FIRE AT THE GATE

The night was silent—too silent.

Until the first explosion lit up the trees like a wildfire.

Cassian's guards scrambled as the eastern wall of the estate went up in smoke, shrapnel flying through the air. Sirens wailed, and security lights bathed the compound in harsh red.

Leon charged through the smoke first, a custom rifle in his grip, eyes sharp and jaw clenched. He didn't flinch as bullets cracked past him—he moved like a shadow, fast, focused.

Viper came behind him—dressed in all black, his knives glinting in the flashing lights, a gun slung across his back. His expression was unreadable, but inside, he was raging.

"Push to the south wing!" Leon barked into his earpiece. "That's where she is!"

Cassian stood at the balcony, watching the chaos with eerie calm.

"They came faster than I expected," he muttered to himself, tightening the strap of his shoulder holster.

Behind him, Ayla sat silently on the edge of the vault room, watching monitors. She saw Viper—bleeding from his arm but charging forward without hesitation. She saw Leon drop a guard with a single shot.

Her heartbeat raced. She stood, testing the vault's exit. Unlocked.

Cassian turned. "You're free to run to them, you know."

She glanced back, suspicious.

He shrugged. "I want them to get here. That's the point. But by the time they do…" His eyes narrowed. "They'll realize they walked straight into my trap."

Downstairs, Viper stormed into the hallway leading to the vault.

Two mercenaries opened fire—he slid behind a pillar, fired twice, and dropped them both.

"Ayla!" he shouted. "Can you hear me?! We're coming!"

Leon moved with precision through the west corridor, clearing guards one by one.

Suddenly, an explosion rocked the second floor—Cassian's last resort.

Fire licked the ceiling, and part of the marble staircase crumbled.

"He's collapsing the east wing!" Leon yelled through comms.

Viper pushed harder, ignoring the debris falling around him. He wasn't going to lose her—not again.

Cassian stepped into the hallway now, facing the camera as if looking directly at Viper and Leon through the screens.

"I told you both… payback never comes clean."

He pressed a button.