The night hung heavy over Rebel Town.
Dark clouds rolled lazily across the sky, swallowing the faint glow of the crescent moon. The streets were unusually quiet, as though the entire city was holding its breath, waiting… knowing. Something was about to happen. Something inevitable.
Two days had passed since Zain's private meeting with Mahir.
Two days since the promise was made.
Two days before all hell would break loose.
---
Inside Orion College, Zain sat alone on the rooftop, staring at the distant lights of the WS territory. The cold wind brushed against his face, but he didn't move, lost in thoughts he couldn't silence.
"The Hadith Siege…" He whispered the words under his breath, like a curse carved into his soul.
That night, too many had died. Too many secrets had been buried.
And Mahir… Mahir knew something. Something Zain didn't.
But there was no time to dwell on that now.
The battle wasn't just inevitable — it was necessary.
Footsteps echoed behind him. Orion appeared, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his usual carefree smile nowhere to be found.
"They're ready," Orion said, voice steady but low. "Everyone's gathered at the safehouse. U-Force is waiting for you."
Zain stood without a word, his gaze still fixed on the horizon. "And WS?"
"Same," Orion replied, leaning on the railing. "Imanji's been drilling their men for days. Mash too. Mahir's not holding back this time."
Zain nodded slowly, his jaw tightening. "Good. Neither are we."
---
Later that night, the U-Force headquarters was buzzing with energy.
Every member had gathered — Crescent Gang fighters, Orion's recruits, new blood eager to prove themselves, and veterans hardened by past battles. The air was thick with anticipation, fear, and unspoken determination.
Alice leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his sharp gaze fixed on Zain. "So it's confirmed. WS wants us dead."
"They've always wanted us dead," Orion muttered, sitting at the edge of the table. "The difference is… this time, we're ready."
A murmur rippled through the room. Din's absence was felt like an open wound. Rusle's death still haunted them. But tonight, none of them voiced it. They couldn't afford to.
Zain stepped forward, his presence pulling the entire room's focus onto him.
"This isn't just about U-Force versus WS," he began, his voice calm but carrying weight. "This is about everything we've built since day one. Our strength, our pride, our future. WS thinks they can crush us… but they've forgotten one thing."
He paused, letting the silence sink in, his eyes meeting each fighter's one by one.
"They've forgotten who we are."
The room erupted with shouts, fists pounding against the table and walls. The sound carried like thunder, drowning out the fear lingering beneath.
Alice smirked faintly, adjusting his pendant. "I hope you're right… because Mahir's a monster. If we lose, it's over."
Zain turned to him, unwavering. "We won't lose."
---
Across the city, deep inside WS territory, preparations were underway too.
The WS headquarters was a fortress — high walls lined with steel, shadows crawling beneath the dim glow of flickering lights. Inside, Mahir sat at the head of a long table, his lieutenants gathered around him.
Mash rested his massive arms on the surface, his expression unreadable. Rui leaned against the wall, silent but tense. Tastin sharpened his blade casually, as though the coming war didn't concern him at all. And Imanji stood at Mahir's side, his sharp eyes cold and steady.
"Zain thinks he's ready," Imanji said, his tone flat. "He's not."
Mahir leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant but blazing with quiet intensity. "He's stronger than before," he admitted softly. "But strength doesn't decide a war. Will does."
Mash let out a low chuckle. "Then we'll show them what real willpower looks like."
Mahir's expression hardened. "No mercy. Not this time. The moment they step onto our ground… we crush them."
The room fell silent. Everyone understood.
WS wasn't defending its territory.
WS was preparing to end U-Force completely.
---
The next day arrived like the calm before a storm.
The sun rose, but its light felt dim, choked by heavy clouds above.
At the edge of WS territory, an abandoned industrial field stretched endlessly, littered with broken fences, shattered concrete, and rusting metal containers.
This was where it would all end.
Or begin.
U-Force arrived first, a sea of determined faces marching behind Zain. Their footsteps crunched against gravel, their shadows stretching long in the morning haze. Orion walked by Zain's side, silent, hands clenched tightly into fists. Alice followed behind, his expression unreadable, Crescent fighters flanking him like an army ready to die.
Across the field, WS arrived.
Mahir led the charge, his towering figure radiating dominance. Imanji, Mash, Rui, Tastin, and hundreds of WS fighters followed close behind. They moved like predators, the ground trembling beneath their weight.
For a long moment, neither side spoke. The only sound was the cold wind cutting through the air, carrying dust between them.
Finally, Mahir stepped forward, stopping just a few meters from Zain.
"This ends today," he said, his voice deep and steady.
Zain's gaze met his, unflinching. "No. This begins today."
Their words cut the silence like blades, igniting something primal in both armies.
U-Force tensed. WS shifted their footing.
Every heartbeat thudded louder, faster, heavier.
The world seemed to shrink until there was only this field, this moment, these two forces standing face-to-face.
Then… it happened.
Mahir raised his hand.
Zain clenched his fists.
And as if responding to some silent signal—
Both sides charged.
The earth trembled beneath hundreds of pounding footsteps.
Dust exploded into the air.
War had begun.