Migo stands atop the wooden watchtower, scope braced against the rail.

  “I hate watch duty…”

  He adjusts the lens—

  —and freezes.

  The horizon is moving.

  Migo stands atop the watchtower, scope braced. Two Warlords lead the march: King Pin and Khalifah. Venus and the others follow behind.

  Not a raid.

  An execution.

  Cold sweat beads down Migo’s neck.

  “Oh God… no.”

  He drops the scope and bolts down the ladder, boots slamming wood.

  He grabs the bell.

  GONG.

  GONG.

  GONG.

  “Enemies approaching!”

  New Sage erupts. Soldiers flood the border, weapons raised, faces tight with fear they’re trying not to show.

  The Sneaky Birds move without noise.

  Lewa’s jaw is locked. She gestures upward.

  Jude nods once.

  They’re gone—ghosts climbing into the rafters.

  On the ground, steel clicks into place.

  Uddin flips Daisy a blade. "Remember our training," she says. "Stay sharp," she warns.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Elina chambers a round.

  Moon Black steps forward.

  “Head-on,” she says quietly. “No delays.”

  The guards surge.

  Steel and gunfire crash together.

  Elina fires—one drops.

  Momo fires—another falls.

  Moon Black slams into the formation. Sparks scream from clashing blades.

  Scarface slips under a swing, buries his knife, spins—

  A gun lifts behind him—

  Baa.

  The shooter drops.

  Migo appears at his side. “They move in pairs.”

  Uddin is surrounded. Six closing in.

  One hesitates.

  Baa.

  He folds.

  “Grinding them,” Lewa’s voice crackles from above.

  Daisy ducks low, palm striking—

  Electricity detonates through her target. He convulses and falls.

  Jullian approaches, a rabbit masks covers her face. She plants herself beside Daisy. “I’ve got you.”

  New Sage pushes.

  The guards falter.

  For a heartbeat—

  It looks like they might win.

  King Pin walks through the carnage. Heading into New Sage.

  Untouched.

  Unhurried.

  Moon Black turns—

  BOOM.

  She's hurled across the dirt.

  The battlefield stutters.

  Warlord Khalifah lowers his fist. The air tightens around him like pressure before a storm.

  Helma strikes from behind—

  Her blade cuts nothing.

  He dissolves.

  Reappears.

  Uddin is lifted by the throat.

  “Where’s Clary?” the Warlord asks.

  Moon Black lunges—

  Gone.

  Khalifah reappears and hurls Uddin into Helma.

  They crash hard.

  Venus moves next.

  A punch shatters Scarface’s nose.

  Migo fires—

  Venus slips through shadow.

  Elina tries to hold distance—

  He’s already there.

  His hand closes around her throat.

  She fires blindly.

  Nothing lands.

  Daisy sees it.

  Tries to move—

  A guard slams her to one knee.

  High above, Jude watches it all.

  Elina choking.

  The line breaking.

  His breathing steadies.

  Cold replaces fear.

  “Venus…”

  He drops the sniper.

  Draws his pistol.

  And runs.

  ---

  The wind shifts.

  Johnny stops mid-stride.

  His chest tightens.

  “I hear it,” he murmurs. “Death.”

  He runs.

  ---

  Young boy Justice sprints through the trees.

  Gunshots crack.

  Mercenaries drop behind him.

  Silence.

  A chubby man steps from the smoke.

  “Mr. Rob…?”

  “Join me,” the man says. “Let’s build our empire.”

  “I’m done,” Justice replies. “Trafficking's dirty.”

  More gunshots.

  The remaining men fall.

  Johnny steps out of the haze.

  Before the man can turn—

  The gun slams into his skull.

  He drops.

  Justice bolts—

  Johnny is already there.

  Barrel to his temple.

  “Who are you?”

  “Please!” a voice breaks from the woods.

  Flash Night Jessie steps forward.

  “He’s my brother.”

  Johnny’s smile is slow.

  Dark.

  “Family…”

  His eyes harden.

  “Guess karma’s a bitch.”