Tsuki and Azumi were the first to emerge from their tunnels. Shortly after, Geo and Hatori appeared, then Knoxx and Danzo. Each bruised and beat up—but alive.

  Danzo gathered his breath and steadied his heart. “Everyone accounted for?”

  “Still breathing,” muttered Geo.

  Azumi spit blood with her hands on her knees. “Just barely.”

  “Danzo… he was there,” Tsuki said, turning to him. He seemed puzzled by the statement.

  “Who?”

  “The Watcher guy from the alley. He’s got some weird ghost controlling ability—tough dude.”

  Azumi raised her hand. “I second that.”

  Danzo put his hand on his chin. “Then we’re deeper in than we thought,” he mumbled.

  One by one, the members regained their strength, and stood awaiting further command. For minutes Danzo stood silent—lost in thought. Eventually, he snapped with two fingers and turned to Judgment.

  “Everyone ready?”

  A collective nod gave him the go ahead. He stepped forward, sights on the continuous pits of the sewers. Behind him, five more pairs of feet mentally and physically prepared for whatever awaited them.

  Deeper in, it grew quieter—the drip of water had stopped, and there wasn’t a critter in sight. No echoes except their own boots against the moist stone. A dim light ahead caught their attention.

  The tunnel had led to a large open chamber. It was massive and circular, with nearly a dozen exits along the curved walls. Rusted crates and chains dangled from the ceiling, only lightened by cracked lamps hung by wall-mounts.

  Azumi grabbed the hilt of her sword. “This isn’t suspicious at all…”

  Knoxx followed suit, arming himself with his daggers. “Completely normal. Just the everyday villain lair layout,” he said, entering a readied stance.

  Tsuki slowed herself, scanning the room—something felt… off.

  An eerie moment of silence, before her instincts kicked in.

  “Duck—NOW!” She shouted, snapping her fingers. A group of shadows emerged from her position, instantly dragging the others downwards, as a massive burst of Solena cut through the room—right where they had been standing.

  A moment later, giving no time to breathe, a large chain erupted from one of the ten tunnels, connecting with the wall on the opposite side. Maniacal laughter followed.

  “Damn, what the hell was that,” muttered Geo, rising to his feet.

  “Now, how did you manage to dodge that, you sweet little thing?”

  A menacing man stepped out of the shadows first. His frame was wide, and he stood like a mountain. He had a shaved head, and large eyebrows shadowing darker eyes—almost lifeless and unforgiving.

  “Tokira, Lalo, you both missed!”

  At the mention of the name Tokira, Tsuki’s eyes widened.

  A woman stepped out of another of the tunnels—taller, with long white hair and green eyes. Calm, cool and collected—someone Tsuki knew all too well.

  “Tokira… no…” Tsuki whispered, loud enough for Geo to hear. He turned and saw her—panic filled.

  “Tsuki?” He asked, putting a hand on her shoulder. She didn’t respond.

  I haven’t seen you in years… but it’s undoubtedly her.

  She managed a quick smile at Geo, clearly for show. He gave a puzzled look, but left it alone.

  “Who are you?” Hatori called. “You with The Lantern?”

  “Might be, might not,” Tobamako responded. “Won’t matter either way—you’ve been marked for death, by The Lantern himself! Take that as an honor! Mushira doesn’t order hunts for just anyone, you know.”

  Lalo glared at Tobamako. “How dense are you? Just tell them everything, why don't you!”

  Lalo was a shorter woman, wearing an APC uniform that may have been too big for her. She had blonde hair, and an always-judgmental look on her face.

  Tobamako only laughed. All three stood in a line with a confidence that didn’t need spoken.

  “You’re not supposed to be here, you know!” Lalo’s voice rung out, lighter and more childish than she appeared.

  Danzo prepped one of his talismans, readying for the approaching battle. “Back off, all three of you.”

  “No can do pal,” rumbled Tobamako. “We got our orders. And the APC—”

  “Don’t disobey orders, right?” Knoxx cut in, his daggers in hand.

  “Oh look! The young one can finish sentences!”

  Knoxx grit his teeth, nearly snarling. “Nice brows, freak! Bet you don’t get a lot of sunlight under those bushes!”

  Tobamako didn’t handle it well. He shot forward in a burst, meeting Knoxx in a head-on clash.

  He moves quick for someone so bulky, thought Tsuki. She readied her shadows, but stopped. Watching, seemingly diagnosing her, was Tokira across the opening.

  Tsuki froze. Does she know? She will if I use Shadow Manipulation…

  Meanwhile, Knoxx was inches from landing a dagger, before Tobamako disappeared in an instant. Knoxx flew toward nothing, landing on his feet. He turned to see a fist from Tobamako flying at him—he couldn’t block in time.

  Knoxx’s body went crashing into the curved sewer wall.

  “Knoxx!” Hatori called, before bolting toward Tobamako to take his attention. He was met with a swing which he easily dodged, slowing Tobamako’s movements, before releasing a flurry of strikes into Tobamako’s face. He didn’t move.

  In fact—he smiled.

  “Not bad,” he exhaled, before he vanished again. Hatori lost sight of him in half a second. Then, he reappeared, right in front of Hatori—with not enough time to react. Hatori was pummeled, and fell to his knees.

  Blood dripped from his nose and mouth, but he rose again. Danzo stepped forward chucking a healing rune toward Hatori, which worked instantly.

  “Thanks,” Hatori nodded. “Now, I believe this guy's got a time stopping ability.”

  Tobamako’s head jolted back in shock. “How—”

  “Part-time genius, kinda my thing,” Hatori joked while falling into stance. “Really came down to two things—a flash step, or a time manipulator. You weren’t affected by Resonant Flow when using your ability, so the only option was the ladder.”

  “Doesn’t matter what you know about me, if you can’t stop it!”

  He lunged forward, at Hatori again, fists raised.

  Almost guaranteed to strike from behind, Hatori thought. Seems like his style.

  He delayed his strike, preparing to swing backwards. As he planned, Tobamako froze time for a second, and maneuvered to Hatori’s backside, but when time resumed, he was met with a kick to his side. A backs-strike from Hatori.

  Tobamako grunted, sliding backwards. His hand rubbed the spot he had just been kicked, and he looked at Hatori in confusion.

  “You’re growin’ on me cupcake,” he rumbled, giving a wide grin. He launched forward, and Hatori anticipated a switch—but this time, Tobamako stayed in place, and when Hatori turned, Tobamako struck with a kick to Hatori’s back.

  He hit the ground hard, and a loud groan escaped his lips.

  “Enough!”

  Tsuki darted forward, summoning shadow tendrils all around her. They swarmed Tobamako, coiling with whip-like speed.

  “Interrupting a duel? That ain’t proper sweetheart!” Tobamako said, crushing a tendril with his fist.

  “I don’t give a damn for APC etiquette,” Tsuki said, still moving. “Half their rules are lies anyways.”

  Tokira stood in silence. The ability, Shadow Manipulation had confirmed all her fears. Her best friend from the Stalker Academy now stood along Memento’s cause.

  Tsuki used the cover of her shadows to move undetected. Tobamako swatted away the tendrils, before Tsuki jumped—and landed a swift kick to his head, before her shadows wrapped his limbs. His body started to fall into her shadows, before another Solena wave sliced them into halves.

  Tokira stood opposed to Tsuki. She didn’t mutter a word—neither did, and yet the tension drowned the sounds of battle.

  “Thanks Tokira, thought I would’ve been fine,” Tobamako muttered.

  “Stay awake, Tobamako,” she said. “You were a goner.”

  Please, Tokira. Don’t make me fight you, Tsuki pleaded in the depths of her mind.

  Tokira gave a hesitant look, before she lifted her fists into a stance.

  Tsuki was about to follow suit, but Danzo stepped in front, with a hand outstretched.

  “Take the large one. I’ll take her,” Danzo ordered, giving Tsuki a soft smile.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  “Yes sir,” Tsuki replied, before returning to position. Her shadows practically begged her for action, and she had a column of feelings that needed to be released.

  “Now, where were we?” Tobamako asked, before reappearing behind Tsuki. She blocked his strike, and provided a few of her own. They traded blows—no abilities, pure hand to hand combat. Tsuki ducked low to avoid a punch before Tobamako twirled into a kick which hit her head on. She hung to his leg, before twisting, and spinning with a hand on his head.

  “What the—” Tobamako started, but couldn’t finish.

  Tsuki swung down, putting her boot into his mouth in full force. He was launched backward, breaking the stones below as he landed.

  Tsuki didn’t let up. Her shadow hands emerged from the ground, picking him up, and slamming him repeatedly.

  Suddenly, a large whistle echoed from the other side of the chamber. Tokira.

  “What?” Tsuki said, confused and distracted. Tobamako used the moment to land a blow to Tsuki’s gut, before spinning and kicking. She was pushed into the wall, and fell to the ground. Everything was a blur.

  She looked up to see the battles in front—and panicked.

  Behind the three stalkers, were hundreds of APC soldiers emerging from the tunnels.

  The whistle… was a call?!

  “Everyone!” Tsuki shouted. “They’ve got reinforcements!”

  All eyes turned to the sea of white entering from every which way.

  “Dammit,” Danzo muttered. Tokira’s Solena blasts had him on the edge, but he moved quickly. He dodged every strike, following them with a talisman when he could.

  “Enough games,” Tokira said. “I hate to have to resort to this.”

  “Hate to resort to what?” Danzo asked, still maneuvering through the Solena beams.

  She didn’t answer. Instead, she mumbled to herself. “Corrupt.”

  The Solena glowed a neon green, striped with a swirl of black that began to spread along the ground, overtaking any Solena and spreading her power. Danzo threw a rune to counter, but it was destroyed instantly.

  A beam of Solena solidified and aimed at Danzo. Before it hit him, he threw a rune against the far wall of the chasm. Danzo went flying backwards, but as he did, he threw a second rune at the ground. A gate opened behind him—Tona’s gate, without Tona’s presence.

  The gate reopened in front of Tokira, and Danzo—still with momentum—threw a punch to send Tokira backwards. She hit the wall with a thud, before the rune he had thrown earlier, detonated. A paralysis rune, stunning her temporarily.

  Danzo just laughed, regaining his balance. “Rune making and copy technique—truly remarkable!”

  Tokira tried to mouth words, but the stun prevented her from speaking.

  “The paralysis was mine, but that gate I borrowed from—”

  Soldiers swarmed forward—likely in defense of the stalker, and Danzo was interrupted. The squad across the chamber was getting pushed back. Danzo threw a smoke rune in front of him to evade the eager army. He used the chance to grab Hatori, who was now on his feet but limping. Danzo wrapped an arm around him, aiding him to the side. Across the way, Geo and Knoxx were cornered, fending off countless soldiers and numerous stalkers from the tunnels. Azumi was still engaged in her duel with Lalo, slicing and dipping between chains.

  “Judgment Squad!” Danzo called. “Fall back to my position!”

  Geo and Knoxx nodded to one another, carving a desperate path through the swarm. Azumi followed, blades flashing, while Tsuki melted into shadow, retreating from Tobamako just in time.

  Danzo planted himself at the front, hands already moving. Runes flared to life beneath his palms as he cast them outward—layer after layer—forming a bending wall just ahead of the squad. He grit his teeth as Solena pulsed through the markings.

  His runes had limits. They always did.

  He could craft his own… or copy another’s ability, but only if he’d seen it firsthand. And once an enemy crossed into a rune’s radius, it was already too late. The Solena wouldn’t recognize a threat already inside the perimeter. Which meant he had seconds.

  Danzo scanned the chamber, searching for anything—an opening, a tunnel, a flaw. But there was nothing. They were pinned against a dead section of wall, no exits in sight. With Hatori injured and exhaustion dragging at the others, hope was wearing thin.

  Just as Danzo began to doubt, a voice rang through his head—like an echo.

  “Danzo… Danzo, can you hear me?”

  “Ringo! Couldn’t have come at a better time! We need reinforcements now! Riche sewers, outnumbered by hundreds and running low on energy to push on. Please hurry!” Danzo replied.

  “I’ll ask Maro now—I-I’m not sure if there’s any squads nearby! We’ll find something, just hold on!”

  With that, Ringo left Danzo’s mind, and he let out a quick sigh.

  “Well… shit,” he muttered.

  “Danzo!” Knoxx called. “Any word on reinforcements or anything? I know I said that I was craving battle, but this may have been too much!”

  He threw another rune, one of flames, prepping for a firewall to stall—any time they could get.

  “Just contacted Ringo, he’s not sure what’s available. We might be on our own here.”

  In Persetta, Ringo bolted into Maro’s quarters. Maro’s tea was steaming—just the way he liked it, but the gust from Ringo’s entrance blew the steam away.

  “Ringo, what’s wrong?” He said, genuinely concerned, but restraining himself from complaints regarding the tea.

  “It’s Judgment! They’re cornered in Riche sewers!”

  Maro’s eyes widened. “Shit… we don’t have anyone out there! Viper’s in Jon… Phantom’s in Galion… nobody else is avail—”

  He paused mid-sentence, a grin crossed his face.

  “Nevermind. Get him now.”

  Ringo nodded, instantly recognizing Maro’s tone. He turned and bolted out the door, leaving Maro with his cool tea.

  Back in Riche, the squad fought with their lives—desperate and recklessly. Azumi sliced through soldiers with ease, but her swing slowed—the constant ache of unrelenting battle was wearing on her.

  Tsuki summoned shadows, but each one drained her more and more. Fatigue was plaguing her, and she knew it.

  However—Danzo had a plan.

  “Everyone! Step away from me!”

  He chucked a rune at the ground—an empowering one.

  “Now, step in the radius. You’ll gain boosts—like adrenaline.”

  Tsuki and the others did as he said, feeling the effects instantly. The squad spread out to cover the most ground. Tsuki and Hatori were on the far right. Approaching, was Lalo, her chains already swinging. Tsuki’s shadows had doubled in size by the rune’s power alone.

  Hatori stepped forward, beside Tsuki.

  “Hatori, go rest. I’ll handle the right flank,” Tsuki said, still keeping her attention on the forces advancing.

  Hatori stood, his hand on his gut in pain—but standing nonetheless. “I’m not leaving you to fend for yourself, Tsuki,” he said, panting with every breath. “We’re family—we live together, and die together.”

  A smile formed on Tsuki’s lips. It was rare Hatori would ever say something sweet, and yet, it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

  “I’m surprised you made it this long,” Lalo’s high pitched voice rang out.

  “Shut that damn mouth,” Hatori huffed. “I already can’t feel my stomach—don’t make my head hurt too.”

  Tsuki chuckled as Lalo angrily stomped, shooting chains forward. Hatori slowed one, narrowly dodging it through his injuries. Tsuki summoned a tendril and redirected the chain shooting at her. Lalo followed it up with a twirl, spinning a barrage of links in a circle, hitting Tsuki to the ground.

  She vanished into shade, before spurting out, using the depth of the shadows and a tendril as a launch point. She practically floated in the air, sending a flurry of darkness herself.

  Hatori continued his desperation fighting, taking out soldiers left and right, but the empowering effect was wearing off.

  Tsuki noticed too.

  The other members were being pushed back. They were pinned.

  They formed up—backs against the wall, out of breath, bloodied, but hanging by a thread.

  “How many bodies are you willing to sacrifice?” Azumi asked.

  Tobamako only smiled. “The APC has more than you know.”

  Geo turned to Danzo—bruised and battered.

  “Heh… if only reinforcements—”

  He didn’t finish.

  BOOM.

  A deafening crack filled the chamber. A continuous sound of large scale thumps.

  BOOM.

  The ceiling above shook, the crates and hanging lanterns swung violently to the sides. The stalkers and soldiers were puzzled, checking every part of the chasm for the source.

  “Is… this what an earthquake feels like?” asked Knoxx, his eyes wide and very serious.

  Azumi shook her head. “Considering it’s from the surface, and we are underground… no, Knoxx. No.”

  BOOM.

  One last crack, and the ceiling shattered inward. Daylight poured from the newly constructed hole in Riche sewers.

  Debris fell, and APC soldiers screamed as it crushed them. Then—a silhouette appeared.

  It dropped down in a slow controlled fall, landing with a tiny thud. Through the dust, Tsuki could make out a white flowing coat, and dark black hair. The figure turned, revealing piercing violet eyes.

  Unmistakable. Tona Norasachi.

  He scanned the room, calm and collected. He spotted Judgment and waved.

  “For future reference… where the hell is the entrance to this place?” He asked—dead serious and dryly.

  “Uh… the docks,” responded Danzo. A sense of relief filled his soul, knowing they were now safe—yet he couldn’t believe that was Tona’s first action.

  “Figures,” he muttered.

  He turned to the three stalkers. Their soldiers stood frozen in fear.

  “The Ghost wasn’t supposed to be here,” said Tokira.

  Lalo’s normal mischievous grin faded. Her eyes were widened. Tobamako—on the other hand—smiled bigger than before.

  “Oh… you have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this.”

  Tona just tilted his head. “Yeah?”

  Tobamako’s grin nearly spread to the edges of his cheeks and he launched forward. He stopped time—the usual—however, when he sent a punch, he was met with a solid barrier of Solena.

  “Wha—” he stuttered, without the ability to finish.

  Tona had flash-stepped behind, and sent Tobamako through the stone-cracked ground with a single punch. The chamber fell silent.

  That’s my mentor, thought Tsuki.

  The air itself seemed to hold its breath as Tona stepped forward, into the sea of soldiers. He turned his head, ignoring them completely, fixated on the two remaining higher-ranking stalkers.

  His voice echoed, casual—but with a razor’s edge.

  “Weak.”

  The room held its breath. Lalo clapped her hands together, forming a barrier of chains.

  “You’re insufferable!” she screamed, launching a series of them forward.

  He dodged with ease, before throwing a punch into the wall of linked metal. He cracked a few, but didn’t break through.

  “That’s a bit annoying,” he muttered to himself.

  He teleported to the other side through a gate, and gave a wolfish smile—

  “Chains… you’re a kinky one, aren’t you?

  Lalo’s eyes bulged, way too big for her head. She lashed—but before she could act, a Solena beam shot through the chamber, aimed at Tona.

  He dodged of course—but it was a mere distraction.

  APC soldiers had already begun to drag Tobamako through a tunnel. Lalo used the beam to escape toward Tokira. They bolted toward another exit. Before Tokira could disappear, she gave one last glance at Tsuki. Their eyes met. She knew.

  Tona didn’t give chase—he didn’t need to. Instead, he gated right to Judgment Squad, his expression shifting from cold confidence to genuine concern.

  “You all okay?” He asked, lowering to a knee.

  The team—breatheless and bruised from the battle, all looked to the man who had turned the tides of battle by his mere appearance.

  “Never thought I’d say this,” chuckled Danzo, “but I’ve never been happier to see your smug face.”

  Tsuki nodded, a grin forming. “About damn time.”

  Tona smirked, rubbing the back of his head.

  “Change of subject… did you call her kinky?” Knoxx asked, raising himself in a playful question. He knew the answer, he just wanted to stir some trouble.

  “He definitely did,” responded Geo, who elbowed Tona. He only smiled, before opening a gate directly in front of them. It provided quick passage back to Riche plaza.

  Tona stepped over to Hatori, still beat and limping.

  “Damn, buddy. You got the worst of it, huh?”

  Hatori managed a painful smile, accepting the help. “You’ve got no idea.”

  They all stepped through the gate together, dragging tired limbs and bruised pride behind them. The reek of the sewer was left behind, and the scent of the sea returned. The daylight was blinding after hours in the pits below. The warmth on their skin felt like mercy.

  The plaza bustled as usual, unaware of the battle beneath its very streets. Danzo wiped sweat from his brow, then spoke.

  “I saw we rest. That was more than a scuffle… and now we’re sure the APC has roots here.”

  The squad turned to him, weary but alert. There was no objections to the ‘rest’ statement.

  “That brute mentioned a name,” Danzo continued. “Mushira. Tied it right to The Lantern. I already asked Ringo to check up on that when he made sure Tona had made it.”

  Tona gave a sarcastic scowl. “He really had to check that I’d make it? No faith, Ringo. No faith.”

  Tsuki spoke next, slapping her forehead. “Tobamako did say that! I completely forgot he mentioned a name…”

  “Thats our lead then,” Azumi followed. “Mushira’s either a pawn, or the hand behind the curtain.”

  Knoxx rubbed his abdomen softly, grimacing slightly. “Good. Hope he’s easier to deal with than the bowling ball. I still feel that punch.”

  A chuckle escaped their lips. The group headed to the inn for some long-awaited rest.