Chereads / A World Without You / Chapter 25 - The final showdown between the Lion and the Serpent

Chapter 25 - The final showdown between the Lion and the Serpent

At the late hour of ten in the evening, Jiena and Rafael discreetly reached their destination - an aging warehouse situated at the bustling wharf. Proceeding ahead of their father, whom they had lost track of since departing from the grand mansion, the twin siblings silently approached the back entrance where a pair of sentries stood watch. With consummate skill and precision, Jiena deftly launched a deadly dart towards one guard with lethal effect while her brother Rafael swiftly subdued and incapacitated his counterpart by applying force to his neck. Maintaining composure throughout this covert operation, Jiena resourcefully utilized a paper clip as an improvised lock pick to successfully access and open the rear door.

The twins cautiously entered the dilapidated warehouse, their eyes searching for any sign of Riko, their siblings, and Sachiko.

"I will search for Mom and the others while you look for Sachiko," Jiena whispered to Rafael who simply nodded in agreement.

Rafael ventured to the opposite side of the warehouse, meticulously scanning every corner for any indication of Sachiko's presence. He discreetly sought refuge amidst a stack of discarded vans as he observed his surroundings intently. On the other end, he noticed Jiena also hidden from view as she signaled her unsuccessful attempts in locating Riko and their siblings.

As they positioned themselves on opposite sides of the container van, the main entrance to the warehouse swung open. Fernando and Javier entered, accompanied by their cohorts.

"Jiena, Rafael!" exclaimed Fernando. "I am well aware that you are hiding somewhere!"

A wary glance passed between Jiena and Rafael before Jiena produced a grenade and hurled it towards Fernando and his associates. The explosion provided cover as both Jiena and Rafael opened fire in response, causing their adversaries to return fire in kind. In the ensuing skirmish, several henchmen were incapacitated before Jiena and Rafael swiftly unsheathed their concealed blades with conviction, engaging fiercely with those who remained standing.

Jiena swiftly lunged at one of the goons and skillfully eliminated another, while Rafael expertly slid to slit a goon's neck and slashed another's body. Meanwhile, the twins valiantly continued their battle against Fernando's men. Suddenly, a spotlight illuminated the second floor of the warehouse, revealing Riko, Kyoko, and Bianca bound together on one pole. Just to their right stood Kanna and Sachiko.

"Drop your weapons," Fernando commanded coolly to the twins, "One of them carries a bomb strapped to their back."

Rafael seethed with anger as he attempted to launch an attack on Fernando but was quickly overpowered by Javier who delivered a forceful kick to his stomach. Jiena swiftly leaped towards the sage in an attempt for vengeance but was effortlessly thrown aside once again by Javier.

"Don't waste your efforts with those predictable moves," snarled Fernando triumphantly as he stepped on Rafael's head. "Don't you yearn for front-row seats as your loved ones perish instantly?"

"Fernando! You despicable monster!" roared Rafael angrily while Jiena gathered her strength once more only to be forcefully pushed away yet again by Javier.

"Rafael!" Sachiko cried out, witnessing her valiant companion being brutally attacked.

"No!" Kanna exclaimed, memories flooding back to them.

Memories flooded Rafael's mind of the Fontierras' assault and his daughter's tragic loss, as well as seeing his father fight for him.

"What seems to be troubling you, Rafael? Are you already giving up?" Fernando taunted Rafael's abilities. "Once I take care of you, your father will meet a similar fate. After that comes Takako, and then I'll finally attain the fortune I've always desired."

"As some may know," Javier stated calmly in an academic tone, "Your father acquired much of his wealth by defeating scores of soldiers and pillaging valuable treasures upon their arrival at Sierra de Oro." He glanced at Raphael with disdain.

"I was present during those events; so too was Takako. These two fools conspired against me before luring me into a military encampment." Javier approached slowly and knelt down beside Rafael- grabbing him roughly by the hair. His voice dripped with bitterness as he spoke: "It is because of your father that I have suffered immeasurably. Only through his demise can we find true satisfaction."

Fernando erupted with laughter, his mouth agape in amusement. Suddenly, a small ball of gum was tossed towards him, momentarily causing him to choke. Javier swiftly scanned the surroundings like an eagle and leapt towards the entrance. As he touched down on the ground, a powerful blow struck him square in the face, sending him flying backwards.

"You dare call yourself a Sage when you have no idea what's right in front of you," Karl scoffed from his position at the main entrance.

Without delay, Fernando retrieved his detonator and pressed down on its red button—but to no avail.

"Don't fret over that," Karl remarked victoriously as he pointed upstairs. "Your hostages are now free from harm. I've successfully defused your bomb."

Javier sprung into action once more, launching unexpectedly at Karl with a blade aimed for his neck. However, much to everyone's surprise, Karl evaded the attack effortlessly and retaliated by delivering a powerful punch straight into Javier's chest—dealing him an incredibly forceful blow.

Karl vehemently shouted, "Deploy the Flair Gun!" and swiftly handed Jiena a pistol. She squeezed the trigger, unleashing an astonishing burst of flames from the weapon while exclaiming in excitement, "Woo!"

Confused by what she had just witnessed, Jiena asked incredulously, "What is this?"

"This is a Flair gun," Karl replied calmly amidst his ongoing brawl with Javier as they exchanged blows and landed punches.

Suddenly rising to his feet, Fernando joined the attack on Karl by delivering a powerful kick to his back. The force was so intense that it caused the head of Marino family to desperately cling onto a nearby pillar for support while enduring immense pain. Taking advantage of Karl's vulnerability,Javier then delivered another blow to ensure he remained subdued on the ground.

"What's wrong Karl? Can't fight anymore?" Javier asked.

"I've always wanted to eliminate you, but I lacked the power, so I asked Fernando to do it for me."

"Aren't you surprised at the Airport? The Senate? We even arranged your detention if you didn't escape like a slippery eel," Fernando remarked. "Because of your interference in our affairs, we couldn't obtain all the funds from the businessmen we kidnapped."

"Now everything becomes clear," Karl muttered, glaring at Fernando. "You are indeed the Dragon Lord."

"Bingo!" exclaimed Fernando. "I could have accomplished my desires if it weren't for you, Karl Marino and your men."

"It is undeniable that you can only fight when Takako is present," Javier stated. "You desire her more than your wife and

Karl refrained from taking action against Fernando or Javier, as he anticipated their retaliatory response. He made eye contact with Jiena and Rafael, seeking their support. The twins understood his signal.

"Don't underestimate me," Karl confidently declared as he swiftly launched an attack on both Javier and Fernando. However, they managed to evade his assaults. Unexpectedly, Rafael emerged from behind and struck Fernando's head while Jiena discreetly stabbed Javier in the ribs using her concealed blade. The altercation escalated into a battle between Karl and Javier outside the warehouse where they traded blows, punches, and knife strikes. Meanwhile, Jiena and Rafael joined forces to confront Fernando.

"You will face the consequences of your actions!" Rafael angrily exclaimed, forcefully twisting his enemy's arm. Jiena swiftly intervened, delivering a powerful kick to Fernando's face that resulted in a broken jaw. Seizing him by the hair, she repeatedly struck his face with her fists as blood sprayed onto her own.

Meanwhile, Karl found himself relentlessly pushed downhill during his altercation with Javier. The skilled Rogue Sage lunged forward in an attempt to impale his former colleague's heart with a hidden blade.

Fortunately for Karl, he managed to roll aside just in time and seized hold of a metal pipe instead. Striking Javier across the head proved futile as his opponent quickly grabbed hold of the weapon and delivered its blunt end towards him like baseball bat swing.

Refusing to be beaten down, Karl retaliated by kicking Javier squarely in the stomach before landing another blow with the pipe which brought him crashing down. Soon after Tiffany, Chuck and Jamie arrived at their mentor's side near the well where he was attempting catch is breath while they prepared themselves for rescue action

"You're all late," Karl exclaimed.

"We apologize, we lost track of the Flair Gun," Chuck explained as he assisted his mentor to stand up.

"My twins are in the warehouse," Karl stated, glancing at Javier's unconscious body. "Make sure that scoundrel doesn't escape until he is apprehended by authorities."

"Follow the instructions," Tiffany commanded their soldiers and proceeded to restrain Javier using a chain. In the warehouse, Jiena and Rafael pursued Fernando as he crawled on the floor pleading for assistance.

"This is it," Jiena declared sternly while stomping on Fernando's foot.

"You will pay for killing my daughter," Rafael pronounced, pointing a pistol at Fernando.

"Rafael, stop!" Karl called out to his son. "Let justice take its course and allow legal proceedings to punish that miscreant."

"But dad..." Rafael attempted to argue. "Do not tarnish your hands with his blood." asserted Karl firmly. "His worth does not justify staining yourself."

Resignedly nodding in agreement with his father's orders, Rafael returned the pistol back into its holster before rushing over to support his struggling father who was about to collapse.

"Dad, you're injured," Jiena gently supported her father's waist to help him.

"Not as hurt as you two are," Karl quipped in spite of his condition. The police arrived and quickly apprehended Fernando and his accomplices.

However, all of them had already lost their lives at the hands of Jiena and Rafael, except for Fernando who remained alive. Riko, Kyoko, and Bianca rushed inside and tightly embraced Karl, Jiena, and Rafael.

"I thought I would never be rescued," Riko expressed to her husband.

"I couldn't bear seeing you being kidnapped," Karl replied affectionately while kissing his wife's forehead.

"You know what? At first I was scared; I was paralyzed with fear," admitted Karl.' "I hope this nightmare is finally over," murmured Jiena when she noticed Albert Fontierra along with his men arriving at the scene."

"I am here to retrieve my daughter," Albert informed the Marinos. In a surprising gesture, Karl nodded respectfully towards the Fontierra patriarch, causing his children's eyebrows to raise.

"I apologize for wrongly accusing you of orchestrating my arrest and attempting on my life, as well as for our physical altercation," said Karl calmly.

"I had believed that you were already incapacitated." Albert glanced at Karl with disgust and let out a sigh of disappointment.

"I will never accept your apology," he declared firmly. "However, let us consider this moment as a truce, though peace should not be expected."

"Fine then," responded Karl sarcastically. "By the way, where is Sachiko?" At that instant, police officers emerged from one of the storage areas while holding Sachiko and Kanna.

"Sachiko-san are you alright?" inquired Jiena concernedly. "My apologies once again my lady," Rafael expressed to Sachiko while gently grasping her hand. "You have found yourself in trouble yet again because of me."

"I must apologize, as it is my fault that we have been kidnapped," Riko admits.

"May we proceed to the hospital?" Karl inquires. "I am experiencing discomfort throughout my body."

Rafael tenderly holds Sachiko close, gently kisses her forehead, and reassures her by saying, "Rest assured that I will keep you safe from harm."

"Rafael, do you have something to say to her?" Karl interjects. "Once spoken, we can promptly head to the hospital due to my physical pain."

Rafael knelt in front of the young lady and asked, "Sachiko, will you marry me? Please allow me to bring you immense happiness."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Sachiko burst into tears. "I promise to never leave your side and protect you for as long as I live."

"I... I may not possess all the qualities befitting a wife," Sachiko stammered, "But I express my gratitude for your proposal."

"Sachiko, I am sincere in my intentions," Rafael proposed once again. In that moment, Sachiko finally nodded and embraced Rafael, causing joy to fill the warehouse.

"That is the most romantic proposal I have ever heard," says Riko, observing her stepson and Sachiko in their intimate moment. However, she then frowned and gave a disapproving glance at her husband. "Unlike someone over here who took me on a one-night stand and then expected me to marry him without any romantic gestures."

Karl glared at his wife in disdain and instructed his men to escort him to an ambulance, remaining silent regarding Rafael's proposal.

Meanwhile, as the crowd continued to gather around the Marinos, Kanna observed from a distance with her father by her side. Tears welled up in her eyes upon witnessing and hearing Rafael's marriage proposal to Sachiko.

"Let's go," Albert icily told his daughter, who complied and entered the vehicle, departing from the vicinity.