____________________________Chapter 183: The Lion's Command
The walk back to HQ was silent.
Zephyr, despite being the most talkative and smug warrior, said nothing. His usual smirk was gone, replaced by a contemplative frown.
Jax walked ahead of him, his posture relaxed, his hands in his pockets. Not once did he look back.
He didn't have to.
Zephyr felt it—that lingering weight of Jax's presence, pressing down on him like a primal force.
It wasn't magic.
It wasn't an ability.
It was instinct.
Something inside Jax was beyond human.
Zephyr wasn't stupid. He knew strength when he saw it. He wasn't afraid of many things—but what Jax had… was terrifying.
A lion standing over a weakened beast.
A king deciding whether to strike.
Even now, the thought of resisting didn't cross Zephyr's mind.
April, Astra, Kai, and Saya exchanged brief glances as they walked. The tension was heavy, but they knew—Jax had already won without throwing a single punch.
Kai leaned over to Astra and whispered, "I've never seen Zephyr this quiet."
Astra smirked, wiping sweat from her brow. "First time for everything."
April wasn't as amused. She glanced at Jax, watching his movements carefully.
Something was different.
She had seen him fight before, but this was something else.
Jax was powerful, but the way he had stopped Zephyr in his tracks without even engaging…
That was new.
And it raised a question in her mind.
Had Jax always been holding back?
Or was something… changing?
—
HQ– Midnight:
They reached their base, a towering structure hidden beneath layers of security and illusions.
The doors slid open, and they stepped inside.
Zephyr exhaled. The atmosphere felt lighter here—Jax's pressure fading slightly.
Still, Zephyr wasn't dumb enough to act up.
For now.
Jax finally turned to face him. His sharp eyes locked onto Zephyr's as he spoke, his voice even.
"You're not going anywhere."
Zephyr grinned slightly, some of his cockiness returning. "Didn't plan to."
Jax narrowed his eyes. He didn't respond—but the weight of his gaze said enough.
April finally stepped forward, crossing her arms. "We need answers, Zephyr. And you're going to give them."
Zephyr smirked. "Sure. But first… I want to know something."
April raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Zephyr tilted his head slightly, eyes glinting with curiosity.
"What the hell is Jax?"
The room went silent.
Jax didn't react. Didn't flinch.
But April…
She didn't have an answer.
Because, for the first time, she was wondering the exact same thing.
____________________________Chapter 184: A Lion's Shadow
The room remained silent.
Zephyr's question lingered in the air, heavier than the tension itself.
What the hell is Jax?
Jax didn't respond. He simply stood there, unreadable as ever, his golden eyes watching Zephyr with a gaze that was neither hostile nor amused—just steady.
April's fingers twitched slightly. She wasn't the only one wondering.
Kai and Astra looked at each other, and Saya frowned, clearly uncomfortable.
It wasn't that they doubted Jax.
But the way he had stopped Zephyr—someone who had no fear of death, someone who had fought Kaela to the brink—without lifting a single finger…
It was unnatural.
Zephyr let out a breath and leaned back against the nearest wall, arms crossed.
"Guess no one knows, huh?" He smirked, but it lacked his usual arrogance. "Figures."
Jax finally moved.
His footsteps were deliberate as he walked past Zephyr and the others, heading deeper into HQ.
Just before he disappeared into the hallway, he spoke.
"It's not important."
The door shut behind him.
Silence.
Zephyr exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "Man, you guys really don't know, huh?"
April's patience snapped. "Enough." She stepped forward, her golden sigil faintly glowing behind her. "You're in no position to be asking questions, Zephyr."
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what position am I in, exactly?"
April's eyes narrowed.
"One where you either start talking… or regret it."
Zephyr laughed. A sharp, amused sound. "Damn, April. You almost sounded scary there."
She didn't react. Didn't move.
But something in the air shifted.
And for the first time since he got here…
Zephyr actually felt a sliver of danger.
He clicked his tongue and rolled his shoulders.
"Alright, alright." His voice lost some of its playfulness. "I'll talk."
Astra crossed her arms. "Then start."
Zephyr's grin widened.
And then—
"Let's talk about Ragnarök."
The air turned ice cold.
April's expression remained unreadable.
Kai tensed.
Saya's fingers twitched, gears spinning in her mind.
And Astra…
Astra clenched her fists.
Zephyr's smirk never wavered.
Because he knew.
He had their attention now.
____________________________Chapter 185: The Truth About Ragnarök
Silence wrapped around the room like a vice.
Zephyr leaned back against the wall, his smirk still present, but there was something different this time. A weight in his eyes.
April, Kai, Astra, and Saya all watched him, waiting.
Then—
"Ragnarök isn't what you think it is."
Kai scoffed. "And what do we think it is?"
Zephyr chuckled. "A terrorist organization. A group of maniacs trying to take over the world. A bunch of lunatics playing god." He shrugged. "You wouldn't be wrong. But you wouldn't be right either."
April's expression remained blank. "Get to the point."
Zephyr tapped his fingers against his arm. "Fine. You wanna know what Ragnarök really is?"
His golden eyes glowed faintly.
"It's a correction."
Saya's eyes narrowed. "A correction?"
Zephyr nodded. "Yeah. A reset button. A way to fix what's broken."
Kai's fists clenched. "You mean a way to destroy everything."
Zephyr tilted his head. "That's one way to look at it."
Astra, who had been silent up until now, spoke. "Who's in charge?"
Zephyr's smirk widened. "Now that's the right question."
He let the words hang in the air before answering.
"There is no leader."
April's eyes narrowed slightly. "Explain."
Zephyr's expression darkened. "Ragnarök doesn't have a single ruler. It has a system. A machine that keeps it running." He exhaled. "The higher-ups? They're just gears in the engine."
Kai's voice was sharp. "And what about you?"
Zephyr let out a laugh. "I was a mistake."
The room grew colder.
April studied him carefully. "…A mistake?"
Zephyr grinned, but there was no humor in it. "Yeah. I wasn't supposed to exist."
His fingers twitched.
"But I do."
Silence.
Then—
April turned to Saya. "What do you think?"
Saya didn't answer immediately. She was watching Zephyr with the same careful calculation she always had.
Finally, she spoke. "I think he's telling the truth. But I also think he's holding something back."
Zephyr's smirk returned. "Smart girl."
April exhaled. "Fine. You're coming with us."
Zephyr blinked. "…Wait, what?"
Kai frowned. "April—"
April shot him a look. "We need information. He has it."
Kai's jaw tightened, but he didn't argue.
Zephyr chuckled. "Guess I don't have a choice, huh?"
April's eyes glowed faintly. "No. You don't."
Zephyr sighed dramatically. "Man, you guys are no fun."
Astra crossed her arms. "Let's go."
Zephyr smirked. "Fine, fine. Lead the way, commander."
April turned, leading the group toward their HQ.
But as they walked, she couldn't shake the feeling that Zephyr wasn't just following them.
He was watching.
Waiting.
And she intended to find out why.
____________________________Chapter 186: The Phoenix That Shouldn't ExistZephyr's POV:
I never should have been born.
That's not some self-pitying statement or some dramatic nonsense. It's the truth.
I was never meant to exist.
But I do.
And that… is Ragnarök's biggest mistake.
The Beginning
I wasn't born like a normal person. There was no mother. No father. No childhood. No past.
I just… woke up.
One moment, there was nothing.
The next, I was standing in a glass chamber, submerged in some kind of liquid, wires running through my body, machines humming all around me.
I didn't understand anything at first. My mind was empty, but my body remembered.
When I moved, the liquid drained. When I breathed, the air burned my lungs like I hadn't used them in ages. When I opened my eyes, I saw them.
The scientists.
They called me Subject P-001.
They called me Project Phoenix.
They called me… a miracle.
The Truth About Ragnarök's Experiments
Ragnarök has been experimenting with life for a long time.
They don't just create weapons. They create beings.
And I?
I was supposed to be their greatest success.
A fusion of human and pure energy. A being with a core that never dies. A body that regenerates from nothing.
An immortal.
But they didn't create me from scratch.
No, they used something else. Something they shouldn't have touched.
The Remnant Flame.
The Remnant Flame
I don't know where it came from.
But I know what it is.
It's the last ember of something ancient. Something that existed before humans, before Gears, before everything we know.
A fire that cannot die.
A fire that remembers.
When Ragnarök found it, they thought they could control it.
They thought they could contain it.
They were wrong.
My Awakening
The first thing I remember feeling wasn't pain or confusion.
It was rage.
Not mine—the flame's.
The moment I woke up, I knew.
I wasn't just Zephyr. I was something else.
Something older.
Something that didn't belong in this world.
But before I could think, before I could act—they tried to break me.
The Chains of Ragnarök
They didn't see me as a person.
They saw me as a weapon. A tool. A project.
They ran tests. They pushed my limits. They threw me into battle simulations against monsters, Gear users, anything they could think of.
They wanted to see how much I could endure.
How much I could regenerate.
How much they could control me.
I played along.
For years, I played along.
Because I knew something they didn't.
They thought they had caged me.
But fire can't be caged.
It only needs one spark to burn everything down.
The Escape
The day I left Ragnarök wasn't the day I was freed.
It was the day I burned my past to the ground.
The lab. The scientists. The research.
I erased all of it.
Not because I was angry. Not because I wanted revenge.
But because I had to.
Because if Ragnarök ever got their hands on another Remnant Flame…
They would create something worse than me.
Something that would never stop burning.
The Present
Now, here I am.
Sitting in some base with April and her team, acting like a prisoner.
But I'm not trapped.
I never was.
Because I'm not a person. I'm not a soldier. I'm not a pawn in Ragnarök's game.
I am a Phoenix.
And sooner or later…
I will burn again.
____________________________Chapter 187: Queen Bee's GambitWestgate High– Monday Morning
Westgate High had a strange energy today—tense, electric, and waiting to explode.
April could feel it the moment she stepped through the gates.
The students whispered in hushed voices, eyes darting toward her, then quickly away. Something was happening.
April didn't slow her pace. She walked as if she hadn't noticed, her dull orange hair swaying slightly as she moved.
Saya, walking beside her, gave her a sidelong glance. "It's her, isn't it?"
"Tessa Lane," April replied flatly.
The so-called Queen Bee of Westgate High.
The girl who had made it her personal mission to undermine April ever since she arrived.
April hadn't even tried to engage in the school's social hierarchy. But somehow, that made things worse.
Tessa couldn't stand being ignored.
And now, she was up to something again.
The Setup
When April reached her locker, she found a neatly folded envelope wedged inside. The paper was a soft pink, the scent of perfume unmistakable.
She didn't need to open it to know what it was.
Saya sighed. "Let me guess. A confession letter?"
April smirked slightly. "You think?"
Saya rolled her eyes. "It's obviously a setup."
April agreed. She just wasn't sure how.
She casually unfolded the letter and read its contents.
[Meet me at the rooftop during lunch. I have something important to tell you.
—Mickey]
April's eyebrow twitched. Mickey?
Michelangelo "Mickey" Farren was one of the more popular boys in school, known for his easygoing personality. He was also one of the only people who hadn't bought into Tessa Lane's nonsense.
And now, he was suddenly confessing to her?
Yeah. No chance.
Lunch Break–
April didn't hesitate to go. If this was a setup, she was going to walk straight into it.
Saya followed her up the stairs, but April raised a hand. "Stay back. Watch from a distance."
Saya huffed. "Fine. But if anything happens—"
"I can handle it."
April stepped onto the rooftop.
Mickey was there, standing awkwardly near the railing.
And so was Tessa Lane.
April's lips curled into a knowing smile. There it is.
Tessa turned at the sound of the door opening, her expression full of manufactured surprise.
"Oh? April? I didn't think you'd actually come."
April didn't respond. She let her gaze drift to Mickey, who looked… uncomfortable.
"Tessa," Mickey said, his voice laced with frustration. "This is getting ridiculous."
"Oh, don't be like that," Tessa purred, stepping closer to him. "I'm just trying to help you make the right choice."
April folded her arms. "Let me guess. You sent that letter."
Tessa placed a hand over her heart in mock offense. "Moi? How could you think such a thing?"
Mickey exhaled sharply. "April, I didn't write that letter. She did."
Tessa giggled. "So what if I did? It was just a little test."
April raised an eyebrow. "A test for what?"
Tessa's eyes gleamed. "To see if you're actually stupid enough to believe someone like Mickey would fall for you."
Silence.
The words hung in the air, venomous and cruel.
Mickey's jaw tightened. "Tessa—"
April simply smiled.
Not an angry smile. Not an embarrassed one.
A knowing smile.
And that made Tessa falter.
April tilted her head. "Let me get this straight. You went out of your way to forge a letter, convinced Mickey to play along, and dragged me up here just so you could deliver a one-liner?"
Tessa's smirk wavered. "I—"
April stepped closer, her voice soft but cutting. "Tessa. You just spent weeks trying to get me to react. And this… is the best you've got?"
Tessa's expression darkened.
"You little—"
Before she could finish, the rooftop door slammed open.
A group of students rushed in—Tessa's followers.
And they weren't empty-handed.
One of them held up a phone, its screen already recording.
April's eyes flickered to it. 'Ah. So this was the real plan.'
'Tessa was baiting me. Trying to get me to lash out on camera.'
A fabricated fight. A fake scandal.
April sighed. "Really?"
Tessa's confidence returned. "Oops. Did I forget to mention we're live-streaming?"
She grinned. "Go on, April. Say something stupid. Maybe throw a punch? Let's see how well that works out for you."
April didn't move. Didn't react.
Instead, she did something that completely shattered Tessa's plan.
She laughed.
A soft chuckle at first. Then a full, genuine laugh.
Tessa's face twisted. "What the hell is so funny?"
April finally met her eyes. Deadpan. Cold. Unshaken.
"You are."
Tessa opened her mouth—
But before she could retort, the alarm bell rang.
A fire alarm.
The entire school would be evacuating in seconds.
April smiled.
She didn't pull the alarm. She didn't need to.
Someone else just ruined Tessa's show.
And judging by the pure rage on Tessa's face, she knew it too.
April turned on her heel and walked away.
Saya, leaning against the stair railing, smirked. "Nice timing."
April nodded. "Let's go."
As they left, Tessa's angry voice echoed behind them.
This wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.
_________________________________
Chapter 188: Shadows of the Underground
April, Kai, Astra, and Zephyr moved through the dimly lit streets of the city, their senses sharp as they searched for any trace of Ragnarök's presence.
Two weeks remained before their return to the United Kingdom, and they had yet to find anything solid.
Their leader had made it clear—if they were to face Ragnarök in an all-out war, they needed more than just their own strength.
They needed an army, a structured force capable of countering Ragnarök's hierarchy.
Each rank in their organization had to match Ragnarök's—squad commanders, executioners, enforcers, pillars, and finally, the supreme leaders. But first, they needed intelligence.
Tonight, however, something was different.
Kai, who had been leaning against a crumbling brick wall, suddenly stiffened.
His purple eyes gleamed in the faint glow of a streetlamp as he gestured for the group to stop.
"Someone important is nearby," he whispered.
April narrowed her eyes. "How do you know?"
Kai smirked, tilting his head toward a dark alley across the street. "Because I just heard him say 'Kaela's death changes everything.'"
The group exchanged glances before silently moving closer, pressing themselves against the cold brick wall of an abandoned storefront.
Just beyond the alley's entrance, voices carried through the shadows.
"—need to confirm their location. The Supreme Leaders won't move until we have absolute proof," a deep voice stated.
A second voice responded, smoother and more composed. "That organization is getting too bold. Kaela should have never died. If they think they can keep her sigil, they're mistaken."
April's heart pounded. This was it. A high-ranking Ragnarök member—maybe even an Enforcer—was speaking openly about their plans.
But as they listened, a sudden shift in the air sent a jolt of warning through April's instincts. The voices stopped.
"They're here."
Panic set in. Had they been seen?
Astra clenched her fists, eyes darting for an escape route.
Zephyr's feathers bristled beneath his jacket, ready to react. Kai pressed his back against the wall, calculating.
Then, just as heavy footsteps approached, a soft voice murmured from above, "Follow me if you don't want to die."
April barely had time to react before a figure dropped down beside them—a young woman with short, messy white hair tied into two buns.
Her striking red eyes gleamed with mischief as she grabbed Astra's wrist and yanked her into the shadows.
"Move!" she hissed.
There was no time to question.
The group followed, weaving through the darkened streets as Ragnarök's soldiers searched the area.
The girl led them through narrow alleyways, over fences, and finally into the underground tunnels of the city.
When they were safe, she leaned against a rusted railing and smirked.
"You owe me one."
__________________________________
Chapter 189: The Girl in the Shadows
April caught her breath, glancing over at the white-haired girl who had just saved them from being discovered. Her red eyes almost glowed in the darkness of the underground tunnel, a sharp contrast against her fair complexion and black, combat-ready outfit.
Kai spoke first, brushing dust off his cargo pants. "Who the hell are you?"
The girl shrugged casually, as if she'd just done them a minor favor. "Name's Riven. I live around here. Let's just say… I know when trouble's brewing."
Astra narrowed her eyes. "How did you know we were being hunted?"
Riven leaned back against the damp tunnel wall, pulling her hoodie over her head slightly. "You're not exactly subtle. Those two Ragnarök dogs? I've seen them before. They usually don't come out unless something big's about to happen."
Zephyr, quiet until now, finally spoke. His tone was low, careful. "Why did you help us?"
Riven's smile faded for a moment.
"Because you're not them." She kicked a pebble off the ledge and continued, "You're from that unnamed organization, right? The one that killed 5th Supreme seat Kaela."
April's eyes sharpened, her body tensing slightly. "So you know."
Riven nodded. "Everyone who pays attention knows. But I don't care about Kaela. She ruled this area like a queen—but she wasn't good to people like me. Now there's a power vacuum, and it's chaos. Ragnarök's Enforcers are sniffing around, and regular folks will be crushed if this war breaks out."
She folded her arms. "So if you're planning to fight them, you'll need someone who knows the streets. I can get you information. Places you can't reach."
April exchanged glances with Astra, Kai, and Zephyr.
"Any requests you'd like to add?" she asked. "Speak now."
Riven hesitated, her gaze drifting downward in thought before she finally spoke. "I have childhood friends I grew up with. I'd like them to come with me. That's my one and only request."
April's expression shifted—caught between consideration and refusal.
Riven noticed the change immediately and sensed the answer forming on April's lips.
"Riven, loo—" April began, but Riven cut her off.
"If you're thinking they'll be dead weight, they won't!" she blurted, almost panicking. "Each one of them is trained in both armed and unarmed combat. They're masters—just like me—when it comes to gathering intel. I promise you, they'll be useful! Please… believe me."
April paused. Her instincts told her they worked better alone. But this girl—Riven—she wasn't just sharp.
She understood the city's underground better than anyone April had met.
"Why are you really helping us?" Astra asked, voice calm but probing.
Riven's red eyes shimmered—not with hatred, but something far from kindness. "Because I want to survive. And if Ragnarök wins, people like me are the first to disappear."
April inhaled slowly, then gave a short nod. "Fine. You're in."
Riven exhaled with relief, wiping the corners of her eyes with her sleeve as a faint smile broke through.
But before they could say anything else, Zephyr's phone buzzed. A message from their leader:
[URGENT: Ragnarök Enforcers have begun active surveillance in your area. They are looking for you. Return immediately!]
April pocketed her phone, looking at the others. "Looks like this isn't over tonight."
Riven smirked, stepping ahead.
"Welcome to the underground, heroes."
_________________________________
Chapter 190: Encroaching Shadows
April moved quickly, her mind already racing through possible routes back to safety.
The tunnels stretched ahead in dim, uneven pathways, each turn a potential trap. The message from their leader left little room for hesitation—Ragnarök was actively searching for them, and time was running out.
Kai adjusted the straps of his utility belt.
"We need to get out of here. Fast."
Astra nodded, her platinum-white hair catching the faint glow of the emergency lights flickering overhead. "We can't go back the way we came. If they're already sweeping the district, they'll have checkpoints at the exits."
Zephyr checked his phone again, his expression darkening. "Surveillance has increased near the eastern routes. Our best bet is the industrial sector—most of the cameras there are old and easy to bypass."
Riven scoffed. "You think Ragnarök relies on cameras? They have eyes on the ground—informants, enforcers, people who'd sell you out for a few credits. If you're serious about getting out unseen, you'll need to follow me."
April studied the girl carefully.
Riven had only just appeared in their lives, yet she carried herself with a confidence that suggested she'd been surviving in these shadows for years.
Trust was a luxury, but right now, she was their best option.
"Lead the way," April said.
Riven grinned. "Try to keep up."
She turned sharply, leading them deeper into the tunnels.
The air grew heavier, damp with the scent of rust and stagnant water. As they moved, Riven spoke in a hushed voice.
"Ragnarök's Enforcers are aggressive, but they're not omnipotent. They rely on predictability. If you move the way they expect, they'll find you. So we don't."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "And you have a better way?"
Riven smirked. "I do. It involves breaking a few rules."
They reached a grated vent embedded in the wall. Riven knelt, pulling out a thin blade from her boot. With a few precise movements, she pried it open. "This leads to an old maintenance shaft. It'll take us under the streets and past the Enforcers' patrol zones."
Astra hesitated. "Is it stable?"
"More stable than getting caught."
April gestured forward. "Let's move."
One by one, they slipped into the narrow passage, the metal cool against their skin.
As they crawled through the shaft, the distant sounds of approaching footsteps echoed behind them. Ragnarok was close.
April clenched her jaw. They needed to disappear—now.
Riven glanced back, her red eyes glinting in the darkness. "Hope you don't mind tight spaces."
April smirked. "I've been through worse."
The chase had begun.
_________________________________
Chapter 191: A City on Edge
The moment they emerged from the maintenance shaft, the shift in atmosphere was palpable.
The tunnels had been stifling, but the city above was suffocating in its own way. Dim streetlights flickered as though struggling to stay alive, and the distant hum of Ragnarök patrol drones filled the night air.
Riven stepped out first, scanning the alleyway with practiced ease. "Coast is clear, but it won't stay that way for long."
April pulled herself up, brushing dust off her sleeves. "We need to get back to base. Now."
Kai and Astra climbed out next, followed closely by Zephyr, who shut the vent behind them.
The streets felt unnaturally quiet, but that only made the tension worse. Ragnarök's Enforcers were out here somewhere, watching, waiting.
Riven adjusted her hoodie. "I know a path that avoids main roads, but it'll take longer. You willing to risk a shortcut?"
April exchanged glances with Astra and Kai. "What's the catch?"
"We pass through the Old Bazaar. It's abandoned, but not empty. Squatters, ex-gangs, and people who don't like strangers. If we move fast and don't draw attention, we should be fine."
Zephyr exhaled sharply. "'Should' doesn't inspire much confidence."
"Neither does getting caught," Riven shot back.
April made the call. "We move through the Bazaar. Keep low, stay quiet. Let's go."
The group slipped into the city's underbelly, navigating shadowed streets and tight alleyways.
The further they went, the more the city revealed its scars—crumbling buildings, neon signs flickering above boarded-up shops, remnants of a past that had been swallowed by Ragnarök's control.
As they neared the Bazaar, the smell of burnt metal and damp cloth filled the air. Makeshift tents lined the walkways, their occupants hidden in the darkness. Eyes watched from the shadows, untrusting, assessing.
Kai tightened his grip on his belt. "I don't like this."
Neither did April, but there was no turning back now.
A voice echoed from the darkness. "You lost, little birds?"
April stopped cold. A figure stepped from the shadows—a man wrapped in tattered robes, his face obscured by a half-broken mask. More figures stirred around them, silent, waiting.
Riven muttered under her breath. "Damn it."
Astra shifted her stance. "Friends of yours?"
"Not exactly."
April held her ground. "We don't want trouble."
The masked man chuckled. "Then you shouldn't have come here."
The tension snapped.
A figure lunged from the side, blade gleaming in the low light.
April moved on instinct, sidestepping and striking in one fluid motion. Chaos erupted.
The fight was on.
_________________________________
Chapter 192: Breaking the Silence
Blades clashed in the dimly lit alley, the echoes swallowed by the city's underbelly.
April twisted away from a lunging attacker, her spear whirling in a sharp arc. The masked man dodged, but barely—her edge grazed his tattered robes, slicing fabric but missing flesh.
Astra moved fast, her platinum hair a flash of silver as she drove a precise kick into another thug's chest.
He staggered back, knocking over a stack of crates, sending them crashing into the filth-ridden ground.
Kai didn't wait for an invitation.
His Inferno Edge flared, twin blades igniting as he spun into the fray. "They picked the wrong fight."
Zephyr hung back, fingers flying over his device, hacking into the nearby street surveillance. "We've got two minutes before more eyes are on us."
Riven barely moved, slipping through the chaos like a shadow. A flick of her wrist sent a small throwing blade into a thug's leg, dropping him instantly.
"Then we finish this fast."
April pivoted, parrying a desperate strike, then delivered a crushing knee to her opponent's ribs.
He crumpled, wheezing. The masked leader, seeing his men falling around him, growled in frustration.
"You don't belong here!" he spat, brandishing a curved dagger. "You think you can walk through our streets and—"
April didn't let him finish.
She moved, her spear a blur of motion as she knocked the dagger aside and slammed the blunt end into his gut.
He doubled over, coughing.
Astra stepped beside her. "You were saying?"
The Bazaar fell silent. Those who had watched from the shadows melted away, not wanting to be next. The few remaining thugs groaned on the ground, defeated.
Kai exhaled, shaking out his wrists. "That was unnecessary."
Riven adjusted her hood. "Welcome to the underground."
Zephyr's voice cut in sharply. "We need to move. Now. Patrols just rerouted—Ragnarök's closing in."
April turned toward the path ahead. The Bazaar was behind them, but their problems were far from over.
"Then let's not keep them waiting."
_________________________________
Chapter 193: The Chase Begins
The group moved swiftly through the darkened alleys, their footsteps muffled by the damp ground.
Every corner they turned felt like a gamble—one wrong step, and Ragnarök's Enforcers would be on them.
Riven led the way, weaving through narrow passageways with the ease of someone who had lived in the shadows all her life. "Stay close," she murmured.
"We're almost out."
Zephyr's fingers danced over his device. "Three squads just split up. One's heading straight for our exit point."
Kai cursed under his breath. "Then we need a new exit."
April's grip tightened on her spear. "Or we take them out before they spot us."
Astra gave her a sideways glance. "Risky. But if we do it fast enough, we might just slip by."
Riven smirked. "Then let's hope you're as good as people say."
They pressed forward, their breath steady but their muscles tense. The city was a predator, and tonight, they were its prey.
The sound of boots pounding against the pavement echoed from the streets above.
Ragnarök's Enforcers weren't hesitating—they were closing in fast.
April motioned for the group to stop, her eyes scanning their surroundings.
"We don't have time to hesitate," she whispered. "We either break through or disappear."
Riven pointed to a rusted grate embedded in the alley wall. "Sewer tunnels. They run under the main district. We take that route, we vanish."
Zephyr tapped his device. "They'll notice if we suddenly disappear from street-level scans. We need a distraction."
Kai cracked his knuckles. "I can provide one."
Before anyone could argue, Kai darted back the way they came. Within seconds, a wall of fire erupted in the distance, igniting abandoned debris and sending plumes of smoke into the air.
Alarms blared as Ragnarök forces scrambled to react.
"That's our signal," Astra said. "Move!"
They pried open the grate, slipping inside one by one.
The tunnel was damp and narrow, but it was their best chance.
As April pulled the grate shut behind them, the last thing she saw was Ragnarök forces storming the alleyway—right where Kai wanted them.
They pried open the grate, slipping inside one by one.
The tunnel was damp and narrow, but it was their best chance. As April pulled the grate shut behind them, the last thing she saw was Ragnarök forces storming the alleyway—right where Kai wanted them.
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Chapter 194: Into the Depths
The air was thick with the stench of damp earth and stagnant water. April stepped carefully through the tunnel, her boots splashing against the shallow stream running along the floor.
The walls were slick with moss, and the distant sound of dripping water echoed ominously.
Zephyr activated a small light on his wrist device, illuminating the narrow path ahead.
"These tunnels should lead us out of the district, but I need a few minutes to map the safest route."
Riven walked ahead, barely making a sound. "We don't have minutes. If Ragnarök figures out where we went, they'll send drones."
Astra ran a hand along the tunnel wall, her sharp gaze flickering toward the darkness beyond their light. "And if we're unlucky, we won't just be dealing with Ragnarök."
April glanced at her. "What do you mean?"
Riven smirked, but there was no humor in it. "You ever heard of the things that live down here? The city's forgotten creatures?"
Kai, who had just dropped into the tunnel behind them, wiped soot from his cheek.
"Great. Monsters, too? Just what I needed."
Zephyr didn't look up from his device.
"Urban legends. Stories meant to scare people away."
Riven shot him a look. "You sure about that? Because I've seen things in these tunnels that don't belong in daylight."
A distant sound rumbled through the tunnels. It wasn't the usual echoes of water—it was something heavier, something moving.
April tightened her grip on her spear. "We need to keep moving. Now."
Astra nodded, her expression unreadable.
"Whatever's down here, we don't want to meet it in the dark."
As they pressed deeper into the tunnels, the air grew colder.
The sound of footsteps—ones that weren't theirs—began to follow.
And for the first time that night, April had the unsettling feeling that something was hunting them.
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Chapter 195: Shadows in the Dark
The tunnel stretched endlessly ahead, its walls slick with moisture and time-worn grime.
The sound of their own breathing seemed amplified in the confined space, but it wasn't the only noise anymore.
The footsteps that trailed them were slow, deliberate—too heavy to be echoes, too rhythmic to be a trick of the mind.
April motioned for silence, her spear held close. Zephyr dimmed his wrist light, plunging them into near-darkness.
A soft, almost imperceptible growl echoed through the tunnel, sending a chill up Kai's spine.
"Yeah, that's not a legend," he muttered under his breath.
Astra took a step forward, eyes narrowing into the void. "Whatever's following us, it knows we're here."
Riven didn't waste time debating. "Then we don't stop moving. Zephyr, how much farther?"
Zephyr's fingers danced across his device, the faint glow reflecting off his focused expression. "We're close to an exit point, but we'll have to climb up to reach it."
"Then we pick up the pace," April said, her grip tightening on her spear. "Stay together."
The group pressed on, their footsteps quick but cautious. The tunnel walls seemed to close in around them, the air thick with an unnatural stillness. And then—
A scraping sound. Metal against stone. Close. Too close.
Kai turned, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. His eyes darted to a shadow that seemed denser than the darkness around it.
A shape loomed at the tunnel's edge, shifting ever so slightly, watching.
Then it moved.
A guttural snarl cut through the silence as the figure lunged, its form barely visible save for two glowing, slit-pupil eyes.
Riven reacted first, her blade flashing as she slashed outward, but the creature twisted unnaturally, dodging her strike with an inhuman fluidity.
"Move!" April shouted, thrusting her spear forward. The tip grazed the creature's shoulder, and it let out a sharp, ear-splitting shriek, retreating into the darkness.
"Zephyr, where's that exit?" Astra snapped, her stance shifting into a defensive posture.
"Thirty meters ahead—ladder on the left!"
Riven took point, leading the charge down the narrow passage.
The creature let out another snarl, this time from behind them.
More than one now. The echoes made it impossible to tell how many.
Kai grabbed April's wrist, tugging her forward. "We can't fight them here. We need to go—now."
April hesitated for only a second before nodding. They bolted down the tunnel, the sound of unseen predators closing in.
Zephyr reached the ladder first, quickly scaling up and yanking open the rusted grate above. Moonlight spilled into the tunnel, a beacon of escape.
Astra shoved Riven up next, then turned, her gaze locking onto the shadows that shifted just beyond the light.
"Go!" she barked, stepping back toward the creatures. "I'll cover you."
April didn't argue. She grabbed Kai and hauled him upward.
The moment his feet left the tunnel floor, something lunged from the darkness—clawed fingers grazing Astra's arm. She spun, her dagger slicing across its form.
The creature recoiled, hissing, but Astra didn't wait for it to recover. She leapt onto the ladder and scrambled up, emerging into the cool night air.
Zephyr slammed the grate shut just as a heavy force crashed against it from below.
The metal groaned but held. Silence settled over them, broken only by their ragged breathing.
Kai rolled onto his back, staring up at the star-pierced sky. "That," he gasped, "was not a bedtime story."
Riven wiped her blade clean, her expression unreadable. "No. That was something old. And very real."
April scanned the surroundings, muscles still tense. "We're not safe yet. Let's move."
Without another word, the group melted into the night, leaving the tunnel—and whatever hunted them—behind.
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Chapter 196: Fractured Paths
The night air was a stark contrast to the suffocating darkness of the tunnels.
The city loomed around them, its distant lights flickering like artificial stars. But they had no time to catch their breath.
Zephyr's device beeped sharply, and he glanced at it with a frown. "Bad news. The Enforcers are sweeping the district. We need to split up."
April didn't like the idea. "Splitting up makes us easier targets."
Riven adjusted her coat, her smirk half-hearted. "It also makes us harder to catch."
Astra wiped the blood from her arm where the creature had grazed her. "We don't have a choice. Zephyr, send us different rendezvous points. We'll regroup after we shake them."
Kai exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Fine. But I swear, if one of you gets caught—"
"No one's getting caught," April interrupted. "We meet at the old tram station in two hours."
Zephyr nodded, fingers tapping quickly on his device. A small map flashed on their screens, marking exit routes and alternative paths.
"Stay in the shadows. Avoid main roads. If you get compromised, radio in."
Without another word, the group broke apart. Riven disappeared into a side alley, Astra scaling a nearby fire escape with feline ease.
Kai gave April one last glance before darting into the dim-lit streets.
Zephyr vanished into the night, his movements precise and calculated.
April took a deep breath and sprinted toward her designated path, her senses on high alert.
The city was alive with movement—patrols scanning rooftops, drones buzzing through the air, sirens wailing in the distance.
She stayed low, ducking behind abandoned vehicles and slipping through narrow alleyways. Each step was deliberate, each movement measured.
The echoes of her encounter in the tunnels still lingered in her mind. Those creatures weren't part of Ragnarök's forces.
They were something else.
A shadow shifted in her periphery. She froze, pressing herself against the cold brick wall. Footsteps. Slow, deliberate.
Then—
A voice. "Thought you could slip away that easily?"
April turned sharply, her spear materializing in her grasp. Standing a few feet away was a figure clad in black, the silver emblem of Ragnarök gleaming against their chest.
An Enforcer.
April tightened her grip. The chase wasn't over yet.
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Chapter 197: Cornered
April's pulse quickened as she sized up the Enforcer before her. Their stance was rigid, disciplined—trained for situations like this. But so was she.
The city's glow reflected off the polished metal plating of the Enforcer's gauntlets.
"You've caused quite the commotion," they said, voice cold and clipped. "Surrender now, and I might not break every bone in your body."
April scoffed. "That's cute."
The Enforcer moved first, lunging with lightning speed.
April barely had time to sidestep, her spear flicking outward in response. Sparks flew as steel clashed against reinforced armor.
She pivoted, striking low, but the Enforcer twisted away, countering with a brutal knee aimed at her ribs.
April absorbed the impact and rolled with it, using the momentum to create distance.
She wasn't winning a prolonged fight here. The longer she stayed, the higher the risk of reinforcements arriving.
From the rooftops, movement caught her eye. Astra.
April didn't need words to understand. Astra's blade gleamed in the dim light, a silent promise.
April lunged again, this time feinting high before sweeping low. The Enforcer deflected, stepping back—right into Astra's waiting ambush.
A sharp kick sent the Enforcer stumbling.
Astra struck, her dagger slicing through their shoulder guard. The Enforcer hissed, retaliating wildly, but April was already in motion.
She slammed the butt of her spear into their gut, sending them crashing against the wall.
Astra didn't hesitate. A precise blow to the back of the neck, and the Enforcer crumpled, unconscious.
Breathless, April turned to Astra. "Took you long enough."
Astra smirked. "You looked like you had it handled."
Zephyr's voice crackled through their earpieces. "We have a problem. The tram station is compromised. Change of plans—meet at the warehouse district, Pier 17."
April exhaled sharply. "Understood. Let's move."
With the city still on high alert, they vanished into the night, leaving their fallen pursuer behind. The chase was far from over.
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Chapter 198: Pier 17
The distant wail of sirens echoed through the city as April and Astra moved swiftly across the rooftops, shadows among the steel and glass. Every second counted.
The tram station had been compromised—Pier 17 was their only option now.
Zephyr's voice came through their earpieces again. "Riven and Kai are already en route. I'll be there in five. Move fast—Ragnarök is sweeping the entire district."
Astra leaped across a gap between buildings, landing effortlessly on the other side. "We need a clear route," she murmured. "The main streets are crawling with patrols."
April glanced below, spotting a network of abandoned scaffolding leading toward the waterfront. "There. We stick to the high ground until we're close, then drop down."
They moved in silence, their path precarious but efficient.
As they neared the industrial sector, the air grew thick with the scent of saltwater and rusted metal.
The docks stretched out ahead, a labyrinth of shipping containers and derelict warehouses.
A lone figure waited near a stack of crates—Riven. She gave a quick nod as they landed beside her. "Took your time."
Kai arrived moments later, brushing soot from his jacket. "Avoiding an ambush slows you down."
Zephyr was the last to join them, his device glowing in the dim light. "Bad news. There's an Enforcer patrol stationed near the pier entrance. We need to go in quiet."
Riven smirked. "Good thing I specialize in quiet."
April exhaled. They had made it this far. Now came the hard part—getting out without alerting every Ragnarök unit in the city.
The group moved as one, weaving through the towering containers stacked like monolithic barriers.
The rhythmic creak of metal shifting in the night air was the only sound accompanying their footsteps.
Zephyr knelt behind a crate, tapping rapidly on his wrist device. "I'm accessing the pier's security grid. If I can disable the motion sensors, we'll have a five-minute window before they reboot."
Astra kept watch, her sharp gaze scanning the distant patrols. "Make it fast. They're rotating their search pattern. If we don't move soon, we'll get boxed in."
Riven studied the layout. "There's an access hatch to the lower docks. If we get underground, we can bypass the main checkpoint."
Kai adjusted his gloves. "Or, we take out the guards at the checkpoint."
April shook her head. "Too risky. If one of them gets a distress call out, we're done."
Zephyr gave a satisfied nod. "Sensors are down. We move now."
The team slipped through the pier's main loading area, their steps light and precise.
As they neared the access hatch, the sudden crunch of gravel underfoot made them freeze.
A Ragnarök patrol had doubled back.
Three Enforcers, weapons at the ready, stood barely ten meters away. Their leader's eyes narrowed as they took in the shadows shifting between the crates.
"Contact."
Time seemed to slow. The first Enforcer raised his weapon—too late. Riven moved like a phantom, striking with precise brutality.
Her blade sliced through his knee joint, sending him sprawling with a choked cry.
Astra followed suit, her dagger flashing in the dim light as she dispatched the second guard with surgical efficiency.
The third, a burly Enforcer, managed to draw his pistol—only to be met with April's spear.
The force of her thrust sent him crashing against a shipping container, unconscious before he hit the ground.
Zephyr grimaced. "So much for quiet."
Riven smirked. "No alarms yet. We're still ghosts."
Kai moved to the hatch, wrenching it open.
"Then let's disappear."
One by one, they slipped into the dark underground tunnels, sealing the hatch behind them.
Above, Ragnarök's forces continued their search, unaware that their quarry had already vanished beneath their feet.
The hunt wasn't over. But for now, the team had the advantage.
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Chapter 199: The Dead End
The tunnel twisted and narrowed, forcing the group into a single-file line.
The air grew colder, thick with the scent of brine and rust. The distant hum of machinery vibrated through the walls—signs that they were nearing the industrial sector of the docks.
Zephyr glanced at his wrist device, his expression tight. "We're boxed in. The main corridor ahead is collapsed."
April narrowed her eyes. "So we find another way."
Riven pressed against the wall, listening intently. "There's an access hatch nearby. Should lead up to one of the loading bays."
Astra tested the hatch's handle. It groaned under her grip but held firm. "Locked."
Kai wiped the sweat from his brow. "We don't have time for subtlety."
Before anyone could stop him, he delivered a sharp kick to the hatch.
The metal groaned, then burst open, revealing a ladder leading up into the darkness.
Zephyr winced. "Not exactly quiet."
Riven smirked. "Too late for stealth anyway."
One by one, they climbed. April went last, her ears attuned to the faint echoes behind them.
The unsettling sound of movement sent a shiver down her spine.
She wasn't imagining it—something was following them.
As she reached the top, she slammed the hatch shut, securing the lock just as a heavy thud reverberated from below.
"Move," she hissed.
The group emerged into a cavernous storage bay filled with towering metal crates.
The scent of salt and oil hung thick in the air. Dim overhead lights flickered, casting jagged shadows across the room.
Astra scanned their surroundings. "This place isn't abandoned."
Zephyr nodded. "Ragnarök uses it for black market shipments."
Riven's eyes flicked to a row of heavy-duty trucks near the far wall. "Then we have a way out."
Kai grinned. "Finally, some good news."
April held up a hand, silencing him. Distant voices echoed from the far side of the bay. Bootsteps—heavy, purposeful.
Ragnarök's enforcers were here.
Zephyr ducked behind a crate, typing rapidly on his device. "I can shut down their comms for a few minutes. Won't last long, but it'll give us a head start."
April nodded. "Do it. We take one of those trucks and go."
Astra checked her weapons. "And if they see us?"
Riven smirked. "Then we make sure they regret it."
Zephyr pressed a final command, and the overhead lights flickered violently before plunging into darkness.
An alarm blared—disruptive static flooding the room.
April didn't wait. "Move!"
They sprinted toward the trucks, weaving between crates as Ragnarök's forces scrambled to respond.
Gunfire erupted, bullets sparking off metal as they dove into the nearest vehicle.
Kai jumped into the driver's seat, slamming his foot onto the pedal.
The engine roared to life, tires screeching as they barreled toward the exit.
Riven leaned out the side, tossing a smoke charge behind them. The bay filled with thick, black fog, cutting off visibility.
Zephyr checked the map. "Road's clear for now. If we keep moving, we'll hit the city limits in ten minutes."
April exhaled, gripping her spear. "Then let's make sure we get there."
Behind them, the warehouse erupted into chaos. But the chase was far from over.
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Chapter 200: The Pursuit
The truck's tires screeched as Kai pushed it to its limits, weaving through the deserted industrial streets.
The city lights flickered in the distance, a sharp contrast to the chaos they were leaving behind. Inside the vehicle, tension thickened with every passing second.
Zephyr kept his eyes glued to his device.
"We've got two, no—three pursuit vehicles incoming."
Astra loaded her weapon. "They're not giving up."
Riven glanced out the window, her sharp gaze scanning the rooftops. "Expect snipers. Ragnarök never sends just ground forces."
April tightened her grip on her spear. "Then we even the playing field."
As the first set of headlights gained on them, a burst of gunfire tore through the air.
Bullets pinged off the reinforced exterior of the truck, but the windshield cracked under the assault.
Kai cursed. "Anyone got ideas?"
Zephyr was already typing. "Give me thirty seconds. I can override the city's traffic grid—force a barricade behind us."
Riven nodded. "Do it."
Astra kicked open the back doors of the truck, the wind whipping her silver hair as she took aim. "We buy him those thirty seconds."
April climbed beside her, eyes locked onto the nearest pursuing vehicle.
With a swift motion, she hurled her spear. The weapon became a blur, piercing the front tire of the enemy's lead car.
The vehicle swerved violently before flipping over, metal scraping against the asphalt in a shower of sparks.
Astra smirked. "One down."
The second vehicle accelerated, its side doors sliding open to reveal Ragnarök operatives armed with heavy rifles.
Muzzle flashes illuminated the night as another round of bullets rained toward them.
April braced herself. "We need cover!"
Kai jerked the wheel hard, veering into a narrow alleyway. The truck barely fit, scraping against the walls as they plunged deeper into the maze-like backstreets.
The pursuing vehicle tried to follow but clipped the corner of a building, sending it spinning out of control.
Zephyr exhaled. "Barricade's up. Main roads are shutting down behind us."
Kai grinned. "That means we just have to lose the last one."
The final pursuer was relentless, swerving through debris with expert precision. Riven studied it closely. "Driver's good. They won't make a mistake."
April's eyes darkened. "Then we force one."
She climbed onto the truck's roof, balancing effortlessly against the roaring wind.
The pursuing vehicle drew closer, its driver locking onto her as a target.
With a deep breath, April jumped.
She landed on the hood of the enemy car, her spear igniting in a surge of power.
The driver's eyes widened in shock as she plunged the weapon through the engine block.
The car jerked violently, losing control as it skidded into a lamppost and exploded in a burst of flames.
April rolled onto the pavement, momentum carrying her forward. In a blur, Astra leaped from the truck, catching her mid-motion before landing gracefully.
The truck screeched to a halt.
Kai leaned out. "Remind me to never let you do that again."
April smirked. "No promises."
Zephyr checked the map. "We're clear—for now."
Just as they began to relax, the roar of three more engines shattered the silence.
Riven cursed. "They just don't stop."
But then, something else. An odd sensation gripped them all—like an unseen pressure pressing down on their chests.
Instinctively, each of them stiffened, their battle-honed senses screaming in warning.
Astra's fingers twitched near her weapon.
"That… feels wrong."
Zephyr's expression darkened. "A supreme seat?"
Kai shook his head. "Maybe?"
April glanced at the pursuing cars, her instincts screaming at her that whoever was in those vehicles was not to be taken lightly.
But for now, they remained unseen, adding an eerie mystery to their presence.
Suddenly, an explosion rocked the street as one of the three cars erupted into flames.
April turned in time to see the wreckage tumbling behind them. "One down."
But two remained, and they were closing fast.
April and Astra took position at the back again. Astra fired precise shots, forcing the enemy to weave erratically.
April, seeing an opportunity, leapt from the truck once more, spinning midair before driving her spear into the roof of one of the cars.
Sparks flew as she dragged the weapon across, slicing through the metal and sending the occupants diving for safety as their car crashed into a wall.
One left.
Just then, the unmistakable sound of chopper blades cut through the air.
April's muscles tensed, readying for another battle—until she saw who was inside.
Jax, Dante, Saya, and the Leader.
From the helicopter, Jax tossed down a letter. It landed at April's feet. She grabbed it and read the single instruction inside.
Climb up.
Without hesitation, everyone began ascending the rope ladder.
Kai was last, gripping the wheel as he aimed their truck directly at the final Ragnarok car.
At the last moment, he jumped, his Inferno Edge flaring to life as wings sprouted from his legs, allowing him to soar upward.
The truck slammed into the last enemy vehicle, engulfing both in flames.
The remaining occupants of Ragnarök's forces stood by the wreckage.
One figure stepped forward, flanked by three others. They looked up at the retreating helicopter, smirking to themselves.
"They're good."
In the helicopter, April turned to Saya.
"Where are we going?"
Saya leaned against the cabin wall, her arms crossed. "Home. The UK."
April blinked. "What about the trip?"
Saya grinned. "We hacked into the school servers. The entire high school is already heading back."
April leaned back, thinking for a moment. Then, she smirked. "I think I've finally got a name for our organization."
The Leader, for the first time, showed interest. "Oh? What is it?"
April stood at the edge of the helicopter, looking down at the last standing Ragnarök vehicle.
She cupped her hands and shouted, her voice cutting through the wind.
"Hey, Ragnarök! Tell your leader—our organization finally has a name. And if they're as smart as I think they are, they'll understand the meaning behind it."
She took a breath, then grinned.
"From now on, we are… Fenrir."
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Chapter 201: The Name That Echoes
The helicopter cut through the night sky, its blades slicing the air with rhythmic precision.
Inside, April leaned back against the cold metal, her gaze locked on the horizon.
The others had started talking amongst themselves, but their voices felt distant.
Jax glanced at her. "You're quiet."
April hummed to herself, a small smile playing on her lips. "Just thinking."
Kai stretched his arms behind his head.
"About the name? 'Fenrir'—it's got a nice ring to it. But why that, exactly?"
Zephyr adjusted his wrist device. "Yeah, of all things, why pick the wolf that devours the gods?"
April smirked but gave no answer. Instead, she looked out the window, the distant city lights flickering below. "I'll explain," she said, her voice carrying an air of finality.
—
Deep within Ragnarök's stronghold, the air was thick with tension.
Shadows clung to the grand chamber, swirling around the throne at its center.
Upon it sat a figure, their features obscured, their presence commanding.
To their right and left stood two smaller thrones, empty for now, waiting for their rightful occupants.
A subordinate knelt before the towering presence, his voice steady but cautious.
"Leader, we've received a message from the unknown organization."
A flicker of amusement passed through the shadowed figure. "Oh?" The voice was smooth, unreadable. "Come closer."
The subordinate hesitated, then stepped forward, leaning in to whisper the words that had been delivered.
When he stepped back, the leader's eyes gleamed with interest.
"I see, I see… What a statement."
The subordinate swallowed. "Leader, what does it mean?"
The leader exhaled, as if disappointed.
"Tell me, what is the name of our organization?"
"Ragnarök."
"And where does the name Ragnarök originate from?"
"From Norse mythology. It is the event in which the gods are fated to fall."
"Correct. And what brings Ragnarök?"
The subordinate froze, his mind racing.
Then, realization dawned in his eyes.
"Fenrir…The great wolf. It is destined to kill Odin and bring about the end of the gods."
The leader's smirk deepened. "Yes. And now, this unknown organization has named itself after the very thing that heralds destruction."
A low chuckle echoed through the chamber. "They are not just resisting us—they are declaring war."
The subordinate tensed. "Shall we eliminate them before they become a real threat?"
The leader leaned forward, the shadows shifting around them. "No. Not yet. Let them think they have the upper hand. Let them grow stronger, let them believe they can hunt us. Because when the time comes…"
The air in the room turned heavy, as if reality itself bent to the leader's will.
"We will show them what it truly means to face the gods."
—
Far away, in the dark skies over the ocean, April closed her eyes and let the hum of the helicopter lull her thoughts into place.
"Hey Riven," April called.
Riven turned to April. "Yeah?"
"What about your childhood friend's?"
Riven gave a knowing smile. "Don't worry about them. I already sent them a message explaining my situation. They'll meet us at u.k."
April nodded her head. "Oh. I see."
A war had been declared, one April had no intention of losing.
Fenrir had been named.
And the hunt was only beginning.
[ End of Epilogue: The First Howl ]---End of Volume 1: Ragnörak!---
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[End of Volume-1: "Ragnörak!"]
[Concept, writing & ideas by: _AAndniz_]
[Copyright & ™ By: _AAndniz_
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SEE YOU FOR VOLUME-2, BYE!