"The devil's help"

The hotel lobby was a cacophony of chaos, law enforcement officers swarmed the entrance,while reporters and curious onlookers jostled for a better view. The air was thick with tension, every movement scrutinized by watchful eyes.

Amidst the turmoil, Hera, Valkyrie, and I moved with a practiced grace, our steps synchronized and deliberate. Years of extreme training in the organization had taught us how to navigate through even the most hostile environments without drawing unnecessary attentions.

As we slipped past the main entrance of the hotel, Valkyrie's pained expression caught my eye. She was struggling, the wound in her side weakening her resolve.

Hera's determination was unwavering, but I could see the concern etched in her features.

"Stay close." I muttered, my voice low and controlled.

Hera nodded, her eyes sharp and focused. Valkyrie, despite her obvious discomfort, managed a faint nod.

We reached the side exit, a narrow passage that led to a less crowded street. Timing our movements with the ebb and flow of the crowd, we darted outside, the midday sun a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere inside. The bright light and warmth felt almost foreign after the dim, chaotic lobby.

Luckily, a taxi idled at the curb, the driver oblivious to the drama unfolding nearby. I raised a hand, signaling him. He pulled up, and without hesitation, we climbed inside.

"Just drive." I instructed, my cold tone leaving no room for argument.

The driver glanced at us in the rearview mirror, his eyes widening slightly at the sight of Valkyrie condition.

"Where to?" He asked, his voice tinged with unease.

"I said drive, dammit!" I replied impatiently and infuriatingly. The taxi was taken aback by my aggressive manner.

The driver nervously nodded, and the taxi lurched forward, merging into the traffic of Ginza district.

As we sped away, I felt Hera and Valkyrie relaxed and relieved, but Valkyrie's wound needed attention, and quickly.

Meanwhile, Risa and Rakshesha were still at the hotel, navigating the labyrinth hallways of the hotel with practiced ease. The midday sun poured in through the high windows, casting sharp shadows that danced along the walls as they moved.

Despite the chaos in the hotel, they slipped past the law enforcement officers and reporters with Rakshesha's precision and grace that only Queenswoman training could provide.

Risa and Rakshesha reached a corridor where the exit was near, only to find a scene of defeat awaiting them. The remaining five of Risa's special forces men lay scattered on the ground, the signs of a recent and one-sided battle evident in their battered forms.

Weapons were strewn about, and bloodstains marked the floor. Amidst the fallen, one man was stirring, his eyes fluttering open as he struggled to sit up.

Risa approached him swiftly, her expression a mix of disappointment and curiosity.

"What happened here?" She demanded, her voice cold and commanding.

The special forces man looked up, his face contorted with pain.

"Ma-matriach...we've found the two Queenswomen." He rasped.

"Bu-but, they were accompanied by an unknown man...he was...tall, blond, devilishly handsome, European-looking guy." He added, honesty in his heart as he was afraid to lie at the Matriach.

Risa suddenly widened her eyes. As soon as she heard the unknown man's description, she only thought one person...it was Ray, her son.

Rakshesha looked at Risa, concerned as she saw a worried and somber look on her face.

"Matriach..." Rakshesha muttered, her voice soft and gentle.

"It seems Ray was here and helped Hera and Valkyrie escaped." Rakshesha added. Deep inside, she felt a mix of happiness and frustration. Meaning, Ray knew she was here and decided to help them but fate played her, as she wasn't there to see Ray.

"Ye-yes, my son." Risa responded, her voice was shaking and natural calm and firm composure dissolved.

Desperate to know the situation, Rakshesha suddenly stepped forward, her presence formidable as she knelt beside the injured man.

"Tell us everything." She urged, her tone leaving no room for hesitation.

The special forces man took a shaky breath, wincing as he recalled the encounter.

"As you ordered, we were seaching for the two Queenswomen, and they appeared out of nowhere. The two were accompanied by that guy, he was fast and deadly and took us down one by one with precision and strength that were inhuman." The man answered, he kept on wincing.

Risa exchanged a tense and worried glance with Rakshesha.

"Matriach, what is our plan now?" Rakshesha inquired her, her concern never unwavering.

Risa didn't respond as he kept thinking her son, Ray. If they were just fast enough, she would've met Ray amidst the chaos.