Herald of death

After double-checking the location on his phone, Ethan knocks on a steel door found on the side of a nightclub. A slit opens in the door, revealing a pair of manly eyes that scan Ethan.

"Where the golden dunes meet the sky, there lies our secret," Ethan mutters in Arabic. "A mirage only real to those who live in shadows."

The man closes the slit. A series of locks click open, and the man holds the door for Ethan to enter. He can hear music reverberating through the concrete walls, along with the steps of its listeners.

Four men, including the doorman, keep watch. They are all equipped with heavy plate carriers and M4s. A man wearing a purple suit and golden shoes appears from another door, with a cortège of followers behind him. They push a series of imposing concert equipment crates, placing them around Ethan.

"I don't remember ever seeing you in my humble shop," the man says in English. His accent is burlesque; he chops his words, adding ample hand movements to each of them.

"A common acquaintance recommended your shop for the most recent upgrades to your selection," Ethan says. "I'm looking for a few things, but most important of all, I need something for a big, tough game."

"Then you came to the right place," the man says. With a hand motion, he orders his followers, and they open the crates, creating a vast display of weapons. He grabs a cartridge from one of the crates and approaches Ethan. "The added powdered Ether crystals in the propellant doubles the exit velocity of these 7.62x51 cartridges. Steel casing to withstand the pressure, and a bullet core made of steel harvested from golems. I'm running low on them, and I fear that my supplier won't be able to produce more with the absence of new monsters."

"How successful are they in penetrating body armor, or even armored vehicles?" Ethan asks as he glances over the displays. "And surely, they must require a reinforced firearm."

"Fifty BMG resilient plates have been on the market for a few years now, even if they just stop you from being dismembered when you die. Those bullets go right through it," the merchant answers. He grabs a HK417 from the same crate. "The last of a special order; its internal components are made of titanium and tungsten. I'm sure you'll immediately notice the increased weight; I assure you that this is the sole difference with the model you must be familiar with."

Ethan grabs the gun, cycling it to ensure the emptiness of the chamber. He checks the accessible custom parts and aims the rifle at a far wall. "I'll need a four-time ACOG, a deported sight, and the three twenty-round magazines you have available," Ethan says.

"Very well," the man says, clapping his hands. He motions at another crate, filled with medieval knives, daggers, and short swords. "Could I interest you in blades? I have a selection brought by our invaders."

Ethan glances at the weapons, sensing their effects on the surrounding Ether. They pale in comparison to his dagger and spear and would break if he were to fight with them.

"I have no need for a new blade. However, I'd like something to deal with many targets at once – something loud," Ethan says as he walks up to a crate of shotguns.

"With your build, it would be a shame not to recommend the Vepr 12. It's an upgraded copy of the Saiga 12, a semi-automatic magazine feed shotgun," the man says, handing Ethan the gun.

Ethan repeats his inspection and says, "A good recommendation; I'll take it with three drums, fifty of your largest buckshots, and fifty sabots."

"Very well," the man says. "May I interest you in anything else?"

"Five M67 fragmentation grenades, five M84 stun grenades, five M18 smoke grenades, and five thermite grenades," Ethan lists. "I'll also need four of your highest-rated ballistic plates."

The merchant's assistants gather the items as Ethan lists them, placing everything in a large duffle bag. The merchant writes on a notebook and approaches Ethan. "I'm sure you are aware of my payment modalities. Please transfer the amount to the account I wrote down."

'A hundred thousand. This improved riffle must cost a lot.' Ethan thinks. 'But what if it isn't enough to take down Tatiana?'

"You seem perplexed," the merchant says. "Anything else we can do for you?"

"How much for an AT4?" Ethan asks, already sending the details to Tombstone.

The man motions for an assistant to add the rocket launcher. "I'll throw it in as a gift," he says. "I hope you'll consider revisiting my shop the next time you need to restock."

"I can't promise anything, but this was a pleasant experience," Ethan says. He sends the amount to Tombstone, and the merchant's phone rings almost instantly.

"It's a pleasure doing business with you," the merchant says, motioning for his assistants to dismantle his shop. "And remember, you don't know where you bought all of this. Would someone ask."

"Of course," Ethan says as he leaves the building. Once outside, he places everything in his inventory and orders, 'Come.' Russ runs at him from a dark spot in the alleyway.

Ethan enters the room rented by Tombstone with Russ on his heel. It opens into a spacious living area with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a view of Dubai's skyline. The morning sunlight creeps in, illuminating the room with a warm, golden glow. 'I haven't slept in twenty-three hours, yet I don't feel a hint of fatigue,' Ethan realizes.

The furniture is plush and modern, with a large sectional velvet sofa. A steaming cup of coffee rests on a low glass table, along with a vase of fresh orchids. A massive flat-screen TV dominates a wall in front of the largest side of the sofa.

"Five?" Kyle asks from behind the bathroom door. "I was beginning to wonder if I was going to see one of you today."

"I had to handle a small issue after leaving the airport," Ethan says.

Ethan steps inside the living room, glancing to each side. To the left, an elegant dining area features a long mahogany table surrounded by high-backed chairs. A well-stocked bar, complete with a selection of fine wines and spirits, stands nearby.

The bedrooms on the right are equally lavish, each with a king-sized bed. Each room has its own private balcony, furnished with comfortable loungers.

"I've never met or even heard of Six before. How is he?" Kyle asks.

"Talking while you're in the bathroom is quite weird," Ethan comments. "Why the question? You'll meet soon enough."

"I just want to know what you think of him. I wouldn't want to say something I shouldn’t," Kyle says. Ethan spots a slight change in Kyle's voice, as if he went half an octave higher. Suspicious, Ethan triggers predator's sight and sees a feminine figure through the wall.