Luna Snow's smile was thin, brittle as ice. She folded her arms, pretending to accept Vanessa's declaration.
"Then… maybe I should see for myself what father and daughter can really do."
Juggernaut gave a grunt of approval, his massive form blotting out the night sky, while Vanessa only nodded, satisfied for the moment. Yet deep inside, Luna's thoughts churned like a frozen storm.
If she's truly Juggernaut's daughter, then she's dangerous beyond measure. Her healing, her twisted gift of passing wounds to others—no wonder she stands so confident. But if I reveal my doubts now, I won't live to tell anyone. I'll play along, and wait.
---
Far across Europe, Helena and her Sisters crossed into Liechtenstein. The air was crisp with alpine chill, the valleys blanketed in morning fog. For a full day they had searched, following rumors and faint traces of Vanessa's presence, yet every lead dissolved into nothing.
Helena stood at the edge of a stone bridge overlooking the Rhine River, her expression carved in frustration.
"She's not here," one Sister muttered, kicking at loose gravel.
Helena clenched her jaw. "She was supposed to be. I felt her trail lead here… but it's gone cold."
Then the earth trembled. Explosions shattered the quiet mountain air. Helena turned sharply, eyes narrowing as echoes of battle rolled from Vaduz's central plaza.
There, amidst fire and collapsing stone, the Thunderbolts were locked in savage combat with a tide of writhing, scaled shadows — the Black Serpents.
Helena's heart pounded. "The Serpents… they've already spread here."
Without hesitation, the Sisters descended into the fight. Bolts of violet lightning crackled from one, spectral blades cut swaths of shadow from another, while Helena herself charged headlong, fists and fury colliding with the serpentine hordes.
The Thunderbolts fought with ruthless precision — Ghost phasing through strikes, Moonstone unleashing blinding energy, Taskmaster's blade clashing against serpent fangs. Yet even their coordination faltered under the endless waves.
Ghost's masked voice cut through the din: "Whoever you are, if you're not with the snakes—fight!"
And fight they did. Helena's strike tore through a serpent's skull, her Sisters weaving their powers seamlessly into the Thunderbolts' assault. For a moment, strangers stood side by side, holding the line together against the dark tide.
As fire and shadow clashed beneath the mountain skies, Helena's determination blazed brighter than ever. If the Serpents are here… then Vanessa can't be far. I will find her.