Back—
To Liam and Mostang.
Mostang was still standing.
But barely.
His breathing was heavier now, shoulders rising and falling slower than before. Blood traced down his side, his movements just a little delayed, just enough for someone like Liam to notice.
Liam glanced at him once.
That was enough.
"…you're not at full," Liam said calmly.
Mostang let out a short breath, almost a scoff.
"…I'm still standing."
"I know."
Liam's eyes shifted past him.
Toward the others.
Maya.
Marcus.
And the rest.
"They're not."
A brief silence.
Then Liam stepped slightly forward, placing himself between Mostang and the heavier threats.
Not dramatically.
Just naturally.
Like it was obvious.
"You take the weaker ones," Liam said.
His tone wasn't bossy.
It was certain.
"Maya. Marcus."
Mostang followed his gaze.
He understood immediately.
"And the others?" Mostang asked.
Liam cracked his neck slightly.
A small, quiet sound.
"I'll handle them."
There was no arrogance in his voice.
No showing off.
Just.
Confidence.
The kind built from experience.
Mostang stared at him for a second.
Then gave a faint smirk.
"…don't die."
Liam exhaled softly.
"…not planning to."
And just like that.
They split.
Mostang moved first.
Despite the pain, he pushed forward toward Maya and Marcus, his steps heavier but still controlled.
Liam?
He walked the other direction.
Toward the stronger ones.
Calm.
Relaxed.
Like he was walking into something ordinary.
But his eyes.
They weren't relaxed at all.
----
Liam didn't wait.
He rushed them—together.
Fast.
Not just quick.
sharp.
Like a sudden snap.
Anthony barely reacted in time.
His eyes widened, he moved to intercept.
But Liam was already gone.
A shift.
A step to the side.
Anthony's grab caught nothing.
Then.
CRACK.
Liam spun.
His fist came around clean and precise.
And slammed straight into Anthony's jaw.
Anthony's head snapped to the side, his body staggering.
But Liam didn't stop.
Not for a second.
He pivoted.
Closed the distance to Leo.
THUD.
An elbow.
Straight into Leo's nose.
A dull, heavy impact.
Leo stumbled back instantly, hands flying up.
Liam grabbed him.
No hesitation.
And shoved him hard.
Right into Anthony.
Both of them crashed together, balance completely broken.
Liam stepped back once.
Breathing steady.
Eyes locked.
Waiting.
On the other side.
Mostang moved.
Pain or not.
He rushed Maya first.
She barely raised her guard.
BAM.
His punch knocked her aside, her body stumbling across the ground.
Before she could recover.
Mostang was already on Marcus.
He grabbed Marcus by the collar.
Pulled him in.
And started striking.
Fast.
Heavy.
Relentless.
One punch.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Marcus couldn't even respond.
Each hit snapping his head back, his body shaking under the force.
Mostang's expression?
Cold.
Focused.
Then.
Maya came back.
She lunged from the side.
Grabbing Mostang.
Trying to pull him off.
For a split second.
It worked.
Marcus dropped, gasping.
But Mostang turned immediately.
Annoyed.
He shoved Maya.
Hard.
She stumbled back again, nearly losing her footing.
Mostang stepped forward.
Despite his condition.
Still pushing.
Still fighting.
And across from them.
Liam stood.
Watching.
Waiting for Anthony and Leo.
To stand back up.
Anthony and Leo got up.
Slow at first.
then steady.
Anthony rolled his jaw, spitting a bit of blood to the side.
Leo wiped under his nose, breathing heavier now.
Both of them locked eyes with Liam.
And Liam?
Already ready.
Feet planted.
Shoulders loose.
Eyes sharp.
No words.
Then.
He moved.
A sudden burst forward.
closing the distance instantly.
Anthony stepped in.
Leo followed.
And then.
they clashed.
Fists started flying.
Liam struck first.
A straight punch toward Anthony.
Blocked.
Leo came from the side.
Liam ducked.
Anthony countered.
A hook.
Liam slipped it by inches.
Everything was fast now.
Back and forth.
No pauses.
No wasted movement.
Liam's hits were precise.
targeting openings.
Anthony's were heavy.
trying to break through.
Leo moved sharper.
looking for angles.
THUD. THUD. THUD.
Hits landing.
Some blocked.
Some slipping through.
Liam drove forward.
forcing both of them back a step.
But just for a second.
Leo adjusted.
Waited.
Watched.
And then.
He saw it.
A tiny opening.
Liam shifted his weight.
just slightly.
And Leo moved.
Fast.
Clean.
His leg came up.
CRACK.
A solid kick.
right to Liam's side face.
The impact snapped Liam's head sideways
his body staggering a step
Silence.
for just a moment.
Then Liam straightened.
Slowly.
Eyes still focused.
Still calm.
Still standing.
Across the area.
Mostang was holding his ground.
Maya rushed again
but this time he was ready.
He caught her movement.
countered.
forcing her back.
Marcus tried to step in
Mostang turned on him immediately.
driving him back with another series of heavy strikes.
Despite his condition.
he was doing well.
Better than expected.
Back to Liam.
He lifted his head slightly.
rolling his neck once.
Then looked at Anthony.
Then Leo.
And stepped forward again.
Mostang glanced briefly toward the direction Kane had disappeared.
"he must be.. still fighting."
No hesitation.
He turned back.
Maya and Marcus were already moving again.
and so was he.
Focus locked.
No distractions.
Back to Liam.
Leo and Anthony paused.
Just for a second.
They looked at each other.
No words.
But they both understood.
This wasn't working.
Not with fists.
Slowly.
almost at the same time.
they reached.
Metal flashed.
Two knives.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Liam saw it.
And for the first time.
his eyes widened.
Just a little.
Not fear.
Recognition.
This just got serious.
Anthony flipped the knife in his hand.
grip steady.
Leo tilted his head slightly.
blade angled forward.
Now they weren't testing him.
They were going for real damage.
Liam exhaled slowly.
Adjusted his stance.
More careful now.
More precise.
Because one mistake.
wouldn't just hurt.
It would end it.
Leo moved first.
quick step in.
a sharp slash aimed across Liam's torso.
Liam leaned back.
barely avoiding it.
feeling the air cut past him.
Anthony came in immediately after.
from the other side.
thrust aimed straight in.
Liam twisted.
the blade grazing his side.
A thin line.
Blood.
First cut.
Liam stepped back.
eyes sharper now.
They weren't holding back anymore.
And now.
neither could he.
He lowered his stance slightly.
Then rushed again.
Faster.
Mostang saw
Anthony and Leo weren't playing anymore.
Steel flashed in their hands.
Knives.
"…They're playing dirty now… shit."
Mostang's eyes snapped toward Liam.
"LIAM!"
Liam turned—just slightly.
That was enough.
Mostang didn't hesitate. Even injured, even being pressured—
He threw.
A dagger cut through the air.
Marcus lunged.
Maya reached out—
Too late.
The blade spun once—
Twice—
Liam's hand shot out.
Caught. Clean. Instant.
No hesitation.
No fumble.
Just pure instinct.
His grip tightened around the dagger.
And then.
Silence.
For half a second.
Anthony smirked.
Leo wiped the blood from his nose.
"…Good," Anthony muttered. "Now it's fair."
Liam didn't answer.
His eyes changed.
Cold.
Sharp.
Focused.
The kind of look that meant.
someone was about to go down.
Across the field.
Mostang exhaled, turning back just in time.
Marcus swung at him.
Mostang slipped it, grabbed his arm, and drove his knee into Marcus's stomach, forcing the air out of him.
Maya rushed in.
Mostang pivoted, still injured but relentless, and shoved her back hard, creating space again.
"…Focus…" he muttered to himself.
But his eyes flickered once more toward Liam.
Back to Liam.
Three of them now.
Two knives.
One dagger.
No words.
Then.
They moved.
Anthony came first, fast, blade aiming low.
Leo followed, high, aiming for Liam's neck.
Perfect coordination.
Liam stepped in instead of back.
Anthony's blade missed by inches.
Liam parried with the dagger, metal clashing.
Then twisted.
And drove his shoulder into Anthony's chest, disrupting him.
At the same time.
Leo's blade came down.
Liam ducked.
Too close.
Too fast.
The knife grazed past his hair.
Liam spun.
And slashed back, forcing Leo to retreat a step.
Not a clean hit.
But enough.
Now they knew.
This wasn't going to be easy.
Liam straightened slightly.
Breathing steady.
Dagger low.
Eyes locked on both of them.
"Come."
One word.
Cold.
Inviting.
Dangerous.
And they rushed him again.
Liam's vision sharpened.
Not just sight, everything slowed.
The tension in Leo's shoulders.
The angle of Anthony's grip.
The rhythm of their breathing.
A single opening.
That was all he needed.
Anthony lunged first, knife aimed straight for Liam's chest.
Liam stepped into it.
A sudden shift.
A twist of his body.
And his blade drove forward.
Not deep. Not lingering.
A precise, brutal strike to Anthony's upper torso, enough to shut him down instantly.
Anthony's eyes widened.
The strength left his body.
He collapsed.
Liam didn't watch him fall.
He had already pulled the blade out, stepping back, resetting his stance.
Cold. Focused.
Leo froze for half a second.
That was all it took to understand.
"…You're serious now."
Liam didn't answer.
His eyes said everything.
Across the battlefield.
Mostang glanced over.
Anthony. down.
He smirked slightly despite the chaos.
"Good…"
Then turned back.
Maya rushing him again.
Marcus right behind her.
Mostang cracked his neck.
"Now it's just you two."
Back to Liam.
Leo tightened his grip on the knife.
No more hesitation.
No more playing.
Then.
He rushed.
And Liam moved to meet him.
The distance between them vanished.
Leo moved first, fast, desperate.
The knife shot forward.
Liam didn't dodge.
He caught it.
His hand closed around the blade.
A sharp tear of pain ripping through his palm.
Blood ran instantly.
But he didn't stop.
Didn't even flinch.
Leo's eyes widened.
"What—"
Too late.
Liam stepped in.
Closer.
Closer than Leo expected.
His other hand drove forward.
A single, decisive strike into Leo's torso, controlled, precise, knocking the air out of him and breaking his balance completely.
Leo's grip loosened.
The knife slipped.
His body went weak.
And he collapsed to his knees.
Then to the ground.
Unmoving.
Out.
Liam finally released the blade.
His hand was cut, blood dripping steadily.
His breathing was heavy now.
That one move.
It cost him.
Silence hit for a second.
Mostang glanced again.
Leo, down too.
"…Damn."
A grin.
"Now that's bold."
Liam didn't respond.
He just stood there.
Bleeding.
Still.
Watching.
Making sure Leo wasn't getting back up.
Marcus saw it first.
His eyes widened mid-fight.
"Leo—?!"
Maya turned right after.
And for a split second.
Both of them froze.
Leo… down.
Anthony… already out.
Elena… gone.
Their rhythm broke.
And that was a mistake.
Mostang didn't hesitate.
The moment their focus slipped.
He stepped in.
A sharp punch straight into Marcus's jaw.
CRACK.
Marcus staggered back.
Before he could recover.
Mostang grabbed his collar and punched his stomach
Marcus dropped to one knee.
Maya reacted fast.
She rushed in.
Swinging hard.
But Mostang caught her wrist.
Twisted.
Pulled her forward.
And slammed his forehead into hers.
A clean headbutt.
She stumbled back, disoriented.
Vision shaking.
Mostang exhaled slowly.
"…Don't look away in a fight."
Across from him.
Marcus was barely getting up.
Maya steadied herself.
But now.
Their expressions had changed.
No more confidence.
No more control.
Mostang stepped forward.
Marcus was barely conscious, trying to push himself up.
and then.
Mostang grabbed him.
A sharp, brutal Neck snap
Snapped his neck like a twig.
Marcus's body went completely limp.
He dropped.
Still.
Liam's eyes narrowed slightly.
Not surprised.
Just… noting it.
Now.
only Maya remained.
She backed away slowly.
Breathing heavier now.
Her confidence from earlier?
Gone.
In front of her.
Liam.
Calm. Focused. Blood on his sleeve.
Behind her.
Mostang.
Silent. Cold.
Cornered.
Maya glanced left.
Right.
No escape.
"…So this is how it ends?" she muttered, forcing a smirk.
Even now.
trying to act fearless.
Mostang didn't answer.
Liam tilted his head slightly.
Studying her.
"Depends," Liam said quietly.
"On what you do next."
Maya's eyes flickered between them.
Calculating.
Thinking fast.
Maya's tough expression finally cracked.
Her knees almost gave out as she raised her hands slightly.
"Wait—wait… just let me go…" her voice trembled.
"I'm done… I won't fight anymore…"
She swallowed.
"Emma is still fighting Joseph… right now… who even knows who's gonna win…"
Silence.
Liam's eyes widened.
"…She's what?"
He turned sharply to Mostang.
Mostang scratched the side of his head, way too casual for the situation.
"Oh. Yeah."
A small exhale.
"Forgot to tell you."
For the first time.
Liam's composure broke.
His heartbeat spiked.
Fast.
Loud.
Emma.
Alone.
Against Joseph.
"…You let her go alone?" Liam's voice dropped.
Not loud.
but dangerous.
Mostang glanced at him.
"She ordered it."
Simple.
Final.
But Liam wasn't hearing it.
"…No…" Liam muttered.
A step back.
Then forward again.
Restless.
"She could die."
That hit.
Even Mostang's expression shifted slightly.
Maya slowly lowered her hands, watching them.
Quiet now.
Almost… irrelevant.
Liam turned.
Already moving.
"I'm going."
Mostang called out.
"Liam—"
But Liam didn't stop.
Didn't even look back.
"I'm not letting her die."
And just like that.
he ran.
Mostang's voice cut through.
"Wait."
Liam stopped mid-step.
Just for a second.
Didn't turn.
Mostang's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Where is Kane?"
That made Liam pause longer.
Now he turned.
A bit slower.
"…Yeah."
A breath.
"Let's find him."
Both of them went silent.
Because now.
they realized.
Kane wasn't here.
Not fighting.
Not anywhere.
Maya, still standing there, lowered her hands fully.
Watching them.
Quiet.
Observing.
"…He fell somewhere," Liam muttered, thinking fast. "During the fight… Elena dragged him off."
Mostang clicked his tongue.
"Damn it."
For the first time.
urgency replaced his usual calm.
"We split," Mostang said. "You go check the lower area—anything underground. I'll sweep around here."
Liam shook his head immediately.
"No."
Mostang raised an eyebrow.
"We don't split," Liam continued. "Not now. That's exactly how they messed us up before."
A pause.
Mostang stared at him for a second…
Then smirked slightly.
"…Fair."
Maya slowly spoke from behind them.
"…There's a drop."
Both of them turned.
She pointed weakly toward the side.
"During the fight… they fell. There's a hole… leads down. Near the old sewer line."
Silence.
Mostang looked at Liam.
"…Guess we found him."
Liam didn't waste another second.
He moved.
Fast.
Mostang followed right behind.
And Maya?
She stayed where she was.
Not running.
Not fighting.
Just watching them disappear into the darkness.
toward Kane.
They reached the edge.
A broken drop.
Dark… damp… the faint echo of water below.
Liam jumped first.
Didn't hesitate.
Mostang followed right after, landing heavier.
A quiet splash beneath their feet.
For a second.
just silence.
Then Liam's eyes locked.
"…Kane."
He rushed forward.
Kane was on the ground.
Unconscious.
Breathing… but weak.
Blood staining his shirt.
Liam dropped to his knees beside him.
"…Hey. Hey—"
He tapped his face lightly.
No response.
Mostang walked closer, slower.
Scanning everything.
Always alert.
Then his gaze shifted.
To the side.
Elena.
She wasn't moving.
Half-submerged near the water.
Still.
Too still.
Mostang looked at her for a moment…
Then away.
"…She's done."
Flat. No emotion.
Liam didn't even look.
Didn't care.
All his focus.
was on Kane.
"…He's losing blood," Liam muttered, pressing his hand near the wound, trying to slow it. "We need to move. Now."
Mostang crouched down.
Checked Kane quickly.
Pulse.
Breathing.
"…He'll make it," Mostang said. "But not if we stay here."
Liam nodded.
Didn't argue.
Mostang lifted Kane carefully onto his shoulder.
Despite his own injuries.
he didn't show it.
Liam stood up.
One last glance around.
Dark.
Cold.
Quiet.
Then his eyes flicked, just briefly
toward Elena.
No words.
No reaction.
He turned away.
"Let's go."
And the two of them moved.
Fast.
They burst into the building.
Guards reacted instantly,
then froze when they saw who it was.
"…It's them."
"Get the nurses. NOW."
Within seconds—lights on, footsteps rushing.
Kane was taken from Mostang's shoulder and laid onto a stretcher.
"Severe blood loss—move!"
"Prepare the room!"
"Quick—quick!"
Liam stood there for a second.
Watching Kane disappear behind the doors.
Jaw tight.
Hands still stained.
Mostang lit a cigarette.
Even now.
Exhaled slowly.
"…He'll live."
Liam didn't respond.
A beat.
Then.
"I'm going to Emma."
Mostang glanced at him.
"…No."
Liam turned.
Eyes sharp.
"What?"
"She gave an order," Mostang said calmly. "No one follows her."
"I don't care."
Silence.
Mostang stared at him for a moment.
Measuring.
Thinking.
Liam stepped closer.
"She's alone."
"…Against him."
"If she dies because we stood here listening to orders—"
His voice dropped.
"I'm not living with that."
Mostang took another drag.
"You love her.?"
"yes."
Liam said.
Mostang took. Another drag.
Slow.
Then flicked the cigarette aside.
"…Tch."
He reached into his pocket.
Pulled out a small device.
Tapped it.
A location.
He showed Liam.
"…Here."
Liam didn't waste a second.
Turned.
ready to run.
"hey."
He stopped.
Looked back.
Mostang rolled his shoulders.
Cracking his neck slightly.
"…You think I'm letting you go alone?"
Liam stared.
Then.
a small smirk.
"…Good."
And just like that.
both of them moved.
Fast.
Out of the building.
Toward the battlefield.
Where—
Emma was still fighting.
Chapter end