As the revelation of Rakshesha's betrayal and her allegiance to Risa Rourke, the Matriach, unfolded, tension filled the room. As cunning, estranged, cold and smart as she was, Izanami's heart pounded with a mix of shock and anger, unable to believe that her sister-in-arms had been serving a different "Queen" all long.
"Izanami." Risa began, her voice calm yet commanding.
"I know you have feelings for my son." Risa said as she stepped closer to Izanami with a soft smile.
"Join me, and together we'll protect Ray and give him the best of everything that we could offer." Risa added.
Izanami's eyes narrowed, her anger battling with uncertainty.
"Why should I trust you? You're the goddamned Matriach after all." Izanami responded, her voice filled with defiance.
"Because I know how you care for my son. Under my guidance, your feelings will be acknowledged and your bond with him can flourish." Risa's voice softened, almost motherly.
Risa knew Izanami's weakness, and that was the feeling of genuine care towards Ray. But in that persuasion, Risa felt devastated in her heart as she used her own son for her own personal gain.
"I don't need your approval, Risa. My feelings for Ray are genuine, and I won't sell my soul to your twisted and dark empire just to gain your acceptance and what would your son think if he finds out his own mother is the Matriach." Izanami denied Risa, her grip tightened on her blade.
"You don't have to worry Ray's opinions towards me. He will accept me as the Matriach because I am his mother." Risa's smile faded, replaced by a steely and firm resolve.
Then, Risa stepped closer to Izanami.
"Ray's future is in my hands. Help me, and I'll make sure he sees you as his equal. Resist, and I will turn him against you. He'll see you as nothing more than an enemy." Risa whispered to her dangerously.
Izanami's defiance wavered, but her resolve quickly returned.
"Ray would never respect me if I bowed down to you. I won't compromise my integrity for a false promise." Izanami whispered back, her eyes filled resolve and defiance.
Risa's face darkened and her eyes became unreadable and unpredictable.
"You underestimate me, Izanami. Ray can harbor feelings for you while under my guidance. But opposed me once more, and you'll find him slipping further away from you, seeing you as a threat rathen than a friend." Risa never held back to persuade Izanami.
As Izanami stood her ground, Rakshesha watched the exchange, her jealousy burning. She had long harbored feelings for Ray, admiring him from afar, and now seeing Risa offer Izanami the opportunity she craved made her blood boil. Her hatred for Izanami grew with each passing second, a bitter fire stoked by her own unfulfilled desired.
Rakshesha's eyes darted between Risa and Izanami, her fists clenching at her sides. The prospect of Izanami gaining Risa's favor and, by extension, Ray's affection, was too much to bear. She had always admired Ray's strength, skills and determination, and the thought of losing him to Izanami intensified her resentment.
Izanami remained silent, her stance unwavering, ready to face whatever consequences her defiance might bring. On the other hand, Rakshesha's internal conflict deepened, her jealousy and hatred seething just beneath the surface.
As the suite filled with tension and dead bodies, the scene transitioned smoothly to another part of the Muji Hotel Gaza, where Hera and Valkyrie were locked in a fierce battle, completely unaware of Rakshesha's betrayal and the sudden appearance of the Matriach.
Hera and Valkyrie had managed to lure and killed all the mercenaries to a confined space. Now, they faced an imposing 7-foot-tall bulk mercenary, a towering figure armed with a massive battle axe. The mercenary's sheer size and strength made him a formidable opponent, and the two Queenswomen knew they were in for a tough fight.
"Valkyrie, watch his movements!" Hera shouted, firing her handgun with precision while dodging the mercenary's poweful swings.
"On it!" Valkyrie responded, her voice strained as she parried a blow with her sword, then swiftly slashed at the mercenary's legs.
"This guy is a freaking monster." Valkyrie remarked after slashing the giant mercenary's legs and it didnt affect him.
The giant mercenary grinned, unfazed by their attacks. He growled every time he swing his battle axe with deadly force.
Hera quickly switched to her retractable knife, darting in to land a quick strike before retreating.
"You can't hurt nor kill me!" The big mercenary roared, his eyes gleaming with savage delight.
"Hera, he's not just big, he's smart too. We need to coordinate out attacks." Valkyrie said, breathing heavily and wiped sweat from her brow.
"Agreed. Let's go for his weak points. On my signal, we hit him from both sides." Hera agreed, her mind racing.
As they prepared for their coordinated assault, the giant mercenary roared and charged, swinging his axe with brutal strength.
Hera and Valkyrie moved in unison, dodging his attacks and striking with precision. Despite their efforts, the giant mercenary's resilience made the battle gruelling.
"You're getting tired, aren't you?" The giant mercenary taunted, a cruel smile on his lips.
Hera shot back, dodging another swing and slashing at his arm.
"Not a chance, we're just getting started." Hera taunten him with a smile of determination.
"You can't keep this up forever." The giant mercenary laughed. His laughter echoed through the hallway as he swung his axe, narrowly missing Valkyrie.
"We don't need forever." Valkyrie countered, landing a solid blow to his side.
With a continuity of blows, the giant mercenary felt pain for the first time and he groaned every time the Queenswomen hit him from where it hurts.
With a coordinated effort, Hera and Valkyrie launched their most powerful attacks, targeting the giant mercenary's joints and vitals.
Despite his formidable size and strength, the combined skill and determination of the Queenswomen began to wear him down.
The towering mercenary fell to his knees, panting heavily.
"This isn't over." He snarled, his eyes filled with rage.
"It is for you." Valkyrie replied coldly, her sword was ready to pierce his heart.
The giant mercenary gave Valkyrie a devilish eyes and unyielding smile.
Suddenly, the giant mercenary, fueled by sheer determination, began to rise, unfazed by the slashes and blows he received. He roared to rally the few elite mercenaries to his side.
"Kill the other Queenswoman!" The giant mercenary commanded the elite mercenaries with fury.
With renewed vigor, he swung furiously at Valkyrie, his battle axe connecting with her side, causing her to bleed and retreated to a corner.
"Valkyrie!" Hera shouted, her eyes widened with concern.
"Tsk! I'm fine." Valkyrie gritted out, clutching her wound.
At that moment, five elite mercenaries rallied and swarmed Hera, pinning her down with brute force. She struggled against them, their grips like iron.
The giant mercenary, taking advantage of the situation, raised his battle axe once more, aiming to deliver a fatal blow to Valkyrie.
Despite the odds, Hera's, as a Queenswoman, resolve did not waver.
"Get off me!" She roared, summoning every ounce of strength.
With a swift, calculated move, she twisted free from the mercenaries' hold. Her handgun barked out in rapid succession, each shot finding its mark in the mercenaries' vital points.
"Die!" She shouted, her voice a mixture of fury and determination.
As she fought her way free, one of the mercenaries landed a blow on her, causing her to stumble. But Hera was undeterred. She launched a brutal counterattack, her retractable knife flashing as she slashed and stabbed with deadly precision.
One by one, the elite mercenaries fell, their attempts to restrain her proving futile againts her sheer willpower.
With the last of her captors dealt with, Hera turned her attention back to the giant mercenary, who was now bearing down on the wounded Valkyrie.
"Back off." Hera muttered with sheer willpower, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat.
Valkyrie, despite her wound, met the giant mercenary's attack with fierce determination.
"I don't think so." She hissed through gritted teeth, her sword flashing in a deadly arc.
Together, Hera and Valkyrie launched a coordinated assault on the giant mercenary. Valkyrie's sword found its mark, striking a chink on his armor, while Hera's handgun and knife delivered punishing blows.
The giant mercenary, formidable as he was, could not withstand their combined onslaught. He fought back with ferocity, his battle axe cleaving through the air, but Hera and Valkyrie were relentless.
The battle was fierced, and both women were pushed to the limits. Hera's shots rang out, echoing through the corridor, while Valkyrie's sword danced with lethal precision. The giant mercenary landed a heavy blow on Valkyrie, causing her to bleed more profusely, but she did not falter.
"You're finished!" Hera shouted, delivering a series of rapid stabs with her retractable knife. Each strike was aimed with deadly intent, targeting the giant mercenary's vulnerable spots.
With a final, coordinated effort, Hera and Valkyrie struck simultaneously. Hera's knife plunged into the giant mercenary's side, while Valkyrie's sword pierced through his armor, striking his heart.
The giant mercenary let out a roar of pain before collapsing to the ground, defeated at last.