The scent of burning wood and scorched metal filled the air, thick smoke curling into the sky like dark tendrils clawing at the heavens. Orion’s group moved through the ruined streets of the Old Business District, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten as they neared the source of the destruction.

  A guttural laugh echoed through the smoldering ruins. Darin stood before them, tall and lanky, but his wiry frame belied a dangerous strength. His long coat billowed in the heat of the flames, his wild eyes reflecting the inferno behind him. Few had known the truth, but Darin was as strong as Silas—perhaps even stronger. He had never cared for power struggles or control; he was chaos incarnate, a mad dog set loose upon the streets.

  Orion’s eyes narrowed, fists tightening at his sides.

  Darin spread his arms, his grin stretched wide. “Ah, the little rats have returned.” He gestured behind him. “You like my work? I thought you’d appreciate the effort.”

  The hideout. Their sanctuary.

  Gone.

  Gabriel didn’t wait for Orion’s command. Without hesitation, he shot forward, the crackle of electricity surging through his body. His knee shot toward Darin’s face—but at the last possible second, Darin shifted ever so slightly.

  Gabriel’s knee missed by mere inches, grazing Darin’s jaw instead of smashing into it. The mad dog grinned, his eyes gleaming with something unnatural.

  “Heh. That was close.”

  Orion’s instincts flared. “He can see them.”

  Darin smirked. “Clever, aren’t you? Let me give you a little hint.” He tapped the side of his temple, his eerie grin never fading. “Clairvoyance. My eyes see what’s coming before it even happens. Silas tried, believe me. But even he couldn’t lay a hand on me.”

  Ra put Kannie down gently against a crate, ensuring she was safe before stepping forward, cracking his knuckles. His green slit-pupil eyes burned with raw aggression.

  Darin’s grin widened. “Alright then, let’s have some fun.”

  Then, the street exploded into chaos.

  Gabriel surged back in, lightning crackling around his fists. He swung, but Darin was already moving before the attack even landed. His clairvoyance allowed him to react to movements before they fully formed, letting him twist just outside Gabriel’s arc. He countered with a brutal elbow to Gabriel’s gut. The air left his lungs as he stumbled back, eyes wide.

  Ra charged forward, fists clenched, throwing a devastating punch aimed at Darin’s ribs. But Darin twisted, narrowly evading it, using the momentum to drive his knee into Ra’s stomach. Ra gritted his teeth, barely absorbing the impact before attempting another strike, but Darin weaved around him with inhuman precision.

  Tsuki darted in next, moving like a phantom. His dagger flickered in the dim light, aiming for Darin’s throat, but the mad dog simply tilted his head, letting the blade whistle past him before seizing Tsuki’s wrist and twisting, sending him flipping through the air.

  Nerpheus lashed out with his water whip, aiming to bind Darin’s legs, but Darin sidestepped at the last possible moment, yanking the whip mid-air and using Nerpheus’ own momentum against him. With a sudden pull, he sent Nerpheus crashing into a wall.

  Orion feinted left, aiming for Darin’s side, but the clairvoyant fighter caught his wrist and twisted sharply, flipping Orion into the ground before kicking him away like a discarded rag doll. “Too slow,” Darin mocked.

  The fight wore on, each of Orion’s team attacking from different angles. Yet, every move, every strategy—Darin saw them all unfold before they even happened. He slipped through their strikes like smoke, countering with brutal efficiency.

  Gabriel wiped his mouth and clenched his fists. “You’re cocky.”

  Darin chuckled, dusting his coat. “No, just confident. You see, your biggest problem is that you think speed and strength alone will let you win. But what happens when your opponent sees everything before it even begins?”

  He took a step forward, tilting his head. “Silas was fast. He was strong. He had raw talent. And yet, he still couldn’t touch me. No matter how hard he tried.”

  Gabriel’s muscles tensed as Darin continued. “You must be wondering how my ability works, huh? It’s not just some magic trick. It’s not simple reflexes. My eyes don’t just see what’s coming next; they see what comes after that, and after that. Your tells, your intent, your movement—I see them all before you even make them.”

  Gabriel’s fists clenched. “Then I’ll just have to move faster than you can process.”

  Darin smirked. “You’re welcome to try.”

  Before anyone could respond, the sky roared.

  A sudden clap of thunder echoed across the battlefield. The wind howled, and the darkened clouds churned violently overhead. Then—

  Lightning struck.

  Gabriel hesitated for a moment. He knew the risks—absorbing raw lightning straight from the storm was dangerous, even for him. His body could only take so much before it overloaded. But then he looked down at Darin, that ever-present smirk still on his face, and something inside him snapped. There was no other way. Clenching his fists, he made his decision.

  Gabriel didn’t wait any longer. Instead of waiting for the energy to reach him, he flew into the sky, his body ascending into the storm’s eye. The moment he entered the storm clouds, arcs of lightning began to converge upon him. He opened his arms wide, embracing the raw power surging toward him. The sky itself seemed to answer his call.

  A massive bolt of electricity tore through the heavens, striking him directly.

  For a moment, Gabriel’s entire form disappeared within the blinding light.

  Then—

  He reemerged.

  His veins pulsed with raw energy, his muscles tensed like coiled springs, and his entire form crackled with barely contained power. His eyes glowed a brilliant electric blue, and the very air around him hummed with a charged intensity.

  Gabriel looked down at Darin, his lips curling into a grin. “This is what I call One Million Volt Body. Let’s see how well you can keep up now.”

  Darin’s smirk faltered.

  Then Gabriel moved.

  To the untrained eye, he vanished. A blur of pure speed tore through the battlefield, and before Darin could react, Gabriel’s fist connected with his stomach.

  Darin coughed violently, his feet lifting off the ground as he was sent flying backward. He tumbled through the air, but his body twisted instinctively, landing on his feet in a skid. He exhaled sharply, his eyes darting around.

  Gabriel was gone.

  Darin clenched his jaw, scanning wildly—

  CRACK!

  Another strike. Then another. Gabriel was everywhere and nowhere all at once, his speed now beyond what Darin’s clairvoyance could keep up with.

  Darin staggered, blood dripping from his mouth. “Impossible…”

  Gabriel grinned, his voice crackling with the static that now filled the air. “You can see the future, huh? But it doesn’t help if your body can’t keep up with what’s coming.”

  Darin struggled to rise, his breath ragged, his muscles burning with the strain of trying to process Gabriel’s movements. He had never faced speed like this before—his clairvoyance was showing him every attack before it landed, but his body was too slow to react. His legs trembled, his balance wavering, but his smirk remained.

  “I’ll give you credit, kid,” Darin coughed, wiping blood from his lips. “You’re the first one to make me feel—human.”

  Gabriel didn’t respond. His form flickered, electricity crackling violently around him as he charged his final attack. Every muscle in his body coiled, vibrating with raw power, his entire being transformed into a conduit of pure energy. The storm above raged in response, feeding his strength. The air smelled of ozone, and arcs of electricity leaped from his skin to the shattered pavement below.

  Darin gritted his teeth, adjusting his stance, trying to move—but it was too late.

  Gabriel vanished.

  A deafening BOOM! split the air as he reappeared inches from Darin, knee driving upward into his ribs with the force of a thunderclap. The impact sent shockwaves outward, splitting the ground beneath them. Darin’s body arched backward, his breath stolen from his lungs as he was hurled into the sky.

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  Gabriel wasn’t done.

  In the span of a heartbeat, he shot upward, reappearing above Darin in midair. Twisting his body with unnatural speed, he drove both fists down into Darin’s exposed stomach, sending him hurtling back toward the ground like a meteor. The moment Darin hit the pavement, a second explosion of electricity surged outward, creating a crater that swallowed the entire street.

  Gabriel landed softly, his electrified aura still crackling, illuminating the dust and debris that swirled around him. He watched as Darin’s body lay motionless, steam rising from his scorched clothes, his breath shallow but still present.

  Darin coughed weakly, barely able to lift his head. His once-smug grin had faded, but his eyes still gleamed with something wicked—respect, or maybe amusement. “Heh… lucky shot.”

  Gabriel didn’t reply. His form crackled with residual energy as he ascended once more, propelled upward by the raw power still coursing through him. The storm roared in response, thunder crashing as if heralding the final blow.

  High above the battlefield, Gabriel's body became a living conduit of lightning, arcs of electricity spiraling around him like a divine executioner. His muscles coiled, power surging as he twisted midair, gathering momentum. Then—

  He descended.

  A thunderous explosion erupted the moment Gabriel’s knee collided with Darin’s chest, the sheer force obliterating the ground beneath them. The crater expanded violently, swallowing rubble and debris as a shockwave blasted outward, shattering nearby structures and sending tremors rippling through the district. The very air quaked from the devastation.

  Darin’s body gave no resistance. The impact was final.

  When the dust settled, he lay still, his once-defiant smirk wiped from existence. His body twitched once, then fell limp—lifeless. The mad dog of the Old Business District was no more.

  Gabriel exhaled sharply, standing at the edge of the massive crater, his electrified aura flickering before finally fading. He glanced down at Darin’s unmoving form, his own breath ragged but victorious.

  “Guess you didn’t see that one coming,” he muttered before turning away, leaving only silence in his wake.

  As the echoes of the battle faded, Tara stepped forward, her voice hesitant but firm. "What now?" she asked, turning to Orion.

  The silence stretched between them, the weight of their situation pressing down like a crushing force. The battlefield was a ruin of shattered structures, the remnants of their struggle still smoldering in the night air. Their hideout, once a sanctuary, was still burning behind them, flames crackling hungrily as smoke spiraled into the night sky. It was a painful sight, a final reminder that there was no going back.

  Ra exhaled sharply, running a hand through his blood-streaked hair. "We can't keep running," he muttered, his voice carrying the exhaustion of endless battles. Without hesitation, he bent down and lifted Kannie onto his back, her body still weak from the poison that had nearly taken her life. "If we don't end this now, Jace will keep coming, and there won’t be anywhere left for us to go."

  Nerpheus and Tsuki stood nearby, saying nothing. Their silence wasn't out of agreement, but out of understanding—there were no alternatives left.

  Orion’s golden eyes flickered as he looked at his group. He saw their wounds, their fatigue, their desperation. And yet, they still stood. They still fought. They were still alive.

  He exhaled, setting his shoulders. "We’re going to Jace," he said firmly. "It’s time we take care of him."

  There was no argument. No hesitation.

  Only the quiet resolve of warriors who knew there was no turning back now. The heat from the burning hideout licked at their backs as they took their first steps forward, leaving behind the embers of what had once been their refuge. There was no home left to return to—only the fight ahead.

  Together, they turned toward the road ahead, the storm still raging in the distance, mirroring the battle that was yet to come.

  Orion exhaled, his golden eyes scanning the ruined battlefield, then locking onto the distant horizon. He straightened his posture, his expression sharpening with resolve. "We’re going to Jace," he said. "It's time we take care of things."

  The storm raged on, its furious winds howling through the ruined streets, lightning tearing through the heavens like jagged veins of energy. Amidst the chaos, two figures stood in the shadows of a secluded alleyway, their presence hidden from the eyes of the fighters below.

  The broad-shouldered man, his face obscured beneath a hood, watched the battle unfold with a lazy grin. His stance was relaxed, yet there was something unreadable about him, an aura of power that lurked just beneath the surface. His eyes flickered with amusement as he observed the storm-wreathed battlefield.

  Beside him the young woman adjusted the brim of her oversized wizard’s hat, her twin blonde braids swaying slightly in the wind. Unlike her companion, her expression was one of mild interest rather than amusement. Her violet eyes shimmered with quiet contemplation, as if she was evaluating something—waiting for an outcome only she could predict.

  For a while, they said nothing, merely observing the aftermath of the clash. The streets were littered the air thick with the scent of ozone and charred debris. The battle had been short but violent, and now, its conclusion hung in the air like a heavy mist.

  Then, from the deeper shadows, another figure emerged.

  This one moved with purpose, his steps silent, his presence cold and calculating. His mismatched eyes—one blue, one brown—gleamed in the dim light as he approached the other two figures without hesitation. His dark cloak barely rippled despite the howling wind, his entire demeanor sharp as a blade honed for a singular purpose.

  “I found it,” he said simply, his voice devoid of excitement, yet carrying a weight of certainty. “Jace’s hideout.”

  The broad-shouldered man let out a low chuckle, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off stiffness. "Well, it’s about time we introduce ourselves."

  The young woman tilted her head slightly, her violet eyes gleaming beneath the shadow of her hat. "Finally."

  Without another word, the three figures moved, slipping away into the darkness, the storm howling in their wake.

  The dim glow of lanterns flickered in the abandoned warehouse where Jace sat, his fingers drumming against the armrest of his chair. His expression was unreadable, but there was no hiding the weight behind his eyes. The news had arrived like a thunderclap, rattling through his carefully constructed empire. Silas—dead. Renna—dead. Darin—defeated.

  Three of his best lieutenants, all gone.

  Jace leaned forward, rubbing his temples. This wasn’t just a setback. This was a disaster.

  Across from him, Markus, his trusted strategist, adjusted his glasses, his voice as cold as ever. “We underestimated them.”

  Jace scoffed, shaking his head. “No. We miscalculated everything.” He clenched his jaw. “Silas, I expected him to put up a fight, but Renna? Darin? They weren’t just strong—they were essential. Losing all three of them in one sweep…” He exhaled sharply. “This is worse than I imagined.”

  Markus nodded. “If we don’t act, Orion and his crew will dismantle everything we’ve built.”

  Jace’s eyes darkened. “Then we’ll act.”

  Before Markus could respond, the heavy doors of the chamber creaked open.

  Three figures stepped inside.

  The broad-shouldered man led the way, his dark brown skin illuminated by the dim lantern light, his white dreadlocked hair a stark contrast to his features. His posture was relaxed, his arms folded across his chest as if he had all the time in the world. His brown eyes gleamed with something unreadable—mirth, perhaps, or something far more dangerous.

  Beside him, a young woman adjusted the brim of her oversized wizard’s hat, her twin blonde braids swaying slightly as she stepped forward. Her violet eyes shimmered with amusement, a playful smirk curling her lips as she observed the room like a spectator at a show.

  The third was smaller, quieter. A figure cloaked in darkness, his mismatched eyes—one blue, one brown—flickering as he scanned the room with keen precision. His presence was subtle, but it carried an undeniable weight.

  Jace’s gaze flicked between them before settling on the man in front. His lips curled into something between curiosity and irritation. “And who the hell are you?”

  The broad-shouldered man yawned, stretching his arms lazily. “Man, you guys are so tense. You need to loosen up.”

  Markus stiffened. “Answer the question.”

  The man smirked. “We’re here to solve your little problem.”

  Jace’s fingers tapped rhythmically against his chair. “And what problem would that be?”

  The woman chuckled, tipping her hat up slightly. “The one you were just talking about. Orion and his crew.”

  Jace exhaled sharply. “And why do you care about Orion?”

  The man’s smirk widened. “Oh, let’s just say… we have our reasons.”

  Jace studied him for a long moment, then scoffed. “You look just like him.”

  The man raised a brow. “Oh?”

  Jace leaned forward, his expression scrutinizing. “White dreadlocks. Brown skin. You and Orion—you’re from the same place. Same tribe. That’s undeniable. So tell me… what’s your connection?”

  The room fell silent.

  Then—

  A wave of something unseen crashed into the chamber.

  Jace’s breath caught in his throat. The weight pressing down on him was suffocating, primal, undeniable. His body locked up, muscles frozen in place. Markus, normally composed, stood rigid, his fingers trembling slightly.

  It was bloodlust.

  Pure, unfiltered killing intent, thick as a physical force.

  And it was coming from the man in front of them.

  Jace’s mind raced. He had felt this before. This overwhelming force. This inescapable pressure.

  Lucian.

  The man who had given him the order to kill Orion and his group.

  And now, standing before him, this lazy, grinning bastard carried that same terrifying presence.

  Then, just as suddenly as it had come, it vanished.

  The broad-shouldered man sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Damn. My bad. That kinda slipped out.” He grinned again. “Guess my connection to Orion doesn’t really matter, huh?”

  Jace exhaled sharply, loosening his grip on the armrest. He hadn’t even realized how tightly he’d been clutching it. He stole a glance at Markus, who was equally shaken, sweat beading at his temple.

  Jace forced a smirk. “You know, for someone so relaxed, you’ve got a hell of a presence.”

  The man laughed. “Yeah, I get that a lot.”

  The young woman beside him stretched lazily, yawning. “Anyway, about Orion and his group…” She waved a hand dismissively. “They’re already on their way here.”

  Jace’s expression stiffened. “What?”

  Markus straightened, calculating. “How do you know that?”

  The woman’s smirk widened. “Because I see things.”

  Jace’s mind raced. If Orion and his crew were coming, then time was short. He glanced at the trio before him. Mysterious, powerful, and clearly dangerous. He wasn’t sure if he trusted them, but right now, he needed every advantage he could get.

  He exhaled. “Fine. If you want to take care of them, be my guest.”

  The broad-shouldered man grinned. “That’s the spirit.”

  The woman clapped her hands together. “Great! Now that we’re all working together… I demand booze.”

  Jace blinked. “Excuse me?”

  She placed a hand on her hip. “Booze. You know, alcohol? The fun stuff?”

  Jace pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply. “You can’t be serious. We’re preparing for a fight, and you’re worried about booze?”

  Her smirk faded just slightly, her violet eyes flashing with something far less amused. "Oh, I’m dead serious."

  And then—

  A pulse of pure magical pressure filled the room.

  Jace’s body tensed involuntarily. It wasn’t the overwhelming, crushing bloodlust from before—no, this was something else entirely. Something chaotic, unpredictable—arcane energy crackled in the air like static before a storm, pressing against their very souls, as if reality itself trembled beneath her will.

  Markus inhaled sharply, stepping back without meaning to. His strategist instincts screamed at him to avoid provoking this woman any further.

  Illyria tilted her head, her smirk returning, but this time it was sharper, dangerous. "Now, be a good host and don’t piss me off."

  Jace sighed, waving a hand. “Fine. Markus, get her something to drink.”

  Markus muttered under his breath but obeyed, stepping out of the chamber.

  Jace leaned back, watching the trio with newfound wariness. Whatever this was, it was about to become something much bigger.

  And Orion had no idea what was coming.