"What do you mean by that?" Cross asked, puzzled by Jason's cryptic statement about guilt.
Jason smiled and shook his head. "Let's focus on what matters—how to eliminate Sloan and save the Fraternity. That's the priority, correct?"
Cross considered for a moment before nodding.
"Fox and I have already discussed this," Jason continued. "As the individual who corrupted the faith and betrayed the Fraternity, Sloan must die to atone for his sins. Any accomplices will face the same fate. However, I believe most members were simply deceived into committing crimes. These individuals can be forgiven."
Cross appeared slightly stunned. "But their names have already appeared on the Loom of Fate."
"As guilty parties, they must atone for their sins," Jason replied, giving him a measured smile. "After all, if everyone dies, the Fraternity will cease to exist."
He paused briefly. "Once Sloan is dealt with, Fox will assume leadership. Do you object to this arrangement?"
Cross glanced at Fox, who maintained an inscrutable expression, then shook his head.
"But how can we make everyone understand the truth and eliminate Sloan within the heavily guarded Textile Mill?"
Jason and Fox exchanged a meaningful look, and Cross sensed something wasn't right.
Sure enough, Jason replied with an unsettling smile: "For that, Mr. Cross, we'll need your assistance."
...
Textile Mill or Textile Factory Number 17 stood as an imposing structure on the coastline. After extensive renovations, the old building now resembled a fortress.
With Fox and Wesley's credentials, the four of them gained entry without difficulty.
When the Fraternity members witnessed Cross being brought in bound, they immediately gathered around.
In the main hall, Sloan approached with a cadre of elite assassins, his expression darkening.
"Fox, what's the meaning of this? Now that you've captured Cross, you should eliminate him immediately!"
He cast a suspicious glance at Jason. "And why have you brought an outsider here?"
When Fox remained silent, Cross spoke up: "How could she expose your true nature if she didn't bring me back alive?"
Sloan's eyes grew cold. "We don't waste time conversing with traitors. Fox, kill him!"
As everyone watched, Fox produced a document with a white cloth attached.
"Your name appeared on the Loom, Sloan. Why didn't you inform anyone?"
Fox stepped forward, displaying the cloth for all to see.
"Sloan's name appeared on the Loom of Fate many years ago, but he concealed this truth! He abused his authority to manipulate the Loom's readings, falsifying lists, orchestrating the deaths of innocent people, and turning us all into unwitting sinners!"
She approached the Repairman. "Your name has appeared."
She moved to the Butcher. "Your name has appeared."
She confronted the Russian. "Your name has appeared as well. The names of everyone present have appeared!"
Finally, she faced Sloan directly. "If you doubt my words, I believe Sloan possesses the evidence."
Everyone stood shocked, turning to Sloan, who remained ominously silent.
He surveyed the room—some faces registered shock, others anger, and still others disbelief.
"Do you understand why I did this? Because I didn't want any of you to die!"
His voice rose to a shout. "Do you think this modest textile factory can sustain so many operatives? Consider the ammunition required for training, the equipment needed for missions, the cost of healing pools when you're injured! Do you believe these resources materialized from thin air?
"Do you know the mortality rate for Fraternity members on missions ten years ago compared to now? You all benefit from everything I've provided! And now you stand in judgment of me?"
The entire hall fell silent, punctuated only by the rhythmic clanking of the automatic looms.
Jason stepped forward with a cold smile. "Everyone in this room bears guilt, yet you stand here speaking shamelessly?"
"Who are you?" Sloan demanded.
"Someone who never forgets his purpose."
Sloan fell silent for a moment, then spoke deliberately.
"Twenty-one years ago, I was the Fraternity's newest member. There was a girl with me, just seventeen. We trained together, grew together, carried out missions together. We used the most basic equipment to assassinate the most heavily guarded targets. Every operation was a brush with death, yet she and I persevered through sheer determination.
"I remember one night—our clothes soaked with blood, pursuers closing in, our extraction vehicle broken down. In a dark alley, she told me she was cold. What could I do? What was I supposed to do?"
He addressed the assembled assassins like a practiced orator. "From that day forward, I made a decision! I would rather shoulder a thousand—ten thousand—sins than watch my brothers and sisters die before my eyes!
"Yes, I am guilty! But tell me, after all your years of missions, after witnessing countless unscrupulous businessmen, politicians, and officials—can you eliminate them all? This world is perpetually shrouded in darkness! I merely held an umbrella over you amid the storm!"
He approached Fox, his voice lowering ominously. "Now, if you take away this umbrella, everyone will be drenched in the rain."
Jason confronted him directly. "A tragic past doesn't justify inflicting suffering on the innocent! You may seek vengeance, you may kill, but you have no right to target those who bear no guilt!
"The Fraternity once saved this world from chaos and suffering—it stood as this world's guardian. You have defiled that legacy. Not just the Fraternity itself, but every fallen assassin throughout history. They were driven by passion and justice, yet you've insulted their memory!
"If that girl from your past could see you now, would she plunge her dagger into your heart or take your hand in hers? All previous Fraternity leaders before you made different choices. Were they fools, or are you simply too clever for your own good?"
Jason's gaze swept across every face in the hall, finally locking eyes with Sloan. "You've become the very evil you once swore to destroy."
Sloan and Jason stared each other down, light and darkness battling in their eyes.
Jason turned to address the assembled assassins. "You've heard our words. Now make your choice! Will you follow Sloan in betraying your principles and continuing down this corrupt path? Or will you halt your descent and seek redemption for your remaining days? Your destiny lies in your hands."
The assassins exchanged uncertain glances, but no one moved immediately.
Sloan walked to stand opposite Jason, his posture rigid, making his position clear.
Jason smiled thinly. "Decide quickly. Time grows short."
Finally, someone stepped forward.
One by one, the spectators made their decisions.
When all had chosen, the Fraternity's official assassins stood evenly divided—half behind Sloan, half behind Jason.
Behind Jason, Wesley and Cross looked grim. They hadn't anticipated the Fraternity's corruption had penetrated so deeply. Clearly, leaving this place unscathed would prove challenging.
Jason sighed softly, shook his head, and addressed Sloan's faction one final time. "Before we begin, I have one last question for you all. In life, which is more important: the choices you make, or your hard work and talent?"
He didn't wait for a response.
A blinding, dazzling light—comparable to a nuclear blast—erupted before Jason.
In that instant, everyone screamed in agony as tears flooded their eyes and darkness consumed their vision!
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