ZERO SHIFT

The atmosphere was suffocating, the stench of blood and decay filling the night as the team watched the cult's horrific ritual unfold. The scene below was a grotesque display of human sacrifice and dark magic. Hooded figures chanted in unison, their voices echoing off the cold stone walls of the abandoned church. In the center, a towering creature draped in a crimson hood loomed over the altar, its massive form dwarfing anything in sight. Its presence exuded a terrifying, unnatural power.

Josuke clenched his fists, his black katana trembling in his grip. His body tensed as he prepared to leap into action.

"We can't just watch this!" Josuke growled, his voice low but filled with rage.

Arthur grabbed him by the collar, his expression calm but firm. "If you jump in now, you'll get us all killed," he said, his voice a quiet but commanding force. "We're outnumbered 100 to 5. We'd be eliminated before we could make a dent."

"But " Josuke protested, his eyes burning with anger.

Arthur released him, stepping back. "I get it. None of us want to see this," he continued. "But rushing in without a plan is suicide. You don't even have a Fullbringer yet, and that katana won't be enough to handle a creature like that."

Ace stepped in, placing a hand on Josuke's shoulder. "We feel the same, man," he said softly. "This is sick, but Arthur's right. We have to be smart about this."

Hinata and Lily nodded in agreement, their faces grim. The weight of the situation was clear to everyone.

Arthur continued, "We've got three options. One, we wait for Kyle and Maya. But we don't know when they'll be back. Two, we ambush that devil as soon as he steps outside. It's risky, but if we strike together, we might stand a chance. Or three…" He paused, considering the gravity of their choices.

Lily suddenly interjected, "Why don't we use the stealth mode in our Night Raid suits?"

The team looked at her in surprise. "Stealth mode?" they asked in unison.

Lily smirked. "Yeah, it's a setting on your wrist comms. Check it out." She pressed a few buttons, and her form shimmered before disappearing completely.

Ace's eyes lit up. "Finally! I can sneak into Vice Commander Maya's room without getting caught!" he said with a mischievous grin.

Arthur sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Focus, Ace. This isn't the time." He turned back to the group. "Alright, if we're doing this, we're breaking and entering. Hinata, you'll take a high position and provide sniper support with your Fullbringer. Same with you, Lily. Josuke, Ace, and I will handle the ground assault."

Everyone nodded, their resolve hardening.

"Let's move," Arthur commanded.

One by one, the team activated their stealth mode, their forms vanishing into the darkness. They descended from the rooftop and slipped into the church through one of its side entrances. Inside, the air was thick with malevolence, the cult's chants growing louder as they neared the main chamber.

Hinata and Lily quickly found their vantage points, positioning themselves on high beams overlooking the ritual. Their eyes locked on the cultists, fingers hovering over their triggers, ready to unleash a barrage of precision shots.

Meanwhile, Arthur, Josuke, and Ace crept closer to the central altar, their steps silent but deliberate. The towering devil in the crimson hood remained motionless, as if waiting for something or someone.

Arthur raised a hand, signaling the team to get into position. "On my mark," he whispered through the comms. "We hit them hard and fast. No hesitation."

The tension was palpable, every second feeling like an eternity as the team prepared to strike. The success of their mission hinged on this moment, and the stakes couldn't be higher.