Ava pouted dramatically, folding her arms. "Oh come on, Jason... is that any way to treat an old friend?"
Jason didn't even glance her way. "You didn't come all the way out here just to say hi. What do you want?"
She smirked, leaning in just a bit. "Still sharp. I'll give you that. I'm honestly impressed-you, of all people, climbing to S-Rank. Who would've guessed the brat with a death wish would turn into a top-tier killer?"
Jason allowed himself a thin smirk. "What's more impressive is watching an SS-Rank nap her days away."
Ava's grin twitched. "You picking a fight with me, Jay?"
"Just offering you a chance to stretch those lazy limbs," he said coolly. "Or are you afraid of losing to a so-called S-Rank?"
That struck a nerve.
"Oh, that does it-"
Before she could pounce, Raven stepped between them like a blade of cold steel. "Enough," she said flatly. "This isn't the place. The plane's arriving any minute."
As if on cue, the console blinked red. The plane's AI buzzed: "Approaching target zone."
They boarded the aircraft without another word.
Later, seated away from the others, Ava leaned closer to Raven and asked in a low voice, "Alright, drop the act. Why is she really on this mission?"
Raven smiled without warmth. "You never miss a beat, do you?"
"Daphne's a fresh D-Rank. Can barely hold a blade, much less survive a ghost operation. She's the worst in her class-if she dies out there, it'll save the agency the embarrassment. No one will ask questions."
Ava raised a brow, grinning. "Still playing chess with people's lives, huh?"
Raven's voice dropped, dark and smooth. "Why waste resources dragging out the inevitable? A broken weapon is better lost on the field than left rusting in storage."
Ava chuckled under her breath. "You're still sly as ever."
"And you're still entertained," Raven replied.
They both looked toward Daphne, sitting quietly across the cabin.
"Let's see how long she lasts, then again she might not even make it to Saint Lucian" Ava muttered.
Raven smirked. "The clock's ticking."
INT. PLANE - NIGHT - EN ROUTE TO SAINT LUCIAN
The hum of the aircraft filled the silence. Everyone sat spread out, like strangers forced into a temporary truce. Jason leaned against the window, arms crossed. Brandon casually plopped down next to him, popping gum like he owned the plane.
Howl sat a row behind them, head back, eyes closed but listening. Across the aisle, Daphne sat near the window, tense but quiet. Riley and Seraphina flanked her, like wolves circling prey.
Eventually seraphina couldn't help herself "So..." she said loud enough for everyone to hear "anyone wanna bet on how long the D-rank lasts before getting herself killed"
Howl, without looking up "How about we bet on how long you'll keep your mouth shut!"
Seraphina rolled her eyes, leaning back in her seat. "Wow, Howl. Still playing the knight? I wonder how long you can keep that little mask on before it slips." Her eyes flicked toward Daphne, her voice mocking. "You must be feeling all special now that Sir Howl of the Saviors is on your side. But I wouldn't bet my card on him if I were you. Then again... I'd never be you."
Daphne didn't flinch. Just stared out the window, lost in the clouds.
That silence,
That calm,
It burned seraphina alive.
"Did that D-rank just ignore me?" she snapped, turning to Riley. "After I was so generous to give her an advice?"
"She's getting cocky," Riley replied, eyes still on the floor, voice flat. "A little reminder might do her some good. Just enough pain to teach her her place."
They both stood. Riley's voice dropped to a murmur. "We should teach the dog how to sit."
Seraphina chuckled darkly. "And what's a dog without a chain?"
Before Daphne could react, they grabbed her by the arm. She barely got a word out before Riley cut her off.
"Oh, shut up. You talk too much."
They started to drag her toward the back of the plane when a hand caught Seraphina's wrist mid-motion. It was cold. Firm. Unshaking.
Howl.
His eyes weren't kind now. They were still.
"What do you think you're doing?" he asked, his tone calm enough to chill bone.
Seraphina looked up at him with a smirk. "Come on, Howl. Don't pretend anymore. We're not at the agency. You don't have to play their sweet little poster boy out here."
"You can do whatever you want now," Riley added with a grin. "No rules, no eyes. Not unless you're actually protecting her."
Howl didn't speak. He simply looked down.
And then he laughed.
It wasn't the charming, collected chuckle they were used to. It was dark. Sharp. And it didn't stop right away. When he finally looked up again, his face had changed.
Gone was the calm, warm expression.
This was someone else entirely.
"You're right," he said, smiling wide. "I don't have to hide it anymore."
Everyone froze. Even Brandon looked up from his seat, tension rising.
Howl turned to Daphne, and the look in his eyes made her heart stop. There was nothing kind in them-only fire behind a steel mask.
"You have no idea how hard it's been," he said softly. "Every single day. Watching you walk around like some trembling little lamb, and resisting the urge to break you into pieces just to hear what kind of sound you'd make."
Seraphina took a step back, uneasy now. "Howl-"
He ignored her. His voice grew darker.
"You think I helped you because I care? No. I wanted to see how long you'd last. I wanted to see if you'd cry, beg, scream. There's an art to it, you know-watching hope rot. Watching someone try to rise when the world's already decided they should fall."
He stepped closer to Daphne.
"And now... now that we're not at the agency, I can do whatever I want. No chains. No eyes. Just me... and you."
Daphne, hands trembling, sank slowly into her seat. Her lungs burned-only then did she realize she'd been holding her breath. The man standing in front of her... wasn't the same kind-hearted Howl she'd spoken to back at the agency. His warmth was gone-replaced by something darker. Something twisted.
Howl leaned in close, his voice low and venomous. "You know," he murmured, his eyes locked on hers, "I've been thinking... when we get to Saint Lucian, there's a pretty good chance the enemy captures you. And when they do... they won't kill you quickly. No, they'll break you-piece by piece. Maybe start with your fingers. Or your voice box. Depends on their mood."
Daphne's breath caught in her throat. Her entire body screamed at her to run, but her legs refused to move.
Howl's grin widened, almost gleeful. "Honestly? I should just do them a favor... and kill you now."
Without warning, he flipped a hidden dagger from his sleeve-its curved, blackened edge gleaming like a predator's tooth. In one swift motion, he lunged forward-
CLANG!
Steel met steel with a screech of sparks. Howl's blade was knocked off course mid-swing.
Jason stood between them, dagger drawn, eyes locked onto Howl like a hunter watching prey. His stance was solid, unmoving.
"No one's dying on my plane," Jason growled, his eyes locked onto Howl like a predator sizing up another apex beast. His voice was calm-but deadly. The kind of calm that came before a storm ripped through everything in its path.
"I knew something was off about you. But this?" His blade still buzzed faintly with energy. "This is just pathetic."
Howl took a small step back, lips curling into a twisted grin. He raised both hands lazily. "Relax, Jason. I was just playing," he said, voice dripping with mockery. "Can't take a joke?"
Jason's glare didn't waver. "Try that again. Let's see if I laugh while you bleed."
A flicker of something dark flashed in Howl's eyes as he slowly turned away-but then he spun back, his face now twisted with something far more sinister.
"You know, Jason..." he snarled, voice low and venomous, "just because Raven put you in charge doesn't mean you get to dictate who I kill. You're not my leash."
Before Jason could speak, Seraphina stood, arms crossed, clearly bored. "Yeah, Jason," she echoed with a scoff. "Quit acting all righteous. Let him finish the job-we all know she's deadweight."
Riley leaned back in her seat, smirking. "She's right. Better a quick death now than a slow one when the real fighting starts. Think of it as mercy killing."
That was it.
Jason stood still-but the pressure in the room shifted. The air grew heavier. Cold. Oxygen felt harder to breathe.
A split second later-BOOM-the dagger in Jason's hand slammed into the wall beside Riley's face, the blade quivering from the force. Everyone froze.
Jason's eyes glowed with barely controlled rage, voice now like cold steel.
"Say. One. More. Word. I dare you."
Even Howl tensed. Seraphina's smirk vanished. Riley's hand twitched near her weapon-but she thought better of it.
Jason's footsteps echoed like war drums as he stepped forward, slow and heavy. The air thickened-his bloodlust spilling out like a wave of pressure, sharp enough to choke on. Even the lights above seemed to dim under it.
He didn't raise his voice. He didn't have to.
"This is what S-Ranks do now?" he said coldly, his eyes like twin blades. "Three against one... and you call yourselves elite?"
His glare locked onto Howl, then slid to Seraphina and Riley, unblinking. "No discipline. No control. Just animals playing soldier."
The temperature felt like it dropped ten degrees. His killing intent wrapped around the cabin like a storm.
"Keep acting like this," Jason muttered, "and I won't need a mission to put you down."
No more words. Just silence-and the feeling that death had passed by.
No one spoke.
Slowly, without another word, Howl turned and slinked back to his seat. Seraphina followed, eyes twitching, and Riley gave Daphne one last glare before backing off.
Jason exhaled, turned, and walked silently back to his own seat.
Daphne sat frozen-her heart thudding against her ribs. Her hands trembled as she stared at the dagger still embedded in the wall. That... was almost meant for someone's throat.
Just then, Brandon casually slid into the seat beside her, holding two cans of soda like nothing just happened.
"Sooo... you always bring this much drama on field trips, or is today special?" he grinned.
Daphne blinked, still shaken.
Brandon popped a can open. "Don't worry. If anyone else pulls a knife, I'll block it with my sparkling personality."
Despite everything, Daphne let out the tiniest laugh. Brandon winked.
"Welcome to hell with extra legroom."
Daphne sat in silence, still shaken. Brandon plopped down beside her, flashing a sheepish grin.
"Yeeaah... sorry about the circus act back there," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "They get dramatic when bored. You okay?"
She turned to him slowly, her voice low but firm.
"You're asking if I'm okay? I almost got stabbed. I know I'm just a D-rank, but this is insane..." Her voice cracked slightly.
Brandon winced. "Yeah, valid. That was definitely not in the agency handbook." He leaned in, lowering his voice like he was sharing a juicy secret. "But hey, Jason stepping in? That was kinda my doing."
Daphne blinked. "Wait... what?"
Brandon smirked. "Yup. I told him if he saved you, I'd leave him alone for a whole day. No jokes, no hugs, no surprise karaoke. He caved instantly."
She squinted. "You bribed him with silence?"
"Exactly. My silence is priceless," he said proudly, pointing at himself with both thumbs.
Daphne laughed a little despite herself. "But... why didn't you help me?"
Brandon shrugged dramatically. "Because I'm not legally allowed to fight before noon. Kidding. Honestly, I'm more like... a weapon without a user. Pointless unless someone swings me."
Daphne looked at him, something soft in her eyes. "You're not a weapon, Brandon. You're more than that. You're kind. And... funny. And you helped me, even if it was in your weird Brandon way."
Brandon blinked as her face got closer. "Uh..."
"Seriously, thank you," she said with a soft smile.
He turned red instantly and leaned away like she'd just ignited. "Cool cool cool. Uh-did you have to get so close, though? I might combust or something."
Daphne tilted her head, confused. "What?"
"Nothing! Absolutely nothing." He sat rigid, pretending to stare at a very interesting screw on the wall.
Daphne smirked. "You're so weird."
Brandon beamed. "And proud."
They were still laughing when Howl appeared like a bad plot twist.
"Hey, Daphne," he said with a charming smile that didn't match the earlier threat. "About earlier… sorry if I scared you. But hey, if you ever feel lonely, I'm always around." He winked and walked off like he hadn't just tried to murder her a few minutes ago.
Daphne's smile vanished. Her chest tightened.
She stood up quickly. "I need some air," she mumbled, turning away.
Brandon gently caught her wrist. "Hey… maybe now's not the best time to be alone."
Daphne gave a forced smile and carefully slipped out of his grasp. "I'm fine," she said, her voice soft, then disappeared toward the bathroom.
Brandon watched her go, guilt and worry twisting in his chest. Can you blame her? After everything, trusting anyone seemed like a luxury.
Three hours passed.
The others were half-asleep or fully out cold, but Brandon kept glancing toward the back of the plane. No sign of her.
Finally, he slipped over to Jason and whispered, "Psst… hey, you up?"
Jason sighed thinking 'of course a deal like that wouldn't keep Brandon away " I am now what do you want"
Brandon leaned in like he was sharing top-secret intel. "It's Daphne. She's still in the bathroom."
Jason gave a deadpan stare. "And?"
"I dunno, man. She could be hungry… or passed out… or DEAD." Brandon threw in some jazz hands for dramatic effect.
Jason sighed. "Get to the point before I make you actually disappear."
"I saved her some leftovers." Brandon held out a neatly wrapped box like it was a peace offering. "Can you go give it to her?"
Jason glared. Brandon grinned.
"I know that look. You're thinking, 'What's in it for me?'"
"No," Jason replied, deadpan. "I'm thinking I should've let Howl stab you instead."
Jason rolled back over. Brandon huffed. "Fine. Guess I'll just call you Jay-Jay all the way back to HQ."
Jason froze. "Where's the leftovers."
Jason knocked on the bathroom door, clearing his throat awkwardly.
"Hey… you in there?" No answer.
He waited a few seconds, then muttered, "I'm coming in. Don't scream."
He pushed the door open slowly. There, curled up on the floor, was Daphne—fast asleep. Her arms wrapped around her knees, her cheeks stained from dried tears.
Jason crouched beside her and studied her quietly.
"Cried yourself to sleep, huh?" Jason muttered, his voice low and unreadable. He brushed a strand of hair from her face with two fingers, gaze sharp. "You're really bad at pretending you're strong."
Her eyes suddenly snapped open, locking onto his.
He didn't flinch. "Relax. If I wanted to kill you, you wouldn't have woken up at all."
Daphne, ignoring his calm demeanor, jolted upright and shot him a fiery glare.
"PERVERT!" she snapped, scrambling back like he'd lit a fuse under her.
Her face was burning red, hair a mess, breath uneven. Jason just raised a brow, clearly unbothered.