“You fool. I can’t believe you’re this ignorant.” Justice’s eyes burn with rage.

  “Justice, stop. We’re—”

  “Shut up, Jude.

  Moon Black, you’re part of the reason we had to face these consequences. That woman wiped the floor with us. We’re a hundred years beyond her level.”

  Moon Black lowers her head, processing the weight of his words.

  “But I thought I could take her—”

  “Shut up.” Justice exhales sharply. “You’re impulsive. Ignorant. You think everything can be solved with fire? Girl… you’re wrong.”

  Her head snaps up. “Justice, I thought you were at my side,” she says, eyes blazing with fierce, electric intensity.

  “I was. But not anymore.”

  Elina steps in. “Alright. Let’s focus on getting out of here,” she says, pulling Justice away from Moon Black.

  “No. We camp here for the night,” Jude says.

  “What? Who knows what might happen by morning. It’s risky,” Elina warns.

  “We leave early. These guys on the ground need time to wake up,” Jude replies.

  Moon Black slumps against the wall. Her legs buckle, and she crashes to the ground, spent.

  Uddin reaches a tall tree. She gently lowers Daisy to the ground and sits beside her.

  “I’m beat…” she drawls. “Hope that woman won’t trace us.”

  “Uddin,” Daisy calls.

  “Hey. Don’t worry. You’re safe,” Uddin replies.

  Daisy’s eyes cloud, her voice barely a whisper.

  “You shouldn’t have saved me…”

  Uddin leans in, eyes narrowing like a hawk’s.

  “Alright. Let’s get to the point. Why’s that woman so bent on catching you? You know her?”

  “She’s my… she’s the person I came looking for after I left home.”

  “Huh? Are you related?”

  “No. But she’s more like a family friend. Been with me ever since I was little.”

  “So what side are you on now?”

  “My father is their boss. I thought he died.” Daisy’s eyes boil with rage. “He owes me an explanation.”

  “What are you asking him?”

  “He’s done all manner of evil. There has to be a reason.”

  “Daisy… don’t be reckless. If your father truly leads those goons, his humanity is already far gone. He’s likely not the man you remember.”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Then I die with the Sneaky Birds,” Daisy seethes, fire snapping in her eyes. “I’ll make sure he falls.”

  Uddin exhales softly. “I see determination… father-daughter war. Still—Satan’s Soul really did a number on you.”

  “I’m beat… she’s far above our league,” Daisy murmurs, eyes closing.

  “You’ve got zero chance of beating your dad. His subordinates are monsters,” Uddin chuckles bitterly. “We stand no chance.”

  The Sneaky Birds vanish before dawn.

  Before the sun even considers rising, they melt into the jungle, trekking homeward together.

  “Thank you. You saved me from that woman’s assault,” Justice tells Helma.

  “Don’t mention it. I’m just glad we survived,” Helma replies.

  Jullian’s brow furrows. “Why can’t we find Uddin?”

  “Let’s hope they made it home,” Momo says.

  “That woman uses shadow movement,” Scarface mutters. “A mercenary wielding assassin techniques… explains how she vanishes at will. Beast-level warrior.”

  “She toyed with us,” Justice calculates. His gaze shifts to Elina. “Perhaps someone knew her.”

  Moon Black turns toward Elina. “Hey, newbie. Care to tell us who you really are?”

  “She’s Migo’s ex,” Jude answers.

  Moon Black’s eyes widen. “Seems Migo’s got taste.” She smiles. “Thanks. You saved us back there.”

  “Moon Black thanking someone?” Machi Kuli snorts. “Did that giant woman knock humility into you?”

  “Cut it,” Moon Black replies. “I’m just being grateful.” She steps closer, resting a hand on Elina’s shoulder. “Why’d you break up with Migo?”

  “No, no. Not now,” Migo interrupts.

  Elina smiles. “Migo is incompetent. He doesn’t really act like a man. He can’t—”

  Migo clamps a hand over her mouth. “Hey. Stop it.”

  Elina removes his hand, leans in, and whispers into Moon Black’s ear.

  Both burst into laughter, teeth flashing like twins in the sunrise.

  Moon Black’s eyes shut as laughter spills out. “So… what’s your connection to that woman? Satan—whatever she goes by.”

  “Tanya,” Elina says softly. “That’s her name.”

  Silence.

  “That’s my older sister.”

  Everyone jolts.

  “What?!”

  THE SCORPION'S FORTRESS–CENTRE CITY.

  Nathan, an advisor to the Scorpion boss. leans into the bosses ear, whispering.

  “Right. Bring her in,” he smiles.

  Satan’s Soul enters. Nathan retrieves the Chuppah.

  The boss’s eyes gleam. “So the Chuppah is finally mine… I can’t believe it.”

  Nathan places it into a secured box.

  “Where’s Antar?”

  “Boss, your daughter Daisy has been spotted,” Satan replies.

  He stands abruptly. “Where?”

  “She ran with a rival crew that tried to steal the Chuppah. Antar chased her. A crew member took Daisy. They escaped.”

  He snarls. “You let them escape?”

  “You ordered me to retrieve the Chuppah and withdraw,” Satan says evenly. “Antar pursued. She’ll catch them.”

  The boss reclines, lips curling. “Good. I’m counting on her.”

  He pauses, fingers tightening on his jaw.

  “Daisy joining a gang… refusing Antar… fascinating.”

  A man bursts in. “Boss! Two Blue Whales demand an audience!”

  “Let them in.”

  They enter.

  “Based on orders from our noble leader Eagle,” the man reads, “the Blue Whales declare war against the Scorpions for the Vanilla Street incident—”

  “Stop.” the boss's voice hardens. “Your head could already be in my gift box. What makes you think we’re involved?”

  “A woman using needles carried out the massacre. She’s confirmed a Scorpion member. Goes by the name, Flash Night Jessie.”

  “Jessie…” he growls.

  “In seven walking days, war begins.”

  They leave.

  “Salion."

  Salion steps forward.

  “Bring Jessie. Dead or alive.”

  Antar enters, shoulder bandaged.

  “Where’s Daisy?” the boss asks.

  Antar lowers her head. “All our men are dead. I lost her.”

  The boss grips his forehead. “Go back. Retrieve Daisy.”

  “Satan’s Soul.”

  “Sir.”

  “You’re going with Antar. This time, no failure.”

  “Roger.”

  The boss narrows his eyes, calculating. With the Chuppah, Silas is irrelevant. Now to handle the Blue Whales… "Nathan, prepare my ride.”

  In a cramped shelter, the Prince stands guarded. He signals a guard. The guard steps forward.

  “My Prince.”

  “Any word from Daniel?”

  “None.”

  The prince exhales. “I hope he isn’t at the Scorpion’s fortress tonight.”

  “The device is ready,” the guard says. “Twenty-four hours timer.”

  The Prince smiles coldly.

  “Tonight… the Scorpion boss, Jager dies.”