Darkness consumed him again, but this time, it lasted longer.

  Unlike before, he was dead and he knew it.

  "I am surprised you have withstood so long."

  So was he, but he knew he still had fight in him, even if for limited time.

  "I know I will be meeting you in proper soon, but when you meet me, I want you to understand. You cannot escape me."

  Of course, he knew it, and he didn't debate it.

  It wasn't first time he has dealt with the reaper's appraisal.

  Sharp, tingling pain consumed his body.

  Medical team was quick to jump into action, trying to keep him in place.

  It didn't take long until he lost energy to fight with his body, but pain didn't stop.

  "He's... He's alive!" A nurse informed in shock to the doctors in room, as the monitor started to beep again.

  He couldn't help but shout in pain, after all frostbite has bitten him deep.

  The day was torture, body consumed by agony, but he knew he would survive.

  As his body warmed up, and the undetected zombie-blood took it's time to restore him, left on IV to keep his body sustained.

  Tuesday day's sun was shining in the room thought the open window, giving mild breeze across his pinkish red skin, still sensitive from recovery, as Hiroshi was taking deep breaths, easing any pain he still had harassing his body.

  With any power he still had recovered in his body and after making sure no doctors or nurses were in the room, he reach to the table next to him, taking the landline phone, putting in a number and awaiting for response.

  -RING- ... -RING- ...

  -CLINK-

  "Katariina Puhelimessa."

  "Hiroshi speaking."

  ...

  "Private call?"

  "Yes, Edith cannot hear about this, or she could start acting irrationally."

  "It's that bad?"

  "Yes, prepare pen and paper. I will have some stuff I need you to prepare before tomorrow."

  After a while of talking, he ended the call before he gathered too large of an bill for Matthew to deal with alongside the medical bills.

  Taking his time staring outside the window, where the sun cast it's light onto the floor, Hiroshi contemplated on the situation he was pushed into, as he slowly turned to look away, and staring at the looming shadow darker than the void, sitting by the dark corner, not sure if it was real or his imagination.

  "Just give me one more day." He muttered in hopes, before returning to his worried rest.

  As wednesday morning came, sun barely peaking upon the city, nurse carefully came in with package on hand, and dropped by the bed, hoping not to wake Hiroshi up.

  But they didn't know, this was start of what he considers to be his most important day, as after nurse leaves the room silently as possible, Hiroshi himself silently rose from bed, body still aching but not restricting him, to pick up and open the package.

  Taking out from it his work uniform and toolbelt, he was quick to put them on, as he took note of clock. 5:34, and each minute was important to him.

  Once dressed, he went to the window and opened it up.

  He could note the view was from second floor.

  Not ideal, but lucky it wasn't worse, as carefully making the tight squeeze, he hopped out of the window and took a heavy fall onto roadside grass.

  Body still slowly recovering, he started to hike with hurry towards the park.

  And as he requested, he saw as Kat and Sophia were awaiting by the entrance in their uniform, while Olivia was with them, nervous and worried what was going on.

  As Hiroshi came to view, Sophia and Olivia were shocked to see him having recovered so fast, while Kat didn't much to care ask for details, as there was more important plan in talks.

  "Alright, we need to get on the chase. We have less than two hours to prepare." Hiroshi declared, taking even Kat by surprise.

  "You told me to hurry, but I didn't think you meant it that seriously." Kat assured, as everyone started to get as serious as Hiroshi was feeling.

  "I know, but we have to deal with possible tragedy. Today, the rail stations will open up, but Chuvaki are planning to hijack the first passenger train."

  Taking trio by surprise of the news, as Hiroshi continued. "Nata's capture was a coincidence on their plans, but seeing they are planning to take the train over russian border, that would also mean she is with them."

  "And how did you come to know of this?" Kat questioned, keeping her skepticism high.

  "That is complicated, but to be short, one of the members in the plan decided to go against Chuvaki. I don't know the details, but she is trustworthy enough for time being."

  "And I presume why they want the train is because of the newly designed passenger cars." Sophia added, who was trusting enough for Hiroshi, as Olivia was left to worry on the sideline, too shy to speak up.

  "Exactly, but we should avoid causing too much of mayhem coming, especially if Edith would hear about this, it could cause way more trouble. But I think we can do it as a group of four."

  As Hiroshi said that, the trio got surprised by the inclusion of Olivia was serious one, but they let him continue talking his plan.

  "Sophia, we will need your fire magic, just in case Vaska tries to use Nata against her will, and no doubts he will use it to block anyone getting to conductor."

  Sophia gave understanding nod.

  "Kat, I will need you to fly me on the train when it has started to move, and to make sure there won't be any trouble coming from outside the train just in case."

  Kat gave understanding nod, seeing no issues so far.

  "And Olivia. I am sorry to get you involved, but I need your assistance the most. In the plan, they will separate the humans from monsters, the insider will deal with the thugs with people, but with monsters, Vaska will be there to control the scene, but I need you to be there to calm everyone down when I deal with him." Hiroshi declared clearly, taking Olivia in heavy worry.

  "If they run wild, it could cause a lot of trouble, as Vaska no doubts would harm them if they even take one wrong step. I know I am asking a lot, but can you do it?" He took step closer, as Olivia's gaze darted around, unsure how to take such a request.

  She knew he needed her, Nata needed her and those innocent needed her, but she also knew she was no hero. However she knew she didn't want those to experience and be abandoned, as Tamers did to her years ago.

  "F-fine." she muttered under her breath. "I will do it," she confirmed, still fearful of the situation, but daring to brave the danger.

  "Thank you." Hiroshi noted, with a small smile cracking from his serious moment, before shortly focused on Sophia and Kat.

  "I presume you got the ticket for Olivia?" He asked, and to his relieve, Kat showed it, and gave it to Olivia, seeing they now understood better the plan.

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  "So, Sophia will deal with the front, Kat will drop me on top and assist from outside if needed and Olivia will be with other monsters. Let's move." Hiroshi noted, as with it, their counter-plan went into effect.

  the main train station in Elmspring was crowded, with news groups ready to broadcast, and some city officials happily announcing the opening of train stations, and revealing the new designs for public transport, fitting from smallest to largest of monster people, as crowd had huge variety of humans and monsters, happily awaiting to try it out, with some of them even getting interviewed on how they were feeling.

  But amidst the crowd, dispersed was members of Chuvaki, with Julia keeping calm appearances, while Vaska was wearing casual, as Nata tried her best not to have a outburst, knowing if she did, she would get one of his punishments.

  Olivia didn't have trouble spotting the small cloud in the group, as she tried her best not to be noticed by her, while she was focused on trying not to get distressed by being surrounded by so many people, not helped by some monsters, like trolls, dragons and golems that loomed above her, nearly twice her height.

  "The time should be coming soon enough." Kat noted, as they were awaiting by good distance away from the second station, awaiting by an building near the railway.

  "But before that, Hiroshi. I understand you are meant to care for Nata, but you are taking this pretty seriously." Sophia noted, clearly not used to his personality being so action focused.

  "I have my own reasons. I can't explain it fully, but once this is over, and when I end up in the hospital again, make sure to keep an close eye on her and Olivia." Hiroshi noted, clearly keeping secret a lot of stuff about his past and what will still go down after their plan.

  "If I seem to pass out or die on hospital bed, restrain my body with anything you have. Otherwise, don't worry." He reassured, and as if on queue, the train was finally letting passengers on it, crowding the three passenger cars, before heading off from station, ready to do spin around the city.

  It was slow at start, but picking up momentum, the train started head on designated route around the city, meanwhile in the front passenger car, the plans were already starting. Vaska nudging one of the nearby thugs to move.

  Carefully walking by the crowds, they carefully exited the front cart and while in the middle, they simply knocked on the cab door, making the conductor peak the door's window to see who it was.

  With single loud bang, the glass was shot through, killing him instantly, as Vaska slowly informed other thugs to take point, as people in the front car got worried on what was going on, upon hearing the sound.

  Goon punched through the broken glass to open the door, and entering the cab to take the train's controls.

  Vaska carefully moved through the crowds and pushed some of the peskier passengers, "Get the hostages." Vaska commanded through an radio to the others that operation has started, as opening the door, making people notice the crime scene at the cab, with tight pull of Nata's hair, forcing her to freeze door shut, before freezing the cart door as well.

  As Mafia members took control of the carts, pulling out weapons from their briefcases, jackets and hoodies and making clear commands for humans to stick to last car and monsters to first car, with most notable threats given to monsters, even with their imposing size. "We have Adamant bullets, so don't even consider acting like bullet-proof heroes."

  Olivia was dragged with worry from the last car to the front, as she looked around, seeing all kind of thugs, with AK74U's and MP5's, as Julia kept her act up, putting humans towards the last car, not caring if she threatened or battered the passengers.

  News of what was going on spread quickly, even outside the train as some of the people started to record and message what was going on, as Kat, Sophia and Hiroshi were ready, seeing the train coming to their checkpoint.

  Kat hopped onto Hiroshi's shoulders, talons wrapping around his arms and with run-up, they flew up with Sophia following with her black membranous wings.

  It was clear the train was going faster than Kat could fly with the extra weight, she aligned to the build-in rails, with preparations made, she was ready to drop him on top of the train cars, as civilians by the station were surprised and shocked to see the train in nearly full speed go by the station without even stopping for a second, making the news fully public, the train was hijacked.

  Right when Kat was about to drop him, he pulled out and took her pistol from the holster, which she wasn't able to much fight against as her hands were focused on keeping them high in the air, and seconds later, train came under them. with grudge against his rash action, she had to drop him on top.

  "You bastard, better take responsibility with it." Kat said in annoyance, as she was left to chase the train, while Sophia and Hiroshi caught their balance and prepared for action, as they tried to grab for whatever was on the steel roof for balance as they moved to their spots and awaited signal for when Julia started the counter-plan.

  Soon, split in the railroad came, as they diverted from the promised route, now heading out of the city, as passenger carts were finally finished with gathering their hostages, first car holding monsters with Olivia, Middle car holding the mafia's main forces, and at the back car, humans were kept with couple thugs and Julia at guard.

  Julia could sense the familiar ward being nearby, knowing the counter-plan was up and ready, she checked on the fellow mafia members, who were relaxing, keeping an eye on the passengers.

  "Sorry to cause trouble." Julia noted with a small smile, and as the thugs were left to question what she meant by that. Julia quickly took firm grip of her AK and with clean shot for each thugs, she dealt with them quickly, shocking the passengers left looking at the mess left behind.

  "Wait here, and you will not be harmed." She made clear to the passengers, as leaving the corpses in their view as a threat, she prepared for a proper fight, as opening the door out of the car, closing it behind her and with light anxious exhale, she entered the middle car.

  "Wait, Julia, What are you doing?" one of the high-commanding thugs noted, but seeing she was bloodied and gun ready, a gunfight started without another word, which rest of the train could hear, including Sophia and Hiroshi.

  "I guess that is our insider?" Sophia asked just in case, as Hiroshi gave a nod.

  "Just focus on the cab, while i go for Vaska." Hiroshi quickly reminded, as Sophia drudged towards the front, while Hiroshi went to take ladder at other end of the first car, allowing him to see middle car was being dealt with, and the first, where Vaska was relaxing with Nata with couple thugs and monsters in the back in worrisome state.

  Upon entering, monster passengers and Nata got surprised by Hiroshi's appearance, as Vaska kept still while the goons went for their guns, but Hiroshi was faster at the draw, aiming with his gun onto their head, knocking them out with brutal rubber bullets, before pointing his gun at Vaska.

  "Welp, I should have guessed you'd spoil my fun." He muttered, having already suspected the plan would fail, hearing the shots from middle car.

  "I am sorry, but I won't fall for your intimidation. Either give up now, or I will assure you, you will wake up in the prison." Hiroshi threatened him, but Nata was quick to interject.

  "It isn't him, Hiro." and on queue, he dropped the magic long enough to see it was an just one of the underlings with an rune carved onto the forehead, before returning the illusion of it being Vaska.

  "Did you really think I would risk myself on such a small task? I let this buffoon to be the commanding guy, and this is where he deserves to be, failing on both tasks." He noted with a smile, while the underling went to put gun against Nata's head, which annoyed vaska, but as he got things under control with him, he returned to talk with Hiroshi.

  "So guess what, you win for now. Just hope you will break the news to my dear lapdog, knowing her owner will be dead once again." he said with a smile, and while the underling seemed to try to go pull the trigger, before he started to lose all control, and as the hand shakily moved away from Nata's onto his, and before they knew it, his brainmatter coated the walls, taking everyone by surprise, most notably Hiroshi and Nata.

  Hiroshi having expected him to let Nata be killed, or do it to him, but seems he values her enough to keep them alive, while Nata was left to question what he meant, while also "Why did you come?" questioning Hiroshi with worry, and clearly trying not to break down.

  During this time, as the passengers started to question what was going on and those in front looking in disgust and horror, and some of them starting to get angry or wild, Olivia was quick to come out in front and calm them down, trying to stammer out that they will explain later, and will be safe now, while giving some glances back, confused as well partly on what was going on.

  In the meantime, Julia finished with the middle cart, relaxing by a bloodied bench, full of bullet holes as nothing but a massive bloodbath was left as a aftermath, corpses strewn around.

  Sophia slowly started to finish melting the ice by the cab door, which the thug inside took with heavy worry, and ready to shoot the invader, but they got quickly outmaneuvered, as Sophia could smell the blood, and blasted the cab with fire, cooking the thug alive before they could consider pulling the trigger.

  Kat on other hand was having to deal with officers who had caught up mid-air to the runaway train. Before Kat had to worry about them interfering, the train started to come into a halt, good ten kilometers away from the city.

  To say the aftermath was a messy was understatement. Thankfully civilians had minimal injuries, but now public's knowledge of an undercover mafia in Elmspring was massive news alone.

  Passengers were quickly taken off the stopped train, officers and medics reassuring everything will be fine.

  Police were quick to start investigating the dead Chuvaki members, the unconcious ones were quickly brought into custody, and Julia was quickly handcuffed as she handed herself to the police and brought to one of the cruisers.

  Before they could head out, Hiroshi came asking if he could have couple words with her, as officers reluctantly allowed it.

  "Thanks for the help, hope they handle you with care, even with those bullet wounds of yours." he noted with a light smile, as he finally felt a massive weight off his chest was lifted.

  "No problem, just remember what I told you... speaking of, NATA! I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TO YOU!" She quickly shouted, surprising everyone, especially Nata, while Olivia listened just in case.

  "Yesli u nego budut kakiye-nibud' problemy, to soobshchi mne!" she shouted out, urprising Nata while Olivia sadly hasn't heard that phrase before, but as Nata gave calm nod, officers decided it was enough for Julia speaking, as she was driven off from the site to the station

  "She sure will see some trouble, murder doesn't go lightly, even if it's protecting innocents." Kat noted, while Sophia continued, "But we should get you back to the hospital."

  Hiroshi agreed to it. He was starting to feel weak, as with all of the adrenaline running out, and having been in constant action for an hour now, his body's critical state started to catch up onto him, as with Nata's and Olivia's worries sky-high, he fainted, for his battle wasn't finished yet.