11: Protector, Sentinel, Whoever You Are…

Bates sips some coffee. He likes it raw—no milk or sugar, which is a habit he developed during his time in the Great War. As Bates feels the bitterness embracing his senses, his senses remain on alert even in this seemingly mundane moment. Unbeknownst to Bates, a shadowy presence looms behind him. In the split second before the realization hits him, Bates tenses, instinctively reaching for the railgun he always keeps close at hand.

But it is too late.

With inhumanly fast reflexes, the dark figure strikes, swift and silent as a phantom. Bates barely has time to react as a hand clamps over his mouth, stifling any cry for help. The world spins as he is forcefully pulled backward. His chair tips over with a clatter as he crashes to the ground.

Darkness envelops him as he struggles against his assailant, fueled by fear and adrenaline. He fights with all his might, but the grip around his throat tightens, cutting off his air supply and leaving him gasping for breath.

In those final moments, as consciousness slips away and the world fades to black, Bates can only wonder who could have murdered him so cruelly—and what dark fate awaits him in the shadows. Gasping for breath, Bates manages to rasp out a few words. His voice is strained with effort.

"Who... sent you?" he wheezes. The words that came out were barely audible over the sound of his labored breathing.

The figure behind him remains silent, their grip tightening ever so slightly as they press a cold, metallic object against his neck. It is the shape of a... sickle?

Bates' mind races with a thousand questions, each more urgent than the last. Who is this mysterious assailant? What do they want from him? And most importantly, how did they manage to infiltrate his defenses and catch him off guard? Bates was sure all those mines he set up earlier would alert him to possible threats.

But as darkness closes in around him, Bates knows that he may never get the answers he seeks. All he can do now is fight to stay alive, clinging to the hope that help will arrive before his time runs out.

With a swift, decisive motion, the figure delivers a fatal blow, silencing Bates' desperate gasps with a single, lethal slash. As the darkness claims him, Bates' final thoughts are lost to the void. His life is extinguished like a candle blown out by an innocent child, at the hand of this unknown figure.

An assassin assassinated by another assassin. How poetic.

The assassin stands over Bates' lifeless body, confirming his death, before melting away into the darkness from whence they came. Their mission is accomplished, and they leave behind only questions and uncertainty.

***

President Thomas stands on the balcony of Atoras Tower, taking in the view of the sprawling cityscape below. From his vantage point high above the bustling streets, he can see the gleaming skyscrapers and luxurious estates that bore the name of the Atoras family—a name synonymous with wealth, power, and influence.

As the figurehead of the Atoras dynasty, President Thomas wields considerable authority and privilege. His position as head of state is further bolstered by the family's vast fortune and extensive network of connections. But his ascent to power had not been without controversy.

Thanks to forged votes and carefully orchestrated manipulation, President Thomas had entered the world of politics with a calculated ambition, leveraging the Atoras family's resources to secure his place at the pinnacle of society. Now, as he surveys the city below, he cannot help but feel immense satisfaction at how far he has come.

But beneath the veil of success lay a web of corruption, woven with the threads of greed and ambition. President Thomas knows that his grip on power was tenuous at best, reliant on the support of those who had helped him rise to prominence. He wants more, much more, enough to dominate the entire world—no, beyond it, even. Reality itself. Time. Space. Everything.

President Thomas instantly stops, smacking his chest to his heartbeat's rhythm to calm himself down, and faulting himself for losing his composure.

As he turns away from the balcony and retreats into the opulent confines of Atoras Tower, President Thomas cannot escape the feeling that his success comes at a price—one that he may soon have to pay. But for now, he pushes aside his doubts and insecurities, focusing instead on the power trappings surrounding him, determined to cling to his position at any cost.

President Thomas stands in the balcony’s entryway. His voice resembles a lion's guttural growl as he addresses the assassin kneeling before him, a silent guardian in the shadows.

"Has Bates been eliminated?" The whole room falls silent, as if to emphasize the power of his words alone.

The sentinel nods. There is no need for words—the message is clear.

President Thomas absorbs the news with devilish glee. Bates was a loose end, a potential leak of information, that threatened his carefully constructed facade of authority, and his removal was a strategic move to safeguard President Thomas' ambition.

"Excellent," President Thomas's tone is devoid of emotion. "See to it that his demise remains discreet. We cannot afford any unnecessary attention."

The sentinel inclines their head in acknowledgment before fading into the room's shadows, leaving President Thomas alone with his thoughts. As he contemplates the events that have transpired, President Thomas knows that maintaining his grip on power will only grow tougher from here on out, especially considering the efforts of those who seek to stop him.

But what is a nest of ants to a god?

***

Mysterious Assassin. Code Name: 'The Guardian.' Last seen at Bates' location. Document file.

Name: Unknown

Alias: The Guardian

Age: Unknown

Height: Unknown

Weight: Unknown

Eye Color: Unknown

Hair Color: Unknown

Last Known Location: Bucks Coffee/Bates' Location

Summary: The Guardian is a mysterious and elusive assassin whose reputation precedes them in the world of shadows and intrigue. Known only by their code name, The Guardian is rumored to possess unparalleled skills in blade combat, with whispers suggesting that they are a match for even the legendary Zero.

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Little is known about The Guardian's background or motivations, as they operate with extreme secrecy and discretion. Their choice of weapon—a custom sickle—sets them apart from other assassins, hinting at a unique and deadly fighting style that is as unconventional as it is lethal.

The Guardian's last known location was at the establishment of Bucks Coffee, where they were reportedly involved in the elimination of Bates, a gunman criminal at large. Their presence at such a high-profile operation indicates that they mayARE YOU WATCHING?be aligned with powerful and influential forces, although the true extent of their allegiances remains shrouded in mystery.

Despite their fearsome reputation, The Guardian remains an enigma, their true identity hidden behind a mask of anonymity and intrigue. Whether they will emerge from the shadows once more to wreak havoc on their next target remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: where The Guardian goes, death follows in their wake.

End of File.

***

Jack's realization sends a jolt of excitement through him as he connects the dots. If CORE operates as a network, there must indeed be a central computer or system that serves as the backbone of its operations. And if SIA controls all the CCTV cameras in the city, we can leverage this technology to catch them on sight.

But Jack scratches his head in frustration, realizing the enormity of the task before him. Despite SIA's vast surveillance network, there is no trace of CORE to be found in any of the footage. As he considers his next move, Jack knows that he will need to think outside the box if he hopes to crack the case. Perhaps there are other avenues of investigation to pursue and other sources of information that could shed light on CORE's operations. Or perhaps he will need to enlist the help of unlikely allies or employ unconventional tactics to uncover the truth.

Vincent did give him important information regarding shell companies, but Jack groans at the thought of searching for one more fake corporation. He has finished surveying the city for possible locations where they might be operating, and all of them are either shut down by local police forces or abandoned. However, Jack did report the transactions linking to Mr. President in his research. It was actually Vincent who showed him the transactions' possible connection to the head of state, through a series of graphs and theories. It was weird, Jack muses, to see Vincent acting like an intelligence officer. He could have been especially helpful had he not become a thief. Tch, such wasted potential. Though it was funny to see a whole room full of hardened field agents focused on the words of the world's most wanted thief, listening and actually taking goddamn notes! Jack chuckles at the memories.

Now imagine Vincent, facing a huge pack of hunting dogs, each one thirstier for his blood than the last, while calmly explaining cash flow to said canines.

***

Jacob eagerly enters the library. His heart thumps with anticipation as he scans the rows of bookshelves in search of his girlfriend. Despite the quiet surroundings, excitement bubbles within him, eager to reunite with the one who holds his heart.

Spotting her sitting at a secluded table near the back of the library, Jacob's face breaks into a wide smile. He skips excitedly toward her, barely touching the polished floor as he closes the distance between them.

Hearing his approach, Jacob's girlfriend looks up from the book she is engrossed in. Her button eyes light up with delight at the sight of him. Her smile mirrors his own as she sets the book aside, turning her full attention to him.

"Hey, you," she greets him with a voice as soft as an angel and warm as the sun. She rises from her seat to wrap him in a hug.

"Hey," Jacob replies, returning her embrace with a sense of contentment washing over him. In this moment, surrounded by the hushed tranquility of the library, he feels at peace, grateful for the simple pleasure of being with the one he loves.

Together, they settle into a quiet corner of the library. Their conversation flows effortlessly as they lose themselves in each other's company. And as they spend the hours in each other's presence, Jacob knows there is nowhere else he would rather be than right here, with her, in this moment of perfect serenity. They sit together in that cozy corner, exchanging playful glances and teasing smiles. The air between them charges with a sweet pulse of intimacy.

Jacob reaches across the table to brush a stray strand of hair from his girlfriend's face with a gentle touch. "You know," he says with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, "I think you might just be the most beautiful person in this entire library."

His girlfriend's cheeks flush with a rosy hue as she playfully swats his hand away. "Flattery will get you nowhere, mister," she retorts with a playful grin. Her eyes twinkle with amusement.

Jacob leans in closer, and whispers. "Maybe nowhere," he replies, his breath warm against her ear, "but it might just get me a date with the most incredible woman I know."

His girlfriend's laughter rings out like music in the quiet library. Her eyes sparkle with love as she leans in to meet his lips. "Well, in that case," she smirks playfully, "you're in luck, because I happen to have a free slot in my calendar tonight."

And with that, their flirtatious banter continues. Each playful exchange deepens the bond between them as they revel in the joy of being together, lost in the enchanting world of their shared love.

Jacob leans in closer to Sierra, which is her name. His eyes are bright with curiosity as he asks, "Did you borrow the book I told you about?"

Sierra's face lights up with a smile as she nods enthusiastically. "Yes, I did! And I couldn't put it down," she bobs up and down excitedly. "It was absolutely amazing! I can't wait to discuss it with you."

Jacob's heart swells with warmth at Sierra's enthusiasm, grateful to share his love of books with someone who understands him so deeply. "I'm glad you liked it," he says, reaching across the table to take her hand in his. "I can't wait to hear what you thought about it."

Their conversation soon turns to a lively discussion about the book, mingling in animated chatter as they share their thoughts and insights. In this moment, surrounded by the comforting presence of each other's company, Jacob and Sierra feel a deep connection, grateful to have found their partners for life, belonging to each other, forevermore.

***

Sierra walks home with a spring in her step, clutching "the book" tightly to her chest. The weight of its pages feels comforting against her as she makes her way through the familiar streets of her neighborhood.

Along the way, she notices her neighbors going about their daily routines, and without hesitation, she offers a helping hand wherever she can. She helps Mrs. Johnson carry her groceries up the stairs, lends a listening ear to Mr. Patel as he recounts his latest gardening triumphs, and stops to play with the neighborhood kids, their laughter filling the air with joy.

Despite the hustle and bustle of city life, Sierra finds solace in these simple acts of kindness, grateful for the opportunity to brighten someone else's day. And as she finally arrives at her apartment door, she feels a sense of contentment wash over her, knowing that she has made a difference, no matter how small.

With a smile on her face, Sierra steps into her apartment.

Sierra stops smiling.

Sierra changes Sierra's outfit. Sierra’s movements are deliberate and precise. Sierra’s gaze falls upon "the book" clutched tightly in Sierra’s hand, and Sierra notices the name that stands out at the top of the page: Vincent Lacroix.

The mention of the name seems to trigger something within Sierra. Sierra starts to laugh – a deep, eerie laugh. Sierra crosses the room to Sierra’s closet, where nothing lies inside, except for a gardening tool. Not just any gardening tool. A custom-made sickle.

A weapon as deadly as it is unconventional.

Sierra takes hold of the sickle, and a sense of power surges through Sierra, fueling Sierra’s resolve as Sierra prepares to embark on Sierra’s mission.

Sierr-

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The Guardian takes hold of the sickle, and a sense of power surges through them, fueling their resolve as they prepare to embark on their mission.

But before the Guardian embarks to eliminate Vincent, they stop to pet their pet cat. It meows cutely as the Guardian strokes its puffy fur. They find this amusing. A weak creature they can kill easily, yet docile enough to earn their amusement.

The Guardian starts smiling.