The rain fell in sheets, turning the streets of Budapest into a slick, glistening labyrinth. Ethan Drake moved like a shadow through the narrow alleys, his senses heightened, every muscle in his body coiled like a spring. Years of covert operations had honed his instincts to a razor's edge, and tonight, they told him one thing: he was not alone.
The intel had been clear. A high-ranking member of the Serpent's Fang, the global crime syndicate that had eluded law enforcement for years, was in the city. Ethan's mission was simple—neutralize the target and gather any intelligence on the elusive Valkyries, the female operatives who ran the organization from the shadows.
Ethan's comms crackled in his ear. "Agent Drake, you have visual?" It was Alina, his handler back at the agency. Her voice was steady, professional, a stark contrast to the storm raging around him.
"Not yet," Ethan replied, his eyes scanning the dimly lit street ahead. The target was supposed to be meeting a contact in a small café just ahead. He pulled up his hood, blending into the darkness, and approached the café's entrance. Through the rain-streaked window, he could see a lone figure seated at a corner table, her face obscured by the brim of a wide-brimmed hat.
He entered the café, the bell above the door jingling softly. The warmth inside was a sharp contrast to the cold rain outside, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. Ethan's eyes quickly adjusted to the dim lighting, and he made his way to the counter, his back to the mysterious figure.
"Espresso, no sugar," he ordered, his voice calm, betraying none of the tension coursing through him. As he waited for his drink, he discreetly observed the woman in the corner. She hadn't moved since he entered, her attention seemingly focused on a small, sleek device on the table in front of her.
The barista handed him his espresso, and Ethan took a sip, savoring the bitter taste as he considered his next move. He had a clear shot at the target, but something felt off. His instincts told him this was too easy.
Suddenly, the woman looked up, her eyes locking onto his. They were cold, calculating, and entirely devoid of fear. Ethan felt a chill run down his spine. This wasn't an ordinary member of the Serpent's Fang. This was one of the Valkyries.
Before Ethan could react, the café door burst open, and two more figures stepped inside, both women, both deadly. One had short-cropped hair and the build of a soldier, while the other moved with the grace of a predator, her eyes never leaving Ethan.
The woman at the table smiled—a slow, dangerous smile that told Ethan everything he needed to know. He'd walked into a trap.
"Ethan Drake," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "You've been quite the nuisance."
Ethan's hand moved instinctively to his sidearm, but the woman shook her head, her smile widening. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. You see, we've been waiting for you."
The two women flanked Ethan, cutting off any chance of escape. He was outnumbered, but not outmatched. Years of training kicked in, and he assessed his options in the blink of an eye. He could take out the two guards, but the woman at the table—she was the real threat.
"What do you want?" Ethan asked, his voice steady, betraying none of the tension that gripped him.
The woman leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs casually. "What I want, Mr. Drake, is to offer you a choice. You can join us—become one of the Valkyries—or you can die here tonight."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "And what makes you think I'd ever work for the likes of you?"
The woman shrugged, as if the answer was obvious. "Because, Ethan, deep down, you know that the organization you work for is no better than we are. They send you out to do their dirty work, and for what? A pat on the back? A meaningless medal?"
Ethan said nothing, his mind racing. She was trying to get into his head, to make him doubt his mission, his purpose. But he couldn't afford to let her.
The woman stood, her movements slow and deliberate. "You're a survivor, Ethan. That's why I'm giving you this chance. Join us, and you'll never have to follow orders again. You'll be your own master."
Ethan's hand tightened around his weapon. He had to act fast. If he was going to survive this, he needed to take out the leader first. The other two would fall quickly after that.
But just as he was about to make his move, the woman at the table tilted her head, her smile fading. "You really don't get it, do you? We are everywhere. You kill me, and another will take my place. The Serpent's Fang is more than a syndicate—it's a new world order. And you, Ethan, could be a part of it."
Ethan's mind raced. He needed to find a way out, and fast. But before he could act, the café door burst open again, this time revealing a new figure—Raven.
Raven was a former Valkyrie, and her betrayal of the organization had put her at the top of their hit list. She was the last person Ethan expected to see tonight, but he wasn't about to question his luck.
Without a word, Raven drew her weapon and fired, taking out one of the guards with a single shot. The café erupted into chaos as Ethan sprang into action, his body moving on pure instinct. He took out the second guard, then turned his attention to the leader.
But she was already gone, slipping out the back door in the confusion. Ethan cursed under his breath but didn't waste time pursuing her. He turned to Raven, who was already reloading her weapon.
"Why are you here?" he demanded.
Raven glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "Saving your life, apparently. You can thank me later."
Ethan gritted his teeth. "This was my mission."
"And now it's ours," Raven replied, her tone leaving no room for argument. "The Valkyries are planning something big, and if we don't stop them, it won't just be you and me in their crosshairs—it'll be the entire world."
Ethan didn't like it, but he knew she was right. The mission had just gotten a lot more complicated, and if he was going to survive, he'd need all the help he could get—even if that help came from someone he couldn't fully trust.
As the rain continued to pour outside, Ethan and Raven disappeared into the night, the first steps in a deadly game that would take them to the darkest corners of the world.
END OF CHAPTER ONE
By- Saketh Raja