Jack arrived before his enigmatic master, his expression unreadable. The air in the grand chamber was thick with an unsettling silence. The figure seated upon the dark throne gazed at him with cold, disappointed eyes.
"You have let me down, Jack." The master's voice was calm yet sharp. "I expected more from you."
Jack clenched his fists but remained silent. He had anticipated this reaction. Taking a deep breath, he straightened himself and spoke with unwavering resolve.
"Then I will handle this myself."
Without awaiting permission, he turned on his heel and strode out of the chamber. His goal was set—he would capture Leon and Ricardo personally.
Meanwhile, Leon and Ricardo were in the middle of a new mission, their usual banter filling the air.
Leon nudged Ricardo with his elbow, grinning. "Admit it, I've gotten stronger!"
Ricardo smirked. "Oh, absolutely. You've mastered the fine art... of running away."
"Hey! That was one time!" Leon protested, crossing his arms. "And it was a tactical retreat!"
Ricardo chuckled, but then his laughter suddenly died. His entire body tensed as an eerie chill ran down his spine. Leon, too, felt the shift in the air—an oppressive force weighing down on them.
And then Jack appeared.
There was no time to react. In a blur, Jack struck, sending Leon flying backward with a single devastating blow. Ricardo barely had time to draw his sword before dark chains wrapped around him, binding his limbs tightly.
Leon groaned, trying to push himself up, but Jack placed a foot on his chest, pinning him down effortlessly.
"There's no point in resisting." Jack said coldly. "You're not ready to face me."
Leon gritted his teeth, his mind racing for a way out. Ricardo struggled against the restraints, but they wouldn't budge.
"What do you want from us?" Ricardo demanded, glaring up at Jack.
Jack didn't answer. Instead, a dark surge of energy erupted from him, swallowing both of them in an instant.
When Leon opened his eyes, he found himself in a dimly lit stone chamber, the air damp and heavy. His wrists and ankles were shackled with thick iron chains. Beside him, Ricardo sat against the wall, restrained in the same way.
Before either of them could speak, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the chamber. Jack stepped aside, revealing the shadowy figure who had been waiting for this moment.
The mysterious master rose from his throne, his piercing gaze fixed on Leon. Unlike Jack, there was no curiosity in his eyes—only certainty.
"So, you have finally arrived." The master's voice was deep and knowing. "I've been expecting you, Leon."