Jack climbed the stairs slowly, his breathing labored as he reached the door to the fourth floor. He wiped the sweat off his brow, muscles aching from the fights below. Each floor had pushed him harder than the last, and he knew he couldn't let his guard down now. Every opponent was a piece in Rico's cruel game, each one designed to wear him down before the final showdown.
He took a deep breath, reaching for the handle when he heard footsteps coming up the stairs behind him. Jack turned sharply, half-expecting another adversary, but instead, he was met with a familiar face.
"Aiden?" Jack's voice was filled with surprise.
Aiden, his old friend and sometimes uneasy ally, appeared at the top of the stairs, breathing heavily but looking determined. "Couldn't let you have all the fun, Jack," he said, giving a small, tired smile. "Word got out about what you're up to here, and I figured you'd need a hand."
