#1

The arena's tiled walls gleamed under stark white lights, a sterile yet electrifying contrast to the tension crackling between the two figures at its center. Blake stood at one end, his knife resting casually in his hand, but his posture betrayed the focused readiness of a predator. Kai, taller and composed, twirled his blade with practiced ease, his sharp gaze locked on his opponent.

“Don’t expect me to go easy on you, Blake,” Kai said, his usual calm giving way to a faint smirk.

Blake tightened his grip on the hilt, his other hand loose by his side. “Easy? Nah, I’d be disappointed if you did.” His grin was small but brimming with confidence, the kind that only came from years of experience.

The voice of the unseen announcer echoed through the pristine space. “Begin.”

Kai surged forward first, his long stride closing the gap in an instant. His knife came in fast—a precise, upward slash aimed at Blake’s midsection.

Blake sidestepped, his shorter frame moving fluidly beneath Kai’s reach. With a swift pivot, he retaliated with a low, sweeping strike toward Kai’s leg, forcing the taller man to leap back to avoid the sting of steel.

“Clever,” Kai muttered, adjusting his stance.

Blake didn’t reply. Instead, he darted in again, his movements quick and erratic, exploiting his small stature to weave around Kai’s longer reach. His blade flicked upward toward Kai’s shoulder. Kai deflected it just in time, sparks flying as metal met metal.

“Not bad,” Kai remarked, pressing forward with a flurry of attacks. Each slash and thrust came faster than the last, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision.

But Blake danced around him, ducking low and rolling under sweeping strikes, his agility outmatching Kai’s attempts to corner him. At one point, he dropped to a crouch and jabbed upward, narrowly grazing Kai’s sleeve.

“Your height’s annoying,” Kai said, his voice strained with effort.

Blake grinned, sidestepping another strike. “Yeah? It’s a perk when fighting skyscrapers like you.”

Kai’s smirk twitched. He lunged with a powerful downward strike, but Blake anticipated it, stepping in closer than Kai had expected. The shorter man’s proximity left Kai’s long arms at an awkward angle, and Blake took advantage. He twisted sharply, bringing his knife toward Kai’s ribs.

Kai twisted his torso to evade, but Blake was relentless, using quick, shallow jabs to keep him on the defensive. “Stop running,” Blake teased, his words punctuated by a swift feint to the left before he sliced toward Kai’s exposed side.

Kai barely blocked it, but the force pushed him off balance. “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?” he said, his voice tight.

Blake laughed, darting in low again, his blade coming dangerously close to Kai’s knee. “You bet I am. When else do I get to show off?”

The battle slowed for a heartbeat, both fighters circling each other, catching their breaths. Kai adjusted his grip, his movements becoming sharper, more deliberate. He feigned a strike to Blake’s left, then twisted mid-motion, aiming for his right side instead.

Blake reacted just in time, parrying the blow and stepping in so close their shoulders brushed. In a bold move, he hooked his foot behind Kai’s ankle and shoved.

Kai stumbled, his balance faltering for the first time. “You little—”

Blake didn’t let him finish. Seizing the opening, he spun behind Kai, his blade flicking upward to tap against the side of Kai’s neck, the cool steel pressing lightly against his skin.

Kai froze, his body tense.

Blake grinned, panting slightly. “And… that’s game.”

The room was silent for a beat before the mechanical voice chimed again. “Blake wins.”

Kai chuckled under his breath, raising his hands in surrender as Blake stepped back. “Guess your height really is an advantage.”

Blake smirked, wiping sweat from his brow. “Told you. Being short isn’t all bad.”

As Kai straightened and rolled his shoulders, he glanced at Blake with an approving nod. “Not bad. But don’t let it go to your head."

Dr. Griffo’s slow clap echoed in the training arena, each sound deliberate. He leaned back slightly, his monocle catching the light as he studied Blake with a measured gaze. “Impressive showcase of talent,” he said, his voice carrying an air of restrained approval. “I must admit, I was flustered seeing how well you moved, using your height to your advantage. It was... a beautiful showcase.”

Blake, still catching his breath, blinked in surprise. “Oh, uh, thanks, I guess?”

Dr. Griffo smirked faintly, then gestured with a wave of his hand. “You get 25 points for passing this part. And that, my dear boy, ends your test.”

Blake’s brow furrowed. His fingers moved automatically, counting something out in midair. “Wait a minute.” His voice rose, tinged with incredulity. “Forty plus twenty-five…” He paused for dramatic effect, his finger hovering above his palm. “That’s only sixty-five! That’s not seventy!”

Kai, standing off to the side, let out a soft chuckle, crossing his arms as he watched the scene unfold.

Blake spun toward Dr. Griffo, his expression a mix of irritation and panic. “Hold on! Did I fail? Come on, isn’t there, like, an extra question or something? And why only 25 points? Couldn’t you have given me 30 just to round it up?”

Dr. Griffo yawned lazily, covering his mouth with a gloved hand. “You really do talk too much,” he muttered, adjusting his monocle with an air of exasperation. “Is that what’s flustering you? The fact that I didn’t give you a perfect seventy points?” He straightened his posture and smoothed his mustache. “I awarded you points based on how I felt about it. No more, no less.”

Blake’s jaw tightened, his irritation bubbling just beneath the surface. He clenched his fists at his sides, muttering under his breath, “You such a cheat…”

Dr. Griffo ignored the muttering entirely, his voice as calm as ever. “Besides,” he continued, “I did say the passing mark was seventy points, but I never meant it. That was just a little psychological nudge to push you to go all out.” He leaned forward slightly, his smirk widening. “You’ve passed, Blake. Congratulations.”

Blake’s eyes widened. “Wait, so… I passed?” His tone was incredulous, as if he didn’t fully trust what he’d just heard.

Dr. Griffo rolled his eyes, waving a dismissive hand. “Do you want me to spell it out for you? Yes, you passed. Happy now?” Without waiting for a response, he stood and adjusted his jacket before strolling toward the exit. “Kai, he’s all yours.”

As the door closed behind Dr. Griffo, Blake turned toward Kai, his face lighting up like a child at a festival. “I passed! I actually passed!” He lunged toward Kai, wrapping his arms around him in a tight, celebratory hug.

Kai staggered slightly under the unexpected weight, his composure momentarily shaken. “Alright, alright,” he said, patting Blake on the back with a chuckle. “Calm down. You’re choking me.”

Blake quickly released him, a sheepish grin on his face. “Sorry. Got a little excited there.”

“No worries,” Kai replied, his usual calm smile returning. “Now that you’re officially one of us, it’s time for a proper introduction to the team and what we really do.” He tilted his head toward the door, gesturing for Blake to follow. “Welcome to the Black Mambas, Blake.”

As they left the training arena, the sterile white tiles behind them, Blake’s heart raced—not from nerves, but from exhilaration. His journey with the Black Mambas was just beginning, and for the first time in a long time, he felt a spark of belonging and purpose.

#2

The elevator doors slid open with a faint chime, revealing Axel and Cyrus stepping into the lounge.

Axel, his trademark gloomy expression in place, made a beeline for the nearest chair and practically melted into it. He draped an arm over the back and let out an exaggerated groan. “Please… I can’t go on any longer. I need a rest. Like, right now.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Cyrus, in stark contrast, looked like he had been through a battlefield—or perhaps a mud wrestling competition. His uniform was streaked with dirt, and his normally crisp demeanor was slightly ruffled.

Kai emerged from an adjoining room, a cup of tea in hand, looking calm and composed as always. He raised an eyebrow at the state of his teammates. “Oh, looks like you two had a hectic one.”

Axel cracked one eye open to glance at Kai. “Please tell me we’re not heading into another mission,” he muttered, his voice muffled by the way he slumped deeper into the chair.

Kai chuckled softly, taking a seat across from him. “Actually… I think you are.”

Axel’s entire body tensed. His eye twitched as he turned his head ever so slightly toward Cyrus, who was busy peeling off his muddy gloves. “If Master Griffo asks about me, tell him I caught a fever. Not just any kind of fever—a rare, uncurable fever no doctor has ever heard of,” Axel declared dramatically before launching himself out of the chair.

He bolted toward the hallway, shouting over his shoulder, “And if he still insists, tell him I’m under quarantine!” Moments later, the sound of a shower starting and something collapsing—likely Axel into his bed—echoed through the base.

Kai couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head. “Messing with Axel never gets old.” He sipped his tea, letting the warmth spread through him before asking, “By the way, where’s Lucas?”

Cyrus shot him a glance, his face a blend of annoyance and exhaustion. “Probably sulking somewhere.”

Kai set his cup down, intrigued. “What happened this time?”

Cyrus let out a sharp sigh as he began unbuckling his gear. “We were monitoring someone Master Griffo thinks is a suspect. A simple surveillance mission,” he emphasized, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Lucas got all excited, thinking it was going to be some kind of blood-soaked showdown. When he realized it wasn’t, he spent the whole mission muttering about ‘missed opportunities.’”

Kai leaned back in his chair, grinning. “Sounds about right for Lucas.”

“That’s not even the worst part,” Cyrus grumbled, his tone sour. “It started raining halfway through, and I had to crawl into the mud to avoid being spotted. Mud. On a surveillance mission!” He threw his gloves onto the table in disgust, his movements sharp and deliberate.

Kai chuckled again. “Rough day, huh?”

Cyrus shot him a glare as he stormed toward the exit. “Of all days, it had to rain today.”

As the door slammed shut behind him, Kai leaned back in his chair with a satisfied sigh.

Cyrus, Axel, and Lucas sat in the lounge, each in their own little world after their showers. Cyrus, as usual, sat upright, eyes scanning the room with sharp focus. Axel was slouched in his chair, eyes half-closed as he desperately fought the urge to nap. Lucas was fiddling with something, a twisted smile curling at the edges of his lips, clearly itching for action.

The door opened with a soft click, and Kai stepped in, a grin tugging at his lips. “Now that everyone’s here,” he began, his voice carrying authority, “let’s get to the special announcement.”

Cyrus raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. “How come you took so long after calling us here? Something important?”

Lucas’s eyes narrowed, and a dark, sadistic chuckle bubbled up from his throat. “Is it a mission? Please tell me it’s the cannibals or the Zenith—either one sounds like fun to me.” His voice dripped with anticipation, and he locked eyes with Kai, waiting for confirmation.

Kai shook his head. “Nope. Not today.” He paused for effect, glancing around at the weary faces in the room. “I’ll get straight to the point since I can tell some of us are about to nap any second.”

Axel cracked open an eye, looking more like a zombie than a soldier. “Please make it quick, Kai. I need my energy back.”

Kai continued, his tone more upbeat now, clearly enjoying the teasing. “Well, here it is. We have finally found a new member.” He watched the reactions closely, knowing how each person would respond.

Lucas perked up instantly. “Wait, really?” His eyes gleamed with excitement. “Tell me, who is it? Someone who can go toe-to-toe with me every day?”

Kai gave him a sly smile. “Not quite. But imagine someone who learns to value time…” He turned to Cyrus. “Someone who appreciates efficiency.”

Cyrus blinked, a look of confusion quickly replaced by realization. “Wait… You mean I’m not the only one who values time around here?” The surprise was evident in his voice, and for a moment, the hardened soldier almost seemed a little humbled.

Kai chuckled, moving on. “How about someone who knows their way around robotics and programming?” He shifted toward Axel, watching the lazy man’s interest spike. Axel slowly opened both eyes, intrigued despite himself.

But Kai’s smile widened, his hands raised in mock apology. “Well, unfortunately, none of those, but... our secret assassin.” With a dramatic pause, he gestured toward the entrance.

Blake stepped in, his posture a little too confident for someone so young, arms outstretched in a mock flourish. “Tadah!”

Cyrus burst into laughter. “So, he’s a new member now, huh?” He leaned in with a playful grin. “How was the little quiz session? Did they break you?”

Blake sighed and slumped in his seat. “It was awful.”

Somewhere in the depths of the facility, Dr. Griffo flinched, as if feeling the weight of Blake’s words from afar.

Lucas stood up, his grin turning twisted. “Hey, Blake, now that you’re here... Let’s go for a full-on bloodbath. Winner gets to live another day!” His hands were already clenched, ready for the fight.

Blake gave a nervous laugh, holding up his hands in surrender. “Maybe later... I’m still recovering from the last round.”

Lucas didn’t seem deterred. He cracked his knuckles and grinned wider. “I’ll go set up the arena.” His footsteps echoed in the room as he practically skipped out.

Axel met Blake’s eyes. The air between them was thick with unspoken tension. Neither said a word, but the heavy silence hung like a challenge.

Kai caught the vibe and spoke up, breaking the moment. “An unspoken battle, huh?” His tone was light, but there was an undercurrent of amusement.

Axel’s gaze never left Blake as he muttered, “Welcome. Hope you don’t weigh the team down.” His voice was almost an afterthought as he turned to Kai. “Can I go now?”

Kai raised a hand, stopping him. “Not yet. We’re going to at least celebrate. We celebrate when there’s a new member. Besides, now that you’ve got a junior who joined before you, you should be setting a good example.” He shot Axel a knowing look.

Blake shot back, his tone defensive, “No way, he’s not gonna be giving me orders already.”

Cyrus leaned in and tapped Blake on the shoulder, his expression deadpan. “Pray for a new joiner if you want the curse lifted. But we all have the right to give you orders, kid.” He grinned, adding a little nudge to the word “kid.”

Blake flinched slightly, the weight of their collective gaze on him making him uncomfortable.

Just then, Lucas burst back into the room, eyes gleaming with excitement. “Hey Blake, the arena’s ready! Let’s go.” His voice was laced with impatience, but there was an undeniable thrill behind it, the anticipation of the chaos to come.

Kai cut him off before Blake could protest again. “After the celebration, Lucas. You can fight him later.”

Lucas let out a huff of disappointment but nodded in agreement. “Fine. Let’s make this quick. The last match wasn’t exactly my style anyway.”

The maids entered the room shortly after, serving food and drinks to the team. Axel, Cyrus, and Lucas dug in immediately, their appetites seemingly insatiable as they ate and drank to their heart’s content. They didn’t bother with niceties, each of them devouring the meal like it was the last one they’d ever have.

Blake and Kai, however, stayed seated, watching the chaos unfold before them. The others ate with abandon

#3

Blake sat at the table, his appetite seemingly endless as he shoveled food into his mouth with reckless abandon. The others had already eaten their fill, but Blake didn’t seem to care about the idea of “being full.” His focus was entirely on devouring what remained, every bite disappearing as if he hadn’t eaten in days.

Kai watched him in disbelief, his arms folded across his chest. “You really can swallow a cow whole, can’t you?” His voice held a mixture of amusement and mild disbelief.

Blake paused mid-bite, looking up at Kai with a mouthful of food. “Huh?” He swallowed with difficulty, wiping his mouth. “Before the test started, Dr. Griffo mentioned something about a replacement... I’m kinda confused about what he meant.”

Kai leaned forward, his face growing serious as he prepared to explain. He sat up straighter, the casual air dropping from his demeanor. “Well, guess I have to tell you now.” He let out a long sigh, as if bracing himself for the weight of his own words.

“We used to have a leader—someone better than I am,” Kai continued, his voice thick with nostalgia. “We all adhered to him. His orders were absolute. His name was Ben.”

Blake chewed slowly, considering Kai’s words. “Did something happen to him?” he asked, his tone genuine but casual, as if he didn’t quite grasp the gravity of the situation.

Kai looked at him, his gaze turning distant. “We tried to raid the White House, to retrieve some sensitive information. But that’s when everything went wrong.” He paused, his fingers tightening into fists as the memory resurfaced.

“We didn’t get the information. And we lost Ben in that raid. You could say we really underestimated the White House.” Kai’s eyes darkened as he recalled the details. “He sacrificed himself so the rest of us could escape. We barely made it out alive.”

Blake swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Kai’s words. He understood loss, even if he didn’t show it. “You could’ve said no, right?” he asked, his voice soft. “I mean, you were vice-leader, you had a say.”

Kai clenched his fists tighter, his knuckles turning white. “If only I could’ve. Maybe if I’d said no, things would’ve been different. Maybe he’d still be here.”

Blake, however, was quick to cut in, his voice muffled by the large bite of food he was trying to swallow. “Quick sulking, no need to dwell on the past. What’s done is done,” he muttered, his mouth full but his message clear. “If you keep looking back, you’ll miss what’s ahead. You’re the leader now, so be strong. Ben would want that. I’m sure he was a good guy, like all of you... May he rest in peace.”

Kai’s eyes softened, though he didn’t reply immediately. Blake had a way of putting things in perspective, even if he was clearly struggling to get the words out with his cheeks stuffed. Kai took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing a little.

“Well, I didn’t get all of that,” Kai said, shaking his head with a small smile. “But I get the gist. Anyway, see you tomorrow. It’s getting late.” He stood up and stretched, preparing to leave. “I’ll be in the gym if you need me.”

Blake swallowed the last of his food, the uncomfortable lump finally gone from his throat. “You sleep in the gym?” he asked, blinking as he tried to process the idea.

Kai gave him a long, unimpressed look. “No, I don’t sleep there. I work out before heading to bed. We all get about 1 or 2 hours of sleep a day, so enjoy your first real night’s sleep while you can.” With that, he turned and left, leaving Blake alone in the quiet room.

Blake glanced at the clock. It was almost 1 AM. He blinked in disbelief. “Geez, I’ve never been awake at this hour before.” He stood up, preparing to head to his room when Axel, barely stirring in his chair, muttered something in his sleep.

Blake raised an eyebrow. “Weird guy,” he muttered, before heading down the hallway toward his room. Axel’s presence in the lounge barely registered, his body slumped in such a way that Blake doubted he’d even notice if the building collapsed around him.

The hallway felt long and empty as Blake walked toward his room in the deepest part of the building. The quiet of the night seemed almost oppressive, but he knew the drill—no one got to relax for long in this line of work. He slipped into his room, the door clicking shut behind him.