Location: Grid 5B – Eastern Volcrain Forest Sector
The crunch of snow under boots echoed through the silent forest. Visibility was low, fog coiling like misty fingers around the trees. Damien led the team, his expression unreadable beneath his thermal visor.
Lucas moved ahead, scanning with a modified infrared drone. "Movement—northwest quadrant. Single heat signature. She's fast."
"Let her come closer," Damien said, eyes narrowed. "I want her to think we're vulnerable."
Beside him, Nora stayed calm, her breath slow, hands steady on her suppressed firearm. "I'm ready."
Damien's voice was a whisper, almost reverent. "I won't let anything happen to you. Not again."
Then, the trees exploded.
A smoke bomb burst in the air, covering the area in a thick cloud. A flash of silver cut through the mist—Ash Widow had arrived.
---
Location: Forest Clearing – Seconds Later
Nora ducked just in time, the blade grazing her cheek. Ash Widow lunged again, a blur of speed and deadly precision. Damien fired once, but the assassin spun mid-air, using a tree to vault herself behind them.
"She's augmented," Lucas growled. "Enhanced reflexes."
Ash Widow's voice carried like a hiss. "The Kane boy sends lovers to do his work? Cute. But I kill pretty things first."
Damien moved like lightning, drawing a hidden blade and clashing with her in a flurry of sparks. "Say her name again," he warned, voice cold as ice.
The assassin chuckled. "You're just another arrogant heir playing war."
"You'll find I don't play."
---
Location: Cliff Edge – Five Minutes Later
The fight had shifted violently. Ash Widow tried to retreat, leaping onto a high ridge—but Damien was faster. He tackled her mid-air, the two crashing against jagged stone. Nora aimed and fired, grazing the assassin's shoulder.
Ash Widow cried out, stumbling. Lucas caught her with a stun blast from his rifle, bringing her to her knees.
Damien stood over her, blade raised. "Give me the name of your employer."
She spat blood. "You already know."
Nora stepped forward. "Then tell us why. Why target us?"
Ash Widow smiled, eyes burning with manic glee. "Because you're close. Too close. And the real war hasn't even started."
With a sudden motion, she jabbed a cyanide needle into her neck.
Damien cursed, but it was too late.
---
Location: Volcrain Extraction Point – Hours Later
Back aboard the jet, silence hung heavy.
"She was sent to distract us," Lucas said finally.
"No," Damien said darkly. "She was sent to warn us."
Nora looked over. "What now?"
Damien stared into the distance. "Now we prepare for the storm. Whoever's pulling the strings just showed us their reach. Next time, they won't send a whisper."
He turned to the window, voice grim.
"They'll send a reckoning."