On The Grounds Of Hell 2STORIES

Ruining The Grounds Of Hell – Episode 4

 

  ๐Ž๐ ๐“๐‡๐„ ๐†๐‘๐Ž๐”๐๐ƒ๐’ ๐Ž๐… ๐‡๐„๐‹๐‹ BOOK 2


Ruining The Grounds Of Hell  – Episode 4

  {โ€ข๐‘ป๐’‰๐’† ๐‘ฑ๐’๐’Œ๐’†๐’“ ๐’‚๐’๐’… ๐‘ป๐’‰๐’† ๐‘บ๐’‘๐’šโ€ข}

๐“๐ก๐ž๐ฆ๐ž: ๐‘ฐ’๐’๐’ ๐‘ณ๐’†๐’• ๐‘ป๐’‰๐’† ๐‘พ๐’๐’“๐’๐’… ๐‘ฉ๐’–๐’“๐’ ๐‘ญ๐’๐’“ ๐‘ฏ๐’†๐’“.

 ๐“๐‡๐„ ๐‰๐Ž๐Š๐„๐‘  ๐ฏ๐ฌ. ๐“๐‡๐„ ๐’๐๐˜ 

ส™ส ส™แด€ส€ส™ษชแด‡สŸสŸแด‡ 

  –-ษชs ษชแด› แด€ สœแด€แด˜แด˜ษชส แด‡แด แด‡ส€ แด€า“แด›แด‡ส€..-

โ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™คโ™ค

๐Ÿ’”๐Ÿ–ค ๐‘๐ฎ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐  ๐“๐ก๐ž ๐†๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐Ž๐Ÿ ๐‡๐ž๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐Ÿฉธโค๏ธ๐Ÿฉน

               {โ€ข๐‘ป๐’‰๐’† ๐‘ฑ๐’๐’Œ๐’†๐’“ ๐’‚๐’๐’… ๐‘ป๐’‰๐’† ๐‘บ๐’‘๐’šโ€ข}

๐“๐ก๐ž๐ฆ๐ž: ๐‘ฐ’๐’๐’ ๐‘ณ๐’†๐’• ๐‘ป๐’‰๐’† ๐‘พ๐’๐’“๐’๐’… ๐‘ฉ๐’–๐’“๐’ ๐‘ญ๐’๐’“ ๐‘ฏ๐’†๐’“.

ส™ส ส™แด€ส€ส™ษชแด‡สŸสŸแด‡ โœ๏ธ

                   -ษชs ษชแด› แด€ สœแด€แด˜แด˜ษชส แด‡แด แด‡ส€ แด€า“แด›แด‡ส€..-

Next Morning  โ˜…๐‡๐š๐๐ž๐ฌ ๐’๐ฎ๐ข๐ญ๐žโ˜…

Bluey lay unconscious on the bed, her skin pale, lashes wet, hair still dripping from the tank water. 

Her digital bracelet died due to excess drowning from water and blood so it dropped her pulse. 

Trevor helped Hades in pulling Bluey out of the tank and after the doctor examined and she was okay, she still hasn’t woken up.

Hades didn’t sleep either, he badly wanted to see her wake up and he hadn’t left her side.

Hades sat at the edge of the bed, elbows on his thighs, both hands gripping her cold fingers like he could force warmth back into them.

 His eyes were fixed on her faceโ€”wide, strained, desperate in a way he had never shown anyone.

โ€œBlueyโ€ฆ cโ€™monโ€ฆ please.โ€bHis thumb brushed her knuckles again and again, as if trying to coax life back into her.

He leaned closer, searching her face for the smallest twitch. She didnโ€™t move.

Hades swallowed hard. His jaw flexed.

Heโ€™d never felt fear like this. Not even when his own life was on the line.

If she didnโ€™t open her eyesโ€ฆ?

He didnโ€™t even want to think it.

Thenโ€”

A sputter.

A choke.

A cough ripped out of her.

Her body jerked weakly and her eyes fluttered open.

Hades exhaled so sharply his shoulders dropped. Relief slammed into him so hard it nearly folded him.

โ€œHey,โ€ she whispered, voice fragile.

He didnโ€™t respond with words.

He cupped her face and kissed herโ€”hard, deep, like he needed to feel her breathe against his mouth just to believe she was really there.

 His hand slid behind her neck, pulling her closer even though she was barely sitting up.

When he finally pulled back, his voice cracked.

โ€œI was so scared. I was so fucking scared. I thoughtโ€ฆ I thoughtโ€ฆโ€

โ€œThat I was dead?โ€ she whispered.

Hades shut his eyes for one secondโ€”just oneโ€”before opening them again, red at the corners.

โ€œWhy didnโ€™t you tell me that punk was pestering you? I shouldโ€™ve done something about him sooner.โ€

She tried to sit up slowly, breathing shakily.

โ€œWhatโ€ฆ what did you do to Zayne? Was he punished? You beat him up?โ€ she asked.

Hades pushed off the bed and stood.

“I’ll let your friends come and see you. I’m stepping out.” Hades said, turning toward the door.

“Answer me! What did you do to Zayne?” Bluey’s weak voice still carried enough force to stop him.

He paused. Looked back at her. And that look… cold, heavy, unapologetic already told her everything.

“Youโ€ฆ killedโ€ฆ him?” Her voice cracked. “Why?!”

“I was angry, and pissed.” Hades half-yelled, running a hand through his hair as he stepped back toward her. “He tried to kill you, Bluey. Your life was in danger.”

He came closer, sitting beside her, taking her chin with a careful grip that contradicted the sharpness in his voice.

“I would literally do anything for you. I would go through extreme lengths and kill whoever hurts you. That bastard doesnโ€™t make a difference.”

“Stillโ€ฆ” Bluey looked away, gently pulling his hand off her chin. “Nevermind.”

Hadesโ€™ jaw clenched. He exhaled, long and frustrated, then stood and walked toward the door without another word.

The room felt colder as he left.

*

A knock sounded on the bedroom door.

“Come in.” Bluey said softly.

Sergio walked in first, Hyce right behind him.

“Hey, are you okay?” Hyce asked, worry clear on his face.

“Yes, I am. Thanks for askingโ€ฆ but honestly, you both watched Hades kill Zayne?” Blueyโ€™s voice trembled with frustration.

“Zayne tried to kill you.” Sergio replied bluntly.

“Butโ€””

“He deserves it. End of discussion.” Hyce cut in, folding his arms. “Iโ€™m just glad youโ€™re okay. If something happened to you, it would’ve been a wreck with Hades in this Academy.”

“Also,” Sergio added, rubbing his forehead, “Raul called and told me about the ridiculous duel thatโ€™s coming up at the Masked Ball in three daysโ€ฆ”

“Sergioโ€”!!” Bluey gasped, eyes widening as she looked at Hyce.

“I know.” Hyce said, quietly. 

“What? Did youโ€ฆ tell him, Sergio?” Bluey asked, eyes narrowing slightly.

“I figured it out myself.” Hyce answered before Sergio could speak. “Sergio already told me everything, and if what you’re saying is true, then I’ll help. I mean, I don’t want to die.”

“Soโ€ฆ what about the ball?” Bluey asked.

“Apparently there’s going to be a kill-or-be-killed duel between two pairs. Nia and Aris, andโ€ฆ” Sergio paused, lips tightening.

“And?” Bluey pushed.

“You and Hades.” Hyce said quietly.

“What??” Blueyโ€™s voice cracked.

“The older generation will be there too. As well as Madam Rue, sheโ€™s the one running the school.” Sergio added.

“Did you tell them about the photobook? And the vault?” Bluey asked.

“Yes. Apparently, Joker is not a card. Itโ€™s a person.” Sergio said.

“A person? Whatโ€™s this Joker stuff?” Hyce frowned.

“Itโ€™s something we found in Miss Doraโ€™s office. A vault that says โ€˜Jokerโ€™ to unlock. We donโ€™t know whatโ€™s inside.” Sergio explained.

“So since Joker is a personโ€ฆ who is it?” Hyce asked.

“According to your mom,” Sergio continued,

 “…thereโ€™s always a Joker for each set. Iris was the Joker for her set, and there are different Jokers every year. So if we need to find whose fingerprint unlocks the vault, we need to figure out one thingโ€ฆ”

“Whoโ€™s the Joker in our set?” Hyce finished. “Youโ€™re saying thereโ€™s probably one, right?”

“Yeah. But if we can also find the key that unlocks the vault, itโ€™s another bonus for us.” Sergio added.

“Uhhโ€ฆ my head hurts.” Bluey sighed and lay back on the pillows.

“Iโ€™ll leave you to rest now, okay?” Sergio said.

“Sure. Thanks.” Bluey murmured, closing her eyes as the door clicked shut.

—An Hour Later —

Bluey had just finished bathing, Hadesโ€™s oversized top hanging off one shoulder as she padded barefoot into the living room.

 She wanted cereals. Something sweet.

Her friends had already visited and left, the room finally quiet again.

But thenโ€”

A presence.

Her chest tightened. She turnedโ€”

And nearly screamed.

“Oh my God! Who the hell are you?!” Bluey yelped, stumbling back.

The girl standing there smiled calmly, almost eerily.

“Hello there, Bluey. I’m Mavka,” she said lightly. 

Bluey arched her brow.  

“Someone who is very close to Hades. I came to see him because the three of us were supposed to go out today, but he told me you had an accident, so the plan was canceled. So I decided, why not come see you?”

Bluey stared at her from head to toe. Her hair perfectly still. Her skinโ€ฆ too smooth. Her postureโ€ฆ too precise. And her eyes.

Cold. Calculated. Mechanical.

“You look off.” Bluey squinted. “Even the way you speak feels off. Are you some kind of robot or something? What’s with the eyes?”

Mavkaโ€™s smile widened, almost proud.

“Wow. So many people donโ€™t figure that out at first sight. Youโ€™re really something else, Bluey.” She walked past her, slow and graceful, while Bluey turned, eyes following her like prey watching a predator.

Mavka stopped and folded her arms.

“Actuallyโ€ฆ” she said softly, “Iโ€™m not human. Iโ€™m an AI.”

Bluey blinked hard.

“What?”

“You heard me. Let’s just say that I belong to Hades, so you can say I’m his property.” Mavkaโ€™s voice was calmโ€ฆ too calm.

“His property? What are you talking about?” Bluey stepped back, brows knitting.

“Hmm. You still don’t get it?” Mavka tilted her head. “I’m specifically built for him. I exist because of his existence.”

“Built by who?” Bluey shot back.

“Just some kind of project.” Mavka shrugged. “You donโ€™t really need the details.”

“I want to know exactly what I’m supposed to do with that piece of information,” Bluey said, her annoyance growing.

Mavka walked closerโ€”slow, steady, unnervingly graceful.

“I’m just saying,” she murmured, “…that I don’t like you.”

“And I care because?” Blueyโ€™s tone was pure boredom.

“Because I know for a fact that he loves you so much,” Mavka snapped, eyes narrowing, “…and honestly, it really pisses me off.”

Bluey blinked, then smirked.

“So what exactly are you trying to imply? Let me guessโ€ฆ you don’t like me because you’re in love with him?”

Mavka’s expression dropped instantlyโ€”eyes flaring, jaw tightening.

Bluey burst into laughter.

Hard.

Bending slightly forward, hand over her stomach.

“What the heck is so funny about what I said?!” Mavka snapped.

Bluey tried to catch her breath, still laughing.

“Oh my gosh, girl, you’re so funny.” Bluey crossed her arms, tilting her head with pure mockery.

 “I get it, robots or AI or whatever the hell you are โ€” you were made specifically for someone, so of course you have attachment issues. Itโ€™s fine. I get it.โ€Bluey smiled, but it barely lasted. 

โ€œBut donโ€™t you ever talk crap or interfere with my relationship with Hades. Iโ€™m not tolerating your bullshit.” She snapped. 

“Oh really?” Mavka stepped closer, voice dropping low. “Just so you know, you’re easily disposable. Did Hades tell you he’s actually suspicious of you and your sudden strength?”

Bluey froze.

Heโ€™s suspicious??

Her chest tightened, but she didnโ€™t let it show.

Mavka smirked, sensing the hit.

She leaned in. “Talking to you is already a bad omen. And I can sense you really are one. Just a reminder, Bluey โ€” I will take him from you. I wanted to share him but I’m way too greedy.”

“Bi+ch,” Bluey said slowly, 

“I can tolerate your glitchy nonsense. I can tolerate all the crap you spit. But yapping about taking my man?” She stepped forward, eyes cold. “Oh, I’m gonna show you hell.”

Mavkaโ€™s eyes flickered, but she didnโ€™t back away.

 โ€œYou know what? Let me just say this clearly โ€” youโ€™re a machine. A literal man-made pile of wires with a face.โ€Bluey began.

โ€œ The audacityโ€ฆ the audacity of something like you thinking you can come here and talk trash to me? Why am I even wasting my breath?โ€Bluey scoffed.

“But he cares about me,” Mavka snapped.

“Like a tool,” Bluey fired back immediately.

 “You look human? Sure. Letโ€™s give credit where itโ€™s due โ€” they tried with your design. But what else? Youโ€™re just an AI. You canโ€™t feel him. He canโ€™t feel you. You canโ€™t fuck him, you can’t be with him. Youโ€™re completely useless unless someone pushes the right damn button.”

Mavka flinched โ€” just slightly, like the insult actually processed.

Bluey leaned in, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

“Are you malfunctioning? Should I reboot you before you embarrass yourself again?”

Mavka snapped, grabbing Bluey by the arm.

Bluey shoved her back.

Mavka hissed and stepped forward again, hand lifting like she was going to swing.

Bluey grabbed her wrist midair, twisted it behind her back, and dragged her toward the door.

“What are you doingโ€”? Let goโ€”!”

“No,” Bluey said, pushing her harder. “Get your delusional motherboard away from me.”

She marched her straight to the door, yanked it open, and shoved Mavka out of the suite.

Mavka stumbled, caught herself, and glared daggers.

Bluey slammed the door right in her face.

Silence.

Then Bluey exhaled, muttering:

โ€œStupid AI.โ€

——

โ˜…๐‡๐ฎ๐ ๐จ’๐ฌ ๐’๐ฎ๐ข๐ญ๐ž- 6๐๐ฆโ˜…

Hugo and Dawn were in bed naked, tangled beneath the sheets, her head rising and falling gently on his chest as she slowly woke.

โ€œI feel so sore down thereโ€ฆโ€ Dawn mumbled, voice rough with sleep.

โ€œHm. You told me to keep going, didnโ€™t you?โ€ Hugo murmured, pressing a lazy kiss to her hair.

Her cheeks warmed instantly. She lifted her head to look at him, and he stole a soft kiss from her lips.

โ€œI know,โ€ she whispered, smiling shyly. โ€œI justโ€ฆ couldnโ€™t get enough of you.โ€

Hugo flipped her over without warning, caging her beneath him. His mouth trailed down her throat, then lowerโ€”across her collarbone, the swell of her chest, the soft skin of her breasts.

โ€œI couldnโ€™t get enough of you either,โ€ he said against her skin. โ€œIโ€™m really horny right now just looking at you.โ€

She let out a breathy laugh, grabbing his shoulders.

โ€œStop itโ€ฆ I canโ€™t go anymore. Iโ€™m tired.โ€ Dawn smiled up at him.

He kissed her once more, slow and lingering, before rolling beside her.

โ€œI know, I know.โ€ He reached for his phone, lying back against the pillows. โ€œYou hungry? Let me order something.โ€

Dawn sat up, wincing slightly as the muscles in her lower body protested. The marks from last night were still warm on her skin. 

She pushed her hair back and looked around for her shirt, but Hugoโ€™s arm immediately hooked around her waist, pulling her right back into him.

โ€œWhere are you going?โ€ He asked, lips brushing her shoulder.

โ€œTo find something to eat.โ€ she laughed breathlessly. โ€œYouโ€™re so addictive, Hugo. I need a break.โ€

โ€œFood is coming. Donโ€™t worry.โ€He smirked, locking his phone and tossing it aside.

She reached for a pillow to cover herself, but Hugo snatched it away with a lazy swipe of his hand.

โ€œWhy?โ€ He asked, eyes dragging slowly up her bare body. โ€œI just spent the entire night worshipping this view.โ€

โ€œHugoโ€”โ€ She blushed harder, swatting at him.

โ€œWhat?โ€ He teased, sitting up behind her and pressing his lips to the back of her neck. โ€œYou were screaming my name all night.โ€

โ€œBecause youโ€™re annoying!โ€ She lied, cheeks burning.

He chuckled, arms sliding around her waist again as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

โ€œYou knowโ€ฆโ€ Dawn said quietly, looking down at her hands, โ€œI didnโ€™t expect us to be like this.โ€

โ€œLike what?โ€ Hugo asked, kissing under her ear.

โ€œYou know, you’re not usually the romantic type.โ€ฆโ€ She exhaled. 

Hugo lifted her chin, making her meet his eyes.

โ€œYou bring it out of me,โ€ he said simply.

She swallowed, the words sinking into her chest heavy and warm.

A knock came at the suite door , room service.

Hugo groaned dramatically. โ€œOf course. Perfect timing.โ€

Dawn laughed, slipping off the bed and grabbing his shirt from the floor.

โ€œYou get the food. Iโ€™m staying right here.โ€ She said heading for the bathroom.

โ€œBaby,โ€ Hugo grinned, watching her drown in his shirt.

โ€œHugo!โ€ she squealed, throwing another pillow at him.

He caught it again, winked, and walked out to get the food leaving Dawn flustered, smiling, and feeling every bit as marked as she was adored.

*

Hugo pushed the door open with his shoulder, arms full of take-out bags. He set everything on the bed, the smell filling the room instantly.

Dawn stepped out of the bathroom, towel-drying her hair, wearing one of his shirts that barely reached mid-thigh.

โ€œLetโ€™s eat,โ€ Hugo said, already tearing open the boxed containers and arranging them on the duvet.

Before Dawn could sit, the speakers crackled above them.

๐Ÿ”Š All students assemble in the meeting hall in five minutes.

Miss Doraโ€™s voice echoed coldly through every corner of the suite.

Hugo froze mid-unpack.

โ€œWhat theโ€”? What is it now?โ€

Dawn sighed, rubbing her forehead.

โ€œEver since the past weeksโ€ฆ I swear, every announcement sounds like bad news.โ€

โ€œYeah, no kidding.โ€ Hugo shut the food containers with one annoyed motion. โ€œLetโ€™s go. Weโ€™ll eat once weโ€™re done with whatever meeting this is.โ€

He grabbed his jacket, she slipped into her shoes, and the two of them stepped out of the room together, walking down the hall toward whatever trouble was waiting for them next.

 

——

โ˜…๐Œ๐ž๐ž๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐‘๐จ๐จ๐ฆโ˜… 

Bluey, Sergio, Hyce, Gomez, Dawn, Hugo, Natalie, Natasha, Nia, Loci, Aris, Trevor, and Morgan were already seated on the chairs in the meeting room.

Miss Dora walked in with her tablet clutched to her chest.

โ€œWhere is Hades? I need him here,โ€ She asked, scanning the room.

โ€œNot here yet,โ€ Bluey replied.

Miss Dora paused, then eyed her.

โ€œHeard he killed someoneโ€ฆ for youโ€ฆ again.โ€

Bluey bit her lower lip, not denying it.

โ€œAre you okay?โ€ Miss Dora asked, softer now.

โ€œYeah. Iโ€™m feeling better now,โ€ Bluey said.

The door clicked open.

Hades strolled in like the storm outside was following him. Smoke trailing from his fingertips, hoodie half-zipped, attitude fully loaded. Every head turned.

โ€œWhat?โ€ Hades said, flicking ash as he looked around. โ€œYou guys can’t start the meeting without me or what?โ€

He dropped into the couch beside Bluey like it belonged to him. She plucked the cigarette from his fingers and tossed it into the ashtray.

Without wasting a second, Hades leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

โ€œStill mad at me?โ€ He murmured into her ear, voice low and smug.

Bluey rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched.

 โ€œCan you guys notโ€ฆ do that shit??โ€Trevor scoffed loudly.

Hades turned his head slowly. โ€œJealous much?โ€

 โ€œYou actually wish.โ€Trevor snorted.

โ€œBoys…,โ€ Miss Dora snapped, โ€œ….save the testosterone for later. We have a job.โ€

Hades raised his hand lazily. โ€œOkay, okay. Can someone tell me what weโ€™re doing here before I fall asleep?โ€

 โ€œBehave.โ€Bluey whispered.

He glanced at her. โ€œFor you? Sure I will.โ€

โ€œSo what is this meeting about?โ€ Morgan asked, leaning forward.

Miss Dora exhaled sharply and set her tablet on the table. โ€œA key was stolen from one of our men during a mission last night.โ€

Bluey frowned. โ€œWhat mission was that?โ€

โ€œYou donโ€™t need to know,โ€ Miss Dora replied flatly.

Bluey narrowed her eyes but said nothing.

Miss Dora continued, โ€œI need that key back or this Academy is done for.โ€

She switched on the projector. The lights dimmed.

A manโ€™s face appeared on the screen.

โ€œYour target: Hinata Azira. Heโ€™s a foreignerโ€”Japanese, to be exact. His brother stole the key to the MIA vault containing critical files, and we need it back immediately. His official HQ is heavily guarded. Get that key back.โ€

Blueyโ€™s stomach tightened.

The vault?

Itโ€™s probably the same one Sergio showed meโ€ฆ the one we werenโ€™t supposed to see.

โ€œSo why do we need Hinata if his brother is the culprit?โ€ Hugo asked.

โ€œBecause his brother is dead,โ€ Miss Dora replied. โ€œDied last night. We assume Hinata now has possession of the key, or at least knows where it is.โ€

A few of them exchanged uneasy glances.

Miss Dora straightened. 

โ€œIโ€™ll let Hades be the leader of this mission.โ€ She eyed him like she wasnโ€™t fully convinced heโ€™d listen.

 โ€œAssign yourselves to your respective positions and pleaseโ€ฆ try not to die.โ€

With that, she turned and walked out, heels echoing down the hall.

The room stayed silent for a while.

Then all eyes turned to Hades.

*

โ€œOkay, letโ€™s all listen,โ€ Hades said, leaning forward with both elbows on his knees.

 โ€œHinata is an official at the Foreign National Hall. That place is heavily guarded, so donโ€™t expect this to be simple.โ€

โ€œSo whatโ€™s the plan?โ€ Hyce asked.

โ€œTeam A,โ€ Hades pointed toward Natasha, Natalie, Nia, and Aris. โ€œYou four will act as decoys. Thereโ€™s a food truck that delivers dinner to late-night workers at exactly 8 p.m. Weโ€™re going to hijack the truck.โ€

Natalie blinked. โ€œWhat exactly are we doing once we hijack it?โ€

โ€œI need the four of you to get access key cards. Two at least. And find an opening at the back entrance for the rest of us to slip in,โ€ Hades said.

โ€œAlright. Noted,โ€ Nia replied.

โ€œTeam B,โ€ Hades continued.

 โ€œLoci, Gomez, Sergio. Youโ€™re handling the security systems. Get to their CCTV office, wipe or alter the footage, keep the cameras blind, and monitor for anything unusual. I’ll be in trouble if my face is caught on a crime CCTV footage.โ€Hades said.

He was referring to his parents being a powerful figure in a country.  

โ€œOkay. That should be easy,โ€ Gomez said confidently.

โ€œTeam C,โ€ Hades turned to the two. โ€œHyce and Bluey. Youโ€™re going to locate Hinata.โ€

โ€œJust the two of them?โ€ Morgan asked.

โ€œYeah,โ€ Hades answered plainly.

โ€œAnd if they run into trouble?โ€ Trevor pressed.

Hades gave him a slow look. โ€œReally? They? Theyโ€™ll be fine. Piece of cake.โ€

Trevor rolled his eyes.

โ€œHugo, Dawn, Trevor, Morgan, and I will also be searching for Hinata inside the building,โ€ Hades added.

โ€œThatโ€™s all, right?โ€ Trevor asked.

โ€œYes. Itโ€™s already past 7 p.m. Go get ready. This is going to be a rough mission.โ€ Hades stood.

Chairs scraped as everyone started filing out of the meeting hall.

Hyce, Sergio, and Bluey paused at the door, glancing at one another.

The same thought ran through all three of them.

The key to the vaultโ€ฆ it must be the one from that hidden room.

Did Hinataโ€™s brother steal it? Why?

And what exactly is in that vault that MIA is keeping so secret?

None of them said it out loud.

But they all felt the same unease as they headed out to prepare.

——

โ˜… 8๐๐Œ-๐…๐จ๐ซ๐ž๐ข๐ ๐ง ๐๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐‡๐š๐ฅ๐ฅโ˜…

National Hall loomed aheadโ€”tall, cold, government-level secured. The black van rolled to a silent stop across the street. In the distance, headlights approached.

The food truck.

โ€œShowtime,โ€ Hades murmured from the backseat.

The truck pulled up behind the building, the two catering guys stepping out, stretching, completely unaware of the storm walking toward them.

Natalie, Nia, Natasha, and Aris slipped out of the vanโ€”caps low, masks on their chins, hands tucked casually into their jackets.

They approached the delivery guys like they belonged there.

โ€œEvening,โ€ one of the men said, confused as the girls came closer. โ€œAre youโ€”?โ€

Natalie didnโ€™t let him finish.

She slammed her elbow into his jaw, dropping him instantly.

Natasha grabbed the second guy by the collar and kneed him in the stomach before sweeping his legs clean off the ground. He hit the pavement hard. Nia finished him off with a quick chop to the neck.

Aris checked pulses.

โ€œAlive. Just unconscious.โ€ She nodded.

โ€œLetโ€™s change,โ€ Nia said.

They dragged the men behind the truck, stripped them out of their catering uniforms, and quickly slipped into the outfitsโ€”caps, gloves, jackets, masks covering half their faces.

Aris adjusted her cap and grinned. โ€œCute. I could work here.โ€

Natasha rolled her eyes and shoved a food trolley into her hands. โ€œMove.โ€

They each grabbed a trolley, pushing them toward the back entrance like seasoned workers.

The security guard at the rear door scanned them lazily. โ€œLate as alwaysโ€ฆโ€

Natasha lifted the food tray lid slightly.

 โ€œBig order tonight,โ€ She said, putting on a perfect customer-service voice.

The guard didnโ€™t bother checking further.

He opened the door.

The four of them pushed the trolleys into the National Hall, disappearing into the bright, sterile corridorsโ€”perfect decoys, perfectly disguised, and officially inside enemy territory.

***

Inside the kitchen, they dropped the trays at the designated stations. Nia and Natalie exchanged a quick glance before slipping away, out of the kitchen and into the main hallways. 

Once clear, they shed their catering disguises, revealing sleek office attire beneath. 

As Nia rounded a corner, she accidentally bumped into a male worker. He stumbled slightly, but she immediately leaned closer, letting a hand brush his chest, flashing a teasing smile.

โ€œOh! Sorry about that,โ€ she murmured, her voice smooth, playful. 

Her other hand moved expertly to the workerโ€™s pocket, slipping the key card into her pocket without him noticing.

A few steps away, Natalie spotted her targetโ€”a man standing near a side office, clipboard in hand. With a sultry smile, she leaned in under the pretense of adjusting something on the counter, letting her hand skim over his arm. 

Casually, she lifted the key card from his  back pocket, tucking it away as he remained distracted, captivated by her presence.

Both men glanced around, momentarily flustered, then muttered apologies.

 โ€œUhโ€ฆ we have work to do,โ€ one said, trying to shake off the lingering effect of the flirtation, while the other nodded, still visibly distracted by the sudden intrusion of two confident, alluring women in the hallways.

“Morons.”Nia rolled her eyes. 

***

Natasha and Aris slipped through the back door, footsteps echoing lightly as they descended the metal stairs into the underground basement. 

The air was colder there, the hum of generators filling the narrow space.

Two guards stood by the reinforced back gate.

โ€œTake them out quietly,โ€ Natasha whispered.

But the guards were stronger than expected. A quick scuffle broke outโ€”heavy punches, elbows, boots scraping on concrete.

 Natasha ducked under a swing and drove her knife into a ribcage. Aris followed with a shaky but precise stab to the neck of the second guard. Both bodies hit the floor with dull thuds.

โ€œShitโ€ฆ this is scary,โ€ Aris breathed out, chest heaving.

Natasha rolled her eyes. โ€œHelp me open the gate.โ€

Together, they dragged the gate up just enough for Trevor to drive the van inside. The black vehicle rolled into the dim basement, its lights casting long shadows over the bodies.

Morgan stepped out first. 

โ€œSome people got violent,โ€ She muttered, eyeing the blood on the floor.

Footsteps echoed as Nia and Natalie descended, meeting the group.

โ€œWe got it,โ€ Nia said, handing two key cards to Hades.

Hades took them, immediately passing one to Bluey. โ€œYou and Hyce find Hinata. Itโ€™s better to split.โ€

Bluey nodded, gripping the card.

โ€œSergio, Loci, Gomezโ€”CCTV. I need that system crippled in five minutes,โ€ Hades ordered.

โ€œOn it,โ€ Sergio replied, and the three of them rushed upstairs, disappearing into the shadows of the corridor.

***

The door to the CCTV control room clicked shut behind them. 

Inside, the original security officers were already knocked out cold, tied up and gagged in the inner storage room, hidden behind stacks of old files.

โ€œAlright, letโ€™s get this over with,โ€ Loci muttered, sliding into the chair.

Gomez rolled his knuckles. โ€œOn it.โ€

They got to work immediately, screens flickering as code began to run. One by one, camera feeds glitched, froze, and looped identical harmless footage. Every floor became a ghost floorโ€”no movement, no records.

But Sergio wasnโ€™t beside them.

He sat at the farther desk, typing rapidly. His screen was differentโ€”lines of encrypted data, call logs, and internal office servers flickering past his eyes. He wasnโ€™t just altering cameras.

He was digging into the National Hallโ€™s network.

โ€œYo, Sergio, what are you doing?โ€ Loci asked without looking up.

โ€œSomething useful,โ€ Sergio murmured.

Seconds later, he cracked into the communication logs.

A list of contact numbers flashed on his screen.

He isolated the one he needed.

๐Ÿ“จ (+81) 72-884-9021 โ€” Hinata Azira ๐Ÿ“จ

Perfect.

He copied it, opened his secure messenger, and forwarded it instantly.

Sergio โ†’ Bluey:

๐Ÿ“จ Hinataโ€™s number. Found it. ๐Ÿ“จ

Then he leaned back, smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

โ€œCameras down?โ€ he asked.

โ€œAlmostโ€ฆ aaandโ€”done,โ€ Loci said.

โ€œGood,โ€ Sergio said, standing. 

โ€œBluey, please you and Hyce find Hinata first before anyone else.โ€ Sergio muttered to himself. 

—-

Hinata stood at the elevator with three of his armed security guards flanking him, one on each side, one behind him.

His phone vibrated loudly in his pocket.

๐Ÿ“ฑ Unknown Number Callingโ€ฆ

He frowned, exchanged a look with one of his guards, then picked up.

๐Ÿ“ฑ Hinata: Whoโ€™s this?

๐Ÿ“ฑ Bluey: This is someone whoโ€™s trying to save your life. A murder squad from MIA is in your building right now, and theyโ€™re going to kill you. I need to see you.

Hinata stiffened, eyes narrowing as he looked at the guards around him.

๐Ÿ“ฑ  Hinata: Kill me? And why should I trust you? How do I know you’re not part of them?

๐Ÿ“ฑ Bluey: Meet me on the sixth floor. Donโ€™t tell anyone. Donโ€™t make a fuss. Just come alone. If you want to live.

And she hung up.

Hinata froze, breathing unsteady for a second. Then he immediately jabbed the 6 on the elevator panel.

โ€œSir?โ€ one guard asked.

Hinata didnโ€™t answer. His jaw was set, pulse quickening.

On the other side of the hallwayโ€”

โ€œSixth floor,โ€ Bluey muttered, stepping into the second elevator with Hyce as the doors slid shut.

โ€œYou think heโ€™ll come?โ€Hyce cracked his knuckles.

Bluey tucked the stolen access card into her pocket and exhaled slowly.

โ€œOh, heโ€™ll come. Fear always makes people listen.โ€

—-

6th Floor.

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, revealing Hinata flanked by three armed guards. Their weapons immediately aimed at  Hyce and Bluey as the pair stepped out.

“Tell them to put their guns down, right now,” Hyce said calmly, hands slightly raised as he approached.

One of the guards lunged at him, but Hyce moved with precision, slapping the man hard across the face. 

Blood sprayed from the guardโ€™s mouth and nose, his ears ringing from the force.

Hyce didnโ€™t flinch. He drew his gun and aimed it at the man, voice cold.

“I believe I wasnโ€™t talking to animals.”

The other guards stiffened, tense but hesitant.

“Guns down,” Hinata ordered.

They lowered their weapons slowly.

“So you can actually listen,” Bluey muttered under her breath, eyes narrowing at Hinata.

“You wanted to see me?” Hinata asked, tension in his voice.

Bluey stepped closer, her gaze sharp and unreadable.

“A key to MIAโ€™s vault. I believe you have itโ€”or you know where it is.”

“Iโ€ฆ I donโ€™t have itโ€ฆ I donโ€™t know what youโ€™re talking about,” Hinata replied, voice trembling slightly.

Bluey didnโ€™t respond with words. She grabbed him by the hair, yanking him down to his knees and pressing her gun against his temple. Her grip tightened, her eyes blazing.

“I donโ€™t like talking too much. Iโ€™m not a murderer, but Iโ€™ve got a rough temper,” she said quietly, the threat in her voice unmistakable.

“Ouchโ€ฆ” Hinata winced, his body tense.

“The keyโ€ฆ where is it?” Bluey demanded, her voice sharp, leaving no room for lies.

Hinata stiffened, breath catching as Blueyโ€™s fingers twisted tightly into his hair.

The guards flinched, but Hyce cocked his gun calmly at them without even looking their way.

โ€œDonโ€™t,โ€ he warned, voice low, bored, deadly.

Hinata winced as Bluey yanked him down fully onto the ground. 

His palms hit the floor.

โ€œOwโ€”! Oโ€‘okayโ€”!โ€ Hinata hissed, trying to keep his voice steady.

Bluey didnโ€™t loosen her grip.

โ€œI donโ€™t like repeating myself.โ€ Her voice was softโ€”too soft.

Her gun pressed against the side of his face.

โ€œI saidโ€ฆ where is the key?โ€

โ€œI donโ€™t…I swear…I donโ€™t have it!โ€ Hinata gasped. โ€œMy brotherโ€”โ€

Bluey jerked his head back sharply and he groaned in pain.

โ€œIโ€™m not in the mood for lies,โ€ She said, tone cold enough to freeze bone. โ€œYour brother is dead. Which means anything he stole? Came to you.โ€

โ€œI DONโ€™T HAVE IT!โ€ Hinataโ€™s voice pitched, panicked. 

Blueyโ€™s grip tightened again.

His scalp burned.

His breath trembled.

Hinata swallowed hard under Blueyโ€™s grip, her gun still pressed to his head.

โ€œFine, I have it,โ€ he breathed.

Bluey released him with a shove, stepping back with the same cold dominance that sent his guards trembling.

โ€œTell me all you know. About MIA,โ€ she demanded.

Hinata rubbed his scalp, shaking.

โ€œItโ€™s not my fault. My brother handed me the keyโ€ฆ said itโ€™s some shady stuff MIA does. He was a client and couldnโ€™t pay up, so they killed him.โ€

Hyce raised a brow.

โ€œClient? For what? MIA sells something?โ€

โ€œHe never told me what business it was,โ€ Hinata replied quickly, eyes darting nervously. 

โ€œBut I remember him dealing with a certain Madam Rue and a guy named Joker. Joker killed my brother.โ€

Blueyโ€™s eyes narrowed. โ€œSo why did he steal the key?โ€

โ€œI donโ€™t know! He justโ€” I found the key in his belongings, okay? He told me to take it. Look, Iโ€™m not stronger than MIA. I donโ€™t even want the key, I want nothing to do with it.โ€

โ€œGive it to me,โ€ Bluey said.

Hinata nodded frantically, digging into his pocket. He pulled out a sleek, metallic, beautifully carved keyโ€”too elegant for a normal vault.

 He placed it in Bluey’s palm like he was handing away his life.

Bluey closed her fingers around it.

โ€œRun,โ€ she said. โ€œRun away from this building, because the next person from MIA who sees you will kill you.โ€

Hinata didnโ€™t wait for further explanation.

He turned to his guards.

โ€œStairs. Now.โ€

They moved fast, boots echoing down the concrete stairwell as they disappeared floor by floor.

Bluey pulled out her phone and pressed Sergioโ€™s number.

He answered immediately.

โ€œWhatโ€™s up? Did you see hiโ€”โ€

โ€œIf you see Hinata,โ€ Bluey said, voice low, sharp, decisive, โ€œkill him. If Hades or anyone from MIA finds him, heโ€™ll tell them I have the key. Kill Hinata.โ€

She hung up without waiting for his response.

Hyce let out a low whistle, folding his arms.

โ€œYouโ€™re so badass, girl.โ€

—-

3rd Floorโ€ฆ

Hades stormed down the hallway, fists clenched, every step echoing his fury. Trevor, Morgan, Hugo, and Dawn were coming up from the second floor, trying to keep pace.

“I shouldโ€™ve killed off that bastardโ€™s entire family last time,” Hades muttered through gritted teeth.

Suddenly, his sharp gaze landed on Hinata and his guards.

“Shoot!” Hinata barked.

But before the guards could react, Hades was faster. Two precise shots rang out, and both guards collapsed instantly. Hinata stumbled backward, landing on his butt as Hades approached, a storm in his eyes.

“Hey thereโ€ฆ remember me?” Hadesโ€™ voice was cold, lethal.

“Joโ€ฆ Joker?” Hinata stammered, fear in his eyes.

“I shouldโ€™ve killed you off last time. Now, whereโ€™s my key?” Hades demanded, his tone sharp.

Hinata shook his head violently. “Iโ€ฆ I donโ€™t have it!”

Hades didnโ€™t wait. He struck Hinata across the face, fists landing like hammers. Blood ran from his mouth as Hades pounded him relentlessly, each hit echoing through the hallway.

Desperate, Hinata fumbled for his gun and aimed at Hades, but before he could fire, a shot rang out from behind. The bullet slammed into Hinataโ€™s brain, and he collapsed dead instantly.

Hades turned sharply, spotting Sergio standing with the smoking gun.

“He was going to shoot,” Sergio said calmly.

Hades spun, voice booming. “And the key? Do you have any idea heโ€™s the one lead we have?!”

“Donโ€™t think he has it. Searched his office, everywhereโ€ฆ itโ€™s not here. You sure he might have it? Maybe his brother gave it to him, but probably not,” Hugo said cautiously.

“Check again, one last time. Round up. Letโ€™s go,” Hades ordered, his anger still simmering.

Trevor, Morgan, Hugo, and Dawn arrived, taking in the scene.

“Oh my goodnessโ€ฆ heโ€™s dead? And the key?” Morgan asked, alarmed.

“He doesnโ€™t have it?” Dawn added, eyes wide.

“No,” Gomez confirmed. Loci was already downstairs.

Trevorโ€™s gaze snapped down the hallway. “Whereโ€™s Bluey and Hyce?”

โ€œYou guys an army of guards are on their way to you…โ€Loci said through the ear plugs.

Instantly, the alarms blared.

INTRUDERS ALERT! INTRUDERS ALERT!

Bullets tore through the hall. The elevator doors slammed shut.

โ€œSergio and Gomezโ€ฆ find Bluey and Hyce!โ€ Hades barked.

Gomez and Sergio disappeared into the stairs. .

Hades, Dawn, Hugo, Morgan, and Trevor went full assault. 

Hades was a bloody storm grabbing one guard, snapping his arm, punching another through a wall, kneeing one in the chest until ribs cracked. 

Blood sprayed everywhere as he moved, ruthless and merciless. Every shot from his gun was precise, tearing men apart. Heads slammed into walls, limbs shattered, screams cut short by his fury.

—–

Up on the 6th floor, Bluey and Hyce faced six hefty guards.

โ€œThis will be tough,โ€ Hyce muttered.

โ€œPiece of cake,โ€ Bluey smirked.

โ€œKill them!โ€ one guard shouted as they charged.

Bluey grabbed one guy and slammed his head into the floor repeatedly.

 Another charged from behindโ€”she grabbed his collar with one hand and slammed him against the wall.

 She twisted his arm, pushed him into a nearby guard, and stomped ribs before he could recover.

โ€œWhat the fuck?!โ€ Hyce gasped, eyes wide. That level of brutalityโ€ฆ she was Hades-level insane.

Hyce ducked a swing and fought back fiercely, taking down two men with precision strikes.

 But one guard stabbed him in the stomach and another slashed his knee and he grunted in pain, staggering.

โ€œHyce!โ€ Bluey screamed, eyes wide, as she spun into the next guard.

 She slammed one into the wall, elbowed another in the face, grabbed a knife, and drove it into a guardโ€™s leg. 

Blood sprayed. Her movements were lethal, a storm of fists, elbows, and brutality, leaving broken, screaming men in her wake.

Hyce gritted his teeth, ignoring the pain, and slammed his attacker to the ground with sheer force. 

Gomez and Sergio arrived just in time. Hyceโ€™s knees buckled from the stabs to his stomach and knee as a guard nearly shoved him off the barricade upstairs.

Before disaster could strike, Sergio lunged, grabbing Hyce and kicking the attacker off the stairs.

Bluey and Gomez finished off the remaining guards, blood and sweat marking their faces.

โ€œYou guys fine?โ€ Gomez called out, scanning for any more threats.

โ€œHyceโ€ฆ howโ€™s your wound?โ€ Bluey asked, worry flashing in her eyes.

โ€œIt hurtsโ€ฆ fuck, my knee,โ€ Hyce groaned, pressing a hand to his injured leg.

โ€œI need to stop the bleeding. Got anything on you?โ€ Sergio asked, looking at Bluey.

โ€œHey, let me,โ€ Gomez said, quickly tying his scarf above Hyceโ€™s knee to slow the blood flow.

Once it was secure, Gomez held Hyce but Sergio crouched, lifting Hyce carefully.

โ€œDonโ€™t worry, thanks. I can carry him,โ€ Sergio said, carrying Hyce as they moved away from the scene.

Gomez bit his lip, following closely behind, keeping watch.

Bluey smirked, slipping the VAULT-inscribed key safely into her clothes. She strode ahead, her confidence unshaken despite the chaos behind them.

—–

Insane shooting still raged through the hallway. Blood splattered everywhere.

Morgan, Trevor, Hugo, Hades, and Dawn had fought at least a hundred men, their breaths ragged and hearts pounding.

Hades was drenched in blood, his fury barely contained. These men were testing his patience, and he wanted nothing more than to see Bluey, just to make sure she was safe.

A man lunged from behind with a knife. Hades caught the blade mid-swing, blood dripping from his hands as he grabbed the attackerโ€™s face and slammed it against the elevator wall repeatedly.

Morgan ran out of bullets.

โ€œOh shit!!โ€ she yelled, spotting a man aiming at Trevor from behind.

Before Trevor could react, Morgan threw herself in front of him, taking the bullet square in the chest.

โ€œMorgan!!โ€ Trevor screamed, dropping to his knees and cradling her as blood spilled through his fingers.

Dawn, Hugo, and Hades continued firing, mowing down the remaining attackers until finally, the last man fell.

โ€œIโ€ฆ Iโ€ฆ Iโ€™m so tired,โ€ Dawn gasped, collapsing to the floor.

โ€œLetโ€™s head downstairs!โ€ Hugo said, moving to secure their path as Trevor carried Morgan toward the stairs.

โ€œMorgan!! Morgan, open your eyes! Goddamnit!!โ€ Trevor shouted, pressing his hand to her wound, desperately trying to stop the bleeding.

Morgan’s head fell limply.

She remained limp and cold, her blood warm and heavy in his hands.

โ€œMorgan!!โ€ Trevor repeated, panic and fury warring in his eyes.

.

.

ยป๐“๐จ ๐๐ž ๐‚๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ฎ๐ž๐ โœฐ

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