"Then let's go," Fransisco said, and the three of them stepped outside.
Once outside, Jose was panting heavily. His hands were clenched, and he was biting his lips, trying to hold back his emotions.
Fransisco noticed. "You can check on them."
Jose's eyes welled up with tears.
"Let's split up. First, we need to gather information on what's changed in the last six months."
Fransisco vanished into thin air, and so did the other two.
A door creaked open. A woman carrying a jug of water looked up and saw a shadowy figure at the doorway.
"My son!" she gasped, dropping the water as she ran forward and hugged him tightly.
They regrouped atop the tallest building in Porto. It was 4 PM.
"So, what did you find out?" Fransisco asked.
"The mayor and the entire government have lost their power. We have a king now..... and we can't beat him. His level is far beyond ours," Jose said, sitting on the edge of the building.
"The mayor and the mafias are alive," Angelo added, staring down at the chaos below, "but like I said before, they're powerless. Just spectators now."
Down below, players slaughtered each other. Screams filled the air.
The innocent were trapped in between, and the city was littered with the corpses of police officers.
"So the king ordered all players to kill each other," Fransisco muttered. "Whoever survives becomes the ruler of Porto."
"Then let's get started. We'll take back our land, right?" Jose said, standing. "My parents are safe.... and the king already ordered the execution of all government officials in our area. We've got a lot to clean up."
Jose leapt off the building.
"Wait for us!" Fransisco and Angelo followed.
10 PM.
The three stood on top of a mountain of corpses.
A man in a black suit approached, clapping slowly.
"Good. Very good. For your performance, the king has summoned your leader."
He made a hand gesture.
The scene shifted to a large, grand hall.
Men in black suits lined the walls, while ten casually dressed individuals stood near a towering chair.
"Good. You can rule Porto now," said the man on the throne.
"I don't care what you do, or how many you kill.....just don't ever disobey me. If you do, you'll pay the price."
"Yes, sir," Fransisco said, kneeling.
"Oh, did you kill your mayor?" the king asked.
"Not yet, sir," Fransisco replied, eyes lowered.
"Kill him soon. And keep all the cops under your command. If anyone disobeys....kill them. Make an example out of them. No one in Portugal should ever question my decisions."
He rose from the throne. His blonde eyes glowed, but the shadows cast by the light hid his face.
"And take these ten people with you. They're your messengers and guards. They each have a code name from 1 to 10. Don't ask them anything. If they disobey.....kill them. They'll wear masks the entire time. Understand?"
"Yes, sir," Fransisco answered, trembling under the pressure of the king's presence.
"What did the king say?" Jose asked, as Fransisco led the ten masked men forward.
"Porto is ours," Fransisco said. "But in return, we need to send him the mayor's head."
"Hnnn... I don't see a problem," Jose replied, glancing at Angelo.
"That's good," Angelo said. "I found our mafia members. During our absence, they were at each other's throats.... but both factions survived."
"What about our boss and the mayor? You two haven't mentioned them," Fransisco asked.
"No idea. Why don't you call him?" Angelo handed him a phone.
Fransisco dialed Mendez. After a few rings, the line connected.
"Fransisco, you fucking bastard!" Mendez shouted. "Where the hell did you disappear to without telling me? Don't forget who you work for!"
"Sorry, boss... but I'm glad you're alive. Where are you? And what about the mayor?"
"We're in the underground bunker. Just wait there...we'll talk later."
Fransisco gave a dark smile.
Click...
The door creaked open. Light from inside cut through the shadows.
"Hey boss, we're here..." Fransisco said, stepping inside.
"You fucking bastards!" Mendez yelled. "Where the hell were you? We searched everywhere...each of you vanished! I gave you a chance to make money, and this is how you repay me?"
He slapped Fransisco.
Jose and Angelo froze, eyes wide.....but Fransisco just smiled.
"Sorry, boss. We disappeared without warning. But thanks to that, we brought you a gift."
Fransisco took a few steps back.
"I don't want your fucking gift. I want you to go to that bastard king and beg him to spare me and the mayor!" the mayor shouted, rising from his seat.
"But sir, if I go, he might kill us all," Fransisco said, placing his palms over his face.
"I don't give a shit about your life. I only care about myself and Mendez. We go way back. And if you don't do what I say..."
The mayor leaned closer, eyes gleaming.
"...I'll find Jose's family and kill them. I know they're hiding in some random village. Only you and Jose know where. But I will find them."
He and Mendez both smiled cruelly.
Fransisco's expression hardened.
"Oh, we're really sorry, sir. But you'll have to accept our gift after all."
He stepped out of the room.
A moment later, screams rang out.
"AHHHHHHHH!"
Fransisco looked back and saw blood pooling from beneath the door.