“Silent Verdict”

This was only the beginning.

The sentence had barely faded when the door at the far end of the hall opened.

Shade entered the room—silent, without any announcement. He didn't need grand gestures to command attention. His mere presence was enough to draw all eyes to him.

The hall was filled with fighters. Some stood firm, ready. Others lingered in the background, as if hoping to disappear. But no one escaped his gaze.

He took his time. Every step echoed on the floor, surrounded by silence. Only when he reached the center did he stop, calmly folding his hands behind his back.

"You are all still here because you have proven something. Survival instinct. Skill. Strength. But this was just a preview."

His eyes scanned the room—sharp, calculating. As if he was already assessing who among them wouldn't survive the next phase.

Behind him, Echo activated the screen. A map of Prime Eden appeared. Territories, borders, conflict zones—a war painted in colors.

"The Blood Chain is growing." Echo stepped forward, her voice calm but razor-sharp. "Vex is pursuing a goal—still hidden. But one thing is certain: If we don't act, he will overrun us."

Some participants exchanged glances. Others stood motionless, waiting.

Shade continued:

"And there is a new threat. The Third Division has uncovered evidence of an organization called 'Void.'"

Silence.

"No one knows their faces. No one knows their goals. But they are here. And they are watching."

The words made the hall feel even colder than it already was.

Echo, short and precise:

"There is no turning back."

Shade nodded. He let a moment pass before delivering the final judgment:

"The fight begins now."

The crowd began to disperse. Voices grew louder, orders were given.

But three remained silent.

Takin. Leto. Brix.

Their names had been called. Yet they had said nothing.

Shade walked past them without hesitation—only pausing for a brief second.

"You're out."

No questions. No second chances.

Takin felt his hands unconsciously clench.

Leto stared into emptiness.

Brix let out a dry, hollow laugh.

"Figured as much, huh?" His voice was devoid of emotion.

No one responded. No one said goodbye.

Because everyone knew what "being out" really meant.

Slums of Prime Eden – Takin

The neon lights flickered over the narrow alleys as Takin hurried through the shadows. His breathing was unsteady, his thoughts a chaotic mess.

"I can fix this… I can still…"

He pressed himself against a damp brick wall and listened. Sounds in the distance. A crunch on metal. A rustling that mixed with the dripping rain.

No one was visible.

No one—except the feeling that someone was watching him.

Takin shook his head. Fear would only get him killed now. He had to find a way. He had to disappear before they found him.

Then—a movement in the corner of his eye.

Too late.

Something cold, razor-sharp, pressed against his neck. A whisper, barely audible.

"Sometimes there is no second chance… even if you deserved one."

Then—darkness.

Industrial Zone – Leto

Leto sat on an old transport crate, his hands clenched together. Rain dripped through a hole in the corrugated metal roof above him.

His plan had been simple: wait, think, find a new path. Maybe he could slip into another faction. Make himself useful.

Then—footsteps.

Slow. Controlled.

"If you're going to kill me, just say it."

Silence.

Then a voice—so quiet he wasn't sure if he had imagined it.

"It's nothing personal. There just can't be anything left behind."

A clean, precise cut.

Leto toppled forward, his blood seeping between the wooden planks.

Underground Market – Brix

The noise of the black market pounded in Brix's ears. He moved quickly, weaving between the stalls, using the crowd to stay hidden.

There's always a way out.

He reached for the knife inside his jacket—just to remind himself that he was still alive. That he still had a chance.

Then—a touch on his shoulder.

He spun around.

Nothing.

Only shadows.

A shiver ran down his spine. Then—pain. First a pressure, then a hot, burning sensation in his side.

He looked down. A thin blade, cleanly embedded between his ribs.

A breath against his ear.

"We would have let you live… if it had been safe."

Brix fell.

The black market carried on, as if nothing had happened.

The night took them with it.