As dusk settled over the city's outskirts the storm-darkened still hung heavily over the dense forest. Isolated in the heart of the woods, is the bridge stood beneath the relentless downpour and rolling thunder until the gunshots shattered the heavy silence and the battle had already erupted.
A fight was raging between the Italian mafia and the new-generation teams, assembled from across the world to combat mafias, gangsters, AI scammers, and other criminal organizations all to protect the innocent. But that night, a tragedy lurked in the shadows, waiting to strike.
The sky split with violent flashes, and cold droplets poured down endlessly, striking flesh and splashing off the hard concrete beneath them. Clothes clung to every curve and muscle. Water streamed across the wide bridge, rushing toward the edges before disappearing into the roaring river below.
Massive stone pillars stood like silent giants, supporting the heavy structure above. Beneath, the furious current crashed violently, sending tremors through the floor. Its roar was like a living, breathing beast, warning of danger.
Gunfire erupted.
Bullets tore through the air.
Through sheets of rain moved figures clad in dark combat suits, their identities hidden behind galaxy-forged masks — smooth, seamless shells reflecting faint constellations whenever lightning struck. No straps were visible at first glance; the masks clung perfectly to each wearer's face, molded to bone structure like a second skin.
Micro-anchors locked beneath the jawline and behind the crown of the skull, keeping them immovable even as bodies twisted and collided. Rain slid across their surfaces without fogging the lenses, tiny hidden vents releasing breath in silent streams.
Her sword clashed against an attacker's blade metal shrieking loudly under the heavy structure. She twisted sharply, forcing his weapon aside, then sliced across his arm, leaving a small streak of red. Water splashed around her as she spun low, sweeping her leg and knocking another thug down before driving her knee into his ribs with force.
Across from her, the captain of Shadow Wolvesmovedlike controlled destruction.
A punch shattered a jaw, leaving a smear of red. Another attacker rushed him with a machete🗡️. He blocked it; the blades collided, steel grinding violently as sparks flared in the rain. With a sharp twist of his wrist, he disarmed the man and followed with a hard elbow to the shoulder. One opponent staggered and collapsed, clearly out of the fight permanently.
"Go help the others. I can handle all of these bastards. No, I'll defeat them and come to rescue you, my little idiot 😉."
Another violent crash shook the pillars beneath them. A teammate nearby stumbled from a hit, leaving a faint streak of blood on his jacket. Water carried it away toward the roaring current below, and enemy lay still, showing the cost of the battle.
She wanted to embarrass him for making her blush in the field by say 'my little idiot', so she loudly said "I don't need a scared little baby wolf to rescue me someone too afraid to confess his love to a girl over a dare and who can't even handle ten thugs. So don't get hurt, my sweet and lovely baby wolf 😏."
Even amidst the clash of steel and gunfire, their comrades let out sharp, amused laughs that cut through the storm. Instead of being embarrassed, he seems to be pleased and he said:
"I love this cute gesture of yours, my little idiot. Are you claiming me as your personal pet in front of everyone to show off your infinite love, and make sure no one tries to abduct me from you, my lady? 😎🥰"
Steel clashed again. A bullet struck the pillar just behind her head, leaving a small streak of red on her cheek, mixed with rain.
Everyone on the battlefield including those connected through earpieces, special gadget and the cameras in the masks they are wearing laughed at their cat-and-dog banter.
Except the eight members of their teams, who were clearly irritated.
But at that very moment, the enemy had already planned a sneak attack, aided by a spy inside HQ.
The Italian mafia boss called a man named Anthony and ordered the plan executed at the perfect time to target the captains of the two strongest teams.
"Yes sir!" Anthony answered.
"Why specifically them, and not their entire teams? And how can you trust that woman? She's worked in the organization for over ten years and is honored by higher officials for her loyalty."
The boss smirked.
"That woman hates the captain of Moonlit Blades. After she joined, no one respected her like before. They compared her to the newcomer. Though praised as a genius and awarded many times, jealousy consumed her mind. She believed me without hesitation."
He leaned back.
"I thought she would be difficult to manipulate because of professionalism and loyalty. But I was wrong. No threat was needed as with others."
Anthony remained silent.
"You asked why I want only these two gone. Becausethey are thestrongestin the entire organization. Without them, HQ and the rest of their teams are nothing. The others are merely support."
He chuckled darkly.
"If they had entered alone, this war would have ended long ago. They don't care about their lives when saving others. The battle is prolonged because they protect their comrades. That distraction is our only chance."
"If they discover we are trying to capture their organization, they will destroy us. If they kill us, our bodies won't even be found. The only way to survive is to strike while their minds are divided."
"This is only possible when HQ the third eye of the battlefield is blind. Our spy will cut off all connections between HQ and the field 😈."
The boss burst into evil laughter. Several others joined via video conference. The captains had made enemies worldwide by rescuing those enslaved by mafias. Revenge had united them.
"It's satisfying to know one of their own wants them gone," Anthony said.
The boss smirked.
"That foolish woman doesn't even know we plan to strike them…"
Everyone on the call was stunned, then laughed.
"Her only condition is not to kill them only to leave them with a deep scar that would never fade but she doesn't not that she is the one going to carry the scar."
Everyone in the call as well as present in the room burst into cruel laughter.
Dusk had long since vanished. The storm ruled the forest completely, and the bridge now lay buried beneath the suffocating weight of deepnight.
Laughter and thunder merged into one merciless sound.
Hidden far from the battlefield, shadows lingered in silence.
And miles away, inside headquarters, the lights burned steadily unaware that something patient and unseen was already waiting within its walls.