7 - Beginning

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Marek eyed the figure, cautiously moving between the cluster of oak trees, his gaze landing on the duffel bag.

"This really is an interesting place," the figure voiced from above, sounding astonished by the forest's regenerative ability—if you could even call it that.

"Can you get down, or should I drag you?" Marek said menacingly, stepping forward. Soon enough, he stood beneath the mystery figure, who still didn't seem to realize the situation he was in.

Moving his legs, Marek vanished, reappearing midair as he launched a fist straight through the branch—strong as steel—leaving a slight sting in his knuckles. The mystery figure jumped back, landing on the ground, only to look up and see Marek vanish again, reappearing in front of him. Glowing beams of death zoomed toward him.

In a split second, the mystery figure ducked. He swayed left and right, his movements erratic, increasing in speed as Marek froze—just before a punch connected. Another followed. Before Marek knew it, the mystery figure unleashed a relentless combo, slamming him against a tree.

Marek was dazed, unable to move, confused by the sudden strength and speed.

The sound of dripping snapped him out of it. He lifted his hand to his nose. Bright red stained his fingers. Below him, a pool of blood spread, the size of a lily pad. The mystery figure didn't stop—his combos were relentless.

Marek outstretched his arms, aiming to bear-hug his opponent. The mystery figure dropped, causing Marek to clutch only air. Then, the figure vanished, reappearing a distance away, both feet planted against a tree. He propelled himself forward, crashing into Marek and snapping the tree in half—only for it to instantly reattach itself.

The mystery figure took advantage of Marek's dazed state. "Not used to this, huh?"

Locking onto Marek, he rammed his shoulder into his stomach. Marek held his voice in, refusing to let out even a single grunt.

"Enough!" Marek growled. He elbowed the figure, breaking his momentum, then grabbed his waist and threw him off. Wiping his bloody nose, Marek glared.

Golden beams of death fired, moving at insane speeds, but Marek weaved through them, swerving through the forest toward his prize. He threw a punch, chipping off a piece of a tree—only for the mystery figure to sidestep. The figure raised his elbow and slammed it past the tree, straight into Marek's cheek.

He pulled his arm back quickly as the tree reattached itself.

Seizing the chance, Marek bound the figure with fiery restraints, the binds burning through his clothes but failing to penetrate his skin.

"Who are you?" Marek demanded.

×××

Unknown Location

"Sir, they've made contact."

"Oh? Well, I'm sure he's having fun, then," the man responded, letting out a hearty laugh.

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Warehouse

"Oh, I assumed you knew," Cass said, walking over to the table littered with takeout boxes. She eyed the contents left open in their rush to leave before the enemy arrived—before they succeeded.

"Joanna, you should know," Jeremy finally spoke.

His voice was clear—no slur, no stutter. The sudden shift caught Joanna off guard, but he shrugged it off. *"Um, are you all looking for the so-called rogue?"* he finished, subconsciously smirking. Jeremy stepped forward, sizing up Joanna—his friend, or so he'd thought.

"Jeremy, take a seat and have some food. I'm sure you're starving," he said, pointing toward the table. Captain Lee let out a chuckle.

"Captain Lee, why don't you join us?" Joanna asked, rubbing his hands together, not noticing the change in the man in front of him.

"Oh, my part is done," Captain Lee said, the corners of his lips twitching upward.

"Joanna, we need that information," Jeremy said, his voice low. His gaze locked onto his friend, shifting across his body in a way that made Joanna shiver—violated.

The sound of metal scraping against concrete startled Joanna. Cass appeared behind him, unfolding a chair. "Take a seat."

Joanna, confused, grinned at her. "Uh… why?"

She sighed. Jeremy flicked him onto the chair, making him flop backward—nearly tipping over if Cass hadn't steadied him. "Try to go easier," she muttered.

Joanna was already out cold. Captain Lee chuckled at the sight.

"Next time," Jeremy murmured.

Cass sighed again at her friend's mood shift. Jeremy walked past her, pulled a chair, and sat across from Joanna, legs crossed, staring at him with unsettling intensity.

"Oh—kay… Well, where's Jah?" Cass asked, looking at Captain Lee, who shrugged.

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Elsewhere

"I'm quite surprised he's able to walk after that," (...) said, grinning.

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Island

Mr. Smith stood, eyeing the decaying body as the island quickly consumed Davis's remains, erasing all traces of him.

Snapping his head back, he couldn't sense his opponent—yet he knew where he was. Mr. Smith grunted in agony, feeling his legs give out. He knew this was his end.

He forced himself forward, limping toward his enemy. Just as he got within reach, the man vanished—reappearing right in front of his face. (...) raised an eyebrow at his state, amused he could still move.

With a final grunt, Mr. Smith threw a punch.

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Warehouse

"Is he still out?" Cass asked, appearing behind Joanna.

Jeremy glanced at her before giving his friend a light slap. Joanna jolted awake, nearly leaping from the chair. He looked like he'd seen a ghost, his face twisted in confusion.

"What are you?" he asked hesitantly, unable to meet Jeremy's eyes. A snort behind him made him flinch.

Before anyone could respond, the rusted metal doors creaked open. Jah stepped in, clothes disheveled, as if he'd just escaped a stampede. He sighed deeply.

"No one," he said before walking out.

Captain Lee stood, stretching his arms. He looked at Joanna, then Cass, then Jeremy, giving a quick nod before vanishing.

"Are you not going to talk?" Jeremy said, rubbing his temple. Joanna looked horrified—Jeremy was different now, cold and emotionless.

"Go easy on him, will you?" Cass asked, but Jeremy didn't answer. She rolled her eyes.

×××

Island

A palm strike to his chest sent Mr. Smith flying into a tree. His eyes bulged at the sheer force. He stayed pinned, feeling himself being absorbed.

He struggled, but his legs were already gone.

Looking up, Mr. Smith sighed. His breathing quickened. His heart pounded. He knew how this ended.

(...) twirled his index finger. Flexible flames spiraled out, and instantly, Mr. Smith's right arm began unraveling like a cinnamon roll. Blood poured to the ground, turning to vapor before it could even pool.

No scream escaped Mr. Smith's lips—he refused to give (...) the satisfaction.

Another twirl. His left leg followed.

He hung there, half-absorbed into the tree, his body shrinking.

One last twirl—his head popped off like a spring. Blood vaporized instantly. His body twitched, a delayed reaction.

"Mhm. I think I remember you now."

(...) walked past him, half of Mr. Smith already gone. He vanished, reappearing beside a pile of grayish powder. He sat down, waiting for Marek.

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Forest

*"Answer me, damn it!"* Marek growled in frustration. The mystery figure looked to his left and smiled. Marek followed his gaze—

A kick sent him stumbling back. He dodged, still gripping the flaming bind. The figure took a deep breath—Marek tightened the restraints in response—but then the figure vanished. Marek couldn't sense him anymore.

He ran, weaving through trees, but the duffel bag was gone.

"Till next time."

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Moments Later

Marek reappeared, shocked at the state he found (...) in. Perfect.

He scanned the area, noticing a decayed body—and traces of another presence, fading fast.

"Sir… you're done?" he asked, approaching the dreaded man.

(...) looked up and sighed. "You sure had an opponent." He eyed Marek's battered appearance.

Marek forced a smile. "He was nothing. Barely worth the time."

(...) chuckled condescendingly. "While I'd love a fight, these two were hardly a challenge."

Marek's smile tightened. "He's dead too."

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Warehouse

Sunlight beamed through the glass roof above, illuminating a limp figure.

"Nothing. In the end, nothing," Jeremy said, staring at his dead friend. Cass patted his shoulder.

"I guess Captain Lee and Jah knew he wouldn't crack. I just didn't expect him to stay loyal to 'them'."

"He probably thought they'd come back for him," Jeremy muttered, gesturing for Cass to leave.

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Departure

Marek and (...) finally reached the wall of grass and trees. They stepped through, emerging into tall grass as a red wave shrank into both of them.

"A hundred years of constant umbrella and concealer. You deserve rest, sir," Marek said, concern in his voice.

"True. Let's go, then."

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Ship

The sound of retching caught their attention. Captain Smit was hunched over, puking up his dinner—and possibly his insides. He sniffed.

"You shouldn't be this close," (...) said lightly.

"Oh… you must be the man Marek was looking for," Captain Smit slurred, the taste of metal thick in his mouth.

"I'm in your care." The dreaded man walked calmly into the control room.

"Head over to V2," Marek ordered before entering the cabin, leaving the captain alone with his nausea.

Inside, (...) was already asleep in his hammock.

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