In a secret location,

* SCHICKK *

"Aaargh!"

* SCHICKK *

"Aargh!"

* SCHICKK *

"Aargh!"

Victor was hanging upside down, half-naked, in a dark basement with his hands and legs tied with chains. His body had numerous cuts, bruises, and broken bones which were healing themselves rapidly thanks to his regenerative healing factor.

In front of him stood Romulus, who gazed at his healing wounds and said, "I gave you one task... one task and you failed to complete it." He put his claws on top of Victor's stomach and asked, "Can you tell me why?" Seeing him not answering his question, Romulus inserted his claws into Victor's stomach.

* SCHICKK *

"Aargh!" Victor cried out in excruciating pain, his screams filling the dark basement. Romulus seemed to relish in Victor's suffering, pushing his claws deeper into him. Blood trickled down Victor's stomach, and Romulus even tasted some, adding to his cruelty. He taunted Victor, emphasizing the need for him to excel, "You need to be the best at what you do, Victor. Otherwise, I might have to take someone else as my pet."

Through the pain, Victor managed to respond in his emotionless voice, "Y-Yeshh... M-Master!"

Romulus grinned, satisfied with Victor's reply, and finally withdrew his claws from Victor's stomach. He turned away, walking forward as he outlined Victor's mission, "Logan's going to be looking for you. You have to beat him, humiliate him until he feels that he could never defeat you until he has improved himself in some way. That is your goal. Your mission. Understand?"

Victor nodded, his expression void of emotion as he replied, "Y-Y-Yesss...."

. . .

Three weeks later, in New York City,

The cold breeze brushed past Val, who was in NYPD uniform as he was in his Val Griffith identity. The faint aroma of street food mingled with exhaust fumes. Amidst the chaos, Val leaned against his patrol car, a Ford Torino which was parked near a busy intersection.

Val, with a well-worn cap, pulled low, leaned on the passenger side of the car, holding the police radio in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. He took a sip of the coffee and listened to the dispatches.

He heard the radio dispatch say, "Unit 5-Adam-14, please respond to a reported theft in progress at 5th Avenue and 23rd Street. Over."

He placed the radio back on the dashboard and gazed at the people passing by. The city's eclectic mix of individuals was before him - businessmen in three-piece suits, bohemian hippies with long hair and colorful clothing, street performers, and weary laborers. Amidst the crowd, Val couldn't help but notice a young woman with an acoustic guitar slung over her shoulder, strumming a tune on a street corner.

The cacophony of city noises - car honks, chatter, and music - filled his ears as he took another sip of coffee. He maintained a stern yet compassionate gaze on the people around him. Kids playing with a deflated basketball caught his attention which brought a slight smile to his face.

However, suddenly, he heard the radio dispatch say, "Unit 5-Adam-25, we have a report of a woman displaying erratic behavior on 7th Avenue. She's shouting and demanding to meet Starlance. Proceed with caution. Over."

Stolen novel; please report.

Val raised an eyebrow at the unusual call and set his coffee cup aside while thinking, 'I have some erratic fans?! This is going to be good. I have to check it out.' He picked up the radio and responded with a hint of amusement in his voice, "Roger that. 5-Adam-25 en route to 7th Avenue. I'll see what's going on. Over."

Placing the radio back, Val glanced at the people walking past, adorned with warm coats and scarves. The autumn breeze rustled fallen leaves along the sidewalk, creating a mesmerizing dance of reds, yellows, and oranges. He spotted the woman in question a few blocks away, standing on a street corner, her voice echoing above the urban symphony. She wore a colorful, mismatched outfit and waved a hand-drawn sign that read, "I WANT TO MEET STARLANCE!"

Val approached her and maintained a professional demeanor as he asked, "Ma'am, are you okay? Can I help you with something?"

The woman turned her attention to him, her eyes wide with excitement and frustration, and frantically demanded, "I need to meet Starlance! He's the only one who can help me! Please, officer, you have to make it happen!"

Val glanced around, trying to gauge the situation as he thought, 'This woman's not a threat but I feel that there is more to her than meets the eye. Let's see who she is.' His eyes glowed golden for a split second which he hid with his hands and then, he quickly glanced at the woman and smiled, 'Oh?! Now, this... is interesting.'

He smiled at the woman and talked to her in a friendly manner, "Ma'am, he's a superhero, not a regular person. I can't make him meet you unless..."

The woman's face fell at first hearing Val but when she heard him continue, her face had an impatient expression and she urged, "Unless? Unless what?"

Val smiled and gestured at the sky and continued, "... you stay here till midnight. He's usually seen at night flying around and maybe, you could catch a glimpse of him and make him get to talk to you."

The woman happily smiled and said, "Thank you! Thank you so much, officer!"

Val smiled and said, "I hope you have a good day, Ma'am" and walked away while thinking away, 'I'm waiting for you. Hehehe!'

. . .

After a night of patrolling the streets of New York City, ensuring its safety and thwarting petty crimes like thefts and fights, Val, donning his Starlance armor, stood on the rooftop of a building. From this vantage point, he gazed down at the people below, the city's lights casting a mesmerizing glow.

Suddenly, he sensed someone's presence behind him, and a smile crept onto his face. The person stopped and spoke, "We finally meet, Starlance."

Turning around, Val's eyes met those of an incredibly beautiful woman with alluring curves, clad in a revealing black and grey costume. She had fiery red hair and eyes that matched, concealed behind a black painted mask on her face. On one hand, she wielded a sword, and on her ears, she wore unique earrings crafted from the bones of a prehistoric animal.

Val smiled at the woman and said, "Indeed, it's a pleasure to meet you, Remus."

Remus was surprised when she heard him say her name and asked, "You know me?"

Val nodded and said, "I know the real history, Remus. You and your brother, Romulus, are one of the Lupus Sapiens, aren't you?"

Remus seemed impressed by his insight, admitting, "Wow! I thought you were lacking in the intelligence area but it turns out that you are a smart man."

Curious about her intentions, Val straightforwardly asked, "What do you want?"

Remus's demeanor shifted, and she adopted a more serious expression, responding, "I need a favor that will help both of us."

"Oh?!, Intrigued by her proposal, Val encouraged her to elaborate, "Go on. I'm listening."

Remus said seriously, "I want you to kill my brother, Romulus."

Val asked, "Why?"

Remus looked away and said, "My reasons are mine alone. They're not yours to learn. I just want you to kill him."

Val crossed his arms and said, "Oh? So, what do I get in return?"

Remus turned to him and asked with a confused expression on her face, "What?"

Val sighed and explained, "I'm not a hitman or killer for hire. You must give me something in return.", and he looked intently at her body.

Remus noticed him ogling her body and smiled and seductively said, "So, you're interested in my body?"

Val clicked his tongue in annoyance and said, "Tch! I'm not interested in a woman whose heart belongs to someone else."

"W-What?", Remus was shocked since Val knew her secret and she took a step back and asked, "H-How did you know?"

Val smiled and said, "Because, I know the person in your heart."

Remus took a deep breath to calm herself down and asked, "So, would you do it?"

Val nodded but he held out a finger and said, "Yes, but on one condition."

"What?", Remus asked.

Val replied, "Whatever I do with him after he's dead is none of your concern."

Remus thought about it for a second and shrugged as she replied, "That's fine by me."

With both parties agreeing to the terms, they shook hands and sealed their pact, saying in unison, "Deal!!"