow that rabit-hole. You never come back"

"I thank your warning. But some things needs to come to light. And this is the moment".

"I tried. You have been warned, so, let me give you a headstart and get out of my face. And party"

Sarah decided to follow the man. It was the only way to get to the final truth. She was close, she could feel it.