Chereads / Phantom Syndrome / Chapter 9 - CHAPTER 8 : The Bad , The Brave , The Bitter

Chapter 9 - CHAPTER 8 : The Bad , The Brave , The Bitter

The train speeds along the mountainside, cutting through the cold night air. The five operatives from the A group, known as the Spyglass Association, move swiftly atop the train, their goal in sight. But before they can reach the cargo hold, a sudden noise interrupts their mission.

A group of heavily armed mercenaries, dressed in dark uniforms marked with a bold "R," drop down from an airship above, landing on the train with a thunderous crash. The leader of the Spyglass Association team spins around, narrowing his eyes at the intruders.

Leader of the Spyglass: "Who the hell are you?"

One of the mercenaries steps forward, his face hidden behind a mask, his voice cold and confident.

Mercenary: "We're with Ronen. This train—and everything on it—is ours now."

The Spyglass leader tightens his grip on his weapon, his posture tense.

Spyglass Leader: "This train contains Phantom X. The cargo belongs to the Spyglass Association, and we won't let you take it. So piss off before we make you regret it."

The two groups stare each other down for a moment, tension hanging thick in the air. Then, without warning, the mercenaries make their move. The mercenary leader lunges forward, his fists glowing with dark energy as he swings at the Spyglass leader.

The fight erupts, chaos breaking out across the top of the speeding train. Both sides clash fiercely, exchanging blows, gunfire, and magic. The sound of metal clanging, explosions, and shouts echoes through the mountain pass as the combatants struggle for control of the cargo.

The mercenaries, being more brutish and aggressive, overpower two of the Spyglass members, sending them flying off the side of the train. The remaining Spyglass operatives fight desperately, but the mercenaries push them back, closing in on the cargo.

Suddenly, the air around the train crackles with energy as a new group arrives. Out of nowhere, a third faction appears—the Arcadias, Shiro's elite team of conjurers. The Arcadias land atop the train with smooth precision, their faces calm and focused as they survey the chaotic battle.

Mercenary Leader: "Who the hell are they?!"

The Arcadia leader, a tall, imposing woman with flowing silver hair, steps forward, her eyes glowing with raw power. She raises her hand, summoning a massive fireball in her palm.

Arcadia Leader: "You're trespassing on Arcadia's territory. We're here for the product, and you're in our way."

Before the mercenaries can react, she hurls the fireball at them, sending several of Ronen's men flying off the train, their bodies engulfed in flames. Another member of the Arcadia team—a stoic man wielding a long sword—steps forward, his blade crackling with lightning. He swings his sword in a wide arc, cutting down two more mercenaries in a single strike.

The remaining mercenaries try to fight back, but they're no match for the Arcadias. Within minutes, the Arcadia team has completely wiped out Ronen's forces, leaving their charred and broken bodies scattered across the top of the train.

Seeing the devastation, the Spyglass operatives retreat, fleeing into the night, their mission a failure.

With the battlefield cleared, the Arcadia team moves swiftly to the cargo hold. Two of the conjurers break open the door, revealing the gleaming crate of Phantom X serum inside. The Arcadia leader gestures to her team.

Arcadia Leader: "Retrieve the product. We're done here."

The two remaining conjurers step forward and carefully secure the crate, lifting it out of the hold with ease. The Arcadia team leaves as quickly as they arrived, disappearing into the night with the Phantom X serum in hand.

As the train continues its journey, now quiet and empty, the camera pulls back, revealing the aftermath of the battle—broken bodies, burning remnants, and a silent, speeding train cutting through the darkness.

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Next Chapter Teaser:

Shiro receives word of the successful retrieval of the Phantom X serum, but the mysterious lead and Ronen's involvement leave him questioning the true motives behind the operation. Meanwhile, Ronen watches from the shadows, plotting his next move and preparing to escalate the conflict between his syndicate and Arcadia Industries.