chapter 18 mission start

The wind speed made it hard to keep my eyes open. My hair whipped across my face like tiny lashes from the storm itself.
"Does anyone know the exact way to Graymount?" I asked, blinking through the gusts, suddenly aware that the adults—our usual navigators—weren't here to lead the way.

"I know the general area it's in," Luca said uncertainly, squinting at the horizon.
"It's on the job file, but if I take it out now, it'll get blown away," Madison added, clutching the folders like they were precious relics.

"Well then, pull over so we can find out," Chris snapped, irritation flaring in his voice.

I rolled my eyes, biting my tongue to keep from firing back.
"Luca, bring us down."
He nodded, and we began a slow descent into a thick, shadowed forest. Branches clawed at the windscreen like impatient fingers.

"Madison?" I said, with a questioning tone.
"Give me one second," she replied, flipping through the files as we all huddled around her like kids waiting for a bedtime story.
"Here it is. It says to follow the dirt path through Maple Forest."

We scattered slightly, scanning the underbrush.
"Should we split up and search the surrounding area?" Crystal asked, still clinging tightly to Chris's arm like he was her last anchor.

"Okay, but we shouldn't go too far from each other," I said, firmly.

Chris clicked his tongue loud enough for all of us to hear.
"Tsk. Again with barking orders like you're the leader," he muttered, eyes darting my way, laced with challenge.

"I'm serious, Chris. We're in enemy territory. Let's keep the arguing to a minimum," I warned, my voice tightening.

He stared at me—cold and unreadable at first—but then, a slow, mocking smile spread across his face. His posture shifted, more relaxed now, like a predator toying with prey.
"If you're so worried," he said, voice dropping to a gravelly, intimate tone, "then come with me."

He pulled his arm away from Crystal without a second glance and walked toward me, deliberate and unhurried. His eyes didn't leave mine. I could feel the weight of his gaze, intense and searching, and a little too hungry for comfort.

I sighed as he approached, already exhausted by this routine. Chris always found a way to push me—testing my patience, my boundaries, maybe something deeper I didn't want to admit.
This guy not only got under my skin with his irritatingly smug attitude and veiled sexist digs, but lately, there was something else—a heat behind his words, a tension I refused to entertain.

"Well? Come keep an eye on me, Dom," he said, his voice almost teasing now, soft and suggestive like a dare.

I turned away sharply, not just rejecting him—but deflecting his game before it could pull me in.
"That would put the others in a weird situation."

His expression soured immediately. His eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched.
"What weird situation?" he asked, tone sharp and defensive.

"Two Guardians on a team while one Guardian protects two people by themselves," I explained, holding my ground.

He scoffed, shaking his head.
"I'm going this way," he muttered, and stalked off into the trees without waiting for a response.

I exhaled slowly, trying to release the heat in my chest, but the moment I looked up, I saw Crystal.

She hadn't moved. Her arms were wrapped tightly around herself, fingers digging into her sleeves. Her lower lip trembled as she bit down on it—hard. Her eyes shimmered with the threat of tears she hadn't asked permission to shed.

She quickly wiped them away, but not fast enough.

Then she looked at me. And in that split second, her sorrow twisted into something else.

Envy.

It was in the tight line of her mouth, the flare in her nostrils, the barely veiled hurt in her eyes. To me Chris's attention wasn't a prize, and yet, the fact that it kept falling on me—when all she wanted was for him to see her—was a quiet kind of cruelty.

My chest tightened with guilt. Not because I wanted him. But because I didn't, and somehow, that made it worse.

Friendly fire burns worst when it comes from within your own circle. She turned and slowly followed Chris through the forest.

I forced it down with an exhausted exhale.
"He's acting so damn weird," Madison roared.
"Same with Crystal. Don't think I didn't see her little glare toward you," Luca added with disdain.

I shook my head, not wanting to address it.
"Guys, forget them. We have bigger fish," I groaned, trying not to raise my voice.

They looked at me with concern but nodded in agreement, changing the subject.
"So, should the three of us head that way?" Luca asked, pointing in the opposite direction of Chris and Crystal.

"No, you two go that way. I'll head over there alone," I said somberly.

I walked off, not wanting to hear them object. As I trailed through the forest, I tried my hardest not to cry from the drama I found myself mixed up in. When this is all over, I need to confront Crystal. I have no idea what her problem is with me, and to be honest, I don't want to feel this anxious or stressed around her—especially in a group of friends who are supposed to bring me comfort.

After wandering around for some time, I found the road. I reached for my phone to take a picture, only to facepalm when I remembered I gave it to Mr. Stone.

I growled in frustration.
"Now what?" I muttered to myself.

As if to laugh at me, it began to pour. I threw my head back in defeat and turned to head back. In a split second, I caught a menacing figure in the corner of my eye. I quickly whipped my head toward the row of trees where I'd seen it—but they were gone.

My pulse quickened. Despite the rain, a cold sweat broke across my skin. My breathing grew irregular.
"Was that... Jojo?" I whispered in fear.

I cautiously scanned my surroundings for any sign of him, but there was nothing.
Did I... imagine that?

I rushed back to the spot where we first landed, running for what felt like forever.

"Dom!" Madison's voice yelled out to me.

I looked up to see everyone waiting, all of them covering their heads.

"Hey, did you find the road?" Luca asked, practically shouting over the raging rain.

I tried to calm my disoriented mind as I caught my breath.
"Yes—over there," I said, pointing through huffs.

"Can we hurry and get out of the rain?" Chris yelled.

Luca whipped together a gust of wind and lifted us up as I tried to navigate—not just through the rain, but also through the setting sun. Finding the road took time, but we eventually started following it and found ourselves at the edge of a large town. We hovered a few feet above the exit of the woods before running toward the town's entrance.

There, guards stopped us.

"Halt! State your business," one demanded.

We all looked at each other, still covering our faces from the rain, unsure if we should risk compromising our mission.

"We're just trying to get out of the rain," I said. "We planned on visiting for a few days, sir."

"You're not carrying any weapons, are you?" the other man asked.

Before we could answer, they began patting us down. When they got to the girls, I noticed the guards were a lot more hands-on. One of them ran his hand slowly up Madison's side, fingers brushing just beneath her chest before pretending to adjust the strap of her bag. Another let his palm linger on Crystal's hip far longer than necessary, fingers trailing lower until she smacked his hand away with a glare. As for me, one guard's hand slipped across the small of my back, tracing the curve of my waist before giving what was almost a squeeze. I elbowed him hard in the ribs.

"We're not here for your entertainment," I snapped, and the others joined in, protesting their wandering hands.

It took a minute of firm objections before they finally let us through. We hurried past them, eager to get away, and quickly set out to find an inn. The rain hadn't stopped, and our clothes clung to us as we roamed the slick cobblestone streets. After turning down a quiet alleyway lit by flickering lanterns, we finally found one: Rockchill Inn, the wooden sign creaking on its rusted hinges.

Rushing inside, we made our way to the front desk. A musty warmth filled the lobby, the scent of burning wood and old linen in the air. Behind the counter sat an elderly woman hunched over a knitting project. She looked up with kind, tired eyes.

"Hello, welcome to Rockchill Inn. How may I serve you?" she asked politely.

"We'd like a few rooms," I said, wringing out the edge of my shirt, water pooling on the worn stone floor.

"Oh? And how many would you children need?" she asked.

We exchanged glances. I raised one finger, silently asking for a moment to figure it out.

"So, how are we gonna divide up?" I asked.

"Me and you can share, like we've been," Madison offered, looping her arm through mine.

"Well, we can't. Crystal'll be all alone then," I pointed out.

"I don't care," Crystal muttered with a scoff, arms crossed.

I rolled my eyes. "No, the only one who should be alone is—" I glanced around, then leaned in and whispered, "one of us Guardians."

"So what, Madison rooms with Crystal, and you stay alone?" Luca asked, hands laced behind his head.

I nodded. It was the only setup that made sense.

"Also, you two will room together," I said, pointing to Luca and Chris. They gave each other a brief side glance but didn't argue.

"Tsk. Roommates aside, how are we paying for this?" Chris asked, surprisingly keeping his voice low to avoid being overheard.

"We have money from the previous jobs we've done," Madison reassured him.

We stepped back to the front desk.

"Have you made up your minds?" the old woman asked.

I nodded. "We'd like three rooms for two nights, please," I said with a smile.

"Three rooms. That'll be 20 gems," she replied.

I reached into my pocket and glanced at Madison. "Will this be enough?" I asked, pulling out the coins and counting them out before handing them over.

"Thank you. These are your room keys. Just head up those stairs," she said, pointing to a creaky staircase off to the side.

We took the keys and headed up. The second floor smelled faintly of dust and mildew, the floorboards groaning under our steps. The room numbers were carved into small brass plaques. I handed keys to Luca and Madison before heading to Room 12.

"Night, guys," I muttered.

"Goodnight, Dom," Madison replied, waving.

"Have a good rest, Dom," Luca grinned before he and Chris wandered off.

I unlocked my door and stepped inside. The room was small and rustic, with dark wooden walls and a slanted ceiling that dipped just above the bed. A single candle flickered on a bedside table. The twin-size bed had a lumpy mattress and a scratchy wool blanket. A wooden dresser stood against the far wall, its surface warped with age, and a cracked mirror hung above it.

I locked the door behind me and sat on the edge of the bed with a sigh.

"Tomorrow, I need to be on my toes," I whispered to myself.

I peeled off my damp clothes, down to my underwear, and draped them over the dresser to dry. The bed creaked loudly as I crawled into it. The mattress felt like it was stuffed with horse straw—nothing like the ones at the manor, which were soft and clean. This one smelled faintly of old sweat and hay. Still, it was better than nothing. I closed my eyes and let exhaustion take over.

The night passed quickly. Birds chirped outside the shuttered window as morning broke.

A knock echoed from the door.

"One minute!" I called out, scrambling to get dressed. I unlocked and opened it to find everyone crowded outside my room.I waved them inside. They all piled in.

"You ready?" Luca asked.

I nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."

"So we jumping in and blowing them up, right?" Chris said, cracking his knuckles.

I sighed and looked out the window. The people below walked by, unaware of what was about to shake up their town.

"No. If we're going to do this job, we're going to do it right," I said, turning to everyone. "The first thing I want us to do is reconnaissance. We'll split up into small groups to talk to people and search for their hideout."

"What teams were you thinking?" Madison asked.

"Crystal, Madison, and I will go around gathering information from people. I think people won't think too much of it if a bunch of girls are asking around."

"And what are you going to have me doing?" Chris asked, already waiting to get annoyed.

"You and Luca will take the mission file with the picture of their base and go look for it."

Madison handed Luca the file, and he and Chris looked it over.

"Don't engage with them—just mark the path to the building," I instructed.

"Huh? What the hell, why not?" Chris roared in protest.

I frowned, trying to keep my cool. "Because I want us to go back under the cover of night."

Chris grinned at my reasoning. "Okay, nice. I can wait then," he said, teeth flashing.

"Make sure you two watch and report everything to us. We'll meet back here after five hours," I said.

Everyone nodded and headed out.

Madison, Crystal, and I walked around, cautiously asking people about the rumors we'd heard regarding the loan sharks. Some people shooed us away out of fear. Others were extremely cautious with the information they shared. Then there were those who had been affected—those people ran off at the mouth without a care.

We eventually found ourselves sitting at a café, going over everything people had told us.

"Okay, so after everything we learned, was there anything new that wasn't in the mission report?" I asked Madison.

Flipping through the papers, she exhaled in a tired puff. "Not really. We need a lead, if anything," she confessed.

I rubbed my temples in frustration. As we sat and chatted, a blood-curdling scream suddenly rang out through the town. We turned our heads toward the sound and saw a man—he looked wise. I would describe him as Santa Claus-looking, but without the white hair. He was big and jolly-looking at first glance—broad-shouldered with a thick frame —but it was all overshadowed by his frantic, disheveled state. His long brown hair was tangled and matted with sweat, and his full, bushy beard was damp from tears. His eyes were bloodshot, wide with terror, and his entire body trembled like a man barely holding himself together.

He stumbled into the town square like a man possessed, gasping for air. His shirt was wrinkled and stained, and his boots scuffed and muddy. The expression on his face was one of pure agony, the kind that made your stomach twist just looking at him. His chest heaved with every breath, and his hands trembled at his sides before he collapsed to his knees, panting hard.

A loud, gut-wrenching sob tore from his throat as he tilted his head back and screamed, "HELP ME!!!"

The square fell into a stunned silence. Conversations halted mid-sentence. Merchants leaned out from their stalls. Shoppers paused with baskets in hand, staring wide-eyed. A child clutched his mother's skirt. A guard in the distance stopped mid-step, hand instinctively reaching for his weapon. No one moved at first. No one knew what to do. Whispers rippled through the crowd like wind through leaves, anxious and uncertain.

Without thinking, I jumped up and ran to him. "Are you okay? What happened?" I asked, dropping beside him, my voice laced with concern.

Madison and Crystal rushed over, their faces tense. The man's hand shot out and gripped my shoulder like it was the only thing anchoring him to the earth. His grip was strong—desperate—and his cries became heavier. His entire frame shook violently, and tears poured from his eyes, streaking down his reddened cheeks.

"Please help me!" he wailed. "My family... the loan sharks..." His words were broken and buried between sobs, barely understandable, but the desperation behind them was unmistakable.

"Sir, can you take me to your family? Do you need the guards?" I asked, trying to control the panic rising in my chest.

He shook his head, over and over again. "I can't," he muttered, voice barely above a whisper. Then, after a trembling breath, he added, "They're all dead."

Time stopped for a moment. My heart sank, and my stomach twisted.

"I'm so sorry this happened," I uttered, barely able to look at him.

"Sir, who did this to you and your family?" Madison asked gently, her voice filled with empathy.

"The loan sharks," he said with a sob. "They killed my family."

"But are you sure—" Crystal began, but he cut her off with a shout full of raw, unfiltered rage.

"IT WAS THOSE DAMN BASTARDS!!!" he screamed, the words echoing off the walls of the square. People flinched. Some took a step back. A few whispered to one another in alarm.

"We need to move somewhere quiet," I said quickly. "Can you follow me?" I tried to pull him to his feet, but his limbs were limp. He had no strength left to stand.

"What's going on over there?" guards began shouting as they pushed their way through the gathering crowd.

"Dom, the last thing we need is the guards kicking us out of town," Madison whispered urgently, nudging me.

With no other option, I pulled him up with all my strength—and to my surprise, I lifted him almost effortlessly i didn't understand how I could pick up someone his size.

"How are you doing that?" Crystal asked, eyes wide with unease.

"I don't know. Adrenaline?" I muttered, already moving. I dashed through the crowd, weaving between startled townsfolk, and rushed him to the inn. We slipped inside and shut the door behind us, retreating into my room.

"Were we followed?" I asked, laying him gently on the bed.

"I don't see any guards coming this way," Crystal said, peeking through the curtains.

Madison leaned in and pressed her palm to his forehead. "He's burning up," she said, her voice thick with worry.

"Can you help him?"

"Yes, I can," she replied, lifting her hands. "HEALING MAGIC! HALO EFFECT!"

A glowing white ring formed over his head, and light particles rained down onto his body like gentle snow. His breathing began to slow, the tremors in his hands easing.

"This should kill the fever," she said.

Suddenly, a knock rattled the door.

We froze, exchanging nervous glances.

"Who is it?" I called out, tensing.

"Luca and Chris!" came the reply.

Crystal rushed to open the door. Luca and Chris walked in, both grinning—until they saw the man on the bed.

"Who's this?" Luca asked, raising a brow.

I shrugged. "He was in the streets, screaming that the loan sharks killed his family."

"Speaking of those bastards," Chris said, eyes lighting up, "we've been watching their hideout for hours. An important-looking guy just pulled up."

"It took everything I had to hold his ass back from running up on them," Luca added, exasperated.

"So... how are we doing this tonight?" Chris asked, brushing off Luca's complaint.

"We'll use Luca's wind magic to land some of us on the roof. Once we're up there, Crystal will use her explosion magic to cave it in," I said. "Then Chris, you can wipe out the ones running away," I continue.

"Finally!" Chris groans, practically jumping up and down like a kid who's been told recess is back on.

"Take me with you," a weak voice says.

We turn to see the guy sitting up. "Please... if you're going to take those assholes out, let me go too," he mutters.

"Out of the question," I declare.

"Yeah, I agree. We already have two people here we have to protect," Chris asserts. He's gripping his knees so hard his knuckles turn white. Clearly, he's not happy with the rejection.

"Please stay here. We'll deal with them," Madison says gently, like she's talking someone down from a ledge.

"Now that we have a plan, I'm getting some food. Can't fight on an empty stomach," Luca says, casually breaking the tension like a hero who wields a spoon instead of magic.

"Good idea. Order room service," I say nonchalantly.

Everyone stares at me like I just suggested we eat rocks for dinner.

"What?!" I ask, confused.

"What the hell is 'room service'?" Chris raises an eyebrow, already judging.

"You know, when food and other things are brought to your room?" I try to explain, realizing too late that this world might not have the concept.

"But we can get it ourselves. So... what's the point of it?" Crystal frowns, tone fully dipped in sass. She might as well have called me an idiot.

"It's for convenience purposes, okay?!" I blurt, trying to defend the peak laziness of Earth culture. "You don't have to move. You just... lay there. Like royalty. With snacks."

I turn red, realizing how dumb it sounds out loud. "You know what? Forget it."

Luca laughs, following me toward the door. "I'd be interested in trying the 'room service,' though," he teases, doing little air quotes. I frown, cheeks beet red. "Just drop it," I say, embarrassed.

Everyone finally heads out to eat, still chuckling at my expense.

Downstairs, we gather around a long wooden table, ordering food from a kitchen that thankfully does exist. The place smells like meat, and warm bread. Everyone digs in with the kind of enthusiasm that only comes after almost dying and then arguing about dinner logistics.

I stare at my plate—some buttered bread and a bowl of my watered, down broth, which tastes mostly like someone whispered "chicken" at a bucket of hot water. My appetite isn't exactly present, but I pick at it anyway. Mostly for the routine. Chew, sip, pretend you're normal. The others talk, laugh, even sneak bites off each other's plates. I just keep stirring my soup like it's a potion I forgot how to activate.

We hang out for a few hours, everyone slowly relaxing under the weight of full stomachs—or in my case, a slightly less empty one. When we finally head upstairs, I'm just about ready to collapse into anything soft.

"I just remembered my bed is in use right now," I groan, exhausted. All I want to do is faceplant and forget the world for a few hours.

"Just throw him out," Chris suggests, completely unbothered.

"He lost his family. Wouldn't that be, I don't know... mean?" Madison asks, eyebrows raised.

"Plus, I can just get a new room. We do have the funds," I shrug.

We push the door open—and find it empty.

"He's gone," Luca says softly.

"That poor man needs a safe place to mourn," Madison murmurs, sadness tightening her voice.

"At least you get your bed back," Chris offers with a shrug.

"I guess," I say, stepping inside. "Anyway, it's 5 p.m. Let's head out around midnight. Till then, get some sleep."

I close the door behind us and make my way to the bed, kicking off my shoes as I go. But something makes me pause.

The blanket's folded. The pillows fluffed. The floor's been tidied—my stuff, gently organized into a neat little corner. He even stacked the empty tea cups by the door like he was preparing them to be returned.

Even in his grief... he took care of my space.

He didn't leave a note. Didn't say goodbye. And he never told us his name. Midnight rolls around, and we find ourselves flying toward the hideout, the night air cool against our skin. We drop Chris off a little ways from their base, where he'll wait for our signal. "Wait for the signal, okay?" I say, my voice firm but reassuring.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm not dumb, okay? I got it," he responds with a roll of his eyes, barely looking at me before he disappears into the shadows. We continue on, silently heading for the building in the distance.

"Luca, take us up higher," I instruct, my voice tight with focus. "We don't want them seeing us until it's too late."

"Gotcha," Luca replies, his eyes narrowing as he guides the cluster of wind up into the night sky, the lights below us becoming smaller, more distant.

"I'm so nervous. I've never been in a fight before," Crystal admits, her voice shaky as she fidgets with the hem of her jacket. Her vulnerability is evident, but beneath it, there's something more... something darker that I can't quite put my finger on.

"Don't worry. Just stay behind me or Luca, and you'll be safe," I say, offering a reassuring smile.

But instead of a grateful nod, Crystal scoffs audibly, a sharp, biting sound that cuts through the air. She clicks her tongue, her eyes narrowing at me. "No offense, but I don't feel safe with YOU," she says, her voice low but filled with disdain.

I glance at her, a frown tugging at my lips. "What's that supposed to mean?" I ask, irritation rising in my chest. I can't tell if it's the situation or her attitude that's starting to bother me.

She crosses her arms tightly, hugging herself as if warding off more than just the cold. "Well, am I wrong? Women in this world aren't allowed on the front lines of battles, even if they have magic that can be useful," she spits, her tone sharp, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. Her eyes flicker toward me with an unmistakable hostility.

"It's never happened before. Just because you're a Guardian doesn't mean you're strong enough to fight men," she hisses, a sneer curling her lips.

The words hit me harder than I expect, but I refuse to let her see that. "Okay, well, Dom's not the average girl," Madison retorts in my defense, her tone quick and protective.

Crystal's eyes narrow dangerously, and her posture stiffens. "And what makes her so special, huh? Because she's from Earth? Or that she's a legendary warrior or whatever?" she roars, her voice rising with every word, as if challenging my very existence.

Before I can respond, Luca beats me to it. "Both. And what's so bad about that?" he snaps, his voice carrying an edge I haven't heard before. "She's strong, pretty, and kind. My best friend is the whole package. Any other questions?"

Crystal mutters something else under her breath, her words indistinguishable but her anger unmistakable. I feel the tension rising between us like a crackling storm, the air thick with unspoken resentments. But there's no time to dwell on it. The base is coming into view.

There are men walking around the building, some stationed at guard posts near the entrance. A few patrol the roof. Luca slowly lowers the gale of wind we're on, aiming for the top of the building. Crystal walks to the center of the roof, her eyes locked onto the surface as if she's steeling herself. She looks back at us once, and we nod, understanding what's about to happen. She squats down, placing her palms flat against the roof, and murmurs an incantation.

"Detonation magic! Single bang!" she calls out, her hands glowing a brilliant orange, a pulse of power radiating from her fingertips. Her body is tense, unmoving, as she focuses all her magic into the surface beneath her. The seconds stretch into what feels like an eternity as we wait.

Then, in a sudden burst of energy, the glow around her hands intensifies. She remains in place for a few moments longer before swiftly darting back toward us, her movements fluid and controlled.

Luca lifts us high into the air, the sound of the wind picks up as he ascends rapidly, taking us out of the blast zone. We all brace ourselves, watching intently.

"Did it not work?" Madison asks, her voice laced with confusion.

"It did. Give it a minute. My magic works a little uniquely," Crystal replies, her eyes focused on the building below.

"Which is?" Luca asks, trying to mask his own anxiety.

"The larger amount of magic I engrain onto a surface, the bigger the explosion—and the longer it takes to go off," she explains, her voice cool, almost detached as if she's used to the pressure.

And then, as if on cue, the roof erupts into a deafening explosion, sending shockwaves rippling outward. The blast is blinding, a violent burst of fire and debris, the force of it shaking the very air around us. The building shudders as chunks of concrete and steel tear away, the roof collapsing inward in a jagged, violent tumble.

The sound is deafening—screams and shouts rise up from the wreckage as men scramble for cover. The air is thick with dust and smoke, the echoes of the explosion lingering like a curse. Some of the men who were outside are now running away, their faces twisted in fear and confusion, but others crawl out from the rubble, injured but alive.

"Okay, Chris, it's your turn," I whisper, my voice tight with anticipation, but I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. We've done our part. Now, it's up to him.

One of the men, covered in dirt and blood, points upward, his voice hoarse as he shouts, "Look up there!" The remaining soldiers hustle into action, some of them reaching for arrows, others conjuring magic in their hands. The ones with bows aim and release, the arrows whistling through the air toward us.

Luca swerves and dodges with precision, narrowly avoiding the onslaught. But then, a man with wild green hair claws his way out of the debris, rage written all over his face. He looks up at us, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Boss, are you okay?" a few of the men yell, but the leader's gaze is fixed on us, unwavering, as if he's already decided our fate.

"Kill them!" he screams, his voice filled with venom.

"Where the hell is Chris?" Luca yells in frustration, the tension in the air thick as the men scramble into position. Five minutes before the chaos took place, the base was eerily quiet. The only sounds that could be heard were the chirps of insects and the occasional rustle of small creatures in the woods, which stood close to the hideout.

"It's almost time to play," Chris said with a grin, his fingers twitching, anticipating the coming chaos, just as a massive blast shattered the silence, lighting up the sky in blinding brilliance.

"Finally, it's go time!" he yelled, his voice full of excitement as he rushed toward the building. He stopped just close enough to it. A grin spread across his face, and he rotated his shoulders in preparation.

"That's right, run this way," he muttered under his breath, ready to get to work. But before he could take another step, a battle cry echoed from behind him. He turned to see the jolly, Santa-looking man rushing toward him, an axe raised high in his hands. Without missing a beat, the man pushed past Chris, swinging his weapon like a madman as he saw the group of men fleeing for their lives.

"HEY, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" Chris yelled, but the man ignored him completely, continuing his charge. Chris grabbed his shirt and yanked him back, furious.

The Santa-looking man, his face twisted with rage, swung his axe in a wild arc, and Chris barely dodged it, his heart pounding in his chest.

"YOU BASTARD! YOU TRYING TO GET US ALL KILLED?!" Chris barked, his voice rising.

"I DON'T CARE! MY FAMILY WAS MY REASON FOR LIVING!!" the man screamed in a voice laced with desperation.

Chris clicked his tongue in frustration, realizing he had more pressing matters to deal with than the man's emotional outbursts. Just then, the group of men fleeing the battle reached them.

"Hey, who the hell are you two?" one of them demanded.

"Are you two responsible for this?" another sneered.

"Answer our questions if you don't want to get hurt," a third threatened, gripping a knife.

"How about you piss off?" Chris retorted, his veins flaring on his neck and temple, his eyes burning with anger.

"What the fuck did you say, punk?" one of the men snarled, stepping forward.

"Fuck it, just kill them! They're probably the cause of this!" another man roared.

The group charged at them—some wielding weapons, others using magic. Chris darted to the side, narrowly avoiding a bolt of magic that crackled through the air. With a flick of his wrist, his own magic flared to life. A large, crimson circle appeared in front of him, glowing with an ominous energy. The air around him grew thick and dry, as if the very atmosphere was being consumed by the flames he conjured.

In a single, violent motion, fire exploded from the circle, swirling into a massive wall of flame that shot toward the attackers.

"Tsk, stop being dead weight and move!" Chris growled, his voice tinged with impatience. As the fire swirled around him, it ignited with an almost malicious intensity. The flames licked the ground, growing fiercer by the second. His magic wasn't just fire—it was a force of destruction, scorching the air itself.

The Santa-looking man, still caught in the inferno, winced as the fire licked at his clothes. "Now be a good widower and cry in the corner," Chris said, flashing a wicked grin. "I've got work to do." He waved a hand, as if dismissing the man's presence entirely, and turned his focus back to the group of men.

"Oh, I think I know you," a rat-faced man said, his voice dripping with malice as he approached the axe-wielding man who was now trapped by the flames. His eyes glinted with sick amusement. "Ah, yes, now I remember you. You're Alec Beverley, right?" His tone was mocking, almost gleeful as he approached. "You're the guy who borrowed money but couldn't pay us back."

The rat-faced man let out a loud, mocking laugh. "Oh, yes, it's all coming back to me. We had to take your family as payment, ahahah!" He grinned wider, his teeth sharp and unsettling. "By the way, it was me who was tasked with killing your wife and son."

Alec's eyes widened in horror. "You—"

"Your wife," the man continued, his voice sickly sweet, "she was such a sweet woman, always begging me to spare your child. She begged and begged, crying for me to take her instead. But, unfortunately for her... the deal included his life too. Poor thing, she never even got the chance to say goodbye."

Alec let out an enraged scream, his body trembling with fury. He rushed toward the rat-faced man, but the man just scoffed, stepping back.

"What are you going to do behind that wall of fire?" the rat-faced man mocked, his voice dripping with scorn. But then Alec did the impossible—he ran straight through the flames, his body burning but his resolve unwavering. The fire ate at him, his skin blistering, but he pushed forward, gritting his teeth in determination.

The rat-faced man barely had time to react before Alec was upon him. He jumped out of the way, retreating into the woods.

"This way, hah! You almost have me!" he taunted, moving with a confident, twisted grace. Alec, driven by pure rage, gave chase, pushing through the pain in his body as he pursued the man through the dense forest.

Eventually, the rat-faced man stopped at a small bridge crossing over a trickling stream. He stood there, hands behind his back, a sickening smile plastered on his face as Alec struggled to catch his breath.

"You'll pay for this," Alec managed to choke out, his voice hoarse.

The rat-faced man chuckled darkly. "Oh, please. Wouldn't it be better if I just sent you to meet them? A family reunion, right?"

Alec's eyes burned with fury as he charged forward. "Not before I end your wretched life first!" he roared, raising his axe high.

"FOR MY FAMILY!!!" he screamed as he rushed at the man, the weight of his axe a reminder of the vengeance driving him.

The rat-faced man's smile only widened, his eyes gleaming with sadistic amusement. "Aww, how touching," he sneered. "But you're too late. They've been gone a long time, Alec. There's no one left to save... no one but you. And when I'm done with you, you'll join them. A lovely family reunion, don't you think?"

The man's mocking tone was thick with cruelty, each word a twisted reminder of the lives he had stolen, of the torment he had caused. "You fool." The rat-faced man's grin split his gaunt face like a knife wound, yellowed teeth glinting under the moonlight. His fingers twitched, skeletal and ink-stained, as he hissed, "FOG MAGIC!! POISONOUS GAS!!"

A vile, emerald mist erupted from his palms, swirling like a living thing—thick, choking, reeking of rotting eggs and burnt copper. It clung to Alec's skin, seeping into his pores before he could react. His body convulsed once, then crumpled to the dirt, his axe slipping from limp fingers.

"Say hello to your folly for me." The man stepped forward, his tattered cloak fluttering like bat wings. His voice was a nasally sneer, the kind that made you want to scrub your ears clean.

Then—fire roared.

A searing comet of flame exploded from the treeline, forcing the rat-man to dive sideways with a shrill, undignified yelp.

"Who did that?" he scoffed angrily, his voice laced with venom while scrambling up, his beady eyes darting.

From the shadows, Chris stalked forward, his fist wreathed in molten gold, casting flickering light over his sharp features. His smirk was all teeth, no warmth—the grin of a wolf who'd just found prey.

"I didn't know roaches came in human size," he drawled. His voice was rough, edged with amusement, but his eyes—glowing like embers—never wavered from his target. Chris's face was partially obscured by the night, but the light from his flames illuminated his sharp features. His demeanor was calm, almost like he was watching the whole situation unfold The rat-man's lip curled.

"I don't know how you got rare magic, but why don't you join us?" he asked, a devious smile tugging at his lips. "You look like a strong individual. Imagine it—you could get whatever you want, whenever you want," he said, persuading him, though his tone hinted at a hidden agenda.

Chris barked a laugh, the sound like gunfire in the silence. "You insult me." His flames flared violently, licking up his arm. "I'd rather obey the short girl who nags me—at least she's pretty to look at. You? You look like a half-chewed rat carcass." he chuckles flashing a crooked grin.

"You idiot! Don't you want power?" the man shouted, practically pleading, desperation slipping into his voice. It was clear that, beneath his bravado, he was desperate to gain something more than what he had. Chris raised one of his hands and pointed it at him, his calm demeanor not breaking for a second. "You know something?" His voice dropped to a whisper, deadly calm. "I lost my mom to scum like you." I think she'd be proud of me for leaving your remains unrecognizable."

Upon saying that, the man spun around, conjuring a thick, swirling fog that enveloped the area. The haze was not only a cover for his movements but also amplified the chill in the air, distorting the environment itself. "FOG MAGIC!! MYSTIC HAZE!!" he chanted "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING SCUM?" the man screamed from inside the haze. "DON'T YOU DARE INSULT ME! I'M A HIGH-RANKING MEMBER OF THIS GANG!" The rat-man shrieked, veins bulging in his scrawny neck. His voice was filled with fury, a sign of his wounded pride and a desire to prove his worth.

Chris didn't flinch.

"I'm not insulting you. I'm describing you," Chris said, completely unfazed. He raised his hand, releasing an immense amount of magic that caused a massive circle to appear in the sky. the sky ignited. A crimson magic circle, vast as a blood moon, blazed above them. The ground shook as pillars of fire rained down, scorching the haze into nothingness. The man lay dead, his body burned beyond recognition.

"Now," Chris mused, toeing the ashes, "I'd describe you as well-done." he said coolly, his expression unchanged. He then walked over to Alec, trying to pull him up or wake him. Alec coughed up blood, the battle clearly taking its toll on him.

"Damn, it looks bad. I'll have my friend fix you up," Chris said, annoyance creeping into his voice as he dragged Alec by the arms. "How the hell did those girls get you to the inn?" he asked, his voice turning sharp with frustration. Suddenly, three giant creatures landed from the sky, surrounding Chris and an unconscious Alec. His eyes widened in surprise, a fleeting moment of shock passing through him before his brows furrowed in irritation. His lips curled into a scowl, his patience wearing thin. "Tsk, the world just likes to test my damn patience," he scoffed.

"SPEED MAGIC!! BOOST!!" The man with green hair took off at blinding speed, running up the outer wall of the building. His speed was like a blur, almost impossible to follow. His personality mirrored his magic—quick to act, impulsive, and relentless. He leapt into the air and kicked through Luca's wind carriage. The force of the kick sent us all crashing to the ground. Luca, quick and graceful as ever, caught everyone on a burst of air before anyone could hit the ground. The man circled back quickly, knocking us all off our feet repeatedly. We couldn't get back up.

"Everyone rush them and slit their throats. I'll keep them down!" he commanded, taking off again. There was an urgency to his voice, a need to prove himself.

"I need to do something before someone dies. Think, Dominique, think," I muttered to myself, the panic setting in.

I stretched my hand out on the floor, releasing my magic power. A blue magic circle appeared under me, glowing brightly as the temperature around me dropped. I could feel the chill creeping over the battlefield as the ground froze beneath me. Ice spread across the area Freezing some of the enemies in place, while others—including Walmart Flash—slipped and slid uncontrollably on the ice.

"LUCA, NOW!!" I screamed. A green circle appeared above him, and twisters began to form. Luca's wind magic was precise, creating controlled tornadoes that swept through the battlefield. I froze Madison and Crystal to the ground, ensuring they were protected while the men were caught in the twisters. Once airborne, I shot ice spears from the ground, their sharp points gleaming in the dim light. Luca stopped the twisters, sending the enemies plummeting into my attack. They were impaled on impact, dead before they hit the ground.

The battlefield went quiet as we took in what had just happened. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears, my breath coming in heavy gasps. Suddenly.

we heard clapping and maniacal laughter.

Not human. Not sane. "Wonderful... just wonderful." "You've grown so much, like a ripe fruit," he chuckled.

The voice was slick, syrupy—like honey laced with poison. A tall, emaciated figure perched on a floating chair, his fingers elongated, his mouth stretched too wide. The sound of his laughter was chilling, filled with madness. Madison screamed upon seeing him, while my breathing became erratic, the tension making it hard to focus.

"Who the hell is he?" Crystal asked, her voice laced with fear. We all rushed to our feet as he landed, sitting casually on a chair, his presence commanding.

"Jojo, he's one of the landlords," I muttered, trying to keep what little composure I had left. "As promised..." Jojo bit down on his own finger, blood dribbling down his chin as he moaned in ecstasy. "I've returned," Jojo said, his voice dripping with amusement.

He moaned loudly, his eyes rolling back in a twisted expression of pleasure. "I've waited for this moment for so long," he groaned, as though savoring each second. "You're mine, all mine. Good girl," he said, licking his lips with his cracked black tongue. "so pink, so ripe, my dear." he groans as His spine twisted, his limbs bending at impossible angles as he rose. "You managed to get through the opening act. Now..." He stood, his body twitching and throbbing from his pervious movements. "PREPARE FOR THE MAIN EVENT!!"