ROCKY'S BAR—CENTRE CITY.

  The bar door swings open. The bell clangs a tired last gasp. A tall, imposing woman strides in.

  Salion marches straight to the counter. Her fur coat rustles against the leather as she drops onto a stool.

  "Ooh, Salion, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Rocky asks.

  Salion’s eyes narrow. "Rocky, vha's happened to Sunshine?" Her voice is low, urgent.

  Rocky’s expression tightens. "What for?"

  "My God, I gotta catch someone. I need Sunshine's location, now!" Her words tumble out.

  Rocky shrugs. "Sunshine moved. I don't know where he is. Maybe some of those goons might know." He grabs a bottle and drops a glass onto the counter. "That's on me."

  A man steps forward from the shadows, moving with arrogant confidence.

  As he passes, his hand swings back, slapping Salion’s backside.

  "Oow!" she snaps her head up.

  The man slides onto the stool beside her, grin spreading. "Hello, queen... want some more of that?"

  Salion smirks, eyes cold. "Sunshine Igwe. Seen him?"

  "No... not at all," he says.

  "What about a young lady named Flash Night Jessie?"

  "No, not at all."

  She twists to Rocky, disappointed. "Well... no clue..."

  The man leans in, hot breath on her ear. "Baby... let's have some fun..."

  Salion shoves him away. "I don't value men vith less dignity. You might vant to be kind and not touch my butt."

  The man snarls, standing. "Guys! I found a baddie here... come, let's have fun!"

  Laughter echoes. The men close in. The air thickens, heavy with threat.

  Salion smashes her drink into the nearest man’s head. Glass shatters into glinting shards. Guns rise, hands trembling.

  "You men better behave."

  Baaa.

  A bullet hits her stomach. Nothing. She smirks, eyes glinting. "Zat all you got?"

  Shock spreads. "Is she... human?" one whispers.

  Salion sighs. "I'm not here to fight. Just vant information. Plus, Rocky's bar—untouched, no damage."

  One man shakes, aiming again. Baaa. Another bullet. Hits her chest. Drops like a pebble. Nothing.

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  Rocky shakes his head. "I think sometimes... people don't listen."

  Salion walks closer. "I think I'll teach them a lesson."

  One man rushes forward, stake raised. Her palm crashes into his cheek. Thunderclap. He spins, limp as a ragdoll, lands with a sickening crunch.

  The bar falls silent.

  "Don't vorry... he's not going to die. He's taking a nap."

  Another man glares, hesitant. "How can a woman have so much power!"

  Salion tilts her head. "Rocky! I von't destroy your bar... but I'm gonna break some bones."

  A desperate punch flies. Salion vanishes, appears beside him, twists his wrist, slams him into the floor. Unconscious before he hits.

  The rest charge—into empty air.

  Time freezes. Punches crash. Faces fold. Tables shatter. Bodies fly toward the door.

  Time resumes. Bones break. Thuds echo. Men drop like flies. One trembles, clutching his gut. "I didn't even see her move... that was seconds..."

  Salion grabs another, steel grip. "Tell me, vhere is Sunshine Igwe? Or haff you heard of an assassin called Jessie?"

  He screams. Passes out. She drops him, drags another up. "Ahh... this one stinks. Dude... how long haff you not taken a shower?"

  "You broke a table, Salion," Rocky says, amused.

  "Shut up. Be grateful it's just a table."

  "But you gotta pay."

  "Remember my ring you stole? Back in Mami Shallow's residence."

  Rocky laughs. "Salion, you asked me to marry you... I wouldn't marry a Russian."

  Salion materializes near his face. "Vhat's vrong with Russia?! I bought a ring for you... got my ass vhooped by Mami for missing training. Yet you left with my ring!" Fist clenched near his cheek.

  "Salion... I gotta have a life. Clearly, I didn't enjoy fighting."

  "Just pray Mami Shallow didn't find you. You stole her wallet too!"

  "Oh yeah... that. That's a long time ago. How come you remember? Plus... you put her in a lot of trouble."

  "The broken table is what you get for abandoning me." She turns toward the door. "Never should haff fallen in love in the first place. Farewell, Rocky. Maybe next time I'll come with Mami."

  A goon groans. "Rocky... why'd you even make someone like this fall in love with you—"

  A heavy kick smashes his head into the wall. "Shut the fuck up, fool!"

  Salion strides out. Vanishes.

  The leafy canopy sways. Antar and Satan walk side by side. Near a stream, Satan drops, chest heaving. "Damn, I'm beat. Break?"

  Antar leans against a tree, eyes closed. "Shut up, Satan. We can't afford to rest now."

  Satan scoops water to wash her face. "Tired, Antar? Maybe you need a little pick-me-up."

  "We've been searching for Daisy for days. I hope she is safe," Antar says.

  Satan smirks. "Don't worry. We'll find her. Maybe she's enjoying her little vacation."

  Antar’s fist clenches, knuckles white. "If it wasn't for that sniper, I'd have caught her."

  Satan chuckles. "The boss cares about his daughter, eh? Maybe he should've taught her some self-defense."

  Antar locks eyes with Satan. "That sniper's level 1. We don't know what we're dealing with."

  Satan smiles. "Level 1 snipers are deadly. Unique skills, dynamic bullets... the kind that can take out a target from a mile away."

  Antar’s gaze turns cold. "You're a monster, Satan. You enjoy this, don't you?"

  Satan laughs. "Still mad about Daisy? Not my fault she got caught in the crossfire."

  Antar turns, posture rigid. "We're done here. I can't keep walking with you."

  Satan nods. "Fine. See you around, Antar. When I find Daisy... I'll apologize for the torture."

  A SHANTY TOWN—CENTRE CITY.

  Sonia and the Fire Crackers reach the outskirts. Dust rises from broken streets. Hollow eyes watch. Windows slam shut.

  Sonia strides forward. Presence commanding. "I own this town from today. Willing to surrender? Fine. Resist? I kill every last one of you."

  A man steps forward, gun in hand. Others emerge, faces twisted with desperation. Guns rise.

  Sonia smiles. Eyes glinting. "Kill them all."

  The Fire Crackers charge. Swords flash in morning light.

  Sonia and her captains stand still. Men fire. Blurs move. Men drop. Bodies hit the dry earth, thuds echoing.

  Sonia’s gaze sharpens. "Kill everyone present."

  The Fire Crackers surge forward. Steel slices through air with rhythmic hiss. Townspeople scream. No escape. Blades relentless.

  A woman flees. Sword catches her. Tumbling. A man resists. Pierced through. Silence falls. Only heavy synchronized breaths remain.

  Sonia stands tall. Sword raised high. "This town... belongs to me."

  Her voice drips with triumph. Fire Crackers cheer. Sound echoes off broken buildings.

  Sonia’s lips curl, eyes burning. "This is just the beginning."