[Mission Accomplished]
Objective: Eliminate Sabretooth
Reward: 7000 Desire Points
Claim reward?
---
"I really need to figure out how to use these Desire Points…" Leon murmured, a faint, thoughtful smile resting on his lips.
"Leon… I've got to admit, I didn't take you for the violent type."
Erik stepped up beside him, his gaze drifting toward Sabretooth's headless corpse. He gave a small shrug, though the tension in his shoulders hadn't fully faded.
"There was a lot of blood," Leon replied gently, his tone calm, almost reassuring. "But… I think he went peacefully. There wasn't any pain."
And he meant it.
With the speed of that strike, the blade had passed through flesh as effortlessly as paper. Clean. Instant.
Sabretooth's head had separated before his mind could even register what was happening.
If anything… it had ended too quickly.
"You alright?"
This time, Erik looked at Leon seriously—no teasing, no sarcasm.
He had tried to lighten the mood earlier, but the truth was, killing someone—even in self-defense—could leave scars. Especially for someone so young.
"I'm okay," Leon said, shaking his head softly.
There was a brief moment of discomfort… a flicker of unease deep in his chest.
But it didn't linger.
His mind steadied itself quickly, his composure returning almost unnaturally fast. Whether it was his mental strength or simply the reality of this world… Leon accepted it.
This wasn't a peaceful place.
In this world, hesitation could cost you your life.
If you couldn't bring yourself to kill… then sooner or later, you would be the one who died.
"If you ever need to talk," Erik said, placing a firm but reassuring hand on Leon's shoulder, "I'm here."
Leon gave a small nod, appreciating the gesture.
Then Erik turned sharply toward Bradley.
"Who were those two?"
"Guys… I think you just made enemies of the wrong people." Bradley's expression darkened, his voice heavy.
"Oh?" Erik's eyes narrowed. "What kind of people?"
"The one with the claws… his name's Victor. The other guy—we called him Zero." Bradley hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "As for where they're from…"
"They belong to something… hidden. Dangerous."
"What kind of organization?" Erik's voice dropped, cold and sharp.
Bradley stiffened under the pressure.
"I said—what kind of organization?" Erik suddenly grabbed him by the collar, his voice rising with intensity. "Was it Shaw?"
From everything Erik knew, the only powerful mutant organization was Sebastian Shaw's Hellfire Club.
"Shaw? No! Who the hell is Shaw?!" Bradley snapped, clearly confused.
"Don't lie to me! Was it Shaw?!"
"I said I don't know him! Let go!"
"Erik."
Leon stepped forward, his voice calm but firm.
"I don't think he's lying."
And he didn't.
Leon already knew the truth.
This wasn't Shaw's doing.
It was Stryker.
Erik held Bradley's collar for a moment longer before finally releasing him with a cold glare.
"He better not be."
"If I were you," Bradley muttered, straightening his clothes, "I'd get out of here. Fast."
Despite his irritation, there was sincerity in his warning.
He had heard the stories.
Victor had spent years hunting down so-called "rogue" mutants.
In a way… these two had just saved his life.
"You're coming with us."
Erik didn't give him a choice. He grabbed Bradley's arm and pulled him toward the car.
And honestly… Bradley didn't resist.
Faced with a man who could hold his ground against Sabretooth—and another who had killed both Sabretooth and Zero with terrifying ease—what choice did he really have?
Besides…
With Sabretooth and Zero dead, Stryker would never let this go.
That meant Bradley was already a target.
Running alone?
That was suicide.
At least with them… he might survive.
Letting out a quiet breath, Bradley stopped resisting and followed them without complaint.
---
At the base entrance…
Agent Moira stood waiting with several CIA operatives, having already been informed.
Charles was there as well.
"Erik, this is the guy?" Moira asked, eyeing Bradley with clear skepticism.
Erik had claimed to capture a member of the Hellfire Club—
But this man?
He didn't look the part at all.
"He's not," Charles said calmly, shaking his head.
He had already seen the truth within Bradley's memories.
"Charles, are you sure?" Erik stepped forward, unwilling to accept it. "Did you use your powers?"
"I did," Charles replied gently, but firmly. "And I'm certain. He has no connection to Shaw."
The disappointment on Erik's face was immediate.
Frustration surged through him as he kicked a small stone across the ground.
Years.
He had spent years chasing Shaw.
The closest he had ever come was two months ago—on that ship.
He had tried to kill him without hesitation.
And failed.
If Charles hadn't intervened… Erik would have died in those freezing waters.
That was why he stayed.
Why he worked with the CIA.
For resources.
For information.
For revenge.
And now…
Another dead end.
Moira let out a quiet sigh.
Shaw wasn't just Erik's enemy—he was a threat to the CIA as well. That shared goal was the foundation of their alliance.
"I told you from the start—you've got the wrong guy," Bradley said quickly, seizing the moment. "You made a mistake."
"Yes… we did," Charles admitted without hesitation.
He stepped forward slightly.
"If we caused you any trouble, you have my sincere apologies."
"Yeah, well…" Bradley shrugged. "You're not just going to let me walk away, are you?"
He wasn't naive.
Not after working under Stryker.
"...It's complicated," Charles said honestly, glancing at Erik and Moira. "We may have a problem."
"Let's take this inside," Moira decided.
---
After securing Bradley in a guarded room, the group gathered in the office.
"Charles, what's going on?" Moira asked immediately.
"Wait," Erik cut in. "Let's bring Leon in too."
Charles hesitated. "Isn't that a bit soon?"
"Charles, he's already involved. There's no turning back now." Erik's tone was firm. "And I trust him."
That last sentence surprised Charles.
But he trusted Erik.
"…Alright. If Moira agrees."
Moira considered it briefly, then nodded. "He was part of this. Bring him in."
Charles gave a slightly awkward smile. "You'll have to send someone. My abilities don't work on him."
"…They don't?" Moira raised an eyebrow. "Is he a telepath too?"
"I don't know," Charles admitted with a soft sigh. "He's… different."
Back on the ship, he had clearly sensed the White Queen's psychic presence.
But Leon?
Nothing.
It was like trying to grasp something that wasn't there.
"What an interesting young man…" Moira murmured.
Curiosity flickered in her eyes as she sent someone to fetch him.
---
A few moments later, Leon entered the room.
"Leon, this is Agent Moira," Charles introduced.
"I've heard of you," Leon said politely, offering a small, respectful smile. "It's a pleasure."
"The pleasure's mine," Moira replied, studying him closely.
They all took their seats.
Charles tapped his fingers lightly against the table.
"Now that everyone's here…"
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Let's begin."
---
To be continued…
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