A few miles outside Mountain City, Belvoir...
The forest road was almost completely silent.
Tall trees stood on both sides of the narrow stretch of asphalt, blocking most of the morning light. A damaged black vehicle remained stopped in the middle of the road.
Its windshield had several cracks.
One of the doors was open.
And scattered across the road and the nearby grass...
Bodies lay still.
Clarissa stood a short distance away.
Her katana remained in her hand.
Fresh blood slowly dripped from the edge of the blade.
Her breathing was controlled, but the sleeve around her left shoulder had already turned dark.
A bullet had grazed through the flesh.
Ken stood several steps away, rifle still raised as he carefully scanned the forest.
Nothing moved.
No footsteps.
No engines.
No second team.
Finally, he lowered the weapon slightly.
"You alright, Clan Supreme?"
Clarissa glanced toward the rifle in his hands.
Then toward the bodies around them.
