As Mark, Eva, and Austin walked through the streets of North Brook, they found themselves at an old but well-kept park. A small playground sat to one side, paint chipped but still bright from use. Picnic tables dotted the lawn, where the grass was trimmed short and green. A few families were scattered around — some walking dogs along the paved paths, others sitting on benches with coffee and conversation. Kids laughed as they chased each other across the playground, the sound carrying easily through the open space.
"Here we are," Austin said, adjusting his glasses as he stepped ahead of them. "Your new training ground."
Mark stopped at the entrance, looking around with a puzzled expression.
"No offense," he said calmly, watching a group of kids playing tag near the swings, "but I thought we were going to a gym or something like that."
Austin smiled faintly.
"So how am I supposed to train my sight here?" Mark asked, glancing between the dog walkers and the shouting kids. "Do I need to observe everything that's happening?"
"Nah, nothing that grandiose," Austin replied, bending down to pick up a dodgeball resting on a nearby picnic table. He gave it a light toss in his palm, testing the weight. "We're just going to play dodgeball."
Mark blinked but didn't argue. He decided not to overthink it. If Austin said it would work, it would work.
They moved to a clearing surrounded by tall trees, the shade cutting down the glare of the afternoon sun. The ground here was packed dirt, firm enough for quick movement. Austin tossed the ball to Eva, who caught it easily and bounced it a few times before grinning at Mark.
"So," Austin said casually, stepping back to give them space, "how do you find Brookhaven so far?"
He threw the ball toward Mark as he spoke.
The question caught Mark off guard, but he reacted quickly, catching the ball and throwing it toward Eva without breaking stride.
"It sucks," he said bluntly.
"Really?" Eva caught the ball, pivoting on her heel. "Which part exactly?"
She lobbed it back toward Austin, who let it bounce once before scooping it up.
Mark opened his mouth to answer, but before he could, the ball came whistling straight for his face. Instinct kicked in — he ducked sharply, eyes snapping shut. The ball sailed harmlessly over his head, but he'd missed the chance to return it.
"Hey, you threw that too hard," Mark said, standing up and picking the ball off the ground.
Austin simply adjusted his glasses and walked closer, his tone calm but serious.
"Not at all. This _is_ your training."
He paused, letting the words settle.
"I'm sure you know by now how dangerous this city is. So this game is meant to teach you two lessons.
First — always keep your eyes open. Your instincts might save you, but they're useless if you don't see what's coming.
Second — always keep your guard up. It doesn't matter what you're doing, or where you are. This city will beat you to your knees the moment it sees you slip."
His hand rested lightly on Mark's shoulder.
"Okay. Again."
He stepped back, fixing his glasses as he picked the ball up once more, eyes sharp behind the lenses.
---
Back at the hospital, Adrian was being pushed back harder than he'd expected.
Aaron's guys came in waves, relentless and coordinated. Every time he dropped one, two more stepped forward. His breathing was heavier now, sweat mixing with blood at the corner of his brow. His legs felt heavier, his shoulders burning from blocking and countering. The numbers were starting to feel daunting.
But his face didn't show it.
"If you're having this much of a hard time with me," he said, flashing a grin with the lollipop still between his teeth, "imagine how strong our second-years are."
Aaron hopped down from the car hood he'd been sitting on, brushing dust off his sleeves. He laughed, sharp and humorless.
"You sure can put up bravado," he said, voice dripping with amusement. "But unfortunately for you, I'm not an idiot who falls for that."
Before Adrian could answer, a bat swung from his blind spot.
The hit connected with a dull crack against the side of his head. Pain flared, hot and immediate. He spun on instinct, catching the attacker mid-motion and driving a snapping kick to the jaw. The guy dropped, out cold. But the force of the swing had thrown Adrian off balance, and he hit his knees hard against the pavement.
Exhaustion mixed with the sting of blood running down the back of his head.
Aaron stepped forward slowly, hands in his pockets, like he was watching the last act of a play.
"Any last words, Golden Boy?"
Adrian wiped the blood away with the back of his hand and grinned. He raised his middle finger.
Aaron's smile didn't waver, but a vein in his temple betrayed his irritation. He turned to the biggest guy beside him and gave him a light pat on the shoulder.
"Go kill him."
With that, Aaron turned back toward his car, leaving the order hanging in the air.
As the heavy-set guy stepped forward, lifting a jagged brick high above his head, Adrian felt it. The weight of his own exhaustion. The way his vision swam at the edges.
_I'm sorry, Mom,_ he thought, a single tear slipping down his cheek despite the grin still on his face. _I guess I couldn't save you. And I couldn't get justice for you either. I guess I really am a terrible son._
He closed his eyes, bracing for the impact.
Then—
The sound of shattering concrete.
A shout of pain.
"Never figured you for a giving-up type."
That voice.
Adrian's eyes snapped open.
Standing in front of him, brick dust still falling from his fist, was Sato Kazumi. Calm as ever, like he'd just stepped in from a walk.
"Never thought I'd be happy to see you, Sato," Adrian muttered, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction.
Sato didn't look back. His eyes stayed locked on the crowd in front of them.
"And I never thought I'd pity you," he said quietly. "But here we are."
He wore a black leather jacket over a deep purple tee, black jeans, and combat boots that had seen more than a few fights. The three silver piercings in his ear caught the light as he moved.
Adrian forced himself to his feet, swaying slightly.
"I guess I owe you one, Sato."
Sato finally glanced at him, expression unreadable.
"You owe me nothing. I'm doing this for me."
They stood side by side now, two silhouettes against a courtyard full of armed fighters. The murmurs started immediately, rippling through the crowd like a wave.
"Did you see that? He took down Bob in two hits."
"And he broke a brick with his bare hand."
"That tattoo… it can't be right?"
"It's the Black Rose."
"We were already struggling with Golden Boy. How do we beat them when they work together?"
Sato shifted his weight, eyes flicking to Adrian.
"Can you still fight?"
Adrian chuckled, rolling his shoulders despite the ache.
"Who do you think I am?"
Sato scoffed, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"If you can't," he said, stepping forward, "just don't get in my way."
---