"We come from the Saturn bloodline," Elina says, clearing her throat. "There are three of us: me, my twin Ellen, and Tanya, the eldest. Our father, Saturn, trained us without mercy. He favored Ellen for her calm strength, Tanya for her raw power, and me for my adaptability."
Justice stares. "So that monster Tanya is your sister? You two only mocked and fought each other."
Elina gives a bitter smile. "Our mother, Mama Mia, despised Tanya for her ruthlessness. She loved me most and tolerated Ellen for her quiet nature."
Scarface leans in. "Where's your father now?"
"Captured. Imprisoned in the far north." Elina's voice hardens. "The warlords set a trap. He fell for it—his only weakness was his simplicity."
Helma frowns. "Why take him down?"
"Because he was the strongest," Elina replies. "Master of both assassin and mercenary. He surpassed every warlord combined."
"That explains it," Scarface mutters. "No wonder he spawned that terrifying beast we fought."
Elina's gaze darkens. "After Father fell, the warlords' men came. They slaughtered our guards, took the women... assaulted them. Destroyed everything. Mama Mia hid us in an underground tunnel beneath the house. There wasn't room for her. She stayed behind. They took her. I overheard one say Silas chose her as his bride."
Daisy narrows her eyes. "How did you three escape?"
"We waited until the violence died down. Then we split. Tanya insisted on going alone—she craved her own path. Ellen did the same. I haven't seen my twin since."
Justice turns to Migo. "You knew all this?"
Migo nods, rubbing his neck. "She told me. But I never imagined her sister Tanya would be that scary. Damn, that machine gun..."
Jullian looks worried. "We better find Uddin and Daisy waiting at home."
"I doubt that woman would hurt Daisy," Moon Black says. "But Uddin... who knows what she'd do." She pauses. "Wait—where's Lewa?"
"Lewa's safe," Jude answers. "She never entered the castle. Sniped from a distance."
Justice grins as the trees thin ahead. "Good. We're almost there. New Sage is just beyond this forest."
The group presses on, dawn light breaking through the leaves.
----------------------------------------------
Night swallows the daylight.
Some of Jager's men remain around the territory. The ticking bomb hits zero. A massive fireball erupts, swallowing the entire building. Flames rage, consuming everything and everyone in their path.
Daniel watches from afar, peering through his telescope lens. The explosion bursts like golden fury across a vast area.
His jaw drops. "What... such destructive power. Prince Chille is a monster. Jager's home is destroyed, his men are gone. Hope he was inside—" A memory flashes. "Wait... Jager's not there? Shit. He went to Sonny's. Lucky bastard escaped. I better tell the prince."
Daniel melts into the shadows.
He reaches Prince Chille's hideout and kneels. "My prince, the bomb detonated successfully."
Chille's eyes glint with excitement. "Good. Jager's finally off my list. Now—"
"But there's a problem."
Chille's gaze narrows. "What problem?"
"Jager wasn't home."
"How do you know?"
"This morning. Blue Whale messengers declared war—One Scorpion assassin Jessie, wiped their team. Jager left soon after. My guess: he's visiting Sonny."
Chille's expression brightens. "Glorious... or even better. Jager lives."
Daniel frowns. "But my prince, he might come for you. He's ruthless."
"Worry not. His plate is full—and he doesn't know my location." Chille's eyes pierce Daniel. "Or are you planning to reveal it?"
"No, never. Just worried."
"Good. Dead Jager feels nothing. Jager alive bears the weight of his losses. That's the real victory." The prince smiles coldly.
Jager arrives in Antarra's town, approaching Sonny's vineyard. "Nathan, stay back. Just watch."
"Roger."
Guards block the entrance.
"Opera!"
"Captain?"
"Tell the boss—enemies are approaching."
"Roger."
"On guard!" the captain shouts. Guns rise.
The captain steps forward. "Stop right there."
"Lower your weapons," Jager says calmly. "I'm here to speak with your boss."
"Who are you?"
"Jager. Leader of the Red Scorpions."
The captain relays the message. Sonny emerges, baseball bat in hand.
He charges Jager. Jager stands unflinching.
"You murdered my men!" Sonny swings. Jager catches the bat with one hand—it splinters.
Sonny throws punches. Jager dodges, leaps back, and defends without striking.
"Are you mocking me?" Sonny roars, knee rising for Jager's jaw. Jager blocks it.
"Sonny, stop! Listen—I can explain."
"The one who killed your men is wanted by me too. I've sent my strongest to bring her head."
Sonny pauses. "Really? We've been at peace for decades... but this stings."
"I never ordered it. She acted alone."
Sonny eyes Jager and Nathan. "You came with one guard? This could've been a bloodbath. You'd be dead."
"I trust you're reasonable."
"Reason doesn't always beat anger. Defend yourself—you're a boss."
"Will you call off the war?"
"No. I like you, Jager... but I need that woman's head on my desk." Sonny narrows his eyes. "I'll extend the deadline in two weeks. No head—no peace."
Jager sighs. "Fine."
He leaves, disappointment heavy.
Daylight breaks as Jager reaches his fortress. Screams echo. Parents cradle dead children. Bodies lie halved in rubble.
"Boss... something happened," Nathan says.
Jager stays silent, taking it in.
A boy approaches, arms shattered. Jager grabs his shirt, eyes blazing. "What happened?"
"An... explosion."
"Where?"
"Your fortress, sir. Fire swallowed everything."
Jager drops the boy and runs with Nathan. They arrive.
Jager falls to his knees, hands clutching his head. "No... no..."
Nathan examines the ruins. "Boss... it's the Chuppah."
"Stolen?"
"No. Look—the shell fragments. A bomb was inside."
Jager rises slowly, coat straightening. "The prince's head is mine."
"But boss—the Blue Whales—"
"That waits. For now... I'm hunting that little monster prince."
Jager's eyes burn with harsh flames as he walks forward, heading for the prince.