The night air hit them like a blade.
Cold. Sharp. Silent.
The four stepped out of the ruined hall, their footsteps echoing against the marble steps. The city lights flickered in the distance, reflecting off the smoke rising from the street below.
Lisa walked ahead, her expression unreadable.
Alan followed, his gaze fixed on her back.
James and Adam flanked them, alert and ready.
The world's strongest leaders, walking into danger without hesitation.
The Street Below
The scene was worse than expected.
Cars were overturned.
Windows shattered.
The ground was scorched from the explosion.
People who had been outside the party ran for cover, terrified.
Lisa's uncle approached quickly.
"Lisa, the attackers escaped. They moved like they knew the building. They were prepared."
Alan scanned the area, his voice low.
"They were waiting for us."
James crouched beside a fallen attacker, noticing a strange burn mark on the man's jacket — a black serpent symbol.
Adam's eyes narrowed.
"This isn't any gang we know."
Lisa stepped closer, her gaze cold and calculating.
"Someone new."
Lisa and Alan — Tension Rising
Alan turned to her, stepping closer than before.
"You should've told me you were coming tonight."
Lisa didn't even look at him.
"I don't need your permission."
James smirked.
Adam raised an eyebrow.
The tension between them was sharp enough to cut steel.
Alan's voice dropped lower.
"If someone is targeting us, we need information. And you—"
Lisa finally met his eyes.
"Don't mistake this for teamwork."
A dangerous silence settled between them.
A Warning From the Enemy
Suddenly, a faint beeping sound came from the fallen attacker's wrist.
James reacted first.
"Wait—don't touch it."
A small device blinked red.
A distorted voice crackled through the speaker.
"To the four kings of the underworld…"
Lisa's eyes narrowed.
Alan stepped closer.
Adam and James instantly moved in front of Lisa, protective without thinking.
The voice continued:
"Your era ends tonight."
Static.
"We're coming for everything you built."
The device exploded — small but powerful enough to destroy the body and erase evidence.
Smoke curled upward.
Lisa didn't flinch.
Alan didn't blink.
James and Adam exchanged a dark look.
The Realization
Lisa spoke first.
"They're not challenging one of us."
Alan finished the thought.
"They're challenging all of us."
James crossed his arms.
"Someone wants a war."
Adam looked at the burning remains.
"And they're not afraid of any of us."
The Decision
Lisa turned away from the smoke, her coat sweeping behind her like a shadow.
"Find out who they are."
Alan stepped beside her.
"I already started."
She shot him a sideways glance.
"Stay out of my way."
Alan smirked.
"You wish."
James and Adam exchanged a look — half amusement, half worry.
The four strongest leaders walked into the night, each heading in a different direction, but all knowing the same truth:
A new enemy had arrived.
And this time…
the war wouldn't be easy.