October 6th.....
In the morning....
Inside the subway....
A Professor and Martin were sitting in a place that looked like a temporary cafeteria. Ian was sitting and drinking a cup of coffee at a table, not alone, as there were others there; it seemed like their break time before they resumed work again.
"Americano coffee, good coffee for the morning, isn't it?" he asked.
"Yes, Professor," Martin spoke with a slightly nervous tone.
"Stop calling me Professor. Call me Abraham. Try this."
"So, Mr. Abraham?" Martin asked with some tension.
"Just Abraham," Abraham spoke, raising his hand.
"Abraham," Martin said.
"Yes! Finally!" Abraham replied happily.
"So, why did you invite me here? I know someone like you is very busy with his work, so why would you want to spend your free time with someone like me?"
"I just want to spend time with a fellow scientist," he replied, drinking his coffee.
"I'm not a scientist, sir. My knowledge is limited compared to yours," Martin replied seriously.
"So, what do you think of this?" Abraham spoke, placing something on the table.
It was a mechanical arm, blue in color. It was the arm of a knight's suit, one of the individuals Kuro had killed.
"Woah! Where did you get this?" Martin asked fascinated, observing it.
"From some friends at Aegis. So, what do you think of this thing, my friend?" Abraham asked, watching him closely.
"I've never seen in my life a blend of technology fused with magic so precisely, connected with crystal wires. Something like this would take years to build."
"Three years, to be precise, if you calculate the crystal density level," Abraham replied.
"Where did Aegis get things like this? And how did you know about such a thing?"
"I can't tell you about my sources, but I heard it happened while a criminal was wearing that suit and fighting a hunter, who happened to be a mutant."
"A hunter and a mutant? Could it be..." Martin thought, remembering something important.
"Yep, just as you guessed. It's that wolf boy who came to us yesterday."
"This is strange. What business do gang members have with this Kuro?"
"Who knows?" Ian Abraham spoke, shrugging his shoulders.
Martin was thinking deeply, analyzing the arm.
"I think I need to talk to Kuro," Martin spoke with a serious face.
"No use. It's too late," Abraham replied coldly.
"No, it's not too late yet. I will talk to him and tell him he must become an official hunter, even if just on paper."
"He's dead," he answered coldly.
"He's what?" Martin was stunned.
"It seems they really wanted him dead. They isolated an area of the city and fought him. Luckily, there were surveillance cameras they didn't notice, which recorded their fight, even if only for seconds...."
"I saw him get burned, stabbed, and fall hard. Aegis tried to search for his body, but they didn't find his body, only the blood."
"Doesn't that mean he might still be alive?"
"Yes, but no one survives being burned and impaled by a spear. I doubt he lived. Perhaps his body turned to ash."
"This confirms my suspicions now," Martin spoke.
"About what?" Abraham asked, putting his coffee cup aside.
"A few months ago, I said the number of hunters was strangely decreasing, to the point that a hunter rarely comes here every month. I felt it might be due to laziness or their lack of hunting efficiency."
"But now, a hunter like him was attacked as soon as he tried to hunt. There is someone ensuring that."
"It might just be a crazy theory of mine.... but what if?"
"There is someone planning something against us, against this city. I don't know his goal, but it's not something good."
"Well, I was going to call you a conspiracy theorist, if not for all your suspicions being correct. There is something or someone obstructing, and it seems the only lead we have is the Red Hand," Abraham answered.
"But you forgot something, Martin."
"This is Aegis's job and not ours. Our job is to protect the Gate and prevent civilians from getting hurt."
"You... you're right. This is not our job," Martin replied.
The room fell silent again, and people were looking at them and at the arm, but they didn't pay attention to it; it was none of their business to interfere.
"By the way, I was in the room and saw they were on higher alert than usual. What's all this commotion? Did something happen?"
"It's because of the new Gate suppression crystals," Martin answered.
"Oh, did they finally bring them?" Abraham asked.
"Yes, perhaps because of the events that occurred, they decided to start enhancing security, especially the Gate since it's close to a Gate break."
"It's good they did one thing right, otherwise it would end in disaster."
....
At the Red Hand headquarters....
Elbero was standing in a meeting place, staring at a man wearing a business suit. Barry was watching from behind the window what was happening. They were talking, and that person was urging him and telling him to do something, pointing to a map somewhere.
When he finished, he left, leaving the door open.
"Boss?" Barry spoke.
"Is it over?" Elbero asked.
"About what?" Barry replied.
"About Andrew and Marco," Elbero answered.
"Ah, yes, Boss. We informed their families, and they are currently under investigation by Aegis. Don't worry, Boss, they know what's good for them; they will never tell them about you."
"Yes, I hope so," Elbero spoke with frustration on his face.
"And who was that, Boss?" Barry asked.
"Ah, this?" Elbero pointed his finger outward. "That's one of those anti-mutant guys."
"What did he want from you?"
"What any hater of those animals wants. He wants to evacuate them and drive them far away from the city."
"He wants that area there, in the Mutant Zone," Elbero spoke, pointing to a place on the map. "That area was alive, but a Gate appeared, people abandoned it, and then the mutants moved in. It's a perfect cover to the degree that no one goes there because of the damage that occurred in that place. Our goal is to get them out by any means necessary so he can start his business."
"But aren't there among the mutants those who have mutations that make them stronger than ordinary humans?" Barry asked.
"That's correct, and that's why I will bring the suit with me to that place," Elbero answered.
"Boss! Aegis is already tracking our every move. They will come for you as soon as they detect you wearing it, and then__"
"Were you listening to what I said, Barry?"
"I said it's a dilapidated area. This means it's an area even the police don't bother going to."
"Those people won't go to that area. Even the police don't go there. I can roam the streets wearing my suit comfortably. And even if Aegis dogs come here, it will already be too late."
Elbero stood up from his chair and looked out the window, seeing the gray sky.
"We lost some good people, but now everything will end soon."
"Tell the men to get ready. We have work to do."
....
At Aegis headquarters..
"Is he really dead?" Annie asked, watching the footage.
"They didn't find his body, but the footage captured him, and I can say with confidence that he is definitely dead," Anton answered confidently.
"But we didn't find his body. We can't confirm his death yet," Annie replied.
"Maybe he burned; that's very possible. I've heard of fire magic that burns the body completely; perhaps that's what happened to him," Anton spoke, crossing his arms.
"We met him yesterday. How could he die suddenly?"
"That's life in New Hades. Did you forget that?" Anton asked.
"I know, but..... I feel helpless seeing that I can't save those in front of me," Annie replied.
"Well, he wasn't completely innocent. He killed two without sympathy or remorse. What happened is that they wanted revenge on him, and what happened, happened."
Trrrrn! Trrrrrn!
"A call? Hello? What? In the Mutant Zone? What? Are you sure?"
"What's the matter?"
Somewhere else.....
The area...
There were some people who had scales and animal or demonic parts on their bodies. The mutants were living here. The place was dreary like any other place but had a touch of life, and they were trying to hide their mutations. And as they continued their daily lives, something happened.
Suddenly, something was thrown at a shop window, shattering it. The mutant saw what it was.
It was a tear gas canister, releasing red smoke. And it wasn't the only thing; things other than canisters, like bricks or Molotov cocktails, were thrown towards many shops, forcing many mutants to come out. A large number of people were seen carrying metal bats, and among them was a person dressed like a red robotic Roman knight, standing arrogantly and holding a spear.
"Today we will cleanse the city of mutants!" Elbero spoke.
"Yeah!" the people shouted while committing violence against the mutants.
"Show no mercy!" he appeared, raising his spear high.
"Ahahahaha!" His men, along with the protesters, shouted together as they beat the mutants severely. They didn't distinguish between women and children; they beat them mercilessly.
"Barry, join them. Tell them to beat or kill them so they don't think of returning there."
"Yes, Boss," Barry spoke and went forward.
"Good, and now I have to go south and destroy those neighborhoods."
Urgh!?
Elbero saw one of his men fly.
A mutant with a strange mutation appeared from among the mutants. His skin was pale white, and he had sharp, shark-like teeth. He was hitting the gang members, giving the mutants some breathing room to get away and escape far. The gang members were having some problems because of him.
"As usual, always," Elbero sighed.
Elbero moved quickly and hit the mutant powerfully.
Boom!
The mutant didn't realize what was happening and found himself on the verge of death, his shoulder grabbed while he was almost unconscious.
"Just... why..... why are you doing this..... we didn't do anything to you..."
"Why do I have to say this every time," Elbero sighed, looking at the mutant with disgust. "It's because you are a monster, and monsters like you shouldn't have been born!"
Boom!
"What the hell was that?!"
Something crashed into the wall near Elbero. He raised his head and saw what was happening.
It was someone's head, crushed and thrown aside like an empty soda can, and that was someone Elbero knew well.
"No, no, no..... Barry!"
Step... step
He heard footsteps from a certain direction and saw who did this.
It was a person, no, more like a monster. What he saw was strange and familiar at the same time. It was a full werewolf form from stories, about two and a half meters tall, and wearing only torn black pants. Its fur was completely black, with blood-red eyes.
But that's not what terrified Elbero. What terrified him was what it was carrying. It was dragging two corpses with each hand, pulling them along. As it walked, there were more corpses of people behind it.
It threw two corpses in front of Elbero, who froze in shock. He let go of the mutant and looked at it, while that mutant looked at the werewolf with awe and shock.
"Jericho? Thomas?" Elbero repeated the names of the dead.
But it didn't give him time to grieve. It rushed towards him and punched him in the face, sending him flying to another street. The blow brought Elbero back to his senses, and his suit glowed yellow as he charged at it and struck with his spear.
But the werewolf parried it easily and hit him again, cracking his suit. Elbero felt horror. He was at his strongest state, but he was no match for this thing.
"What are you, demon!?!" Elbero shouted.
"I'm here for a rematch."
"Rematch?.....!!! You're that rat?!"
"But how! How did you survive that!?"
"Less talk, more fighting, you fake."
*Kughhh, I don't know how, but your transformation into the devil you are now won't change anything."
"Pathetic."
Kuro hit him powerfully, sending him flying onto a building roof. Elbero was panting heavily.
"Any last words?"
"Yes, you lost, mutant."
"???"
"What nonsense are you talking about___"
Suddenly, the sound of sirens appeared, sirens everywhere around New Hades.
[Alert, Red Threat, I repeat, Red Threat. There are multiple Gate breaks occurring nearby.]
[There is a Gate break in area D21.]
[There is a Gate break in area K98.]
[There is a Gate break in area C43.]
....
"What have you done?"
"The Great Cleansing!" Elbero shouted.
"What?"
"Soon, Gate breaks will happen all over New Hades, and you mutants will be the only ones to blame! We've won! This city will now be restored to its former glory!"
"And I thought you had a trump card. You've disappointed me."
"What? Don't tell me you don't care about the people here, you mutant."
"No, you misunderstood. I do care, and I especially care about crushing the dreams and hopes of scum like you."
"Are you a fool? You can't do this. Even I with this suit can't."
"You can't, but I can."
"What nonsense are you spouting___"
Suddenly, Kuro rushed at him in the blink of an eye. Elbero fired the cannon, fire at Kuro like last time.
But it seemed to have no effect on him at all. He grabbed the arm that was firing and tore it off completely, without any difficulty at all.
"You monster! Are you trying to kill me?!"
"I'm a monster? Hahaha, that's ironic coming from you." He grabbed him by the shoulder and punched him, but with his other hand, he pierced the suit completely. Elbero staggered and fell to the ground.
"You're the one trying to destroy the town now! Many people will die. Thousands will die because of this action of yours!"
"The ends justify the means! We are restoring the city, bringing it back to the days when there was no fear and no existence of monsters like you!"
"You are the last ones who have the right to talk about monsters!"
"You think everything you do is good, even if you destroy the lives of many others. You don't care at all."
"Yet when the tables are turned, what do you do? Tell me, Elbero, why?"
The werewolf slowly crushed his foot.
"Arghhhhh! Why!"
"Yes, why? Hahaha.... You ask why and play the victim? Even though you pieces of shit caused this yourselves! All of this was because of you!"
"You restrict others' lives with your sick ideals and call others monsters while you are the real monsters!"
"Let me tell you exactly what will happen to you, you fake knight."
"Arghhh, just kill me...." Elbero spoke.
"Kill you? No, no, no. I won't kill you. I will let you live to see all your little games fail, without achieving anything."
"And when all that is over, your family will join you in prison."
"No, you can't do this! My family didn't do anything, you sick bastard!"
"Did you forget you told me yourself that you are complicit in all this? That means you are a traitor to humanity, and you know what the punishment is for those who betray humanity, isn't that right?"
"Life imprisonment with their families for life. And you, dear, have won the award for the best father, where all your children will be with you in prison!"
"You... you... monster!" Elbero screamed with hatred, looking helplessly at the werewolf Kuro.
"Remember well, you are the monster.... and no one will believe you. Even your family will hate you for the rest of their days."
As soon as Kuro said this, he tore off his limbs. Elbero let out the loudest scream of his entire life. As soon as he finished, Kuro grabbed him and threw him to the ground, on the verge of death, and left.
A while later, in the subway tunnels....
There was chaos. Soldiers were...
"Go, prepare the cannons! We are the first line of defense as soon as those things come out of the Gate!"
The soldiers were on the verge of collapse, and one of them saw something and shouted.
"There's a monster behind you!?"
"What?"
The soldiers turned and saw a mutant boy with almost torn clothes.
"You? Wait a minute."
"Hey, don't shoot! He's not a monster!" a soldier from among the crowd of soldiers shouted and stopped them.
"Oh, you? Still working here?" Kuro asked, recognizing his voice as that soldier who stopped the protest.
"Yes, you surprised me a bit when you appeared like that."
"Am I at a bad time?"
"Stop joking. What brought you here?" the soldier asked, skeptical of Kuro.
"I'm here to solve the problem at its root," Kuro spoke.
.
.
.
In a different place in the subway,Martin and Abraham were taking boxes, carrying them with difficulty as they moved through the passage.
"Really, what a mess!" Abraham shouted.
"Damn it! Those crystals weren't for suppressing magic, but for enhancing it! Who's the lunatic who did this!?" Martin asked angrily.
"I don't know, but it seems we are not the only ones this happened to; this happened in other Gates as well."
"This is complete chaos!"
"Ouch!" B shouted and bumped into something.
"What are you doing, oh my God! Hey..... Kuro?!" Martin shouted in shock.
"What?" Abraham asked, moving the box aside to see Kuro in a bad state.
"Didn't you tell me he was dead?" Martin asked.
"Yes, how is this? I saw you on the footage."
"It takes more than a spear to kill me, you know."
"So what are you doing here?"
"I'm very tired, so I'll keep it short. Give me permission."
"What?"
"Give me permission to go and extract the Gate's core."
"What? Are you crazy? There's only an hour until the Gate break! You have to kill twice as many as you killed and take the Gate crystal yourself?!"
"Don't make me repeat this. Give me permission."
"What, but....."
"I will give you permission," Abraham spoke.
"Mr. Abraham!" Martin shouted.
"I am Professor Abraham. I will give you permission."
"But you have to come out with the Gate crystal in less than an hour. Can you do this?" Abraham asked, staring seriously at Kuro.
"I'll do it in ten minutes."
"Alright, that's the spirit," Abraham replied.
"You heard him, Martin. Make it happen."
.
.
.
Martin and Abraham gathered and looked towards the Gate.The Gate was agitated like a bomb about to explode. Kuro entered the Gate and disappeared. The soldiers were still on alert.
Seconds turned into hours, and the soldiers were sweating in fear, trembling. They knew they wouldn't be able to prevent the break. Once the break happened, not only would Goblins come out of this Gate, but they would also appear in scattered places. They didn't know how much damage would occur.
Minutes passed since Kuro entered, and the subway turned into a silent cemetery. The soldiers readied their weapons, and Abraham was still standing here.
"Abraham, you need to get out of here. Your job isn't to die here," Martin spoke, trying to urge him to leave.
"And is your job to die here?" Abraham asked.
"No... but to give people time so they can respond."
"Then I will wait for him. He said he would finish it quickly," Abraham answered.
"There's no way he can do this. You need to get out of here, Professor___"
Bam....
Suddenly, something came out and fell. They saw it was a large black crystal. Everyone who saw it was shocked, even Abraham was shocked. And when they raised their weapons, something else came out. It was Kuro, covered in blood, and the Gate began to fade into the air.
"This.... how....."
"And now, tell me," Kuro spoke while moving his arm.
"About the location of the other Gate."
"Wait.... did you want permission not just for this Gate, but for the other Gates as well?" Abraham asked.
"Wasn't my speech clear? I want permission to go and solve the problem at its root," Kuro spoke indifferently.
"And now, where is the location of the other Gate?"
Everyone stood in shock about what they were about to witness later....