3 days later Leores hasn't been going to school, Lishcelle and Sydney started to get worried. They've been trying to get in touch with him but his phone was off and Abbie didn't even tell them what happened to her.

  Meanwhile at Shreveport City, Eris had been living her college student life normally, studying hard, working part-time, and occasionally training at her MMA gym.

  Her thoughts often drifted to Leores, but she tried to keep her feelings in check, knowing that their paths might not cross again soon.

  ULTIMATE MMA & SELF-DEFENSE GYM

  At her gym she had one of her sparring partners in a Boston crap, a submission hold that made even the toughest of her opponents tap out.

  Eris felt the power in her muscles as she applied pressure, but her mind was elsewhere. She hadn't seen Leores in what felt like an eternity, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

  The bell rang, signaling the end of their round, and she reluctantly released her hold, her eyes flicking to her phone on the bench.

  "Jesus Christ Eris, your 90 and 0 now. You sure you don't want to become a fighter?" Her sparring partner panted as he rolled away from her.

  Eris merely smirked and offered her hand to help him up, "Nah, I got other things to do." She checked her phone again, hoping for any news from Leores, but there was still nothing.

  "Hey, you been checking your phone for months yo. What's up with you?" Her sparring partner, a tall, lanky guy named Mike, asked as he took a swig of water.

  "Uhh! Boy troubles is all. I know this guy named Leo and he usually calls me twice every mouth and he didn't call me this mouth." Eris said with a sigh, wiping the sweat off her face with a towel.

  "Then dump his ass, your hot as hell. You can find another guy." Mike joked, flexing his muscles in a playful manner.

  Eris playfully slapped his arm, "Shut up Mike, you know he's not just any guy." Her heart fluttered at the mention of Leores.

  "Besides, I need to focus on school. Maybe he's just busy." She hoped it was that simple, but a nagging feeling in her gut told her otherwise.

  "Yeah, you do that. But just know that when you break up, I'll be there for the rebound." Mike winked at her, trying to lighten the mood.

  Eris chuckled despite herself, the banter a welcome distraction from her growing concern.

  REMINGTON COLLEGE

  When she got back to her dorm room she was doing some homework, getting ready for a big test coming up in her psychology class, when there was a knock on the door.

  "Pizza from Papa John's!" The cheerful delivery man announced, breaking the tension that had settled in Eris's chest.

  She'd been waiting for any news from Leores, and the smell of pepperoni and cheese wafting into her room was a welcome change from the stale fear that had been lingering.

  She goes to open the door but, something didn't feel right. The delivery man's voice doesn't sound like Mr. Giovanni's thick Italian accent she's used to.

  She peers through the peephole and sees a man in a hat and glasses, definitely not the usual delivery guy.

  Her heart skips a beat and she retreats into the room, her instincts on high alert. The knocking persists, turning into a pounding.

  "Pizza delivery for Eris!" the man calls out again, his tone shifting from cheerful to insistent.

  "Where's Mr. Giovanni?" Eris called out through the door, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

  She could feel the floorboards vibrating with the increasing force of the knocks.

  "He's feeling sick tonight, so I'm taking over." The voice from outside the door had a hint of impatience, and Eris knew she had to act fast.

  She dashed to the side, her eyes scanning the room for anything she could use as a weapon. Spotting a metal chair, she quietly dragged it in front of the door, just as the pounding grew more insistent.

  Then the "pizza man" started banging on the door with a ferocity that suggested he wasn't going anywhere.

  Eris's heart raced as she scanned the room for a weapon. Her eyes fell on the heavy bag hanging in the corner, a silent sentinel of her MMA training. Without hesitation, she rushed over and grabbed the baseball bat she kept next to it for self-defense.

  "Open the door you fucking bitch!" the man's voice grew more menacing, the facade of a friendly delivery person now shattered.

  Eris's grip tightened around the baseball bat, her knuckles white with tension. She knew she couldn't hold him off forever, but she also knew she wouldn't go down without a fight.

  As soon as the man breaks down her door, Eris didn't hesitate. She swung the baseball bat with the force of a tornado, her eyes narrowed and focused on the target.

  The sound of wood connecting with flesh was sickeningly satisfying, and the man's grunt of pain was music to her ears.

  He staggered back, allowing her to get in another swing, this time connecting with his shoulder. He dropped to the floor, groaning in pain, and she didn't waste a second.

  But before she could swing again he pulled out a gun at her, luck for her she managed to move her head out of the aim. The bullet embedded into the wall behind her, sending plaster raining down.

  She quickly hit the gun out of his hand but, but he took advantage of her winding up another swing and tackled her to the ground.

  "Got you, you little shit!" The man sneered as he pinned her down, his weight pressing the air out of her lungs.

  Eris's eyes darted to the side, searching for the gun. It lay just out of reach, a silver glint in the dimly lit room.

  Eris then cupped both of his ears and pushed with all her strength, the sudden pain and disorientation made him release his grip on her.

  She took this opportunity to roll over, sliding away from his grasp. She reached for the gun, her hand trembling, her heart racing like a wild horse.

  Once she grabbed it, she took aim at the intruder but... She hesitated. She'd never shot anyone before, and the weight of the gun was more than just the metal in her hand. It was the power to end a life, a power she didn't want to wield.

  "What's wrong little girl? Can't pull the trigger?" The man mocked, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent as he slowly got up, one hand rubbing his ringing ear, the other reaching for the gun she had just knocked out of his grasp.

  Eris didn't say anything, but she she did throw the gun out of the window. "I'm not gonna kill you, but that doesn't mean i won't beat the fuck out of you." She said with a fiery look in her eyes.

  "Cocky bitch..." The man spat out, his hand dropping from his ear as he lunged towards her. Eris's instincts kicked into overdrive.

  Years of MMA training had honed her reflexes to a deadly sharpness, and she was ready to use every bit of it.

  She went for a kick to the nuts, but the man anticipated it and caught her ankle, yanking her back towards him. Eris let out a cry of pain, but she didn't give up.

  Twisting her body, she brought her free leg around and slammed her heel into his face, hearing the satisfying crunch of bone. He staggered back, his nose gushing blood, but he didn't fall.

  She went for a double leg take down, her body moving fluidly despite the fear coursing through her.

  The man stumbled, but he was stronger than she anticipated, and she couldn't bring him down. He laughed, a sickening sound that made her skin crawl, and swung a punch at her face.

  She dodged an counter with a headbutt right on his broken nose, sending a spray of blood flying.

  Eris didn't stop there, she went for his throat with the precision of a cobra, squeezing until she felt his windpipe collapse under her palm. The man's eyes bulged as he choked and sputtered, his hands flailing, trying to pry her away.

  But Eris didn't stop, she just squeezed tighter, her eyes burning with a fierce determination. The man's hands clawed at her arms, his eyes bulging like a fish out of water.

  His breath grew raspy, his struggles weaker, until finally, his body went limp. She held on for a few more seconds, just to be sure, before releasing her grip.

  "Who's... The bitch now?" Eris whispered through gritted teeth, her chest heaving as she stared down at the unconscious man.

  The room was silent except for the sound of her panting, the smell of fear and adrenaline thick in the air.

  "Huh, you actually beat him. He always said you were tough." A unfamiliar female voice said from behind, breaking the tension in the room.

  Eris spun around, ready to attack, but froze when she saw the woman leaning against the door frame. She was petite, with raven hair and piercing red eyes that bore into Eris' soul.

  "Relax, I'm not with that asshole who tried to kill you. I'm actually a friend." The woman's voice was cool, almost soothing amidst the chaos.

  Her words hung in the air like a lifeline in a storm, and Eris cautiously lowered the baseball bat.

  "Who are you?" Eris managed to croak out, her voice hoarse from the exertion and fear. The woman's calmness was unnerving, but there was something in her eyes that suggested she might actually be telling the truth.

  "I'm Yukana Kashī, I'm a friend of Leores." The woman said, stepping into the room. Her voice was like silk, and she moved with the grace of a dancer despite the chaotic scene around her.

  "But I have to say, the way you took him out was fascinating. You have the guts to choke him out but not kill him? That's quite the restraint." Yukana's smile was enigmatic, hinting at something beyond the surface of her words.

  "So you were watching the whole time and didn't even help? What the fuck!?" Eris yelled, her voice hoarse from the fight. Yukana's smile never wavered.

  "Oh come on, I watched you all day. You're a above advantage MMA fighter at your gym, this guy isn't even a assassin, just a big strong thug who thought he can handle you." Yukana shrugged, her eyes never leaving Eris. "Plus he fucked around and found out didn't he?"

  Eris took a step back, her mind racing. "What do you mean, you've been watching me?"

  The man started to come to and groaning, Eris looked scared while Yukana looked surprised. "Wow, he's coming to after 3 minutes? Tough son of a bitch." Yukana muttered, pulling out a syringe from her pocket. "Let's not have a repeat performance shall we?"

  She put the needle into the man's neck, and his eyes rolled back in his head as he passed out again. Eris stared at the syringe, her stomach churning. "What did you do to him?" she demanded.

  "Gave him an anesthetic, he'll stay out of a while till I can question him later." Yukana said casually, as if drugging unconscious men was an everyday occurrence. "Now, let's get you cleaned up before someone hears the ruckus and thinks it's time for a party."

  The room looked like a battlefield with overturned furniture and blood splatters. Eris felt a sudden urge to throw up, the reality of the situation hitting her like a truck.

  But she couldn't afford to break down, not yet. She took a deep breath and nodded to Yukana, who began to help her clean up.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  After a few minutes the room looked somewhat presentable, the only evidence of the fight being the faint scent of blood and a few bruises on Eris's body. She was still trying to process everything that had happened when Yukana spoke up.

  "Come on, let's go somewhere else to get you all healed up. Leores will rip me a new one if he found out your hurt and I just left you here." Yukana said, grabbing Eris by the arm and pulling her towards the door. Her grip was surprisingly firm for someone so petite.

  "What about the rest of the room?" Eris protested weakly, glancing around at the mess. The adrenaline was starting to wear off, leaving her shaking and nauseous.

  "I called someone to clean it, they can do it way better than we can. Like nothing never happened." Yukana said, her voice firm but not unkind as she opened the door and peered into the hallway. It was empty.

  As they walked through the dorms and got to her car, Eris was surprised by she was driving a Mazzanti Evantra, a supercar that screamed wealth and power. Yukana noticed Eris's wide-eyed look and smirked. "What? Never seen one of those before?"

  "I can't even afford to look at it, let alone sit in it," Eris said, her voice still shaking a bit from the adrenaline.

  "Well your going to tonight." Yukana said before opening the driver's door. "Hop in."

  The engine roared to life, and the sleek sports car shot away from the curb, leaving Eris's dorm behind in a cloud of dust.

  Eris's thoughts were a whirlwind as the cityscape blurred past the windows, the reality of what had just happened in her room feeling surreal. She clutched the seatbelt, her knuckles white.

  "Do you really have to drive this fast? What about the cops?" Eris yelled over the engine's roar, her heart pounding in her chest.

  "Fuck the police." Yukana grinned, her eyes never leaving the road as she pushed the pedal to the floor. "They're the least of our worries tonight."

  YUKANA'S MANSION

  With in a few minutes they got into a pretty normal neighborhood, but the houses are more like mansions.

  They pulled into a driveway that had a fancy gate that opened up automatically for the Mazzanti Evantra.

  Yukana parked the car in a garage that looked more like a showroom than a garage. Eris was still trying to catch her breath from the speed and the shock of everything that had happened.

  "There, we're all safe here. No need to worry now." Yukana said, shutting the garage door behind them. The sudden quiet was deafening after the roar of the engine.

  Eris looked around the pristine garage, taking in the gleaming cars and the faint scent of oil and leather, so starkly different from the blood and fear that had just filled her room.

  "Uhh... I'm almost too scared to ask what you do for a living. Seeing how your so calm about it." Eris managed to say, her voice still shaky from the encounter.

  "I kill people for a living. Pretty simple really." Yukana's response was as casual as if she had said she was a librarian. Eris's heart skipped a beat, her eyes wide with horror.

  The woman's smile never faded as she opened the door to a luxurious hallway, leading to a grand living room that seemed to stretch on forever.

  "But, don't worry. I only kill bad guys, like evil politicians and dictators that threatened nuclear war, sometimes gang clean ups." Yukana added, her tone still casual as they walked through the opulent hallway, the marble floor cold against Eris's bare feet.

  The grandeur of the place was overwhelming, a stark contrast to the gritty dorm room she'd just left behind.

  "But how do you know Leores? He never told me about you even though I'm his big sister." Eris's voice was filled with a mix of curiosity and suspicion as she followed Yukana into the grand living room.

  The plush carpets swallowed the sound of their footsteps, and the chandeliers above cast a warm glow, making the room feel more like a cocoon than a battleground.

  "That's because Leo knows how to keep secrets without lying to your face. But I promised not to spill his beans so you're going to ask him yourself." Yukana's voice echoed in the grand space as she led Eris through the living room and into a gleaming kitchen that looked like it had never seen a dirty dish.

  Yukana then tossed Eris some slippers, "Also put on some damn slippers, this is freshly waxed Golden Carbon Polished Marble, you're gonna mess it up with your bare feet." Eris complied, sliding them on and following Yukana into a state-of-the-art medical bay hidden behind a bookshelf.

  "Uhh... How did you even get this?" Eris couldn't help but ask, her eyes wide at the sight of the medical bay that looked more like something from a sci-fi movie than real.

  "The underworld and governments has technology almost 50 years more advanced than anything else in the public light, hell my car doesn't even run on gas but literally water." Yukana said as she opened a fridge that had medical supplies instead of food, grabbing some antiseptic wipes and a first aid kit.

  She began to clean Eris's bruises with a gentle touch that belied the fierceness of their earlier encounter.

  "Why? Why keep us all stagnant in our technological advancements if we might as well say we can go to god damn Mars already?" Eris mumbled, trying to process the sheer absurdity of what Yukana had just said.

  "Simple, money and profit. Remember Stanley Meyer?" Yukana said, her tone darkening as she worked on Eris's bruises.

  Eris nodded, recalling the name from her teacher's elixir about the man who made the water powered car but was silenced by the oil companies.

  "Mr. Meyer was killed in a way to make it look like a accident, but it was actually the oil companies and the US government who conspired to keep his invention from reaching the public." Yukana said, her voice low and serious.

  She worked efficiently, her hands sure as she applied antiseptic to Eris's bruises. The coolness of it sent a shiver down Eris's spine, but it also brought with it a strange sense of relief.

  "However they never destroyed the blue prints, but kept them in a top secret vault. Practically keeping it as a trophy of their success for killing an innocent man, then someone stole the plans and they got to the underworld where people put them to use." Yukana's voice was as cold as the antiseptic she applied, hinting at a deeper anger towards the corruption she spoke of.

  "But that's not all, the technology here is used to keep the powerful... powerful. It's all about control and keeping the status quo." Yukana's red eyes met Eris's, a silent challenge in them.

  Eris nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation more and more with each passing second.

  "I'm guessing that... You work for someone who fights back against it then? Like a liberator?" Eris ventured, trying to piece together the puzzle that was Yukana.

  "Not quite... We fight for peace, free will and the freedom of choice. We will fight to keep the peace and free will of the world while also keeping the freedom of choice with out disturbing the peace." Yukana said, her tone reflective as she finished patching up Eris's injuries. "There, now how do you feel?"

  "Better." Eris said, looking down at her bruises that were almost entirely gone.

  She couldn't help but be impressed by the medical bay's efficiency. "But what about Leores, is he safe?"

  Yukana just laughed, making Eris confused. "That's a good one, 'is Leores safe?' that's funny." Yukana's humor was as unexpected.

  "And how the hell is that funny!? He could be hurt or getting hunted by... Who ever the fuck is behind this!" Eris's voice grew loud, her eyes flashing with fear and anger.

  "It's funny because Leores is never in danger, the real question is who ever behind this is?" Yukana said, her smile turning into a smirk. "Trust me, he's a lot more dangerous than you think."

  Eris looked confused, Leores has always been a oddly strong and sometimes violent but never unprovoked. "What do you mean?"

  "Sorry, but that's all I can say~ But trust me, everything will be just fine later." Yukana patted Eris on the back, her smirk fading into a gentle smile.

  She grabbed a clean towel and handed it to Eris. "Why don't you go take a shower, wash off all that sweat. Everything should be better in a few days, I promise."

  Eris nodded, still reeling from the information dump but grateful for the help. She walked into the bathroom, the marble floor cool under her slippers.

  The shower was huge, with multiple shower heads and a rainbow of colored lights that could be controlled by a panel on the wall. The sight was so ludicrous that Eris had to laugh, the sound echoing off the tiles.

  As she started her shower, Yukana picked up the phone and started to call someone. Eris could hear her talking in a language she didn't understand, her voice clipped and professional.

  The sound of the water drowned out the words, but the urgency was clear. Eris felt a fresh wave of fear wash over her. If even Yukana was worried about Leores, then their situation was dire.

  "So, I guess my little hunch about Eris was right. Now this little bastard made this get real." Leores said with a hint of irritation in his voice, his hand tight around his phone as he talked to Yukana.

  "I have a feeling that you're 'hunchs' might as well be pre-coordination. Because every time you get one it's going to happen, don't know how it will happen but still." Yukana replied in a tone that was both teasing and serious.

  "Don't worry, it'll all be over soon. The only reason I been taking so long was because I wanted to send a message, a very big one." Leores voice was cold but focused, Eris could hear it from outside the shower.

  "Where are you anyway? 3 days is long even for you, the longest you took to complete a mission was mostly due to travel time. So what's taking you so long to smoke this Pezzuti guy?" Yukana's voice grew a bit more tense, a hint of worry slipping through the tease.

  "Oh, I know exactly where he is already. I'm just paying his family a visit like he was so kind to do for me." Leores' voice was icy, the tone of vengeance palpable.

  Yukana felt a little chill run down her back, "Hey... Pezzuti is a fucked up guy, but the only family in his life is his sister. And she's not even aware of what he does, she's innocent Leo." Yukana's voice was now more serious than ever, the lightness gone.

  "And she's also not a part of the international hotel, meaning i can attack her on her doorstep. Witch would be against the rules, but being associated with a member doesn't give you home protection." Leores said with a cold finality that sent a shiver down Eris's spine even though she couldn't see him.

  "Leo, revenge isn't you. Plus you'll be breaking our creed if you do that." Yukana's voice was firm, the teasing gone, replaced by a seriousness that echoed through the bathroom walls.

  "You say that like you can stop me. Witch we both know that answer." Leores voice not changing an octave, but the threat was clear.

  Eris could feel her heart racing, the warm water of the shower suddenly feeling cold on her skin. She knew that tone, that was the voice of Leores back he learned to be more social and less... brutally honest. She quickly turned off the shower, wrapping herself in a towel and rushing back to the medical bay.

  "I heard you guys on the phone, are you okay?" Eris's voice cut through the tension in the medical bay, her wet hair plastered to her face and her body shivering slightly from the sudden change in temperature. Yukana's eyes snapped to hers, the phone still held in her hand.

  "I'm fine, glad to hear that you're safe too." Leores said, his voice tight as he ended the call.

  Eris couldn't believe that he just hanged up on her, she had so much to say.

  "Yukana, where is he!? What is he going to do!? Tell me!" Eris demanded, the towel clutched tightly around her.

  "Even if I did, he wouldn't let me tell you. My job is to keep you safe till his job is done... Even if I'm not 100% in support of it." Yukana said, placing the phone back in her pocket and turning to face Eris, her eyes now serious.

  Eris felt a coldness in her core, her eyes wide with fear. "What are you guys into? What's happening here?!"

  "Just relax, knowing Leo it's not gonna take much longer." Yukana said, trying to soothe Eris's nerves. "He's the best at what he does, and he'll make sure to keep his promises."

  Eris was upset but just sit down, feeling powerless to stop whatever Leores had set in motion.

  She tightened the towel around her, her thoughts racing as she stared at the gleaming tiles of the medical bay floor.

  PARIOLI NEIGHBORHOOD, ITALY

  In Rome, there is a huge and luxurious mansion surrounded by a tall iron fence, with the gates standing open. In the back yard, was a 20 year old woman in a bikini, sunbathing by the pool.

  She had a figure that could make any man's head turn, her skin was tanned from the Italian sun and her long blond hair was tied up in a bun.

  "Ahh, today is so nice. My tan is going to be perfect," the blond woman thought to herself, her eyes closed as she basked in the warmth of the sun.

  Her name was Elena Pezzuti, the younger sister of the notorious mafia leader, Elvino Pezzuti.

  Her life was one of luxury and protection, a stark contrast to the fear her brother instilled in those who knew of his power.

  Her butler comes over and gives her a margarita, "Miss Elena, your drink."

  "Thanks so my Alfred! You're the best!" Elena said, taking the frosty glass from the butler's tray with a grateful smile. The cool condensation felt heavenly against her sun-kissed skin.

  She took a sip, the tartness of the lime and sweetness of the tequila melding into a symphony of flavor that made her sigh with pleasure.

  The sound of her straw slurping against the ice echoed through the quiet afternoon, the only noise in the otherwise still backyard of the Pezzuti mansion.

  "I seen that you have rejected another one of the men that you're father and brother picked mistress Elena, that's 58 this month." Alfred said, his eyes never leaving her.

  "Yeah, I can't stand these old creeps thinking they can buy me with their wealth." Elena replied, her voice filled with disgust.

  "Are you looking for a particular type of man?" Alfred asked, his tone neutral as he adjusted the umbrella to block the sun's glare.

  "No, not really," Elena replied with a sigh, setting her drink aside. "I just want someone who's... more than just a pretty face and a thick wallet."

  "Guess you much prefer character or personality." A emotionless and cold voice said from behind them.

  Alfred quickly pulled out his gun and pointed it at the direction of the he voice before Elena could even turn her head. The saw a man in all black hoodie, pants and shoes with a half mask.

  "Who the hell are you?!" Alfred barked, his hand shaking slightly as he aimed the gun at the intruder.

  "Irrelevant, I'm here for the girl. Stand aside old man." The masked figure said calmly, his eyes fixed on Elena. His stance was relaxed, but the tension in the air was palpable.

  They all just stared at each other, the silence stretching taut than a bowstring ready to snap. This peaceful day had been invaded by the cold reality of their world.

  Elena could feel her heart pounding in her chest, the fear creeping up her spine like a serpent. She had never known her brother's line of work was dangerous, but she never thought that it would come crashing down on her.