Kevin looked at his aunt, his voice calm but determined. "I promise, I will do everything to bring Maya back," he said, his words filled with conviction. His aunt, though still visibly tense, seemed reassured. She could see something had changed in Kevin. In the past six months, he had transformed into someone different—someone stronger, more confident. The fear she had once seen in him was gone, replaced by a hardened resolve. The look in his eyes made her believe that, this time, he would succeed.
Kevin and Roy exchanged a glance, and both of them thought through their options. Roy's impulse was to storm the Iron Fang base right away, to tear through anyone who stood in their way. If it was only about destroying their enemies, he would have already left without a second thought. But there were children involved, and they couldn't risk anything happening to them. They had to be cautious. They decided to wait until nightfall, knowing that darkness would be their ally in this mission.
When the sun finally went down, they prepared to leave. Kevin turned to his aunt, giving her a final nod before they stepped out of her house. The moment Roy's foot crossed the threshold, his demeanor changed. He fell silent, his gaze sharpening as his expression turned cold and focused. The playful and light-hearted Roy that Kevin was accustomed to vanished, replaced by a calculating and serious version of himself.
A thin, almost imperceptible layer of black energy enveloped Roy. It was dark and cold, the kind of energy that carried a murderous intent. The killing intent that he had used against Ron now resurfaced, though Roy himself didn't seem to notice. Kevin, however, could feel it. The aura reminded him of the day when Roy had killed those three men—it was just as dark, just as deadly. The energy seemed to pulse with a life of its own, as if reflecting Roy's inner turmoil.
Yet Kevin wasn't afraid. The coldness of the energy seemed to dull all other emotions, and Kevin found himself slipping into the same serious mindset. His expression matched Roy's now—focused and ready for whatever lay ahead. He knew this mission would test everything they had learned and endured, and he was prepared to see it through.
With the city quiet under the cover of night, they soon entered the street where the Iron Fang headquarters was located. The darkness was thick, with not a single light source to guide their way. Roy and Kevin walked side by side, their footsteps silent. Nobody stopped them as they made their way deeper into the street, but after only a few seconds, two figures emerged from the shadows behind them, clearly intent on attacking.
Roy disappeared from his position in a flash, reappearing behind his attacker with one of his daggers in his right hand. Without hesitation, he stabbed the man's neck, the blade piercing through his throat. Blood gushed out, and the man's body went limp. Roy held onto the corpse, carefully lowering it to the ground without making a sound, his eyes cold and focused. He showed no hesitation, no remorse—only the determination to finish what they had started.
Kevin, on the other hand, unsheathed his father's sword. Without even glancing back, he stabbed the second attacker through the throat, the blade emerging from the top of the man's head. The attacker's body went limp instantly, and Kevin used his sword to gently lower the body to the ground, making sure no sound escaped into the night. He could feel the tension in his muscles, the adrenaline coursing through his veins. Each movement was calculated, driven by purpose.
Blood flowed freely from both bodies, pooling in the shadows of the dark street. Roy and Kevin continued their approach towards the Iron Fang base, encountering several more ambushes along the way. Each time, the result was the same—swift, silent death. The entire street was soon filled with the scent of blood and death, body parts scattered across the cobblestones, a testament to the duo's unwavering resolve. They moved like specters, their faces cold, their hearts set on one purpose: to rescue the children and especially Maya.
Kevin and Roy reached the front of the headquarters, their senses heightened and every muscle tense, ready for whatever awaited them. They could see the dilapidated building looming ahead, its walls covered in grime, and the flickering lights barely illuminating the iron doors. Without exchanging a word, they nodded to each other, knowing what needed to be done. They handled the guards at the door in the same way as before—quick, efficient, and without mercy. The guards had no chance to raise the alarm, their bodies crumpling silently to the ground. They then opened the door.
The door creaked open slightly, and Roy and Kevin quickly slipped into the shadows, avoiding detection. They remained in silence, their breaths controlled, as they observed the movement inside. This mission required absolute stealth and precision—they couldn't afford to alert anyone or put the children in harm's way. Roy's eyes narrowed, his senses on high alert, ready to move silently through the building. The air was thick with tension, the faint sound of voices echoing from deeper within the building.
They moved through the dimly lit corridors, their steps soundless as they made their way deeper into the base. They could hear faint noises—voices, footsteps—but no one had noticed them yet. Roy gestured towards a narrow staircase leading underground, and Kevin nodded in agreement. They descended the stairs, the air growing colder and heavier with each step. The walls were damp, and the smell of mildew filled the air, adding to the oppressive atmosphere of the underground level.
At the bottom of the stairs, they found a long hallway that led to a large, dimly lit room. There, they saw the children—about thirteen of them—huddled together inside a metal jail cell, a heavy lock securing the door. Roy's eyes darkened with rage at the sight of the frightened children. Without a second thought, he stepped forward, grabbing the lock with both hands. With a sharp twist, the metal shattered, the lock breaking apart in his grip. The anger in his heart fueled his strength, and the lock stood no chance against his raw power.
Kevin quickly stepped forward, pushing the cell door open. He knelt down to speak to the children, his voice gentle despite the tension in the air. "Is Maya here?" he asked, his heart pounding as he listened for any sign of Maya among them. The children shook their heads, fear evident in their eyes. Kevin's heart sank—Maya was not among them. The realization hit him like a blow, but he forced himself to stay composed.
Roy and Kevin exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between them. They had to get these children out first. Roy crouched down, his voice softening as he addressed the group. "It's alright. We're here to help. We're going to get you out of here." The children, though still scared, seemed to take some comfort in his words. One little boy stepped forward, his voice barely a whisper. "They... they took some of the others away. The bad men took them before you came."
Roy clenched his jaw, his anger simmering beneath the surface. Kevin placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, nodding towards the exit. "Let's get these kids out first," he said. Roy took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. They couldn't afford to lose control now. He knew that the children were their priority, and they had to move quickly.
Suddenly, a distant shout echoed through the underground chamber. Someone had discovered one of the bodies—the alarm had been raised. The sound of hurried footsteps reverberated through the building, and they knew their time was running out. The once-silent base was now filled with the sounds of chaos, and they had to move fast.
Kevin turned to the children, his voice urgent but calm. "Stay close to us. We'll get you out safely." He and Roy moved quickly, guiding the children up the stairs and towards the exit. The building was coming alive with activity, shouts and orders being barked as Iron Fang members rushed to respond to the threat. Roy led the way, his daggers drawn, while Kevin stayed at the rear, his sword ready to defend the children if necessary. Every sense was heightened, every movement calculated.
They moved swiftly through the corridors, avoiding detection as much as possible. Every step brought them closer to freedom, but the tension in the air was palpable. The children clung to each other, their eyes wide with fear, but Roy and Kevin's presence seemed to give them some measure of hope. Roy could feel the weight of their trust on his shoulders, and it only fueled his determination to protect them. They were almost at the exit when they heard the sound of footsteps approaching from ahead.
Roy signaled for everyone to stop, his eyes narrowing as he listened. The footsteps were getting closer, and he could hear the clinking of armor—reinforcements. He glanced back at Kevin, who nodded in understanding. They had to protect the children, no matter what. They had come this far, and they couldn't let anything jeopardize their mission now.
Roy took a deep breath, his grip tightening on his daggers. He could feel the adrenaline surging through his veins, his focus sharpening. "Stay behind us," he whispered to the children, his voice steady. "We'll handle this." He turned his attention back to the approaching threat, his eyes cold and determined. Kevin moved up beside him, his father's sword at the ready. Together, they braced themselves for the fight to come, knowing that the lives of the children depended on their success.
The corridor was narrow, and they knew they could use it to their advantage. Roy positioned himself slightly ahead of Kevin, ready to strike the moment their enemies came into view. The sounds grew louder, the footsteps drawing closer with each passing second. Roy's eyes locked onto the shadows at the end of the corridor, his entire body tensed like a coiled spring. Kevin stood beside him, his senses fully attuned to every movement, every sound.
Finally, the first of the Iron Fang members appeared, their weapons drawn and eyes scanning for intruders. Roy moved first, his body a blur of motion as he lunged forward. His daggers flashed in the dim light, cutting through the air with deadly precision. The first attacker barely had time to react before Roy's blade found its mark, slicing through his armor and ending his life in an instant. Kevin followed suit, his sword striking with the power and accuracy of a practiced warrior. He could feel the vibrations of the enemy's movement, each strike guided by his heightened senses.
The fight was quick and brutal. Roy and Kevin moved as one, their attacks perfectly coordinated. They had trained for moments like this, and their bond allowed them to fight with an almost telepathic understanding. The Iron Fang members fell one by one, their attempts to counterattack futile against the duo's relentless assault. Roy's daggers danced in his hands, each movement fluid and deadly, while Kevin's sword cut through the air with a precision that seemed almost supernatural.
The children watched from behind, their fear slowly giving way to awe as they witnessed the strength and skill of their rescuers. Roy and Kevin fought not just for themselves, but for those who depended on them. They knew that failure was not an option—not now, not ever. As the last of the attackers fell, Roy turned back to the children, his eyes softening as he spoke. "It's alright. We're almost there. Just a little further."
Kevin nodded, his breathing heavy but controlled. He could feel the exhaustion beginning to set in, but he pushed it aside. They had to keep moving. "Stay close," he said, his voice steady. "We're not out of this yet." With Roy leading the way and Kevin guarding the rear, they continued towards the exit, their determination unbroken.
The door to the outside was just ahead, the cool night air visible through the cracks. Freedom was within reach, and they were not going to let anything stand in their way. Roy pushed the door open, the hinges creaking as it swung wide. He turned back to the children, a reassuring smile on his face. "Let's go," he said. "We're getting you out of here." And with that, they stepped into the night, the fresh air filling their lungs as they began their journey away from the nightmare they had just escaped.