I can't believe this. They're making their move now. The thought crashed into my mind like a tidal wave, sending my pulse racing. Maybe they were waiting for this exact moment.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to think clearly. First, I need to make sure Serena is safe. That's the priority. My gaze darted around the room, every shadow suddenly feeling like a threat. I should hide her as fast as possible...

But then I froze, a heavier realization pulling me to a halt. Wait... even if I manage to keep her safe this time-even if we somehow escape-they'll come after us again. No, they'll come after me... because of me.

The weight of the truth pressed down on my chest. My breathing slowed as I took a deep, deliberate breath. I'm their main target. That's all this is about. So... if I sacrifice myself, then it'll all be over. Serena could live her life peacefully, free from all of this. Yeah... maybe this is the right thing to do.

Resolute, I turned and walked toward Serena's room, each step heavier than the last. My hand hovered over the door for a second before I knocked, three soft raps.

After a minute, the door creaked open. Serena stood there, rubbing her eyes, a soft yawn escaping her lips. "What's wrong, brother? Did something happen?"

"Serena, listen to me carefully, you need to leave. Right now. Take the back route and don't ask questions, just go."

Her eyes widened as she blinked herself fully awake. "What? Why? What's going on?"

"There's no time to explain." I grabbed her shoulders, grip firm but not harsh. "Just trust me, okay? You'll be safe if you leave now."

"No!" Serena shot back, shaking my hands off. "I'm not going anywhere without you! You're scaring me, brother. Just tell me what's happening!"

"This isn't up for debate, Serena!"

Her defiance only grew stronger. "No! If you're staying, then so am I! I'm not running away!"

I hesitated, torn between her determination and my resolve to protect her at all costs.

She's too stubborn... I don't have a choice.

"I'm sorry," Before she could react, I struck the side of her neck with a swift, precise motion. Serena's eyes fluttered shut, her protests silenced as she collapsed into my arms, unconscious.

Carrying Serena gently in my arms, I walked briskly through the dimly lit hallway until I reached Tyson's room. The faint glow of a bedside lamp spilled through the crack under the door. I nudged it open with my foot, revealing Tyson sitting cross-legged on the bed, a book in hand.

Without looking up, Tyson spoke, his voice calm and composed. "Oh, you're back. Well, sorry about earlier. By the way, this book is pretty interesting."

Finally glancing up, Tyson's eyes landed on Me-and the unconscious Serena cradled in my arms. His expression shifted instantly, concern flickering in his gaze. "Hey, what happened to your sister?"

I placed Serena carefully on the edge of the couch in the corner of the room. Straightening up, I met Tyson's eyes. "This might be hard to believe, but listen to me very carefully, okay?"

-----

"What? Some people are coming after you?"

"Yeah," Alex replied curtly, his tone firm and resolute.

I searched his expression for any sign of doubt, but there was none. His gaze flickered toward Serena, unconscious on the couch, before locking onto me with an intensity

No... He isn't joking. He's dead serious.

His gaze shifting between me and the unconscious Serena. Finally, he exhaled sharply, as if resolving himself to something. "Do me a favor," he said, his voice steady but strained.

"Please, take Serena and run away from here."

"What about you?" I asked, standing up slowly. "You're coming with us, right?"

Alex shook his head, his eyes filled with an unyielding determination. "I can't, I have to stay."

"Stay?!" My voice rose before I could stop it. "What are you talking about? I'm still trying to wrap my head around what you just said, but if they're coming to kill you, then why would you—"

"I don't have time to explain!" Alex shouted, his voice reverberating through the room.

The weight of his desperation hung in the air as he suddenly dropped to his knees, lowering his head to the ground.

"Please... I beg you." Alex's voice trembled as he lowered his head. "Take my sister and run. This is the only favor I ask of you... So please..."

Tears welled in his eyes, spilling down his cheeks as he forced out the words. "I just want her to be safe... to live a good life." His voice broke, desperation raw in every syllable.

I froze. My mind raced to process what was happening, but nothing made sense.

Seriously... what is happening? How did things escalate so quickly?

Then alex stood abruptly, brushing off his knees and his tears, he moved to the couch and carefully lifted Serena in his arms. She seemed so fragile, her head resting limply against his shoulder. Turning to Tyson, he took a step forward and extended her toward him.

"Carry her," Alex said, his voice quieter now but no less resolute.

I hesitated, but my hands moved on their own, taking Serena from his arms. She felt light, too light, as if the situation was playing a cruel joke on me.

"I'm trusting her life in your hands, Tyson," Alex said, his eyes boring into mine, with an intensity that left no room for doubt.

I looked at him, my grip tightening around Serena. My throat felt dry, and for a moment, I couldn't find the words to respond.

----

The rain poured relentlessly, a steady rhythm against the metallic roof of the back entrance. The air was heavy with tension, the kind that lingered before an irreversible decision. Alex worked in silence, his hands deftly tying together pieces of fabric to create a makeshift raincoat for Serena.

Tyson stood nearby, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. How did it come to this? The events of the last hour replayed in his head, and no matter how he tried, he couldn't make sense of the situation. The device in Alex's pocket was the only sound grounding him until Alex broke the silence.

"Here," Alex said, thrusting a small device into Tyson's hands.

Tyson looked down at it—a compact tracker, sleek and metallic, with a single green light blinking steadily. It pulsed in rhythm, as if marking the seconds slipping away.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Keep that with you," Alex explained, his voice calm but commanding. "Through this, my men will find you and help you out."

Before Tyson could respond, Alex turned his gaze to the road ahead, his expression unreadable. He pointed toward the dimly lit path barely visible through the rain.

"And don't worry," Alex continued. "Nobody knows about this route. Go straight, and you'll find a way out."

Tyson tightened his grip on the device, his thoughts spiraling into doubt. Finally, he broke the silence, his voice laced with frustration. "Can't you just come with us?"

Alex didn't answer. Instead, he moved to the shutter at the back of the mansion and yanked it open. The rain surged inside, cold and unforgiving, as though it had been waiting for this moment to enter.

"Quick!" Alex shouted, urgency clear in his tone. "We don't have time!"

Tyson hesitated, holding Serena close as the rain sprayed against his face. He took a step forward but stopped when Alex's voice cut through the storm.

"Wait!" Alex called out.

Tyson turned around, confused. Alex approached, his eyes locked on Serena, who rested peacefully in Tyson's arms. His expression softened, the weight of countless memories flooding in.

For a moment, Alex was no longer standing in the rain but in a bright hospital room. He saw himself as a boy, standing beside his mother, who cradled a newborn Serena in her arms. Her tiny face was scrunched up in distress, tears rolling down her cheeks as she cried.

Hesitant at first, Alex had reached out and gently rubbed her head. The crying stopped. Baby Serena blinked up at him with wide, curious eyes, and then, as if the world itself had paused for that moment, she broke into a radiant laugh.

The memory blurred and shifted. The image of his mother faded, replaced by the present—Tyson standing before him, Serena asleep in his arms, oblivious to the chaos around her.

Alex stepped closer, his hand trembling slightly as he reached out and gently rubbed her head, just like he had all those years ago. His voice cracked as he mumbled, "I'm sorry, but this is for best."

Blinking rapidly, Alex pulled himself back to reality. He straightened, his voice barely above a whisper but firm with conviction. "I'm trusting her to you, Tyson. Take care of her... please."

Tyson stared at Alex, words failing him for a moment. Finally, he nodded, his expression a mix of reluctance and determination.

With a deep breath, Tyson stepped through the open shutter into the storm. The rain hit him hard, soaking through his clothes in an instant. He paused, glancing back at Alex, who stood like a shadow against the light of the mansion.

"Don't walk—run!" Alex's voice rang out, cutting through the downpour.

Frustrated but knowing there was no time to argue, Tyson adjusted his grip on Serena and broke into a sprint. The rain blurred his vision, but he kept moving, the green light of the tracker blinking faintly in his hand like a guiding star.

Alex stood in the doorway, watching their figures fade into the storm. Only when they disappeared completely did he finally let out the breath he had been holding.

--

Rain pelted against the sleek black cars as they tore through the storm, the wipers struggling to keep the windshield clear. Inside, the atmosphere was heavy, laced with tension as the occupants readied themselves for the inevitable confrontation. One by one, they checked their weapons, the soft clicks of chambers locking into place blending with the drumming of the rain.

Lucius, the leader of the group, sat in the front passenger seat, his sharp eyes scanning the men behind him. He observed their preparations with a calculating gaze, a faint frown tugging at his lips.

"Hey," Lucius barked, his voice cutting through the rhythmic hum of the rain. "Why are you guys preparing your guns?"

The men froze momentarily, exchanging puzzled glances. One of them, a younger subordinate, mustered the courage to speak.

"Commander Lucius," he began hesitantly, "We can kill them easily with guns. Isn't that—"

Lucius raised a hand, silencing him with a glare. "Why waste bullets on mere kids? A knife is enough. Don't overcomplicate this."

Before anyone could respond, a crackle came from Lucius's wireless earpiece. The voice of his boss, the head of their organization, interrupted the tense silence.

"Lucius," the boss's voice was cold and sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. "Don't you think you're taking this too lightly?"

Lucius's expression hardened as he adjusted the earpiece. He responded with a dismissive tone, "Oh, come on, boss. Look, our Familia is already running low on resources. I'm just trying to save what we can."

"That's not what I'm talking about," his boss snapped, frustration clear in his voice. "You're underestimating the Sun Familia. They're not fools. I wouldn't be surprised if they've already caught wind of our plan. This isn't just a raid, Lucius—if you fail, it's the end for us. Finish this quickly and get out. No mistakes."

Lucius clenched his jaw, the weight of his superior's warning settling on his shoulders. His fingers tapped the edge of his seat, a rare show of nervous energy. "Okay, okay" he replied, still not taking it seriously.

The transmission ended, leaving an oppressive silence in its wake. Lucius turned to the driver, his expression now grim. With a sharp gesture, he signaled for him to accelerate.

The driver nodded, his foot pressing harder on the gas. The cars roared forward, slicing through the rain like predators closing in on their prey.

Ahead, the mansion loomed into view, its silhouette hazy in the storm but unmistakable. Lucius's gaze sharpened, his lips curling into a thin, determined line. "Get ready," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. The storm was about to break, and with it, the fragile balance between survival and annihilation.

----

Inside the mansion, Alex grabbed the NanoSignal device, its green light blinking steadily. He swiftly encoded a message for Cedric: "Follow the green light. Ensure safety."

The device blinked twice in confirmation, signaling the message had been sent. Alex exhaled sharply, gripping the device tightly. "That's done," he murmured.

Without hesitation, he smashed the device against the edge of the table, the casing shattering into unrecognizable pieces. He swept the remains aside and turned toward the shutter, rain faintly audible from beyond.

"Now it's all on you, Cedric," Alex whispered before stepping back into the tense quiet of the mansion.

I climbed the staircase, each step heavier than the last. My legs felt like they were weighed down, but I couldn't stop now. Reaching the top, I turned to face the main door.

Then I heard it—footsteps. My stomach dropped. They were coming.

My hands trembled uncontrollably. I clenched them into fists, trying to suppress the urge to turn and run.

No, I can't run away.

I forced my face into a mask of determination, even though my heart felt like it might burst out of my chest.

The footsteps grew louder, each one echoing in my ears, matching the erratic rhythm of my heartbeat. My breathing quickened as the door began to creak open.

This is it...

But when the door swung fully open, my entire body froze. It wasn't them. It was Tyson.

"What the—" I couldn't finish the thought before he started climbing the stairs, his face pale and his breaths labored.

The moment he reached me, he grabbed my hand and bent over, trying to catch his breath. "Wait... let me... let me breathe," he panted.

"What are you doing here?" I finally managed, my voice cracking.

He straightened up, his gaze meeting mine. "On second thought... let's run away."

His words hit me like a slap. Anger surged through me, overtaking the shock. I grabbed his collar tightly, my voice rising.

"Why did you come back here? Why did you leave her alone?! Don't you understand the situation we're in?"

Before I could say more, his fist connected with my face. Pain shot through me as I stumbled and fell to the floor. My vision blurred for a second as I looked up at him in disbelief.

"Yes, you're right—I don't understand anything! But what I don't understand most is you!"

I blinked, stunned, as I pushed myself up to sit. "What...?"

"You think this is some movie where you can sacrifice yourself and everything will magically be okay? Don't make me laugh!" His voice cracked as he continued, his eyes blazing. "You told me yourself—your role is to protect serena. So why are you abandoning her now?"

"It's to protect her!" I snapped back, though my voice lacked conviction.

Tyson glared at me, his tone sharper than the punch he had just delivered. "And after that? Do you truly believe she'll be safe? Do you guarantee no trouble will ever come to her again?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. The truth hung in the air, heavy and undeniable.

"Answer me!" Tyson demanded.

"N-No," I stammered, my voice barely audible.

"Then live!" he shot back, his voice filled with a raw intensity I hadn't seen in him before. "Live so you can protect her yourself!"

He lowered his gaze, and when he spoke again, his voice was quieter but filled with pain. "You have no idea how it feels to lose the people you love. To be left all alone..."

My chest tightened. I understood then—he wasn't just angry at me. He was speaking from his own pain.

Before I could respond, the sound of clapping filled the room. Tyson and I both turned toward the door in unison.

Standing there was a man I didn't recognize, flanked by a group of armed men. The man stepped forward slowly, his footsteps deliberate, as a sly grin spread across his face.

"That was a great punch," he said, his tone mocking. "And an even better speech, boy. I'm truly impressed."

The man's grin widened as he introduced himself. "The name's Lucius. And I think I've just become your biggest fan."

Lucius let out a low chuckle, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "But it seems your little friend still doesn't get it," he said looking at me.

My blood ran cold as he shut the door behind him with a loud click, locking it. The sound echoed ominously in the room.

Turning back to us, he drew a sleek, sharp knife from his coat, its blade catching the light. His smirk deepened.

"Don't worry," he said, his voice a chilling whisper.

"I'll make sure all that confidence and determination turns into pure, unrelenting fear.''

To be continued...