Desert Attack

I kept speeding on the motorcycle, not knowing where to go. It was just Leo and me, running for our lives without weapons or a team.

Suddenly, we found ourselves riding through an endless desert—nothing but sand in every direction. Leo, his voice filled with concern, asked:

"Shadow! Where are we? Do you know the way?"

With tension and panic creeping into my voice, I replied:

"Leo… it looks like we're lost! Where are we?!"

Leo shouted, frustration clear in his voice:

"Are you kidding me, man?!"

Suddenly, the motorcycle began slowing down. I twisted the throttle, trying to push it forward, but it was useless—the fuel had run out! We got off the bike, surrounded by thick fog, with the howling wind echoing around us. Our voices carried eerily in the silence.

Leo, his voice shaking, said:

"What are we going to do, Shadow? Are we lost? Are we… dead?!"

I snapped at him:

"Shut up, Leo! There's always a solution, no matter how difficult it is!"

Then, a thought struck me. "I remember learning how to navigate using the stars!"

Leo quickly responded:

"Great! Now we know the way, Captain!"

But my face dropped.

"I… forgot how to do it."

Leo screamed in frustration, his voice echoing through the desert. The fog thickened around us.

Then, suddenly… through the mist, a figure emerged—a man limping with a cane, becoming clearer as he approached. When he finally stood before us, he muttered in a deep, eerie voice:

"You must stand on your own, my boy, before death stops you!"

He kept repeating the phrase as he hobbled away, disappearing into the mist like a ghost.

I called after him:

"Old man! Do you know the way out of here?!"

But he didn't respond. He just faded into the fog.

Leo sighed and, with a sense of defeat, gathered some wood and lit a fire next to the motorcycle.

"We should stay here until morning. There's no point in moving when we can't see anything."

The night was freezing. We huddled close to the fire for warmth, exhaustion slowly pulling us into a deep sleep…

Morning… A Deadly Awakening

The roar of approaching motorcycles startled me awake. I shook Leo violently.

"Leo! Wake up! We need to run—NOW!"

Leo groggily opened his eyes, spotting the oncoming riders.

"Wait, Shadow! Maybe they can help us!"

But my voice came out in pure panic:

"They're desert killers, Leo! These are bandits—they'll slaughter us!"

We had no time to escape. Within seconds, we were surrounded by the riders, their motorcycles kicking up a storm of dust around us. They pulled out knives, charging straight at us!

Grabbing a large wooden stick, Leo and I fought back with everything we had. A knife came flying toward my head, but I blocked it with the stick just in time. Fueled by adrenaline, I leaped high into the air and brought the stick crashing down on my attacker's skull—his head split open, blood spraying everywhere.

But before I could react, another bandit rushed up behind me, yanking my weapon away and smashing it against my head. I collapsed, dazed.

The next thing I knew, they had bound my wrists with chains, restraining Leo as well.

A man stepped forward, clapping mockingly as he approached. His eyes gleamed with arrogance.

"What an honor to meet the infamous leader of the Mafia! And now, here you are—helpless, chained before my mighty men."

I glared at him, rage boiling inside me.

Leo, still struggling, yelled:

"We'll kill you when we get out of here, you basta—"

Before he could finish, one of the bandits clamped a hand over his mouth, nearly suffocating him before finally letting go.

They dragged us to a small hideout—the only building in sight within this vast desert. Chaining us to the walls, the leader smirked and ordered his men to release wild beasts into the room.

"You'll be executed tonight… you fools!"

The animals tore into us, their claws and fangs leaving deep wounds. Bloodied and exhausted, we barely clung to life as midnight approached.

Then, the bandits returned. The leader grinned wickedly.

"It's time… you rats."

His men carried in a gallows, slipping the nooses around our necks. A man stood ready to pull the lever that would seal our fate.

Leo, defeated, muttered:

"Is this really the end, Shadow? After everything we've been through?"

I clenched my fists, my breath shaky.

"I always said this wasn't the end. But… maybe it is. Maybe death will stop me after all."

The bandit leader raised his hand.

"One…"

"Two…"

"Three… Drop them!"

But just as the lever was about to be pulled—

BOOM!

A massive explosion shattered the walls. Motorcycles roared as gunfire erupted from every direction!

Raiden, Rio, Marcus, Stefano, and Louie stormed in, weapons blazing!

Raiden rushed forward, tackling the executioner and beating him to death. Stefano grabbed the rope, stopping the nooses from tightening, while Rio and Marcus fought to free us.

Meanwhile, Louie unleashed hell on the bandits with a heavy machine gun.

With most of the enemy forces wiped out, Raiden turned to us.

"We're escaping through the sea—Matthew has secured a route for us! The police are on their way!"

Without hesitation, I jumped onto Raiden's motorcycle while Leo got on Rio's. We sped toward the nearest body of water, the remaining bandits desperately chasing us.

At the shoreline, Matthew was waiting. He tossed us diving gear.

"Quick! Put on the oxygen tanks and fins—follow me underwater! Now!"

Without a second thought, we plunged into the depths, disappearing beneath the waves, escaping into the unknown…