[ARCHERY AREA]
"…What's going on?" Specter asked softly.
Vex opened her mouth, "…I…" Then, her eyes shifted. Sharp. Behind her. Above. A flicker of movement. Silent. Deadly.
An arrow, cutting through the air from the top of the tree. Fast. Too fast. Before anyone could react, Vex moved. In one smooth motion, she caught it. One inch, from Specter's face. Silence.
Specter's eyes widened. "…That was right in front of me." A breath caught in her throat. "…I didn't even see it coming."
Vex didn't look at her. Her grip tightened on the arrow, then SNAP. She broke it cleanly in two. Slowly, she turned her head. Toward the tree. Brows lifting slightly. "…Your skills need polishing, Raven."
Above them, a figure in black shifted. Raven. He dropped down smoothly, landing in front of them. But his expression held a hint of surprise. "…Still sharp." A grin spread across his face. "Your reflexes haven't changed at all."
He glanced at Specter. "…Sorry." A pause. "I just wanted to test your skills." A smirk. "But your teammate…" His eyes slid toward Vex, "…stole the moment from you."
Then, his gaze shifted. Locked onto Blitz. Always her.
Blitz's eyes widened. "…Oh, you…" Before he could react,
THUD.
Her fist landed straight on his face. Clean. Unexpected. Raven stumbled slightly, not ready at all.
Blitz crossed her arms. "That's from me." A grin. "Freshly served." A beat. "Still hot, right?" Her eyes narrowed. "Next time…"
"…don't test my friends like that."
Raven chuckled. Rubbing his cheek slightly. "…Pumpkin…" His voice suddenly softened, almost dramatic.
"…Don't tell me you don't love me anymore." A fake sigh. "That hurts."
Blitz blinked. "…What's wrong with you?" A beat. "Why are you acting all sweet all of a sudden?" She made a face. "…So dramatic."
Specter crossed her arms. "…You deserved that, Zander." A small smirk. "Honestly, she should've hit harder."
Raven laughed softly. "…Cruel." A pause. "…Both of you."
Vex stood quietly. Watching. Silent. But her eyes were already analyzing everything. Because that arrow wasn't just a test, it was a message. Four of them. Standing together.
Tension. Chaos. And something deeper, still hidden underneath. Because this time, the game wasn't just starting. It was already in motion.
The air shifted. Subtle, but enough.
Vex felt it before anything else, a shift in the air. Her body tensed slightly, every sense sharpening at once. A presence. Familiar. Dangerous. Then, footsteps. Slow. Echoing from behind them.
Blitz frowned. "…Why does it suddenly feel colder?" Specter's eyes narrowed. "…Someone's here."
Raven didn't move. But his smirk deepened slightly. "…Right on time."
A voice cut through the silence. "…You're making too much noise." They all turned, and there stood Phantom. Aiden. Calm. Unshaken.
Blitz's eyes widened. "…You." A step forward. "You're the one who shot her, right?!" Her fists clenched instantly. Specter stepped in, blocking her slightly. "…Wait." But her gaze never left him. Sharp. Calculating.
Vex didn't move. Didn't speak. Just watched him. Phantom's eyes met hers for a brief moment. Then, they shifted away like it meant nothing. "…You shouldn't be here," he said calmly. His voice was directed at Specter and Blitz.
Blitz scoffed. "…Funny." A step forward. "We were thinking the same about you."
Phantom ignored her. Instead, his gaze landed on Raven. "…I told you to keep them away."
Raven raised both hands slightly. Relaxed. "…I tried." A smirk. "They're just… persistent." Phantom's expression didn't change. "…Not good enough."
Silence. Specter stepped forward. "…Enough." Her voice was calm, but firm. "…We deserve answers." A pause. "What did you do to Vex?"
Phantom looked at her. Long enough to acknowledge, but not enough to care. "…She's alive."
Blitz snapped. "…That's not the answer!" A step forward, ready to strike, but Vex moved. Her hand shot out, blocking Blitz. "…Stop." Blitz froze. "…Ran?"
Vex stepped forward slowly. Her eyes locked onto Phantom. Cold. Controlled. "…I'm still alive." A beat. "So don't make a scene." Blitz frowned. "…He shot you!"
"…And I'm still standing." Vex's voice didn't rise. Didn't shake. Silence. Phantom watched her. Carefully. "…You shouldn't be moving this much." A pause. "You're still injured."
Blitz blinked. "…Excuse me??" She pointed at him. "YOU did that!"
Raven chuckled under his breath. "…This is getting interesting."
Specter's gaze shifted between them. "…You two…" A pause. "…This isn't just enemy behavior." Silence. Heavy. Vex didn't respond. Phantom didn't deny. That alone said too much.
Phantom stepped forward. Closing the distance slightly. "…We're done here." A pause. "Raven." Raven straightened slightly. "…Yeah?"
"Take them back." Blitz immediately protested. "…No way!"
"I'm not leaving without answers!"
Phantom's voice cut through. Cold. "…That wasn't a request." Silence dropped instantly. Even Blitz stopped.
"…Take them back now, Raven." Phantom's voice echoed again. Cold. Final.
But this time, Blitz didn't move. She stepped forward instead. "…Who do you think you are?" Her voice sharp. "You think we're just puppets?" A step closer. "Giving orders like that..."
"…like we'll just listen?" Silence.
Specter stepped forward, too. Her calm, cracking. "…Yeah." A pause. "You betrayed our organization." Her eyes locked onto him. "And now you think you can make decisions for us?"
Another step. "…You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" Her voice rose, just slightly. "To make everything fall apart."
Phantom didn't react. Didn't deny it. Specter's jaw tightened. "…And one more thing." A beat. "I've been wanting to ask this again and again since that day." Her voice sharpened, "WHY DID YOU SAVE ME?" Silence. Heavy. Even Blitz paused. Waiting.
Phantom looked at her. Calm. Unbothered. "…I saved you…" A pause. "…because I need you." Specter froze. "…What?"
Phantom continued, cold. "You're useful." A beat. "You think fast."
"You analyze patterns."
"You see what others don't." His voice lowered. "…That makes you valuable." A pause. "…To my game." Silence. Then, "…That's it?" Specter's voice dropped. Almost empty.
Phantom tilted his head slightly. "…What else were you expecting?" A beat. "Gratitude?" A faint smirk. "Don't misunderstand your importance." That was the breaking point.
THUD. Specter's fist landed, hard, against his face. This time, no hesitation. No control. Blitz blinked. "…Oh!" A beat. "…she actually did it."
Phantom staggered half a step, but didn't fall. Slowly, he straightened. Touched the corner of his lip. Blood.
Specter's chest rose and fell. "…You don't know anything." Her voice shook, just slightly. "…You don't know what you're talking about." Silence.
Raven stepped forward, "…Alright, that's enough!" But Blitz moved first. She lunged, aiming straight at Phantom.
Vex stepped in instantly. Blocking her. "STOP." Blitz froze. "…Ran?!" Vex's eyes were sharp. Colder than before. "…This isn't the place."
Blitz clenched her fists. "…He hurt you!" A beat. "He's playing with all of us!"
"…And you're falling right into it." Vex's voice didn't rise. Didn't shake. Silence.
Specter looked at her. "…Ran…" A pause. "…You're defending him?" Vex didn't answer. But she didn't deny it either. That silence said everything.
Phantom stood still. Blood on his lip. But smiling. Just slightly. Because everything was going exactly as planned. And the more they fought, the closer they got to the truth they weren't ready for.
"…I'm not defending him." Vex's voice cut through the tension. Cold, but weaker than before.
"I hate him too." A pause. "…Please." Her eyes moved between them. "I'm here to help you." A breath. "I came to Amsterdam to deal with your… your...."
She stopped. Her body swayed. "…Ah!" Suddenly, her knees gave out.
Blitz reacted instantly. "Ran!" She caught her, not fully, but enough to stop her from hitting the ground hard.
Vex's hand pressed against her chest, tight. Pain is so sharp. "Ahh…" Her breathing became uneven. Broken. "…Xara…" Her eyes fluttered. Open. Close. Struggling.
Blitz's grip tightened. "Ran!" Her voice shook. "Open your eyes!" Then, her head snapped up, toward Phantom. "What did you do to her?!" Her teeth clenched. Her whole body was trembling, holding back anger. Barely.
Specter dropped beside them. Helping support Vex's body. "…Ran…" Her voice is softer now. Urgent. "Wake up."
Vex tried to breathe. Her lips parted, but her voice cracked. "…Xara…" A pause. "I… have to… tell…" Her words broke apart. "…what… happened…"
Phantom stood still. Watching. For a moment, he said nothing. Did nothing. Then, his eyes closed. Just briefly. And when they opened, they were cold again. Controlled. He turned away. "…Raven." Raven stepped forward immediately. "…Yeah."
"Take her." A pause. "To the operating room."
Blitz shook her head quickly. "No, wait!" She held Vex tighter. "…She's talking..."
"Save your words." Blitz's voice softened, almost breaking. "…You can tell us later." Her eyes glossed over. "…Just stay awake, okay?"
Vex shook her head weakly. "…I… have to…" Her breathing hitched. "…tell you now…" A pause. "…I'm afraid…" Her voice trembled. "…I won't have… time…"
Blitz froze. "…Don't say that."
"…To tell you…" Vex eyes slowly closed, "…the truth…"
"…Ran?" Silence. Her body went still. Not gone, but unconscious.
"…RANIA!" Blitz's voice broke. Specter's grip tightened, but her face stayed controlled. Barely. "…She's still breathing." A whisper. "…But weak."
Raven didn't wait. He carefully lifted Vex from Blitz's arms. "…Move."
Blitz didn't stop him this time. She just stood there. Frozen. Her fists clenched slowly. "…If anything happens to her…" Her voice dropped. Dangerous. "…I'll kill all of you."
Phantom didn't respond. Didn't look back. But his steps moved faster than before.
The space fell silent again. But this time, no one was joking. No one was smiling. Because whatever Vex was about to say was something that could change everything. And now, it might be too late.
[OPERATING ROOM CORRIDOR]
The doors shut. Hard. Cold metal separates them from Vex.
Blitz didn't move. Didn't blink. Just stared at the door. "…Open it." Her voice low. Dangerous.
Specter stood beside her. Silent, but her eyes were sharper than ever. Footsteps echoed. Slow. Measured. Phantom stopped behind them. "…She needs time."
Blitz turned. Fast. Her patience is gone. "You don't get to say that." A step forward. "You don't get to stand there as if nothing happened."
Phantom didn't react. "…Move." Blitz snapped. "Or I'll make you move."
Specter stepped in, but not to stop Blitz. To stand beside her. "…You lied." Her voice was calm, but cutting. Phantom's gaze shifted to her. "…About what?"
Specter's jaw tightened. "Everything." A pause. "You said she was 'fine.'" Her eyes darkened. "She's not fine." Silence. Blitz stepped closer again.
"You shot her." Her voice cracked, just slightly. "And now you expect us to trust you?"
Phantom's expression didn't change. "…She's alive."
"STOP SAYING THAT!" Blitz shouted, this time, no control at all. Her fist flew straight toward him. Phantom caught it. Mid-air. Effortless. Their eyes locked.
"…You're not strong enough right now." His voice low. Blitz's teeth clenched. "…Then let go."
Phantom didn't. Not immediately. Specter moved. Fast. Her hand grabbed his wrist, twisting slightly. "…Release her." Phantom's eyes flickered. Just a second. Then, he let go.
Blitz stepped back, breathing hard. "…You think this is a game?" Specter's voice dropped. "...Because we don't."
Phantom looked at both of them. Calm. Too calm. "…It was always a game." That snapped something.
Blitz lunged again. This time, faster. Stronger. Phantom blocked. Specter joins, both of them now, attacking together. Moves exchanged. Fast. Precise. Violent, but controlled.
Phantom held his ground. Blocking. Dodging. Not striking back, not fully. "…Why aren't you fighting back?!" Blitz snapped.
"…Because you're not my enemies." That made Specter pause. Just for a second. "…Then what are we?"
Phantom didn't answer. Because the truth was more complicated than that.
Click. The operating room door opened. Silence fell instantly. A doctor stepped out. Mask lowered slightly. Eyes tired, but focused.
Phantom moved first. "…Status." The doctor didn't answer immediately. Instead, he leaned closer. Voice lowered. Only for Phantom.
"She's out of the critical line." A pause. "But her wounds are still fresh."
"…Her body hasn't fully adapted yet." Phantom's expression remained still. Until, "…There's something else." The doctor's voice dropped further. "I found old wounds." A beat. "Severe ones."
"…They triggered her current condition." Silence. Phantom froze. Just for a second. "...What?" The doctor continued quietly. "She's under more stress than she should be."
"…Don't push her." A pause. "It could affect her heart." That hit. Hard.
Phantom didn't speak. Didn't move. Inside, something cracked. "…Old wounds…?" His thoughts spiraled.
How…? What happened that day…? What did I do…?
Slowly, his body lowered slightly. One hand is coming up, covering part of his face. A rare moment. Unseen. Uncontrolled.
Blitz & Specter saw everything. But understood nothing. Blitz stepped forward quickly. Her hand grabbed Phantom's shirt tightly. "…Hey!" Her voice shook. "…What's wrong?" A beat. "...Don't tell me, Ran..."
Phantom's eyes lifted. Sharp again. Controlled. Back to normal. He gave a small signal, barely noticeable. The doctor understood.
"…Her condition is stable." The doctor turned to them now. Voice clear. Professional. "She's no longer in critical danger." A pause. "But she needs rest."
"…A lot of it." Blitz froze. "…She's… okay?" The doctor nodded. "…Yes." Relief hit instantly. Blitz exhaled hard. "…Thank God…" Specter's expression softened, just slightly. "…We can see her?" A hint of light returned to her face. "…right now?"
The doctor gave a small nod. "…After we move her to recovery." A pause. "But don't pressure her."
"…She needs time." Specter nodded quickly. "…Understood." The doctor stepped back. "…I'll take my leave." Blitz bowed her head slightly. "…Thank you, doctor." The doctor left.
Silence returned. But different now. Lighter for them. Blitz wiped her face quickly. "…She's okay…" A small laugh escaped her. "…She's really okay…" Specter let out a quiet breath. "...Yeah."
"…She is." But behind them, Phantom didn't move. Because what they heard was not the full truth. And what he heard can change everything.
Two people are relieved. One person is breaking quietly. Because sometimes, the most dangerous truth is the one only you know...
TBC