Jessie steps forward, smiling like she already knows the ending.

  Johnny’s gun snaps up.

  “Don’t move.”

  Her eyes flick to Justice.

  Then back to Johnny.

  The smile widens.

  “You shouldn’t have taken the gun off his head.”

  She moves.

  Too fast.

  Her hand clamps around Johnny’s wrist — iron tight.

  He answers with a brutal headbutt.

  Crack.

  Her skull snaps back. She stumbles.

  And vanishes.

  Air shifts behind him.

  A whisper of steel.

  Johnny twists — Venomous Mercy slices past his throat, close enough to kiss skin.

  Justice stares.

  Is Jessie this strong…?

  Johnny fires.

  She’s already inside his guard.

  Her palm slams his wrist.

  The gun flies.

  Her foot crashes into his cheek.

  He hits dirt.

  She drops with him, blade descending—

  His hand catches her wrist mid-strike.

  He rolls, drags her off balance, and drives a punch into her face.

  The sound is thick.

  She smashes into a tree trunk and slides down, breath rattling.

  Johnny rises.

  Boot to stomach.

  Air leaves her in a broken gasp.

  “Justice— run!”

  Justice charges instead.

  Knife flashing toward Johnny’s spine.

  Johnny turns.

  One punch.

  Justice folds.

  Silence.

  Johnny pivots—

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  Too late.

  Jessie reappears and drives a bicycle kick into his chest.

  He lifts off the ground and crashes hard.

  Dust lifts around him.

  She stands over Justice, eyes dark.

  Johnny pushes up slowly.

  “…Why is it this difficult to put you down?”

  She’s already moving again.

  He throws.

  She isn’t there.

  Venomous Mercy flashes from behind—

  Johnny dissolves into motion, reappearing at her flank.

  His fist slams into her jaw.

  She lifts off the ground.

  Midair—

  He catches her by the waist.

  Drives her into earth.

  The impact punches the air out of the forest.

  Venomous Mercy skids away.

  Jessie forces herself up.

  Blood threads from her lip.

  She fades.

  Reappears with blade in hand.

  Charges.

  Johnny smiles.

  “Tough girl.”

  He sidesteps the needle-thin strike and buries a punch into her ribs.

  Bone thuds.

  She staggers.

  He grabs her.

  Lifts.

  Slams her against a tree.

  Bark splits.

  She cries out.

  Johnny steps in close.

  Breath steady.

  “This time… I’m ready.”

  He kicks.

  She’s gone.

  Her arm hooks Justice.

  She runs.

  Johnny’s boots tear through dirt behind them.

  The distance closes fast.

  “Justice… I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” She swallows air. “Why did you leave home?”

  “Drop me!” he shouts. “My friends— they’re in danger!”

  Her grip tightens.

  “I’m not losing you again.”

  Johnny appears beside them like a shadow breaking loose.

  His hand shoots for Justice—

  Justice throws himself backward.

  Into Johnny.

  Johnny catches him.

  Uses him as pivot.

  His leg sweeps forward—

  Jessie trips.

  Rolls.

  Back up instantly.

  Venomous Mercy flashes toward Johnny’s chest.

  He slips aside effortlessly.

  Justice stares.

  “…Wow.”

  Jessie blurs around Johnny like a broken light.

  Johnny doesn’t chase.

  He watches.

  Reads.

  She’s an Epic assassin, but she bleeds.

  She strikes.

  He dives back.

  Appears behind her.

  She dissolves—

  But he turns before she reforms.

  Punch.

  Perfect timing.

  Her invisibility shatters under impact.

  She hits the ground hard.

  For a moment, the forest goes still.

  Johnny stands over her, chest rising slow and steady.

  “You’re good,” he says quietly.

  “Don’t waste it. Keep protecting the ones you love."

  He turns and starts walking away.

  Leaves crunch under his boots.

  “Why did you let us live?” Justice asks.

  Johnny slows.

  Stops.

  Half turns, just enough to look at them over his shoulder.

  “Kid… your sister saved you.”

  His eyes flick to Jessie once.

  “If she hadn’t stepped in when she did, you’d be dead. And I wouldn’t have thought twice about it.”

  A beat.

  Then a low chuckle escapes him.

  “Relax. I don’t kill kids.” He waves a lazy hand. “Wouldn’t have killed you anyway.”

  He starts walking again.

  Leaves scatter under his steps.

  His figure thins into the trees.

  Gone.

  Silence fills the space he leaves behind.

  Jessie pushes herself up slowly, wincing as she straightens. Dirt clings to her cheek. Blood stains the corner of her lip.

  Justice steps closer.

  “Why are you here?” His voice isn’t loud anymore. Just tight.

  Her expression softens.

  “I left home to get stronger,” she says quietly. “Someone had to protect you.”

  Justice lets out a sharp breath.

  “Protect me?” His voice cracks despite himself. “You think I got into all that for fun?”

  She blinks.

  “I worked with Rob,” he continues.

  “Trafficking. Running jobs. Because I thought Silas took you. I didn’t know where you were. I didn’t know what else to do.”

  The words hang heavy between them.

  She narrows her eyes.

  “You did… what?”

  “I looked for you,” he says, jaw tight. “There were no clues. Nothing. I thought you were gone.”

  He swallows.

  “I have a family now,” he adds, quieter. “They’re in danger.”

  He turns and starts walking.

  Jessie steps in front of him.

  “You’re not strong enough for this.”

  “I don’t care.” His fists tighten at his sides. “I’d rather die with them than hide somewhere safe.”

  That lands.

  She studies him for a long second.

  Sees he means it.

  Her shoulders ease.

  “…Fine.”

  She exhales slowly.

  “You’re the boss now.”

  A small, tired smile touches her lips.

  “Let’s go.”

  Justice hesitates — just for a second — then nods.

  “We have to hurry,” he says. “I’ve got a bad feeling.”

  Without another word, they break into a run.

  Back toward New Sage.

  ---

  Meanwhile

  Three figures cut through the forest.

  Paloma and her guard Naco.

  Prinky laughing on his back, chewing gum happily.

  Then she stops.

  Her grin stretches.

  “…Something bad happened.”

  Naco stiffens.

  “What?”

  Prinky’s eyes gleam.

  “Something you won’t like.”

  Paloma’s heartbeat spikes.

  “We’re late.”

  They accelerate.

  Trees blur.

  The forest grows quieter ahead.

  Too quiet.