(Seraphine's POV)
"Diesel. Fox."
My voice cut through the underground chamber—calm, precise.
"Round everyone up. We're going to war."
The room moved instantly. No hesitation. No questions.
"Jessica," I said, already turning. "Get my gear. It's been too long."
For a moment, I was alone.
Then she returned with black fabric and cold metal in her arms. I changed without ceremony. Dark cropped combat wear. High-waisted tactical trousers. Boots reinforced for impact. The mask went on last.
The world narrowed.
"It's time."
By the time I reached the main corridor, my people were ready. Weapons checked. Earpieces secure. Faces calm. Loyal.
"Listen carefully," I said. "Jessica and Fox—rear entrance. You wait for my signal. Diesel, stay with the prisoner. No one touches him."
I turned my gaze. "Bellatrix, contact Tori. Mission four-zero-two. Distribute access immediately."
She nodded and disappeared.
"Tiger."
He was at my side instantly.
"Hidden tree perimeter," I ordered. "Release the new charges. Only on my count."
"Yes, Boss."
"Venom—identify the intruder and meet me at Tree Fifteen. You have sixty seconds."
They vanished in opposite directions.
I advanced with eleven others, silent as shadows.
My earpiece chimed.
Weapons synced.
I flexed my fingers once. "About time."
Venom reached me, breath controlled, eyes sharp. "It's The Patriot."
My lips curved beneath the mask.
"I wondered how long he'd hide behind flags and speeches."
I moved.
The trees loomed ahead—too still. Too quiet. Enemy units revealed themselves moments later, slipping through branches like they believed the forest belonged to them.
"Spread out," I ordered. "No mistakes."
I climbed with practiced ease, every movement deliberate. My vision flickered across heat signatures. Counting. Calculating.
"Fox," I murmured. "On my call."
The enemy advanced.
I waited.
"Now."
The night erupted.
My people struck from three sides at once. Clean. Coordinated. I dropped from above, landing hard, weapons already raised. Shots rang out—controlled, efficient.
"There she is!" someone shouted.
Good.
I ran toward the sound, drawing them exactly where I wanted them. I moved through them like a storm—fast, ruthless, precise. When one fell, another followed.
A shot grazed my arm.
I didn't slow.
I disarmed him and ended it without hesitation.
"TIGER."
"I'm in position."
I sprinted deeper into the clearing, enemies chasing like moths to flame.
"One," I counted.
Two fell.
"Two."
A blade flashed. I ducked.
"Three."
My earpiece crackled. "Boss, we're tracking The Patriot. He's moving."
"Good," I said. "Bring him to me."
I stopped running.
Sixteen enemies surrounded me.
"Be smart," one of them sneered. "You're outnumbered."
I tilted my head.
"You've already lost."
I vaulted upward, fingers catching a low branch. The device dropped soundlessly.
I was gone before the blast hit.
The ground shook.
Smoke swallowed the clearing.
I landed beside Tiger. "Nice work."
The smoke thinned as my people regrouped.
"Where's The Patriot?" I asked.
"Gone," Alicia said sharply. "Slipped out during the blast."
I wasn't surprised.
"He always does," I said coldly. "Find him. Thirty minutes. After that, I burn every escape route."
I turned toward a cluster of roots at the base of an ancient oak.
"Ingress point."
Tiger pressed his palm against the bark. A soft vibration followed. The ground shifted silently, revealing a narrow descent concealed beneath soil and shadow.
No spectacle. No noise.
Just precision.
We descended into darkness.
I removed my mask as the entrance sealed seamlessly behind us.
The fight was over.
The war had only just begun.