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Chapter 8 - LAST SHOT

Kimberley, her face pale with astonishment, uttered in disbelief, "What the fuck is that?"

Alko, too, was spellbound by the beast, while Sir Holland, although taken aback, chuckled with an air of audacity. "Insane!" he exclaimed.

"A two-on-one? Not favourable odds," he mused. He wasted no time and swiftly jumped back, aiming both of his shotguns at the duo. As he squeezed the triggers, four bullets shot out, splitting the air with their speed.

"Vibration Multiplication," Sir Holland uttered softly.

The bullets, like magic, began to replicate themselves, turning into a storm of fifty speeding projectiles directed at Udo and Power Mike.

In the split second that followed, Udo whispered, "Mikey." Power Mike, reacting instantaneously, shielded Udo. With a vast intake of breath, his arms spread wide, his palms open.

And then, with a force that resonated through the very grounds of the courtyard, he roared and clapped his hands together. The sheer power of the shockwave redirected the bullets, sending them zooming back toward a flabbergasted Sir Holland.

"Are you kidding?" Sir Holland exclaimed, his voice rising in disbelief. But even as the words left his mouth, he clasped his hands together, "Kalo: Release!" The bullets, mere inches from him, vanished into thin air.

However, in that brief distraction, Udo had closed the gap. "It's over," he whispered, as he lunged towards Sir Holland, arms outstretched, poised to deliver the final blow.

Yet, Sir Holland was not one to be outdone. Without another second passing, he uttered, "Natus: Mora." Everything, from the rustling leaves to the very breaths of those present, slowed down as if caught in a temporal web. Everything, that is, except Sir Holland.

"What... is happening?" Udo's voice was distorted, stretched thin by the altered passage of time.

Meanwhile, from her control room, Atamai stared at her array of LED screens in disbelief. The once chaotic scene now moved at a snail's pace. "What the hell?" she murmured, eyes wide with bewilderment.

Sir Holland, a sly smile playing on his lips, responded, "Almost had me there, Iche. But I'm always a step ahead." He effortlessly glided out of Udo's slowed reach and repositioned himself behind him. Lifting his shotgun, he pressed the cold barrel against the back of Udo's head.

"Goodbye, Fiend." Sir Holland's voice was a chilling promise of finality.

But just as the weight of the moment threatened to crush the very atmosphere, a pair of rubber balls appeared out of nowhere, hurtling towards Sir Holland at a dizzying speed.

Confusion painted his face. "What? Nothing should be able to move at normal speed-" he started, only to be interrupted.

"Ata!" Kimberley's voice rang out, sharp and clear.

The balls erupted in a brilliant, blinding explosion, releasing a cascade of luminescence into the surrounding air. The courtyard was bathed in white, rendering everyone momentarily sightless.

Sir Holland, caught off guard, clutched his eyes in agony. "Argh! My bloody eyes!"

The sudden explosion inadvertently disrupted Sir Holland's time-altering magic. Normal speed snapped back into place, plunging everyone into the chaos of the sudden bright light. Power Mike, towering and formidable, stumbled around, disoriented, while Udo, equally affected, tried to shield his eyes. "What the hell!" he exclaimed.

Out of the disarray, Alko's strong grip closed around Udo, pulling him out of the maelstrom of light and towards the relative safety of a nearby street. Kimberley, her face determined, sprinted close behind, keeping pace.

Udo, still disoriented, struggled momentarily, "Aye! Who the-"

Kimberley quickly intervened, her voice filled with urgency, "Relax. We're on your side."

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As they sprinted out of the penitentiary compound and into Fängelse District's streets, the shrill beep of a car horn met their ears. Swivelling around, they caught sight of a young Asian man in a black leather jacket, REN NAKAMURA, 20, sitting behind the wheel of his slick black coupe.

"Come on, let's go!" he yelled.

The trio wasted no time, clambering into the vehicle. As they sped away, Alko let out a triumphant shout, "Haha, see ya!"

Back at the Fiend Penitentiary compound, Sir Holland lay defeated, the evening sky reflecting in his inflamed eyes. "I had him... I actually had him..." he muttered bitterly.

A familiar figure, Captain Gozen, approached, taking in the scene with a mix of concern and confusion. "You good? Damn... what happened to your eyes?"

Sir Holland's voice was choked with anger. "After all these years... I actually managed to catch one of them... and those cunts took him away..."

Captain Gozen furrowed his brows, "Who?"

Sir Holland slowly propped himself up, his eyes gleaming with a mix of pain and madness. "I don't know... they were masked... but don't you worry." His gaze sharpened, filled with venom. "I will find them... and I'll make them pay."

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As dusk settled, casting a mellow orange hue across the sky, Ren's black coupe glided effortlessly down the highway, slicing through the tranquil ambience of the evening.

Inside the car, Udo's discomfort was palpable. He squirmed in his seat, attempting to evade Alko's insistent hands that held a small bottle of eye drops.

"Come on man, open your eyes. I need to put the eyedrops in!" Alko grunted, trying to maintain a steady hand.

"They're fucking burning! 'The fuck you mean 'open your eyes'!?" Udo snapped, his face contorted in pain.

"Exactly! So open up!" Alko retorted.

Taking a deep breath, Udo braced himself, forcing his eyes open. "Come on! Do it already!" he urged.

Alko swiftly dispensed the drops into each eye, causing Udo to wince. "Argh! Oh..."

"See? Wasn't that bad, was it?" Alko remarked, leaning back, somewhat satisfied.

Rubbing his eyes, Udo grumbled, "What the hell was in that flashbang?"

Kimberley chimed in, a hint of mischief in her voice. "Just a bit of Carbonic acid. Proper eye stinger, that."

Udo shot them a perplexed look. "H-how come you guys weren't affected?"

"We all have contact lenses specifically made for this," Alko said, his tone casual.

From the driver's seat, Ren threw Alko a disapproving glance. "Alko! What did I say about giving out our secrets to strangers?"

Alko shrugged dismissively. "Come on. It's just contact lenses...no big deal."

Taking in the unfamiliar faces around him, Udo's voice held a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. "Wait...who are you guys anyway? And why did you save me?"

Kimberley leaned forward, smirking confidently. "We're Squad 0. Your last shot."

In the opulent throne room, tension hung heavy. Golden light streamed through tall windows, casting patterns on the vast ivory rug leading to the throne. Side rugs lay beneath banners with golden embroidery, marking the house's legacy.

Emperor Aldrich, 75 and still vigorous, sat regally. His sharp gaze surveyed his court. His crimson mantle and gleaming crown signified his status. Two royal guards, a man and a woman, stood steadfast by his side.

Before the emperor was Sir Holland, positioned respectfully on one knee. "Apologies for our incompetence, Your Majesty," Sir Holland began, voice quivering, "We were caught off guard by treacherous Dove hosts. They somehow bypassed my DNA lock and rescued the boy."

Emperor Aldrich's lips curled in distaste as he took a languid sip from his golden chalice, the rich liquid inside shimmering in the ambient light. "Save your apologies," he replied coldly.

"Do you realize the magnitude of the situation? A Fiend host, free and unrestrained, and who knows the havoc he's already wreaked?"

Feeling the weight of the emperor's words, Sir Holland hurriedly responded, "I understand, Your Majesty. We'll do all within our power to retrieve him."

The emperor rose from his throne, slowly descending the steps. "Your earlier promise was to prevent his escape once caught. How hollow that seems now," he murmured, stopping just inches from Sir Holland. "Remember, Sir Holland, your position hangs in the balance. You have four months to rectify your failure."

Sir Holland gulped, nodding. "Yes, Your Majesty."

As he moved to exit the room, Emperor Aldrich's voice pierced the heavy silence once more, "Sir Holland."

Sir Holland halted, turning back, "Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Bring the traitors to justice as well. For their audacity to challenge Dovanity," the emperor decreed.

"Understood," Sir Holland replied.

Exiting the throne room, Sir Holland was immediately greeted by the figure of Captain Gozen. Without exchanging words, the two moved in tandem through the grand corridors.

"Toshiko," Sir Holland addressed the captain without looking his way.

"Yes, Sir?" Captain Gozen responded.

"Summon the captains. We need to have a quick chat."