In an Unknown Place
Inside an ancient, massive stone amphitheater, several people were gathered. They were dressed in long black cloaks with a large snake emblem on them. Their faces were covered, with only their eyes visible. One of them stepped forward slowly.
?: Alice , you the one who ruling the empire now?
Alice (coldly): Yes, Dominic. I've already sent several of my men to look for them.
She looked at someone glaring at her in anger and disapproval.
She continued mockingly: What's wrong, Christopher? Did you want them to show up in your area?
His expression soured.
Christopher (gritting his teeth): Sooner or later, it will be my turn to wipe out the entire Anderson bloodline.
Dominic: Enough, both of you.
He looked around, searching for someone.
Dominic: Where is Santiago? Austin, didn't he show up again?
Austin: No, he hasn't attended any meetings in eight years.
Christopher (mocking): He thinks he's better than all of us and too proud to join our meetings.
Dominic (angrily): When our master returns, he'll punish him for all his behavior.
Austin: Alice, be careful. Gara trained them.
A furious voice came from behind.
?: And for that, are you all fools? Wasn't what happened years ago enough?
Dominic: Santiago, lower your voice and watch yourself.
Santiago approached Dominic and stood face to face with him, anger clearly blazing in his eyes.
Santiago: Years ago, that fool Simon killed the entire family in front of the two children. His actions made them aware of part of what was going on around them.
He raised his hand and pointed at them one by one.
Santiago: And now you're repeating that idiot's mistake, confirming to Jack Anderson the danger surrounding him.
Dominic: Then what do you want us to do? We're not going to kill him—we just want to see if he inherited the mark or not.
Santiago: You can do that through a friend of his. Someone who gets close to him and pretends to be a friend. That way, we'll know if he inherited it or not.
He continued seriously: Stay away from him. Let him forget about the organization entirely. And remember, the most important thing we've maintained is the secrecy of our existence. If you keep showing yourselves like this, soon everyone will know about us. Stay away from him.
---
In the City of Turhan
Black and her team went to scout the area around the pharmaceutical factory.
Black: Jack, you can come out now.
She sent them a map of the route they would take while assigning her team members around the factory. However, Helena refused to leave her after learning that the gang members were after her, and insisted on staying to protect her if necessary.
Gabriel: Recon Team 1.
Black: I hear you. Go ahead.
Gabriel: Have the gang members' positions changed?
Black: Yes, but don't worry. You can still use the routes I sent you.
They all set out under the cover of complete darkness, moving silently.
It was a stormy night, and clouds gathered overhead, warning of an approaching storm.
Jack's team arrived first, composed of ten members. The factory was massive, with three floors.
Black: Be careful. There are three guards at the front gate, one at each of the three back doors. I sense 15 people inside—12 on the ground floor and 3 on the second.
Adam: Wow, you're really impressive, girl.
Jack shot him a silencing look.
Adam: Shall we begin now?
Inside the factory:
Jack and one companion snuck in through the front. Gabriel and his team entered from the west door, Adam and his team from the east, and X's team through the final rear door.
Jack and his partner silently snapped the necks of two guards. When the third turned, Jack took a dagger from the body of one of the men he had just killed and stabbed the last one in the chest. They hid the bodies and moved further inside.
Gabriel snuck up behind a guard and snapped his neck silently.
Gabriel (whispering): Move forward.
So did Adam and X.
They regrouped inside and stayed low.
Jack (whispering): I'll handle the three upstairs. You take care of those below.
Gabriel: Got it. Go.
Jack leaped to the second floor using his powers.
Gabriel: Move in silently and don't let them detect you. We don't want them to trigger the alarm.
All: Understood.
They crept inside, searching for the soldiers. They killed four silently and hid the bodies.
Gabriel: Find the others, quickly.
The rest scattered and found seven more soldiers. They attacked, but one spotted them and used his power, causing a huge explosion that drew the attention of the last guard.
Guard (shocked): You… What are you doing?
He continued furiously: You bastards! You dare rise against us?!
He rushed forward.
Gabriel: Catch him!
Meanwhile, Jack saw the three soldiers grouped together. He used a silenced gun to take down one, then vanished and reappeared in front of the other two. He used one as a shield against the third, then threw the shielded body at him. As the last soldier fell, Jack shot him dead.
He pressed on his earpiece.
Jack: I'm done. The place is clear.
No response.
Jack: Maybe they're still fighting…
He was startled by the sound of the explosion below.
Jack (angrily): What the hell?
He rushed downstairs.
Below:
X tried to stop the last soldier, but the guard detonated a nearby explosive crate and ran toward the alarm. Gabriel chased him, but smoke blocked his view, making it hard to snipe.
X (worried): He's going to ring the alarm!
Just as the guard was about to strike the alarm, a knife pierced his chest, killing him.
They all looked in the direction the knife came from to see Jack approaching.
Jack: Let's go. We don't have time.
Gabriel: Yeah, control the smoke quickly before it spreads.
All: Got it.
Jack: Fahd, do you hear me?
Fahd: Yes.
Jack: Get in quickly. It's safe now.
Fahd led his 12-person team in, driving the truck meant to carry the medicine.
Jack grabbed Fahd by the arm.
Jack: Hurry up. We might get discovered.
Fahd: We'll be quick. Don't worry.
He rushed inside to help, using his super speed to load the boxes Max pointed to.
---
At Kruger's Headquarters
Saruri suddenly stood up.
Saruri: Steven.
Steven: What is it?
Saruri: There's movement. Over 16 guards' energy signatures have disappeared.
Steven: What?! Which direction?
Saruri: South of the headquarters.
Steven shouted in rage.
Steven (furiously): You idiots! The rebels have attacked the pharmaceutical factory. Go there now and kill them all. Bring me their heads! I'll burn this city with its people alive!
The guards rushed outside to carry out the orders.
---
Black sensed turmoil among the gang members.
Black: What's happening?
Helena: What is it, Bee? What's wrong?
Black: The gang members…
Helena: What about them?
Black: They're coming.
Helena (shocked): What? How? How many, Black?
Black: A lot of them.
She added thoughtfully: There must be a strong sensor among them who detected us quickly.
Helena was stunned. What should they do?
Black: Helena, contact Grandma through the radio.
Helena: Okay.
Helena contacted Grandma and handed the radio to Black.
Black: Grandma, get ready. When the time is right, initiate the backup plan.
Grandma: Got it.
Black ended the call and contacted Jack.
Black: Jack, can you hear me?
Jack: Yes, I hear you.
Black: Jack, more than 20 people are heading your way now.
Jack: From which direction?
Black: From the front.
Recon Team 3: And 10 more are approaching from your south side.
Black: Recon teams, stay sharp. Try to pinpoint the direction and number of enemies so the second team can deal with them. Stay alert.
Team 1: Understood.
Jack: Everyone, listen up. We've been exposed. They know our location.
Gabriel: Don't worry. They took longer than I expected. I think it's time for Plan B.
Jack: Yeah. Fahd?
Fahd: Yes?
Jack: How many boxes have you taken?
Fahd: More than thirty so far.
Gabriel: Well done, heroes.
Jack: Get ready. We're switching to the backup plan.
Fahd: Got it.
He went to Max.
Fahd: Max.
Dr. Max: What?
Fahd: We're switching to the backup plan.
Max: Alright. Men, these are the last boxes. You have to leave now. Heather?
Dr. Heather: Heard you.
Within two minutes, only Fahd, Max, and four men remained in the warehouse. They left to join the second team while the rest vanished with the medicine.
Jack: Get ready.
Everyone braced themselves.
Black: Jack, over 50 people are coming toward you. I'm heading to you…
Jack (cutting her off): No. Stay where you are. All recon teams, stay in position. You are our eyes—I'm counting on you.
Team 1: Understood. Count on us.
Everyone took battle positions. Tension and anxiety reached a peak, but they tried to stay calm.
Jack: You're all stronger than I expected.
Gabriel: We've always been skilled fighters. Fear just held us back for too long.
As the gang members appeared before them—
Jack: Then break your chains now. It's their turn to fear us.
He turned to everyone.
Jack (commanding): Kill them all. For the plan to succeed, no one must make it out alive.
They all lined up, took attack positions, and prepared to engage.
---
Someone had just arrived in the city, surprised by the unusual activity.
Asim (curiously): What's going on?
Asim had a tall, muscular build, handsome and serious features, black hair streaked with white, and bright brown eyes.
Several people ran toward him.
Asim: Faylor, what's happening?
Faylor spoke quickly, panting.
Faylor (breathless): I've been waiting for you, Asim. Gabriel—Gabriel—
Asim (worried): What about Gabriel?
Faylor: Gabriel intends to rebel against the emperor again, and the city is on the brink of uprising.
Asim (shocked): What?!
He looked around in concern.
Asim: Where are they? Did all the men go with him?
Faylor: They're at the pharmaceutical factory. As for the men, only a few went with Gabriel.
Asim (angrily): Gather the rest and follow me.
Faylor: They've already assembled, Asim. They regret not going with him from the start, but I told them to wait a little until you arrived.
Asim: Then let's go immediately.
Asim ran inside with Faylor close behind. He signaled the remaining men—37 strong warriors—to follow.
They moved quickly toward the factory and noticed many gang members heading there.
Asim (commanding): Attack them! Don't let them reach the factory! Go!
All: Yes!
Asim leaped from a building.
Asim (shouting): Where do you think you're going, you bastards?!
He gathered the wood element in one hand to trip them, and in the other, used the earth element to launch a barrage of powerful stones, killing three of them.
---
At Grandma's House
Grandma: Did you bring all the explosives?
One of the men: Yes, Grandma.
Grandma: Then let's go. We mustn't be late. I hope the plan works.
---
At the Pharmaceutical Factory
Jack used the wind element to create a strong tornado, hitting seven soldiers. Fahd grabbed a dagger and dashed through the gang members, taking down many. Gabriel used the earth element to strike the ground, creating a powerful quake that took down five.
Everyone was encouraged and joined the fight, driven by a desire for freedom and to end oppression. They fought with everything they had.
Jack: Their numbers are way fewer than what we were told.
One of the gang members killed one of their own.
Fahd froze in shock.
Fahd, shocked: "Reiner…"
He was almost killed by the gang members, but Jack pulled him away by his clothes and killed the attacker.
Jack, angrily: "Fahd, focus, or we'll lose!"
Fahd, nervously: "O-okay…"
Jack formed blades of wind and struck down a soldier coming at them from behind.
Jack, commanding: "Get back to the fight. Defend yourself."
Fahd regained his composure and returned to battle.
Fahd: "Got it."
Black, surprised: "The soldiers' energy is fading near the factory… What's going on?"
Gabriel: "Scout Team 1, report. What's happening?"
Black: "It seems a battle is breaking out near the factory."
Jack, surprised: "A battle?"
Someone jumped in front of them and stood with enjoyment.
Asim: "I was gone for just one week. One week and you all start a revolution without me? How annoying… You started without me, huh Gabriel?"
Everyone landed behind him one by one.
Gabriel, smiling: "Asim…"
---
At Kruger's headquarters
Sarori: "What's going on?"
Steven: "What is it? Has something else happened?"
Sarori: "The 50 soldiers I sent… they've been killed."
Steven: "What?! Are you kidding me?"
Sarori: "Why would I joke about something like that?"
Steven called for his men.
Steven: "Gather all the men. We're heading to the pharmaceutical factory—now. Go!"
A man ran off to carry out his orders while Steven boiled with rage.
Steven: "Sarori, are you coming with us?"
Sarori: "And why would I?! This is your mess—fix it yourself."
Steven: "I know every stone in this city. If you want to find them, you'll need my help."
Sarori: "I don't need a failure whose men fall to a few weak rebels."
He paused for a moment and then smiled wickedly.
Sarori: "But you know what? I'll come… I'm curious to see him."
Steven: "Him…?"
Sarori: "Gabriel. Seems like he's with them."
Steven: "That… Didn't he learn his lesson when we killed his wife and family? And he still wants to stand against us? I'll tear off his head this time."
One of Steven's men entered.
Man: "Sir, the men are ready. We've also ordered every man in the city to head there."
Steven: "Let's go. I'll show them death today."
They all stormed out of headquarters, unaware of the person watching them.
The man: "Grandma, they've all left."
Grandma: "Wait… Scout Team 1, can you hear me?"
Black: "Yes."
Grandma: "Can you tell if anyone is still inside the headquarters?"
Black: "Which direction is it?"
Helena: "This way."
Helena pointed toward the headquarters. Black closed her eyes, focusing her energy in that direction.
Black: "No, Grandma. There's no one inside."
Grandma: "Good. Plant explosives throughout the entire building. Leave no spot untouched—be careful."
Men: "Understood!"
They rushed inside while Grandma told Black they had entered and then headed to the city center.
---
Gabriel and Asim embraced tightly.
Asim noticed a new face behind Gabriel.
Asim: "Who's that?"
Black: "Jack. They made it inside. But be careful—the criminals are all headed your way now. All of you, stay alert."
Gabriel: "We'll talk later. He's a friend and ally."
Jack: "The first part of the plan worked. Now comes the second—and it's the hardest. This will be a battle of endurance. We have to hold out until reinforcements arrive."
Everyone: "Understood!"
Asim: "Second part of the plan?!"
Gabriel: "No time to explain—just fight, Asim!"
Asim, smiling: "We might all die… but I'll still stand behind you."
Everyone raised their energy to the limit—the fight was about to become more intense than ever.
Scout Team 5: "Watch out! They're coming from behind!"
Adam yelled out: "Revolution!"
Everyone was surprised by his shout, but soon they all screamed together:
"It's the revolution!"
Jack (thinking): This is what you should've done from the beginning. Even if this road ends in death… freedom comes at a heavy price. Those unwilling to sacrifice will never win anything.
He continued, wondering: Gara, why did you bring us here?
Scout Team 4: "Careful—they're coming from all directions!"
Within seconds, the enemies appeared before them.
Gabriel, shouting: "Attack!"
Everyone clashed again with great force. The sound of their battle echoed throughout the city, waking house after house as lights came on.
Grandma climbed a tall tower and rang the city's bell—a bell that hadn't rung in ages. Its echo spread through every corner.
Steven heard the bell and laughed hysterically.
Sarori, confused: "Why are you laughing?"
Steven: "These crazy rebels… They're ringing the city bell after seeing us coming."
Sarori: "And what does that mean?"
Steven: "They're calling for help. Fools. I won't leave a single one alive. I'll tear them apart while they're still breathing, and then kill them."
But doubt crept into Sarori's heart. It felt more like an organized movement than random fear or coincidence.
People began stepping out of their homes, sensing something was happening.
Grandma shouted to them: "It's the revolution! Come out and help the rebels!"
One man replied: "Please, Grandma… Leave us alone. We don't want to see our sons killed."
Grandma: "Fine. Stay in your homes, bow your heads to criminals and tyrants. You won't even know which of your sons gets dragged to death tomorrow. The rebels went to get medicine for the epidemic—for you! To save you, you cowards! They've killed so many gang members that the entire Kruger gang had to rally against just 30 people! And you hide here like cowards? Look around—do you see any gang members here? No! Our tiger cubs are making them taste death!"
The sounds of battle roared, and the ground shook beneath them.
Someone: "It's only a matter of time before reinforcements come…"
A child stepped forward.
Zaher: "So what? Haven't we been dead while alive for a long time? Ugh… Isn't it time we finally move?!"
Grandma looked at him with pride and continued:
Grandma: "We've cut off communication and electricity across the city. The capital won't know what's happening. By the time they find out, we'll have taken back our city. Please… this is our one chance. We've received help we'll never get again. If we work together now, we'll save our children and our people—and the other cities will follow our lead."
She shouted:
"Aren't you ashamed that a small child is braver than all of you?"
Seeing their hesitation, she secretly pressed a button on a small device. Within seconds, a series of massive explosions shook the city. Flames rose from Kruger's headquarters.
They had blown up Steven's palace and the gang's main base.
Grandma, enraged: "It's time to burn them with our own fire! Time to hold them accountable for all they've done to us!"
The burning of the gang's headquarters became the spark that ignited the fire of revolution in the city of Turhan. The sounds of battle, the retreating gang, and the flames confirmed to the people: This time it's different. This time, the call to end oppression was real.
Everyone screamed: "It's the revolution!"
Grandma: "Revolution!"
Everyone: "Revolution!"
The citizens charged into the fight, casting fear from their hearts, ignited by the flames of rebellion. Grandma led them in a magnificent scene as thunder rolled across the sky and the air turned electric.
To be continued…