Back at Alpha's hotel in Dan Village, the group gathered around a table, the glowing green vial resting at its center.
Alpha studied it carefully, turning it slightly under the light.
"So..."
"This is meant to help us with something?"
Saito nodded firmly.
"From what we got out of the scientist before he died—"
His jaw tightened slightly at the memory.
"—this is used to recharge Noxus's machine."
Alpha's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"So your plan is to deliver it to Haruki Village."
"And wait for someone to come collect it."
Saito nodded again.
Hashima leaned back, arms crossed, considering it.
"Not a bad idea, honestly."
Shiro's brow furrowed slightly.
"But what if the delivery has to come specifically from one of their own men?"
"They might not accept it from a stranger."
Alpha tapped his chin.
"That's a fair concern."
He glanced toward Saito.
"This isn't a bad plan, Saito."
"But if something goes wrong..."
"The tide could turn against you quickly."
Saito's expression hardened with resolve.
"Then we believe in ourselves."
He glanced around at his crew.
"We can do this."
Alpha let out a long breath, rubbing his temple.
"Yes, well..."
His expression grew apologetic.
"Unfortunately, myself, Hashima, and Shiro need to report our recent activities back to our leader."
"Which means..."
He met Saito's eyes directly.
"...there won't be anyone to watch your back this time."
Lily stepped forward, arms crossed confidently.
"I could watch them."
Shiro glanced toward her, then nodded thoughtfully.
"I'll bring some of my men as well."
Footsteps approached from the hallway.
A familiar figure stepped into view — sharp, composed, dressed in the same steady manner as before.
Herion.
Saito's eyes lit up with recognition.
"Herion!"
Herion offered a small nod, a faint smile forming.
"Long time no see, Blue Scarf."
Alpha glanced between them, satisfaction settling over his expression.
"Then it's decided."
He gestured toward Lily and Herion.
"These two will assist you with your plan, Saito."
He straightened, adjusting his coat.
"Don't worry."
"We'll handle our report as quickly as possible and return to support you."
Saito nodded firmly, gratitude flashing across his face.
"Thank you."
He glanced toward Lily and Herion.
"Guess we're a team now, huh?"
Lily smirked, twirling a dagger casually between her fingers.
"Try to keep up, Blue Scarf."
Herion's expression remained calm, professional. "I'll coordinate logistics. Just tell me what you need."
Kaito stepped up beside Saito, arms crossed. "We'll need eyes on every entry point once we're in Haruki."
Herion nodded. "Consider it done."
Alpha watched the group organize themselves, a flicker of quiet confidence in his gaze.
"Good."
He turned toward the door, Hashima and Shiro falling into step beside him.
"We'll be back before you know it."
With that, the three of them departed, leaving Saito's crew — now bolstered by Lily and Herion — to finalize their plan for infiltrating Haruki Village.
Lily glanced toward Saito, arms crossed.
"So, what's the plan?"
Saito paused, thinking it over carefully, eyes scanning across the group.
"Rin."
He turned toward him.
"Could you be the delivery man?"
Rin smirked, cracking his knuckles.
"Sure thing."
"I've got the perfect innocent face for it."
Saito nodded.
"Good."
He turned next toward Kaito and Herion.
"You two will scout the area."
"Map out entry points, guard rotations, anything useful."
Herion nodded firmly. "Understood."
Kaito's expression sharpened. "We'll find every weak point they have."
Saito's gaze shifted toward Fanny and Bomb.
"Once Rin's inside their lab..."
"You two create a distraction."
"Draw attention away from the main entrance."
Bomb grinned, adjusting his sling. "Oh, I like distractions."
Fanny nodded eagerly. "Leave that to us."
Finally, Saito turned toward Lily.
"Lily."
"You're with me."
"We'll slip into the lab while everyone's distracted."
Lily's smirk widened, twirling her dagger between her fingers.
"Sneaking in together, huh?"
She glanced at him teasingly.
"Try not to walk into any wrong rooms this time."
Saito groaned, rubbing the back of his neck.
"...One time. That happens one time."
The group chuckled lightly despite the tension, quickly falling into focus as they began finalizing the finer details of their infiltration plan.
The group stepped out of the hotel, morning light stretching long across Dan Village's quiet streets.
Saito took a deep breath, glancing back at his crew.
"Alright, everyone."
He tightened the strap on his sword.
"Let's move out."
Rin rolled his shoulders, grinning confidently. "Delivery man Rin, reporting for duty."
Bomb chuckled, adjusting his sling carefully. "Try not to blow your cover before we even get there."
"No promises," Rin shot back with a smirk.
Kaito fell into step beside Herion, both scanning the road ahead with focused, calculating eyes.
Fanny bounced slightly on her heels, energy radiating despite the seriousness of the mission. "Finally, some action instead of paperwork and stakeouts."
Lily walked alongside Saito, twirling her dagger lazily between her fingers.
"Ready to sneak around again, Blue Scarf?"
Saito shot her a sideways glance. "Please don't stab me this time."
Lily laughed. "No promises there either."
The group continued down the winding road, the ruins of Berkeley Village fading behind them as the path toward Haruki Village stretched out ahead, framed by dense trees and distant hills.
Saito's expression steadied, determination burning bright.
"Hold on, Alya."
He clenched his fists.
"We're coming for you."
The crew pressed forward together, unified in purpose, ready to infiltrate Haruki Village and take the fight directly to Sector X.
Alya's eyes fluttered open slowly, vision blurred at first, the dim glow of overhead lights swimming into focus.
"...Where am I?"
Her voice came out hoarse, throat dry.
She pushed herself upright, wincing at the dull ache spreading through her body.
The room around her was cold, sterile — metal walls, a single flickering light overhead, the faint hum of machinery echoing somewhere beyond the walls.
She tried to stand fully—
Only to be yanked back sharply.
A heavy chain rattled against the floor, clamped firmly around her ankle, tethering her to the wall behind.
Her eyes widened.
She grabbed the chain instinctively, pulling hard, muscles straining.
It didn't budge.
She tried again, throwing her weight against it, gritting her teeth.
Still nothing.
Breathless, she sank back against the cold wall, chest heaving, eyes darting anxiously around the cramped cell.
No windows. No visible door controls. Just cold steel and shadows.
She hugged her knees slightly, mind racing, trying to piece together fragmented memories — the battle, Noxus's cold voice, the searing green light.
Her fingers twitched instinctively, reaching for her tablet device out of habit.
Empty.
Gone.
A fresh wave of dread settled deep in her chest.
She swallowed hard, forcing her breathing to steady.
"...Okay."
"Think, Alya."
"Think."
The door hissed open.
Alya's head snapped toward it, body tensing instinctively.
Maxwell stood in the doorway, arms crossed, leaning against the frame like he'd been standing there a while.
He looked her over, unimpressed.
"Already awake, huh."
Alya pressed herself back against the wall, chain scraping against the floor.
She didn't answer.
Maxwell pushed off the doorframe, stepping inside, boots heavy against the metal floor.
He crouched down slightly, studying her with an expression she couldn't quite read — not cruel, exactly, just... tired.
"You're not gonna get that chain off."
"Trust me. Smarter people than you have tried."
Alya's jaw tightened. "What do you want with me?"
Maxwell was quiet for a beat.
"Not my call."
He straightened back up, glancing toward the door.
"Noxus wants you talking."
"Whether you feel like it or not."
He turned, footsteps echoing as he walked back toward the entrance.
At the doorway, he paused.
"...Food's coming."
"Eat it. You'll need your strength."
Then he was gone, the door sliding shut with a heavy, final clang.
Alya sat frozen for a long moment, staring at the closed door, Maxwell's words settling uneasily over her.