Nina's lips curl into a wide grin. "Hell no. Even if the boss hadn't ordered it... I was going to kill her anyway."
Shion's hand snaps out, fingers locking around Nina's gun barrel. She yanks hard, ripping it free. The gun clatters away as her fist flies in.
Nina ducks, shoulder slamming into Shion's gut. They hit the ground hard, rolling in dust.
"Patience run!" Shion shouts.
Patience's feet pound the floor as she bolts.
Nina's fist drives into Shion's stomach wound.
Shion's eyes snap wide. A sharp gasp escapes. Pain locks her body. She slumps, hands clutching the bleeding gash.
Nina vanishes.
She reappears in front of Patience, hand clamping her throat. Patience's feet kick air, body dangling. Nina squeezes. Blood drips from Patience's nose. Her hands slap weakly at Nina's arm, then slow... stop.
Nina leans close, voice low. "That's it... yes..."
Shion charges from behind, and tackles Nina to the ground. Fists hammers the floor as Nina dodges.
Nina's fist slams into Shion's throat, sending her reeling back. Shion coughs violently as she struggles to breathe. She stumbles upright, boots scraping against the ground for balance, her whole body lurching like she's about to collapse.
Nina's eyes flick. Patience is gone. She vanishes.
In the alley, Patience runs, breaths ragged.
Nina materializes behind her.
A hard slap cracks across Patience's face. She spins, legs buckling, hitting the ground hard. She Stays down.
Nina reaches for her.
Shion appears from behind, hand grabbing Nina's hair, yanking back sharp.
Nina snarls, teeth bare, her hand darting into her pocket.
A small blade flashes out, thin and sharp.
She slashes upward and cuts off her hair from Shion's grips.
Shion's punch comes fast. Nina ducks. Another punch follows, Nina weaves. Shion's knee rises for the jaw. Nina steps back; knee hits air.
Nina kicks high.
Shion blocks with crossed arms, the impact jars her bones.
She closes in fast, fingers in Nina's hair again, slamming her head against the wall—thud, thud, thud. The impact creates a huge cut on Nina's forehead
Nina uses one hand to grab the slamming arm. Twist Her other hand toward Shion's stomach. Aiming to stab her with the knife.
Shion catches it. They lock—arms straining, knife shaking close.
"Damn it, Shion... that wound fresh and you're still this strong," Nina snarls.
She headbutts Shion's forehead.
Shion groans loud, staggering back.
Nina advances, knife thrusting quickly.
Shion backs up, hand going for her pistol.
Nina rushes in, palm slapping the gun away. It drops.
Shion grabs Nina's neck, and push. Her back slams the wall.
Nina's feet kick up, hitting Shion's chest. Shion flies back, hitting the ground.
Shion stands up, quickly removes her second pistol and fires, but Nina's already moving, her fist crashing into the pistol's edge, sending it spinning from Shion's hand.
The gun clatters to the ground as Shion's fingers splay open, empty. They close, fists flying hard.
A figure drops from the rooftops, landing with a soft thud between Nina and Shion. Nina's eyes widen in surprise, her gaze locking onto the figure. "Senior K.B?" she stammers, trying to backpedal.
"Oh no you don't.." K.B's hands snap out like viper strikes, grabbing both women by the neck. Drawing them closer, and slams their heads together. Both women slump to the ground, dazed and weak.
K.B's gaze narrows, eyes blazing with fury. "What's going on here?"
Nina scrambles to her feet, her voice trembling. "Senior K.B, sir, I was–"
K.B's aggression is palpable. "Shut up, you fool.." The air is thick with tension as K.B's gaze sears into them. "Do you two know the offense you just committed? First of, Shion.. you failed to accomplish your mission because you're saving a girl?..
Now look at you two, fighting each other."
Nina swallows hard, her tone meek. "My apologies, sir..."
K.B spits on the ground. "Sorry won't cut it. Shion, I want to hear it from your mouth. Tell me what happened?"
Shion wipes blood from her nose, her voice laced with pain. "I was about to get intel from one of Silas's warlords, King Pin. But I met an enemy, and things went ugly."
K.B's expression darkens. "Bullshit. We've been told you took a knife for that girl. Isn't that right Nina?"
Nina nods.
"What's more annoying is that I recommended your gender, and this is how you repay me?"
Shion tries to speak, but K.B's finger jabs at her. "Shion, not a word."
Nina steps forward, her lips curling into a sneer. "Sir, I was ordered to–"
K.B cuts her off. "No no. Be quiet." K.B turns to Patience, still slumped on the ground. "Young lady, stand up."
Patience eyes darting between K.B and the others. Her hands tremble, shaking as she tries to get up.
Shion lunges to help Patience, but K.B moves like a blur, and he's suddenly behind her. His hand snaps out, striking the base of her neck with precision. Shion crumps to the ground, her eyes wide with shock.
K.B's voice is ice. "Let the girl pick herself off."
Patience stumbles upright, her gaze darting to Shion's helpless form.
K.B's eyes bore into Patience. "Good. Now tell me, what relationship did you have with Shion?"
Patience's voice is shaky. "We... we joined a search party together as a team. Shion came to find a lead on Silas, and I came to find clues on my sister through Silas. That's how we met."
"Okay, so you two bonded that it?"
"Yes we did."
"Shion cannot help you. You may take your leave."
"I have an offer to make?" Patience asks.
"Go ahead.."
"I officially want to join your gang."
"What the!.." Nina's eyes flare. K.B looks at her with dreadful eyes. She covers her mouth with her hands.
"Young Lady, what makes you think you can have a spot on the mercury gang?"
Patience folds her hand towards her mouth and cracks her voice. "I'm not a good fighter. But I will help with research and discovery. I can gather Intel, and make the enemy lower their guard."
"Hmm.. h-hahahaha," K.B laughs. I mean no offence, but I don't think you're fit to join our gang."
Patience frowns, her voice firm. "I'll do my best!"
K.B's tone is flat. "Although I can deny you entry... and it's allowed for anyone to request for a membership. We don't have time to waste. Come with us; the boss, Jacob, will decide on your request."
Nina's voice cuts in. "But Senior K.B, this girl is why Shion failed–"
K.B's gaze ignites with warning. "I thought I told you not to speak?" His glare is a live wire, crackling with danger. "Don't make me repeat myself, Shion chose to protect her; the sin's on Shion, not her."
K.B turns to Patience. "Alright, any further questions?"
Patience straightens her shirt, a small defiance in her eyes. "Since you're not the leader... I'll save my questions for your boss."
K.B's lips twitch, almost a smirk. "Roger that. Time isn't on our side. Girls, we leave."
Shion Rises from the ground. Tuck her pistols into her holster. Nina turns to K.B raising a finger. A sly grin on her face. "Sir, I'll go get my gun."
K.B's gaze is piercing. "Where did you leave it?"
Nina's tone is crisp. "Few steps away, sir. I'll be back soon."
K.B's expression is unyielding. "Be quick. Meet us on the way."
Nina nods, a sharp "Roger" before vanishing into the shadows, leaving the others to move on.
K.B strides off with Shion and Patience. Patience's eyes locked on the trio's backs, a mix of determination and uncertainty etched on her face.