#1

The air was tense. Major Kang observed the flickering monitors, his sharp gaze studying the faces of his soldiers as they awaited orders. Ben, one of his trusted aides, entered quickly, his voice breaking the silence.

“Sir, Blake and the other villagers we held in prison have already escaped. Should we conduct a full search?” Ben asked, standing at rigid attention.

Major Kang’s lips curled slightly, an almost imperceptible smile. He folded his hands behind his back and paced forward, exuding a cool, unbothered calm. “No need,” he replied, his voice low but unwavering. “He’ll come to us when he’s ready.”

Ben’s brows furrowed as he shifted on his feet. “And the villagers who escaped?” His eyes darted toward Major Kang, gauging his reaction.

“Leave them be,” Major Kang dismissed with a wave of his hand. “They’re old and weak; no sense in wasting our energy.”

“Very well, sir.” Ben inclined his head slightly before glancing back, then continued. “How did the negotiations go?”

A gleam sparked in Major Kang’s eyes. He allowed himself a satisfied smile. “Let’s just say it’s a promising beginning.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the compound, Blake narrowed his eyes as he faced Mori. The laughter from their earlier exchange had finally died down, replaced with a tense seriousness.

“Alright, enough games. You promised you’d tell me everything,” Blake said, his tone demanding.

Mori, ever the joker, let out another hearty laugh. “What’s with the deadly look, Blake? Relax a little, will ya?”

Blake’s jaw tightened. “Time isn’t on my side, Mori. Now, out with it.”

Mori’s grin softened, and he straightened, his tone becoming serious. “Fine, fine. What do you want to know?”

“Start by telling me why Major Kang’s so set on attacking the village.”

Mori exhaled, a long sigh tinged with regret. “It all boils down to one thing: wealth. You see, when people see an opportunity, they go for it. And what better motivation than money, right?” He glanced at Blake, noting the skeptical look on his face. Mori chuckled and patted Blake on the shoulder. “I bet you don’t even know what real money is, do you?”

Indignant, Blake snapped, “What do you take me for, a clueless kid? I know what it is; it’s that paper people used to trade. Just never seen much of it myself.” He folded his arms, looking away.

Mori chuckled, shaking his head as Blake gestured, trying to describe it. “Paper, yeah,” Mori replied. “But don’t act like you’re from some backwater village… Oh, wait, you are!” He burst out laughing again.

Blake rolled his eyes. “Is everything a joke to you?”

“Anyway,” Mori continued, scratching his head, “the squad got a tip three days ago—a terrorist group was digging out there, just past the village boundary. We were assigned to guard that part and drive them off. Thought they were just after the land, but turns out, they were after oil.”

Blake tilted his head. “You mean, like cooking oil?”

Mori blinked at him, deadpan. “Well, not quite. Use this stuff for cooking, and you’d probably be dead before dinner.” He leaned closer. “It’s valuable all around the world, used to power cities and industries. That’s where the wealth comes in.”

“I get it,” Blake said, his mind racing. “So Major Kang wants to keep this oil for himself.”

Mori nodded. “Right. The government would seize control the moment they found out. That’s why Major Kang wants to keep it under wraps. He’s willing to do whatever it takes—even going against authorities—to control it. That’s why he didn’t bring you along. He knew you’d object. He’d rather lie to Headquarters and… well, he’d even silence anyone, even you, if they weren’t on his side.”

The weight of the revelation hit Blake hard. His fists clenched involuntarily. “I’m not on your side, Mori. But I’ll help you—for now. After that, we’re back to being enemies. And I’m getting the villagers out of here safely.”

Blake nodded. “The red arrows I marked out will lead you to the weaponry storage. Once you’re equipped, follow the white arrows, and you’ll reach a safer exit.”

Blake turned, ready to leave, a sly smile on his lips. “Don’t expect me to thank you, ‘cause I won’t.”

Mori chuckled. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” He watched Blake disappear, a faint smile lingering as he murmured to himself, “You’ve taught me a valuable lesson, Blake.”

Blake sprinted down the winding corridors, following the red markers with sharp focus. The lines led him through dark hallways and up a staircase, finally arriving at a large steel door. Pushing it open, he found himself in a room filled with all sorts of weapons. He scanned the shelves, his fingers hovering over blades and smoke bombs, finally selecting a few knives he knew he could rely on.

“Alright,” he muttered, heading for the white-marked path. “It’s just me against Kang. I know my limits, and I know how tough Squad 1 is. They’d overwhelm me in a head-on fight, so I can’t afford any mistakes.”

#2

Blake skidded to a stop as the white mark he’d been following faded into the stone wall before him. His heart pounded, muscles tense as he traced the faint outline of a hidden panel beside it. With a sharp intake of breath, he pressed against the cold surface, and the wall gave way, sliding open with a low, grating sound. The scent of earth and leaves wafted toward him, sharp and alive.

An exit. Finally.

Without hesitating, Blake slipped through the narrow opening and out into the world beyond. He found himself on the edge of a sprawling forest, dense with towering trees and thick undergrowth that stretched into shadows and unknowns. The canopy above filtered patches of moonlight through twisting branches, casting the path in ghostly silver.

With every nerve on edge, Blake took off at a sprint, his footfalls muffled by the forest floor. He weaved through the trees; the shadows playing tricks on his eyes as he pushed forward, his mind a laser focus on one goal: finding the main hideout. He’d heard enough rumors to piece together a rough idea of where it might be hidden, but the forest was a labyrinth in the dark, every turn a risk, every sound a possible threat.

Branches whipped at his face and snagged at his clothes, but he pressed on, his breath coming in quick bursts. He knew he couldn’t stop—not with the weight of everything on his shoulders and the urgent pull to reach the hideout before anyone realized he was gone.

Blake’s pace quickened as he spotted a narrow trail winding through the brush. A break in the shadows ahead suggested a clearing, maybe even a sign of a structure beyond. He plunged forward, his mind racing as he hoped that he was closing in, every step bringing him closer to his target.

Blake ascended the towering tree with practiced ease, his movements lithe and agile as he scaled its gnarled trunk. A cool breeze ruffled his hair as he reached the highest branch that would support his weight, rewarding him with a panoramic view of the sprawling facility below. Moonlight bathed the landscape in an ethereal glow, casting long shadows that danced like spectral puppets on the ground.

Blake scrutinized the scene with hawk-like intensity, mentally mapping out the paths that would lead him to the heart of the enemy stronghold. His gaze lingered on a poorly lit section of the complex to the west, where the guards appeared more sparsely distributed.

“The only place that’s not heavily guarded is toward the west,” Blake murmured, his voice barely audible above the whisper of leaves. “That’s the best route I have for now.” He paused, sparing a moment to wonder about the fate of Mori and the villagers. “I hope they’re safe.”

With his course of action determined, Blake descended from his vantage point and set off toward the west, his steps noiseless as a phantom’s tread. Upon approaching the route, he spotted several guards patrolling the area, their attention unfocused.

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Blake unleashed a devastating kick, his foot connecting with the first guard’s jaw with a sickening crunch. As the man crumpled to the ground, Blake whipped out a knife—its blade glinting menacingly in the moonlight—and dispatched the second guard with a swift, precise strike.

The remaining guards, alerted by the commotion, charged toward Blake, weapons drawn. Blake met their onslaught with a flurry of kicks, his lithe form weaving and dodging with predatory grace. As an opening presented itself, he lashed out with his knife, and another guard fell.

With the area now clear, Blake dragged the unconscious forms into the shadows, ensuring they were well-hidden from any prying eyes. He took a moment to steady his breathing before pressing onward, deeper into the heart of the enemy’s lair.

In the quiet of the forest, Blake’s breathing was steady, muscles tensed from the recent fight. Just as he took a step forward, a figure appeared behind him, casting an imposing shadow. The hairs on the back of Blake’s neck rose, and he froze mid-step. A chilling wave of killer intent washed over him, thick and undeniable. He could feel the presence—no doubt someone skilled, and dangerous, lurked mere paces behind him.

His hands trembled slightly, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he fought the urge to look back. No sudden moves, he reminded himself, but a cold shiver crept down his spine, his mind racing. Whoever’s behind me, they mean business.

A sudden, sharp click echoed through the trees—the unmistakable sound of a gun being cocked. Blake instinctively ducked just as the bullet whizzed past him, grazing his shoulder and embedding itself in the tree trunk ahead. He rolled to the side, narrowly escaping the next shot, and scrambled behind the cover of a nearby tree, pressing his back hard against its rough bark. His breathing was ragged, his chest heaving as he tried to steady himself.

Quick as always, he thought, clenching his jaw as he forced himself to calm down. His breaths came in shallow pants, his heart pounding against his ribs. He dared a glance around the tree, his mind racing as he recognized the figure across the clearing. Of all people… Ben… It had to be Ben.

A booming voice broke the silence. “One shot to that tree, and it’ll be splitting you in half, Blake. Don’t think I don’t know where you’re hiding.”

Blake’s eyes widened, tension seizing him as he registered the threat. Ben began counting, his voice ominous and unhurried. “Three… Don’t test my patience, Blake… Two…”

Knowing he couldn’t wait any longer, Blake stepped out from behind the tree, arms raised slowly in surrender. He eyed Ben warily, sizing up the tall, broad-shouldered man. The man’s deep voice reverberated through the air, carrying a smirk to match his intimidating presence.

“You sly fox. Did you honestly think you’d get away so easily?” Ben sneered, his massive frame shifting as he adjusted his grip on the gun, pointing it away from Blake with a calculated slowness. The way he lowered the gun felt almost like a predator giving its prey a moment’s respite.

“I was given two options here,” Ben continued, his voice steady and cold. “Option one: kill you if you decide to make things difficult. Option two: you follow me, without any fuss.”

Blake’s gaze remained steady, but his jaw tightened. “And if I refuse?”

Ben’s eyes narrowed, his finger hovering close to the trigger again. “Then we go back to option one.” His tone was final, like steel, unyielding.

Blake clenched his fists by his sides. “Where are you planning to take me this time?” His voice was calm, yet laced with defiance.

“To see Major Kang.” Ben’s voice was low, but the smirk that tugged at his mouth was enough to make Blake’s stomach twist. “Major has a proposal he thinks will suit you. One last chance to make yourself useful.”

Blake held Ben’s gaze, his own hardening. His eyes narrowed, sharp and resolute. “If you think I’m still going to follow orders, you’re wrong. You may as well kill me here and save us both the trouble.”

Ben chuckled, his towering figure looming even larger over Blake in the quiet of the forest. “No one’s going to offer you a choice, kid. You’re not officially part of any squad, so they wouldn’t have you. This is merely an offer Major Kang’s decided to extend. So, I ask you again… are you ready?”

A tense silence followed. Blake’s heartbeat slowed as he processed Ben’s words, his thoughts calculating. Finally, he nodded, eyes never leaving Ben’s. “Fine. I’ll at least hear this proposal.”

Before he could finish his words, a flash of movement from Ben caught him off guard. Blake barely registered the syringe in Ben’s hand before a sharp prick jabbed his neck. His vision blurred, his limbs felt heavy. Within seconds, the forest dimmed around him, and his body slumped to the ground, consciousness slipping away as Ben’s face blurred into the darkness.

#3

Blake slowly came to, his body feeling heavy as he struggled to lift himself from the cold, hard ground. Every motion was sluggish, and his muscles ached as he slowly pushed up, wincing at the strain. As he rose, he took in his surroundings with deliberate caution, his gaze sweeping the room.

Squad 1 was gathered around him, each member standing at attention. His eyes drifted across them until his gaze landed on Major Kang, who sat in a chair across the room, exuding an air of smug authority as if he were already a king surveying his domain.

A voice, feminine and mocking, broke through the silence. “Well, well, long time no see, Blake.” He recognized it instantly and turned. That voice… familiar. His eyes met Maya’s, her smirk laced with a hint of cruelty. Maya, he thought, feeling a surge of confusion. What’s she doing here? And all of Squad 1, too… His gaze returned to Major Kang, who observed him with a calculating stare.

Blake tested his limbs, feeling the tightness of the restraints binding his arms and legs. He flexed his hands, realizing his mouth was the only thing free to move. Where’s Mori? he wondered, his eyes darting around.

“Wasn’t Mori supposed to be here?” Ben muttered, eyeing the door.

“That’s true. I don’t see him anywhere,” Maya added, her eyes narrowing.

Just then, Mori entered, a playful grin lighting up his face. “Looks like someone missed me!”

Maya rolled her eyes, crossing her arms as she shot back, “Don’t get your hopes up, you pitiful fool.”

“Ouch,” Mori chuckled, clutching his chest in mock pain. “Right to the heart, Maya.”

Their banter was interrupted by Major Kang, who raised his hand. “Silence.” His voice was commanding, cutting through the room. “I believe all of Squad 1 is now present?”

“Yes, sir,” they replied in unison.

“Good.” Major Kang stood, striding toward Blake with a measured, menacing pace. As he neared, he crouched down to Blake’s level, observing him with a calculating stare. With a swift pull, he released the chains from Blake’s arms and legs, letting the heavy metal fall to the ground with a clang. Blake’s limbs were free, but they felt like dead weight—stiff, almost paralyzed.

If only I could move… Major Kang’s right there, open. I could take him… but my body won’t respond.

“Blake,” Major Kang said, his tone oddly smooth as he spoke. “You got tangled up in our operations, dragged into our world. Who knows? Without us, maybe you’d be living a quieter life—peaceful even.” His gaze was hard, yet there was a twisted sense of amusement in his eyes. He smirked, as he continued. “So, I’m offering you a choice.”

“A choice?” Blake scoffed, mustering the energy to speak. “What’s with the sudden smooth talk?” He glared, the defiance in his eyes clear. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid and want me out of the way so you can destroy the village without anyone getting in your way.”

Major Kang laughed darkly, his gaze sharp. “This wasn’t my decision alone, Blake. This was the collective decision of Squad 1.” He leaned in closer, voice dripping with cold confidence. “If it were up to me, you’d be dead. But they believe it’s better to send you far from here—to keep you out of our affairs.”

Blake’s jaw clenched in silent fury as he met Major Kang’s gaze, his eyes burning with anger.

Major Kang shifted his gaze to Mori. “You were supposed to guard both Blake and the villagers. What happened to them?”

Mori cleared his throat, his tone light but eyes serious. “Well… I lost to Blake, and by the time I regained consciousness, it seems the villagers had already… left.”

A laugh echoed from Maya, sharp and mocking. “Oh Mori, it looks like you’ve lost your touch. Beaten by a thirteen-year-old? You’ve really fallen, haven’t you?”

Mori turned to her, his usual grin turning to a challenge. “Maybe so. But I’d bet you wouldn’t have lasted half as long as I did.”

Maya’s face darkened, her smirk vanishing as she took a step toward him, her voice low and challenging. “Are you underestimating me, Mori?”

The silence in the room shattered with a loud commotion outside, echoing through the air like a storm about to break. Shouts filled the space, followed by rapid gunfire as if the forest itself had erupted in chaos.

One of the guards stumbled into the room, his eyes wide with panic. “Sir! We’re under attack!” he yelled, his voice barely audible over the relentless sounds of gunshots.

Major Kang’s gaze was sharp, and without hesitation, he turned to Ben. “Check what’s going on out there. I want answers—now.”

As Ben rushed outside, Major Kang’s gaze shifted back to Blake, who gave him a wry look. “Why’re you looking at me? I’m not responsible for the chaos outside. I mean, if I had known this would happen, I’d have grabbed some popcorn.” His voice carried a note of mocking humor, drawing annoyed glances from Squad 1.

Just then, another mercenary entered, his expression a mix of fear and bewilderment. “Sir! We’re still under heavy attack.”

“Who is it?” Major Kang asked sharply.

The mercenary shook his head, his voice shaky. “They’re all dressed in black. There seem to be only three, maybe four, but they’re moving too fast. We can’t even pinpoint their positions.”

Akira’s eyes narrowed, his hand drifting to his weapon. “Seems we have a lot on our plate.”

“No amateurs, that’s for sure,” Rohan muttered as he clenched his fists, his posture tense and ready.

Gunfire outside intensified, sending cracks through the air. The muffled blasts hinted at explosives—whoever the attackers were, they were relentless and well-armed.

Suddenly, Ben stumbled back inside, clutching his shoulder, where blood stained his uniform. He grimaced as he stood before Major Kang. “Sir, these attackers aren’t mere terrorists. They’re the Insurgents. What were their names again, the Black Mamba, a group of 5 who went against the laws of the U.S. governments?

A flicker of shock crossed Major Kang’s usually impassive face, his eyes narrowing. Blake caught the subtle change, his brows raising. I’ve never seen him look so… unsettled. He seems genuinely rattled.

“But weren’t they all wiped out in the last rebellion?” Major Kang asked, disbelief lacing his words.

Akira’s expression was equally dubious. “If they were wiped out, Ben, are you absolutely sure it’s them?”

Ben nodded firmly, eyes resolute. “There’s no doubt. It’s them.”

Kang’s face tightened. “We’re outmatched here. We need to fall back to minimize casualties.” He turned to his team, motioning for them to move.

Ben looked at Blake, jerking his head. “What should we do with him?”

Major Kang glanced at Blake briefly. “Leave him. Try not to cross paths with me again, Blake.”

As they hurried to leave, Mori stepped forward, slipping a small tablet into Blake’s hand. “This’ll help with the paralysis,” he whispered with a smirk. “See you around.”

As Squad 1 vanished, Blake stared at the tablet, the surrounding scene a whirlwind of chaos and confusion. “What… just happened?” he muttered, his voice strained, feeling as if he’d just stumbled into someone else’s nightmare.