After the ritual ended, Paulo watched in horror.
A hypno gang member appeared and sliced Riko clean in two.
Her body fell apart right before all the monarchs.
Blood sprayed across the stone floor of the ritual place.
Each monarch lifted their gaze in shock.
But none could move because their powers drained dry.
They needed hours to recharge.
The killer stepped forward and then smirked at the group.
"I rank tenth in the hypno gang," he said, his voice dripped with cocky pride. "How can I serve you fine folks?"
"YOU BASTARD!" Paulo roared.
Rage boiled inside him and he lost all control.
Paulo charged straight at the man, feet pounded the ground and fists clenched tight.
The guy waited.
Paulo closed in fast and At the last second, Paulo sidestepped behind the member and then leaped back with a grin.
Confusion flashed on the members face.
Paulo hit the dirt hard and dust flew up.
Then it happened.
The member's body exploded into chaos, hundred pieces of flesh and bone scattered everywhere.
Paulo's hidden trap worked perfect.
The air filled with the wet thud of chunks landing.
Paulo stood slow. His eyes burned with fury.
"I will be back," he growled low.
He turned and vanished into the shadows.
2 weeks passed.
The monarchs gathered for Riko's funeral, torches flickered in the night.
They mourned her short life.
Chants echoed soft.
But just thirty minutes in, a figure limped from the dark.
Covered head to toe in blood, He staggered toward the group.
The monarchs spotted him, Tension spiked.
They dropped into fight stances, Hands gripped weapons.
Muscles tensed for battle.
Paulo burst from behind, silent as death.
His dagger flashed once and the man's head rolled free.
Blood gushed from the neck stump and the body slumped down.
Paulo stood there too, dripping in even more blood.
Fresh gore stained his clothes and skin.
"Where were you, Paulo?" Momo asked, worry creased her face and her voice shook a bit.
"Don't worry, sis." Paulo's tone stayed ice cold. "They're all dead now."
Riko's mom gasped, Terror widened her eyes. "What do you mean they're all dead?"
Paulo let out a sharp laugh. "Every last hypno gang member. All one billion of them. Wiped clean off the earth."
He flashed a grim smile. "I got our revenge, Riko was avenged." Pride swelled in his chest.
Then Paulo's vision blurred, his legs buckled and he blacked out cold.
The monarchs then rushed to his side but realised that Paulo's life has just begun.