Satan stands tall.

  Her machine gun slung across her back.

  The glowing Chuppah rests in her right hand.

  Moon Black's sword clutches tightly as she aims for Satan's neck.

  But Satan is faster.

  Her left hand shoots out.

  Grabs Moon Black by the throat.

  Momo aims.

  With a swift motion, Satan throws Moon Black toward Momo.

  Both crash to the ground.

  Satan raises the Chuppah. "You kids want this? Then come on..."

  Justice's voice trembles. His tactical mind reads. "This woman is bad news." His words drip with dread.

  Momo stands and aims.

  Satan's form cuts through space behind Momo.

  Silent.

  Sudden.

  “Huh! How’d she—?”

  Momo’s words die in her throat.

  Satan swings her left hand like a club.

  Slams skull.

  Momo crumbles, unconscious before she hits dirt.

  "The shooter is gone. Who's next?" Satan says.

  "Spread out!" Moon Black shouts.

  The sneaky birds surround her.

  Gunfire echoes outside the castle walls.

  Jude scouts the environment. Moving from alleys to hideouts.

  "I need to find a place to stay real quick."

  A girl spots Jude in an alley. "Jude?"

  Jude sneaks out. "Casey." His expression shows surprise.

  "Wait. What are you doing out here?" Casey asks, looking at his gun.

  "I've got no time. Leave," Jude replies.

  A cold muzzle presses against the base of Jude's skull. "Not so fast." The voice is husky, words tickling his ear.

  "Dahhbi," Jude calls.

  "Traitors must die. You abandoned us. You're a snitch." The girl's eyes burn with rage. She cocks the gun.

  Jude swallows. "Wait, I can explain."

  “You owe us no explanation, Jude…”

  Her finger tightens.

  A gunshot cracks.

  Dahhbi’s body jolts.

  For a breath, she’s still upright.

  Then red blooms across her throat.

  Her gun slips from her hand.

  She drops.

  Casey screams and falls beside her. “No! Dahhbi—!”

  Hands press against the wound. Blood seeps through her fingers.

  Jude doesn’t move.

  The metallic scent hits him.

  If I had just left…

  His jaw tightens.

  He says nothing.

  A New Sage rifleman Migo smiles in relief. "Thank goodness you're safe." A lady in platform sneakers and combat boots, long PSL rifle on her back, accompanies him.

  Stolen story; please report.

  Jude stands shocked. Lost in suspense.

  "Hey buddy! Hey," Migo calls. "Let's get out of here. We've got no time."

  "You shouldn't have shot her," Jude says.

  "Survival comes first, brother. Let's go..." Migo replies.

  Casey looks at Jude.

  Rage in her eyes. "This is how you curse yourself. We were family. Soon you'll curse them too. I was wrong about you. You're a traitor, Jude."

  Migo points his gun toward Casey's head. “Enough!” Jude snaps, knocking the barrel aside.

  "I'm not here to play bonding dramas. You gotta listen. I've got valid intel. We have to leave right now." Migo says.

  Migo signals the girl at his back. They both start running.

  "I'm sorry." Jude apologizes and follows them.

  "Who are they?" Migo asks.

  "They're my former crew mates. Da-Venus Day. We've been together for more than 15 years of my life."

  "Oh." Migo's face falls. He feels the weight of his actions.

  He halts. "Look man, I'm sorry for killing her. I only saw someone pointing a gun at a fellow mate. I never intended—"

  "No... It's fine. We've passed that now," Jude replies, already through the pain. His expression twists with quiet fury. "They were my past. My mother was killed by their master, Graham."

  They start to walk.

  Migo's eyes narrow in surprise. "You were a member of Da-Venus Day?"

  "Indeed. I joined at first for revenge on my mother's death. Somehow, I bonded with the crew instead of vendetta." Jude points to the girl. "Who's she?"

  "A friend of mine. Elina. She's a Level 4 mercenary, probably more skilled than us."

  "No... I'm his ex," Elina replies, twitching her mouth. Chewing gum.

  "Ya whatever, but we're only friends now," Migo replies.

  "Wait, was she the reason you entered the city before the mission?" Jude narrows his eyes.

  Migo smiles. "I paid her a visit. She's relevant. Bottom line — the Chuppah is not in this town, bro."

  "What?" Jude is surprised.

  "Yeah. The prince secretly left town. The prince is too smart to leave without the Chuppah and a plan," Elina says.

  "How do you know all this?" Jude asks.

  "Dude... I've got eyes and ears everywhere," she replies.

  "If so, where's the prince headed?"

  "Can't tell you that. What I know is limited. Our best bet is to get your team to leave and navigate a plan. We need to be there quickly."

  Their footsteps hammer fast as they run toward the castle.

  Bullets crack in the distance.

  Lewa remains in the abandoned building.

  Her bullets pursue Antar and crew as they run, avoiding the tracks.

  She already drops one.

  But they're skilled.

  Making it difficult to land a second.

  "The sniper is skilled," the agent says.

  "Indeed," Antar replies.

  Another blast heads close to the agent's head.

  The agent's form cuts through space.

  In the blink of an eye, the bullet hits another direction.

  "Wow. Such speed..." Lewa is surprised.

  Inside the castle, Scarface engages Satan with his knife.

  Satan catches his arm—twist—scream. Sends him flying with a punch.

  He hits the ground.

  Weak.

  Unable to stand.

  "Come on... Who's next?" she asks.

  From behind, Moon Black's sword approaches her neck.

  Satan shifts to the side.

  Moon Black's blade whistles past.

  Satan swings the Chuppah.

  Moon Black bends lower.

  Leaps backward and keeps distance.

  The sneaky birds surround her.

  No one attacks.

  They're navigating a weak point.

  Satan advances.

  “Weak ones die first.”

  She moves.

  Helma shoves Justice aside.

  Her fist crashes into Helma’s cheek.

  Bone crunches.

  Helma spins mid-air and hits the ground wrong.

  Limbs twisted.

  Still.

  "No!" Scarface shouts, eyes wild, hands raised.

  Satan doesn’t stop.

  A feathered hat skids across the floor as another body flies into a pillar.

  Jullian tries to trigger her charge—

  Satan’s knee snaps her head back. The emitter sparks out in her hand.

  Uddin rushes from behind.

  Too slow.

  The Chuppah grazes her jaw. An open palm follows. Floor. Wall. Silence.

  Justice bolts.

  The pillar explodes under Satan’s kick.

  Moon Black swings.

  Satan slips past the blade and drives her forehead forward.

  Moon Black staggers.

  “Daisy. Run!”

  Daisy turns—

  Satan is already there.

  Fingers close around her throat.

  Justice shakes, legs wobbly, pocket knife clenched.

  Inner turmoil rages. "Run... save Daisy...?" Rage wins. He rushes, "Haaaaaaa!"

  Satan drops Daisy.

  She gasps, coughing.

  Satan's foot brushes Justice's face, sends him flying. He spits blood.

  Satan's voice drips venom. "Now I will return to you." She rain kicks on Daisy's stomach.

  Kick.

  Kick.

  Kick.

  "Say it. Who's the real genius? Tell me!"

  Kick.

  Kick.

  Kick.

  She stops, leans down. "Tell me, who's the genius?"

  Daisy coughs. Satan's eyebrow raises. "Oh, you won't speak?"

  "Please, spare us. Please," Daisy pleads.

  Kick.

  Kick.

  Kick. "I hate weaklings," Satan shouts.

  "Stop it. What's wrong with you?"

  "Shut up, Antar... I'm having fun." Her lips curl and twist.

  "You fool... Have you forgotten the mission? You got the Chuppah, let's go..."

  "Give me some sec... Wait, where are you?"

  "I'm at the door. I can tell you're torturing some group of people. Time's up, we leave."

  "After I finish killing these insects," Satan replies.

  "Don't make me mad. I'll tell the boss if you hesitate."

  "Alright, fine." Satan leans in. "You're lucky you survived me. Tell me, what's your name?"

  Antar bursts in, takes one look, and halts. "You always..." Her eyes widen. "Grab her! Take her!"

  Satan's eyes narrow further, her gaze piercing. "Huh... Why?"

  Antar's expression morphs. "We go with her!. Do it now!. That's the boss's daughter. Daisy."

  Satan's eyes widen. "Oops." She glances at Daisy, a sly grin spreading. "The boss's daughter...? I'm in trouble for torturing her."

  Antar rushes in. "Daisy. I'm so sorry... Where have you been? We've been looking for you. Why'd you put yourself in such trouble going to a gang?"

  Daisy coughs, face twisted in pain, unable to move.

  "Oh my God. I've finally found you," Antar grins. "Let's go home."

  “Not so fast.”

  Elina steps through the shattered doorway, platform sneakers crunching glass. Her crew fans out behind her.

  Jude runs toward Momo. His hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry we're late."

  Migo shoots Antar.

  Her silhouette snaps through space.

  She tries to carry Daisy from the ground.

  But Migo's bullets won't let her.

  Migo fires.

  Antar dives, dodging bullets.

  She weaves through the blasts, unstoppable.

  "Oh, Elina..." Satan drawls. "So good of you to join us. Tell me, where's Ellen? I'd love to taste her cruel kisses for once."

  "Shut it, Tanya. Fight, fool..." Elina says.

  "Hahahaha! I love you. But I'd love you more if your twin sister Ellen were here. We'd have had much fun," Satan laughs.

  "Let's see who carries the crown, Tanya..." Elina aims toward her, readying her gun. Aiming to shoot.