Cold air filled the warehouse.
Dim lights flickered above.
Metal chains creaked softly.
Jay's eyes slowly opened.
Blurry at first—
then sharp.
Concrete.
Enemies.
Bindings.
"…Tch."
Her wrists were tied tight.
Body still heavy.
Weak.
Around her—
voices.
"BRO WHERE ARE WE—" Kit struggled.
"Stop moving," MJ snapped.
"Everyone okay?!" Gorya called.
"…Stay calm," Aum added.
Kanning's voice was low. "…This was planned."
Jay turned her head.
Section E.
All restrained.
And—
Keifer.
Their eyes met instantly.
"…You okay?" he asked quietly.
Jay exhaled softly.
"…Focus."
A slow clap echoed.
Sharp.
Mocking.
Jay's gaze snapped forward.
"…You."
A figure stepped from the shadows.
Smiling.
Calm.
Alive.
"Miss me?"
Yuri.
The room froze.
Kit: "NAH—NO WAY—"
MJ: "He's supposed to be dead—"
Jay's eyes went cold.
"…You should've stayed that way."
Yuri chuckled.
"And miss this moment?"
Yuri stepped closer to Keifer.
Too close.
Jay's voice dropped—
dangerous.
"…Don't."
Yuri smirked.
"Or what?"
That was enough.
Jay twisted—
forcing her wrists free—
ignoring the pain—
The rope snapped.
She moved instantly.
First attacker—down.
Second—hit hard.
But—
her body lagged.
Her movements slower.
Heavier.
Another attacker rushed—
She blocked—
but staggered.
Vision blurred.
Her breath uneven.
"…Not… now…"
She pushed forward—
reached Yuri—
grabbed his collar—
"…Don't touch them—"
Yuri smiled.
"Still trying?"
A sharp strike—
Jay's body froze—
then dropped.
Hard.
She didn't move.
"JAY—!"
Keifer's voice cut through everything.
Kit: "GET UP—"
Gorya: "Jay please—"
Nothing.
Yuri looked down at her.
"Disappointing."
He turned away.
"Tie her—"
Before they could move—
Jay's fingers twitched.
Then—
her eyes opened.
Different.
Not tired.
Not weak.
Cold.
Focused.
Terrifying.
She stood up.
Slowly.
Steadily.
Everyone froze.
Keifer's voice was barely a whisper.
"…Jay…?"
She didn't respond.
Didn't look at anyone.
Only at the enemies.
She moved.
Fast.
Faster than before.
Cleaner.
Sharper.
First attacker—dropped instantly.
Second—slammed into the ground.
Third—didn't even get a chance.
She didn't stop.
Didn't hesitate.
Didn't miss.
Every movement—
perfect.
Even bound—
Section E could only watch.
Kit whispered—
"…She didn't even untie us…"
MJ:
"…She doesn't need to…"
Yuri stepped back slightly.
For the first time—
his smile faded.
"What… are you?"
Jay stopped in front of him.
Silent.
Then—
one move.
Yuri hit the ground.
Hard.
Silence filled the warehouse.
No one standing.
No enemies left.
Only her.
Standing.
Breathing unevenly.
She took one step.
Then another.
Then—
everything blurred.
Her body gave out.
"…Jay—"
She fell—
But didn't hit the ground.
Keifer caught her.
Arms around her instantly.
"Hey—stay with me—"
Her head rested against him.
No response.
Footsteps echoed.
Slow.
Controlled.
Everyone looked up.
At the entrance—
figures stood.
Cold.
Unshaken.
Powerful.
The Apex.
The Shadow Council.
Raven. Axel. Nyx. Orion. Zara. Blaze. Sienna. Kai. Victor.
Aria. Leon. Dante.
They looked at the scene—
destroyed enemies—
broken ground—
Jay.
Unconscious.
In Keifer's arms.
Keifer's grip tightened slightly.
His voice low.
"…They touched the wrong person."
Behind him—
power gathered.
And this time—
it wouldn't be a fight.
It would be the end.