The scene took place in the late afternoon, around 4 p.m. The sky was a mix of orange and purple as the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the area. Inside an old, abandoned industrial warehouse, the air was quiet and still, except for the sounds of a fierce fight. The building was falling apart, with rusted beams and cracked concrete floors, and sunlight streamed through broken windows and gaps in the walls, giving the space an eerie feel.
Litzo stood at the center of the vast, open space, panting slightly as he wiped a streak of blood from the corner of his mouth. His sharp eyes flickered between Logan and Bill. The metal claws of Logan gleamed under the fading light, while Bill, with a gun on his shaking hand, approached cautiously. The remnants of Litzo's fallen men lay scattered across the ground—defeated and motionless.
The air was thick with tension. The wind howled through the broken windows, causing old chains hanging from the ceiling to rattle. Dust swirled in the beams of sunlight, giving the entire scene an eerie glow. The scent of rust, sweat, and blood mixed together in the atmosphere, creating a heavy weight that pressed down on everyone present.
Litzo's muscles tensed as he parried Logan's latest strike. Sweat dripped down his forehead, and a surge of frustration boiled within him. "Tsk... I can't beat two of them at the same time," Litzo thought, gritting his teeth as Bill approached. "This damn mutant is already a pain, and now another one's coming into the fray."
Litzo glanced at Logan, sizing him up once more. "Lord Atlas gave me this strength, but even that's not enough to finish this fight," he muttered under his breath, the weight of the battle pressing heavily on him.
Logan, still standing in a battle-ready stance, sneered. "Scared?" His voice was low and taunting, his claws gleaming in the dim light as he prepared for another strike.
But Litzo didn't take the bait. He smirked, ignoring Logan's provocation. "What's your name?" Litzo asked coolly, his eyes narrowing as he tried to assess the mutant before him.
"For you, bub, call me Logan." Logan's voice was filled with grim confidence, the smirk on his face widening.
Litzo nodded. "Logan, huh? I'm Litzo."
As Bill, who had just finished off Litzo's men, approached, he froze upon hearing the name. His eyes widened in recognition. "Litzo?... I know that name," Bill murmured, the realization hitting him like a brick.
Litzo turned his gaze towards Bill, slightly amused. "Oh? Someone still remembers me."
Bill's face was a mixture of shock and disbelief as he spoke, closing the distance between them. "Wait... are you Litzo from World War I? The one who was said to be the only survivor of Squad 12?"
Litzo smirked, a glint of something dark and bitter in his eyes. "It seems like someone still knows my story," he said, his voice carrying an eerie calm.
"But that's impossible!" Bill exclaimed, his brows furrowed as he examined Litzo. "You should be in your 50s right now... but you look like you're in your 30s." The disbelief was palpable in his voice.
Litzo chuckled darkly and glanced at his own body. "Well, I am in my 50s. But someone gave me power that no one else has," he said, his tone almost casual as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Logan's eyes narrowed as he pieced the puzzle together. "Now I see why we're evenly matched, bub," Logan said with a growl. "Turns out you're not human... you're a freak."
Litzo's smirk deepened, and his eyes flicked back to Logan. "Look who's talking," he shot back with a biting edge to his voice.
But Bill wasn't finished. He stepped forward, his voice filled with a mixtu
re of awe and confusion. "Sir, the whole squadron admired you. Why are you... betraying us? You fought for your country with honor. You were a hero."
The mention of "honor" caused Litzo's smirk to fade. His expression darkened, and he stared at Bill with cold, hardened eyes. "Honor?" he repeated, his voice laced with venom.
He stepped closer to Bill, his tone growing bitter and resentful. "Where is the honor, Bill? We were betrayed by the very people we served. The country we bled for, the people we fought for... they turned their backs on us." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "Now, tell me... where is the honor in that?"
Bill's face fell, and for a moment, he was speechless. He had heard rumors, whispers of soldiers being discarded after the war, but this... this was different. The man standing before him was no longer the war hero he had once admired—he was someone who had been broken by betrayal, now driven by something far darker.
Logan, still ready for battle, glanced between the two. "Betrayed or not, you're still a coward for turning against your own," Logan growled. "So, let's cut the crap and finish this."
As the sun hovered low in the sky, casting long, golden rays across the battlefield, the air seemed thick with tension. The shadows stretched beneath the feet of the three warriors, their forms almost blending with the rugged terrain. The broken remains of a crumbled building lay behind them, and the scorched earth beneath their feet was littered with debris from earlier clashes.
Litzo stood up straight, the smirk still playing on his lips, as he prepared to fight. A portal swirled open in the air before him, shimmering with dark purple energy. Suddenly, from within the swirling vortex, a figure emerged—a tall man, cloaked in deep blue and gold, with an aura that seemed to distort the very air around him.
Atlas Pendragon Holtwood stepped out with a calm yet commanding presence. His long cloak fluttered behind him despite the stillness of the air. His eyes, sharp and ancient, immediately focused on Litzo. Without hesitation, Litzo dropped to one knee and bowed his head in reverence. "Lord," Litzo muttered in a low, respectful tone.
Logan and Bill froze, their eyes locked on the figure who had just arrived. Logan's gut instinct told him that this man was dangerous—no, far more than dangerous. There was an overwhelming sense of power radiating from Atlas, and it was clear this wasn't someone Logan could brush off easily. Logan's body tensed as he instinctively shifted into a defensive stance, his claws already extended.
Logan growled, his voice gravelly and wary. "Who are you?" His eyes flickered with caution, taking in every detail of Atlas's composed demeanor.
Bill, standing beside Logan, noticed something odd—Logan, usually so cocky, seemed tense, almost nervous. It was rare to see Logan so serious, and that alone unnerved Bill.
Atlas, however, didn't even glance at Logan. His attention remained solely on Litzo. Placing a hand on Litzo's head, he murmured, "Don't waste your time here. Go to this location." As Atlas's palm touched Litzo's forehead, a soft glow emanated from his hand, and new knowledge flooded Litzo's mind. The exact coordinates of his next mission, vivid and clear, were now embedded in his thoughts.
Litzo looked up at Atlas, understanding flashing in his eyes. There was no need for questions; the orders were clear. He stood, bowing slightly as he said, "As you wish, my lord."
Logan's eyes narrowed, watching the interaction between the two. He felt his anger surge as Litzo turned his back on him, preparing to leave. "Hey!" Logan barked, his claws glinting in the afternoon sun. "Where do you think you're going?!"
Atlas finally turned his gaze towards Logan, and for the first time, their eyes met. A small, amused smile played on Atlas's lips. "The infamous Wolverine…" Atlas said softly, his voice dripping with an almost playful mockery.
Logan's brow furrowed. "What Wolverine? What the hell are you talking about?" His voice was laced with confusion and irritation.
Atlas's smile widened slightly. "Ah yes, it's from the future," he mused. "For now, you are still just Logan."
Logan growled, his patience wearing thin. "What the fuck are you talking about, bub?" He took a step forward, his claws fully extended, gleaming in the fading sunlight.
Atlas's eyes glinted with amusement, his voice calm but commanding. "I'm much older than you, Wolverine. Show some respect."
Logan snarled, his muscles coiled for a strike. "I don't give a damn how old you are. Stop talking in riddles!"
Bill, still standing a few feet away, lifted his gun and pointed it at Atlas, his grip steady as he aimed. "Stop right there!" he shouted, glancing between Litzo and Atlas. "Neither of you are going anywhere!"
Litzo, now standing tall and ready to leave, paused momentarily as Bill aimed his weapon at him. But Litzo's face remained impassive, confident that Atlas would handle the situation.
Atlas's eyes flicked lazily towards Bill, not the least bit threatened by the firearm. "Do you truly think that will stop us?" His voice was calm, almost bored, but there was a dangerous edge to it.
The wind picked up slightly, rustling the leaves of the nearby trees. The soft sound of metal grinding echoed as Logan flexed his claws, his stance low, ready to pounce. The tension was so thick it felt like the very air might shatter under the pressure.
As Litzo began to step forward towards the portal, Logan lunged, moving with the swiftness of a predator. His claws slashed through the air, aimed directly at Litzo's back.
But before Logan could close the distance, Atlas raised a single finger. Time seemed to slow for just a fraction of a second as a shimmering barrier appeared between Logan and Litzo. Logan's claws collided with the barrier, sending a shockwave through the ground, but the magical shield didn't budge. Logan stumbled back, his eyes wide with frustration.
Atlas's voice, cold and dismissive, broke the silence. "This is not your fight, Logan. Stand down."
Logan, panting from the exertion, growled in defiance. "Like hell it's not!" He glared at Litzo, his anger burning. "I'm not letting him walk away!"
Litzo smirked as he stepped closer to the portal, giving Logan one last look. "You'll get your fight, Logan," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "But not today."
With that, Litzo disappeared into the swirling portal, leaving Logan and Bill standing in the wreckage of the battlefield, the sun dipping lower in the sky, casting a blood-red hue over the scene.
Atlas lingered for a moment longer, giving Logan one final, knowing look. "Our paths will cross again, Wolverine. And when they do, you'll understand everything."
With a flick of his wrist, Atlas disappeared in a blink of light, leaving Logan and Bill to stare at the empty space where the portal had been.
.........
When they reappeared, the setting had completely changed. They were now in a dark, forest with tall trees reaching up into the evening sky. The air was cool and calm, with only the soft sound of leaves rustling. It felt like even the wind didn't want to disturb the silence. Shadows moved between the trees, and the only other sound was the occasional distant cry of an animal hidden in the woods.
Atlas stood tall, his cloak rippling slightly in the breeze as he faced Litzo. His piercing eyes scanned the horizon briefly before settling on Litzo once more. The faint glow of magic still hummed around them from their teleportation, fading into the natural gloom of the forest.
"You must fulfill your duties," Atlas began, his voice low yet carrying an unmistakable authority. "Kill Angel. That is his predetermined fate." He took a step closer to Litzo, his gaze sharpening as he searched Litzo's eyes for any sign of doubt or hesitation. "You understand me?" he asked, his tone leaving no room for misinterpretation.
Litzo, still kneeling before him, raised his head, meeting Atlas's gaze with unwavering loyalty. "Yes, my lord," Litzo replied, his voice steady. There was no hesitation in his response, only the certainty of a soldier who knew his mission and had already accepted it.
Atlas's eyes softened slightly, satisfied with Litzo's response. "Good," he said, stepping back slightly, his cloak billowing behind him. "As for me, I will be returning to our base." His voice had shifted, becoming less severe but still holding that edge of command.
Without missing a beat, Litzo bowed his head lower, his voice resolute. "Leave it all to me, my lord."
Atlas looked down at Litzo with an almost imperceptible smile of approval. "Good. I have high expectations for you, Litzo," Atlas said, his voice carrying a weight that made it clear this was more than just a mission—it was a test of loyalty and skill.
For a moment, there was silence between them, only the rustling leaves and the soft breathing of the forest creatures filling the space. The weight of the task ahead loomed large, but Litzo remained calm, fully prepared to carry out his lord's will.
"Do not fail me," Atlas added quietly, almost as an afterthought, before he raised his hand. A swirling vortex of shimmering magic began to form around him, and within seconds, Atlas was engulfed in the portal's light.
In an instant, he was gone, leaving Litzo alone in the darkness of the forest, the faint traces of magic fading away into the night. Litzo stood up slowly, his eyes cold and focused as he processed his mission. The air felt heavier now, but it wasn't with doubt—it was with determination.
He glanced once more at the spot where Atlas had vanished, then turned his gaze forward. "Angel..." Litzo muttered, his voice low, but laced with a dark promise. "It's time to fulfill your fate."
To be continue