One week had passed since Dylan Foster's assassination.
The squad gathered at an abandoned industrial complex on the outskirts of the city. Hidden beneath layers of rusted machinery and forgotten infrastructure was a portal—not maintained by the World Union, not monitored by any government. A black market portal, one of many that existed in the shadows of the official system.
One by one, they stepped through.
What awaited them on the other side defied expectation: a room with no windows, no doors, no visible exits of any kind. Just smooth walls extending in all directions, illuminated by soft overhead lighting that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once.
The only way in or out was the portal they'd just used.
"Welcome to our new base," Alpha—X—announced as the last member arrived. "Completely isolated from any dimension. No one can find us here unless they know the exact portal coordinates."
"How is this even possible?" Nelson asked, looking around in confusion. "A room that exists nowhere?"
"Pocket dimension," Itachi explained. "Created by someone with mastery of Projection-stage Vitra. Extremely rare. Extremely expensive. But perfectly secure."
"Which we're going to need," Alpha said grimly, "because things just got a lot more complicated."
Alpha pulled out a tablet and turned on a news broadcast. A professional anchor woman appeared on screen, her expression grave.
"—continues to dominate headlines one week after the assassination of presidential candidate Dylan Foster. Authorities have identified several suspects in connection with the attack, with substantial bounties offered for their capture."
The screen shifted to display photographs and wanted posters:
**X - 1,000,000,000 Ecoins**
*Wanted for: Murder, Terrorism, Conspiracy*
*Approach with extreme caution*
**Laurel - 100,000,000 Ecoins**
*Wanted for: Murder, Conspiracy*
*Known associate of X*
**Ji-won - 50,000,000 Ecoins**
*Wanted for: Murder, Conspiracy*
*Armed and extremely dangerous*
**Nelson - 30,000,000 Ecoins**
*Wanted for: Conspiracy, Aiding and Abetting*
*Known associate of Laurel*
**Lily - 80,000,000 Ecoins**
*Wanted: ALIVE ONLY*
*Suspected involvement in terrorist activities*
**Beto - 50,000,000 Ecoins**
*Wanted for: Arson, Murder, Conspiracy*
**Itachi - 50,000,000 Ecoins**
*Wanted for: Murder, Conspiracy*
**Marvel - 50,000,000 Ecoins**
*Wanted for: Murder, Conspiracy*
The anchor continued: "The World Union has officially condemned the attack and is providing full support to Sarah Foster, daughter of the deceased candidate, in her efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice. Miss Foster has gone public with allegations connecting the assassination to Ronald Stone's campaign through the vigilante known as X."
The screen showed footage of Sarah Foster at a press conference, her eyes red from crying but her voice steady with rage.
"X murdered my father in cold blood," she said. "And Ronald Stone has been publicly endorsed by X for months. This wasn't just an assassination—it was a political hit orchestrated to install Stone as president. The World Union will help me expose this conspiracy and ensure justice is served."
The news broadcast continued with analysis and commentary:
"The allegations have created unprecedented chaos in the UXA political landscape. Ronald Stone has denied any connection to X or the assassination, calling the accusations 'desperate attempts to undermine democracy.' However, the World Union's public support for Sarah Foster's investigation has lent significant credibility to her claims."
The screen split, showing two competing rallies:
On one side, Sarah Foster with World Union officials and government authorities, demanding Stone withdraw from the race.
On the other side, massive crowds of ordinary citizens supporting Ronald Stone, holding signs that read "DON'T SILENCE THE PEOPLE" and "X CHOSE STONE, WE CHOOSE STONE."
"The nation appears divided," the anchor said. "The establishment—led by the World Union—backing Foster's investigation. The people—inspired by X's months of vigilante activism—supporting Stone regardless of the allegations. What happens next may determine not just the presidency, but the future of the UXA itself."
Alpha turned off the tablet.
"Sarah saw me in the tunnel," X said quietly. "She knows X killed her father. And now the World Union is using her grief to wage political warfare against Ronald Stone and everyone connected to him."
"Are we in danger?" Lily asked, her voice small.
"We're all criminals now," Itachi confirmed. "Wanted by both the government and the World Union. Eight of us with active bounties."
"Only eight?" Lee asked. "What about the rest of us?"
"They don't know about you," Alpha replied. "The CCTV footage only caught certain individuals. X, Laurel, and Ji-won were physically seen by Sarah in the tunnel. Nelson and Lily were identified as Laurel's known associates. Beto and Itachi were identified as Ji-won's allies. And Marvel was caught on camera leaving the event with Itachi, connecting him to the group."
"Lee, Luis, Pablo—you're clean," Alpha continued. "As far as anyone knows, you have no connection to this. Which means you can still operate freely in society."
"What about X?" Alpha gestured to herself. "No one knows X's true identity. The mask stays on during operations. His identity—remains unknown to the authorities. He can still move freely."
Alpha looked around the room at her team—some now fugitives, others still operating in the shadows.
"Here's what happens next. Lee, Luis, Pablo—you three continue your normal lives. Day jobs, regular routines, nothing suspicious. But you're Night Wolf's financial lifeline now. The fugitives can't access banks, can't work legitimate jobs, can't show their faces in public. You three will provide money, supplies, and logistical support to keep everyone alive while they're in hiding."
The three men nodded. It wasn't glamorous work, but it was essential.
"Itachi, Beto, Ji-won—I have a mission for you three. You'll need to do it while maintaining your fugitive status, which makes it more complicated, but it's critical."
Alpha pulled up a map showing a distant city. "La Vendetta. The city of trade. Black market capital of the world. If something illegal exists, you can buy it there."
"What are we buying?" Beto asked.
"A scientific drug," Alpha replied. "Something revolutionary. It's inspired by the four enchanted swords that exist in this world—blades created by a legendary swordsmith who was the first and only person to forge objects that contain their own vital energy despite not being alive."
Ji-won's hand moved instinctively to the katana at her side. One of those four swords.
"These swords store vital energy," Alpha explained. "Users with low reserves, or those who don't want to deplete their own life force, can borrow from the sword instead. The energy contained in these blades is substantial—centuries worth of accumulated power."
"And the drug?" Itachi asked.
"It mimics that property. The drug itself stores vital energy. When consumed, it releases that energy into the user's body, temporarily increasing their total reserves. It's not permanent, but it gives us a significant advantage against opponents who rely on wearing us down through attrition."
"We'll need that advantage," Beto said grimly. "The remaining cult members are all more powerful than Dylan Foster was. If we're going to fight them, we need every edge we can get."
"Exactly," Alpha confirmed. "Get to La Vendetta. Find the drug dealer who specializes in vital energy enhancement. Buy as much as we can afford. Don't get caught."
She turned to Laurel. "Your assignment is simpler but equally important."
Laurel straightened as Alpha's gaze fixed on him.
"Protect Lily," Alpha said simply. "At all costs. No matter what happens, no matter what threats emerge, you keep her safe."
"I—of course," Laurel replied, confused by the intensity in Alpha's voice. "But why specifically—"
"Because she's the second most important person in X's life right now," Alpha interrupted, her tone brooking no argument. "If anything happens to her—anything at all—there will be consequences. Do you understand?"
The threat was implicit but clear. Laurel swallowed and nodded. "I understand. I'll protect her with my life."
Lily looked between them, clearly wanting to ask who the first most important person was, but the expression on Alpha's face suggested that question wouldn't be welcome.
Nelson stood up, his jaw set with determination.
"I'm going to find my father," he announced.
The room fell silent. Nobody knew about Marcus Reid now—Pride, the Number One adventurer, member of the secret cult.
"That's dangerous," Alpha said carefully. "You're a fugitive."
"I know," Nelson replied. "But I need answers. I need to understand why he abandoned me and Laurel when we were children."
"He might try to kill you," Itachi pointed out.
"Then I'll die knowing the truth." Nelson's voice was steady. "But I have to try. I can't just hide while you all risk your lives fighting this cult without understanding what we're really up against."
Alpha studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Fine. But be careful"
"I know," Nelson said quietly.
Marvel, who had been silent throughout most of the meeting, finally spoke up.
"I need to rescue my sister."
Everyone turned to look at him.
"I work for the Hunter Association," Marvel explained. "Bounty hunters who track down criminals and rogue adventurers. Publicly, they're independent. In reality, they're funded and controlled by the World Union. It's how the Union deals with people who know too much or possess something valuable."
"You're a bounty hunter?" Lily asked, horrified. "You hunt people like... like us?"
"I hunt criminals," Marvel corrected. "There's a difference. Or there was, before all this. Now I'm the criminal."
"What about your sister?" Alpha prompted.
"She's sick," Marvel said, his voice tight with worry. "A rare condition that requires constant treatment. Expensive treatment. The only reason I joined the Hunter Association was because they promised to cover her medical costs in exchange for my services. Top-tier doctors, cutting-edge medicine, everything she needs."
"And now that you're wanted..." Itachi said, understanding.
"Now they'll use her against me," Marvel finished. "Either as leverage to force me back, or they'll just stop her treatment entirely. Either way, she dies unless I get her out."
"Where is she?" Alpha asked.
"Hunter Association medical facility in the capital. High security, but I know the layout. I can get in and out if I move fast."
"Do it," Alpha decided. "Rescue your sister, then go into hiding with her. We'll provide support once you're clear."
Marvel nodded, relief evident despite his controlled expression. "Thank you."
Alpha stood, signaling the meeting was coming to an end.
"The rest of you have your assignments. Maintain communication only through encrypted channels. Change locations frequently. Trust no one outside this room."
"What about you, X?" Lee asked. "What's your mission?"
X smiled. "I'm going on vacation."
"Vacation?" several people said simultaneously.
"No one knows my true identity," he reminded them. "As far as the world is concerned, I'm just a normal guy. I can move freely, live normally, even travel if I want. So while you're all scrambling around completing missions, I'm going to take a break. Maybe visit the beach. Read some books. Sleep in for once."
"That seems... irresponsible," Lily said hesitantly.
"It's practical," Alpha countered. "I need to maintain my civilian identity. If I suddenly disappear right after X becomes public enemy number one, someone might notice the correlation. Better to be very publicly visible doing normal things."
She looked around the room one final time. "I'll contact everyone when it's time for the next operation. Until then, stay alive. Stay hidden. And remember—we've taken down one sin. Six more remain, plus the cult's master. This is just the beginning."
One by one, they began leaving through the portal, returning to a world that now hunted them.
Itachi, Beto, and Ji-won departed together, already planning their route to La Vendetta and the dangerous black market that awaited them there.
Marvel left with grim determination, heading toward the capital and the sister who needed him.
Nelson departed alone, his path leading toward a father he'd never known and answers that might destroy everything he believed.
Alpha, Lee, Luis, and Pablo returned to their normal lives, ready to play their part as invisible support.
Laurel and Lily left together, her protection now his sole responsibility and her importance to X a mystery he didn't fully understand.
And X—the most wanted person in the world, walked out of the portal into a sunny afternoon, pulled out a phone, and checked flight prices to tropical destinations.
The fugitives scattered to the winds, each on their own mission, each carrying the weight of what they'd done and what they still had to do.