Revenge = The Lothrin Estate in the Pallisades of the Spawling Gardens District of New Alexandria in the year 1988 AD on Earth #8193… The city is a smear of neon and shadow as Monica streaks through the air towards vengeance. The wind claws at her hair, her eyes locked on the tallest spire in the West Quarter, of the Olympios District; Scott's penthouse. Every beat of her heart is a drum of memory: the cruelty of his voice, the roughness of his hands, his violent touch forced inside her. The violation of her body and the strike of a blade. The kiss of moonlight and the embrace of dirt. The moment her life ended, birthing the monster she has now become.
A flicker of blue‑white light cuts across her path.
From the rooftop below, a figure rises on a column of thruster‑fire, gleaming ivory armor cutting through the city's haze, its plates etched with glowing green knotwork that coils like living vines. Deep crimson accents slash across the plating, at the seams, along the mantle of overlapping metal feathers draped over one shoulder, in the ringed ports of the thrusters. The helm is smooth and pale, the single visor slit burning red as it locks onto her.
For a heartbeat, the knotwork pulses brighter, as if the suit itself is drawing breath.
Duess-Excess/Oskar Turing
"Target acquired. Moving to engage."
The Narrator
Twin forearm cannons unfold from bracers patterned like ancient torcs, their muzzles glowing with the same green fire that runs through the armor's veins.
Monica banks hard, slipping into the shadow of a billboard, she lets the shadows morph around her, concealing her with their dark embrace. To human eyes, she's gone.
He tries thermal but get's no reading from his new prey. So he decides on a new approach.
His visor's inner ring flares as Deus‑Excess engages LIDAR sweeping, invisible pulses ripple out in all directions, painting the city in a green wireframe inside his HUD.
For a moment, Monica's silhouette is there, a perfect ghost‑outline darting between rooftops. Then it's gone circling around him like a vulture but then suddenly her speed explodes and she is everywhere. Pings assault his tracking from directions as he tries to gain a tracker-lock. He fires and misses, the concussive blast tearing the air where she'd been just a heartbeat before.
Monica
"BE GONE FROM MY WAY VILE HINDRANCE!"
Imogen [Dues-Excess's Femme-AI Assistant]:
TRACKING ERROR, SUBJECT SPEED EXCEEDS PREDICTION MODEL.
The Narrator
A bone‑shattering volley of explosive punches crashes into Deus‑Excess's chest, shockwaves rippling through the armor. He staggers as she follows with a devastating double front‑kick that sends him flying backward across the rooftop, skidding in a spray of shattered concrete.
Imogen [Dues-Excess's Femme-AI Assistant]:
RETREAT ADVISED, 4 BROKEN RIBS DETECTED. KNIGHT-RAVEN TRACKER DETECTED IN PROXIMITY
Knight-Raven/Anya Lothrin:
"DISENGAGE TARGET DUES-EXCESS, DISENGAGE. THIS IS MY RESPONSIBILITY"
Duess-Excess/Oskar Turing
"Roger, that. Disengaging… you deal with the vampire. I hope you have silver in your arsenal"
The Narrator
Dues-Excess takes off at full spend back towards the Turing Estate as Monica surges into night towards the true target of her bloodthirst.
Monica descends swift and silent onto the towering balcony of Scott's Penthouse, her blood sight locks to him. He sits at a table, back to the glass, sipping something dark and expensive. Monica shatters through the glass balcony doors toward him only for all of her muscles to suddenly lock and colvuse as she falls to floor limb and helpless. She looks at Scott her eyes burning fury as walks over to her and kneels down in front a wicked grin gracing his lips.
Scott
"Welcome home little monster. I've been expecting you."
The Narrator
Scott pulls her face to his kissing her before shoving her head into ground.
Scott
"Truly delicious isn't it my pet, you came her to kill me only to find out just how under my power you really are."
The Narrator
Scott withdraws a shimmering silver dagger from inside his waistcoat and brandishess it just inches from Monica's eyes.
Scott
"This is really is amazing weapon, through it's power you have become my monster, my slave. Oh what delightful things I have planned for you. I will use you to finally cleanse this city of the unclean and worthy."
The Narrator
Scott gestures for Monica to rise to her feet before him. Her rage burning and muscles trembling she obeys just as Anya crashes in through the upper windows, landing hard. She rises to her feet. Monica turns to face her eyes burning with rage and pain. Anya removes her helmet so that she can meet her gaze eye to eye.
Knight-Raven/Anya Lothrin:
Monica please, I know your are angry and you have every right to be. He deserves to be punished and he will be but not this way… I love you. I felt it the first moment I saw and I know you felt it too. Please come home. We can have a future together.
The Narrator
Monica's jaw clenches and her claws twitch. Her breath stutters and her eyes flicker. Her lips part, just slightly as if a word is trying to escape but then the dagger pulses. Her body jerks. Her face hardens. The moment is gone.
Scott
"Oh, this is just perfect. The great Knight‑Raven, is nothing more than my degenerate, class‑traitor boss. What being married to a pathetic sub‑human slave wasn't enough? You had to fall in love with this Narrows‑born bitch too?
You have no idea how long I've waited to see you punished, you and your whole vile family for your litany of race‑treachery. The grievances you and your half‑breed mother have wrought upon your own master‑race with your bleeding‑heart compassion for the inhuman vermin that plague this city. Now I get to watch you die at the hands of the wretched filth you love so much."
The Narrator
He points the dagger at Anya menacingly eyes filled with twisted glee.
Scott
"Kill her!"
The Narrator
Monica explodes forward with brutal savagery as slashes and claws at Anya he does her best to block and dodge but Monica's reflexes are too fast and her strikes too precise. Strikes after strikes crashes into Anya's suit sending shockwave after shockwave rippling through it. Monica comes in with powerful side kick but Anya catches and flings her against the nearby wall before rushing forward and pinning her against the wall with her forearm against Monica's throat.
Knight-Raven/Anya Lothrin:
Monica, please… I can't you fight you. I won't. [loving tender whisper]
The Narrator
With that Anya draps her arms and steps back as Monica lunges at her pinning her to the floor her hands around Anya's throat. Crimson tears bleed from Monica's eyes as her heart and mind scream for her stop but her body refuses. Anya raises her hand and gently strokes away the bloody tears of the woman strangler her. Monica rages within herself to stop but she can't but the briefest of moments her eyes shoots pleadingly towards the dagger and Scott's hand.
The look is quick but Anya catches and it all clicks into place. Conjuring the last of her strength Anya twists herself enough to take aim and fires a precision directed-energy blast at the dagger. The blast collides with the dagger shattering and unleashing a massive devastating explosion of seering red light. The penthouse erupts, fire, smoke, debris raining down. Anya rises from the wreckage, bloodied and shaking. She reequips her helmet against the smoke. Scott's body is torched and burned down the bone. Anya scans desperatly for any sign of Monica but there is nothing… Monica is no more… She failed.
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The Narrator
The gentle electric pulse of the Knight-Gallery gives way to sacred silence as gathered before Monica's empty cell stand Emma, Anya, Oskar and Artair. The air is solemn and still as Artair steps forward and begins to speak.
Artair
"We stand here together to bury a body, but to honor a soul. Monica was not born of the Narrows, nor was she privileged. She lived a life of struggle and strive always trying to make the best of things whenever she could. Hatred and violence stole her life from her and made her monster but deep down she retained the heart of a woman. In that way she was like a candle always desperately trying to fight off the oppressive dark. She deserved better than the fate that befell her.
The time we knew here was short and some of us never really got the privleage but she was not unloved and so in that way she will live on, in our memories and in our love. I now invite each of you to approach and say your final words."
The Narrator
Artair picks up a very beautiful ournate candle stick holder bearing one long scarlet candle and places it next to Monica's empty cell before stepping away. Oskar steps forward next.
Oskar
"I only knew her for the few minutes she spent kicking my ass but I could tell she had a strong heart. You packed massive punch Monica and I hope you have finally found the peace you couldn't find in life"
The Narrator
With both his and Artair's part of the ceremony done they both politely excuse themselves and make their way back home. Leaving Emma and Anya to share the final sacred moments to themselves. Anya continues to stand silently, her eyes fighting to hold back the tears. Emma steps forward next.
Emma
I teased her and called her Beasty, but the truth is despite her bloodthirst and predatory eyes, she was a woman. A woman of strength, of will and of deep burning passion. I wish I could have gotten to know her more. I wish I could have seen that passion grow and take bloom… Your fight is over dear Beasty, and I will miss you.
The Narrator
Emma walks up to Anya and places a soft tender kiss on her cheek before turning and making her way silently and respectfully from the room so that Anya may say her final words in private.
The tears finally fall as Anya steps forward and with shaking hands lights the scarlet candle before turning and placing loving kiss on the glass of Monica's cell. She rests her head against as her body shakes.
Anya Lothrin:
I really don't know what to say right now, no words feel adequate to describe the hurt I feel. I love you so much Monica. That spark we felt when our eyes first met still burns inside me. I failed you Monica, I should have saved you and I failed and that's on me. Wherever you are I hope you finally found peace. I love you and I always will… goodbye.
The Narrator
With one last gentle kiss on the glass, Anya turns and blows out the scarlet candle before turning and making out of the room.
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The Narrator
(Ashcroft Asylum, The Narrows, New Alexandria)
Ashcroft Asylum is surprisingly calm and mellow as Dr. Gwendolyn sits in font of Warden Moon's desk. Warden Moon sips his coffee as he contemplativly stares at the small framed woman before him the handicapped leg and calm expression.
Warden Moon
"Let me be frank. This is the most dangerous asylum in the city in the most dangerous district of the city. Our patients are not the typical type found at other asylums and most doctors who work here don't last very long.
Gwen
I understand that and I more than familiar with this facility's reputation and the types patients it garners. But I take my role as a doctor seriously, I work hard and I dont scare easily.
The Narrator
The Warden nods his eyes locked with her as he considers her words.
Warden Moon
You really think you can handle this job? Putting your life on the line everyday?
Gwen
I do. I'm not afraid.
The Narrator
The both take another sip of their drink as the warden's eyes scan the room for a moment before finding their way back to small woman before him.
Warden Moon
Look, you say your qualified and our largest financial benefactor Anya Lothrin seems to agree, rendering this interview a pointless formality. So the job is yours if you think you can handle it.
Gwen
"Thank you, I won't let you down"
Warden Moon
Good luck doctor, you are going to need it."
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The Narrator
(Lothrin-Tower, The Olympios District, New Alexandria)
The city spires and highrises glow like luminous spires beyond the glass walls of Anya's office. Inside, the room is quiet, the only sound is the low hum of the filtration system. A stack of datapads rests on the desk between Anya and Dr. Emilia Lebenstocher, their glowing displays flickering with graphs, waveforms, and tissue scans.
Emilia Lebenstocher
"We've completed the first round of controlled exposure tests. The results are… extraordinary. Ice Heart doesn't just preserve necrotic tissue, it restores it. Cellular collapse reverses, mitochondrial activity resumes. In several samples, we observed full reanimation of tissue that had been clinically dead for hours."
The Narrator
She slides one datapad across the desk. The display shows a time‑lapse: a strip of necrotic muscle fibers twitching, then knitting, then pulsing with renewed life.
Anya Lothrin:
"Reanimation. Restoration. That's… beyond anything we've theorized. And the living tissue?"
Emilia Lebenstocher:
"Even more radical. Ice Heart exposure seems to trigger de‑aging effects. Cells revert to earlier states, telomere degradation reverses. In one case, a sample of tissue from a seventy‑year‑old donor reverted to the cellular profile of a twenty‑year‑old. It's not just healing; it's turning back the clock."
Anya Lothrin
"And the emissions?"
Emilia Lebenstocher
"That's the complication. Ice Heart radiates high levels of an unknown particle wave. It's not electromagnetic, not nuclear, not anything we've catalogued. The energy signatures spike unpredictably under stress. If we move to human exposure trials now, we risk catastrophic instability."
Emilia Lebenstocher
"My recommendation is to run energy exposure stress tests first. Push Ice Heart to its limits. See how it behaves under resonance, under containment strain. If it destabilizes, we need to know before we put a human being anywhere near it."
Anya Lothrin
"You're saying it could be dangerous."
Emilia Lebenstocher
"I'm saying it is dangerous. But it could also be the most important discovery in the history of medicine. Resurrection. Rejuvenation. Immortality. We just need to confirm the foundation is stable before we build on it."
The Narrator
For a long moment, Anya says nothing. The datapads glow faintly between them, their light reflecting in her eyes. She thinks of Monica's crimson tears, of Jessie's scars, of her own vow never to fail again.
Anya Lothrin
"Very well. No human trials until the stress tests are complete. Run them at once, Emilia. Push Ice Heart as far as it will go. If it breaks, better it breaks in the lab than in someone's veins."
The Narrator
Emilia nods, relief flickering across her features. She gathers the datapads, her movements efficient, but her eyes linger on the scrolling waveforms one last time before she leaves. Anya leans back in her chair, the glow of the data still dancing across her face. For a moment, she swears she hears it hum, like a heartbeat echoing from another world.
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The Narrator
(Lothrin-Industries Max-Sec Residence Tower, The Narrows)
Dinner is simple; pasta, bread, a bottle of cheap red wine but Emilia insists it tastes better because Gwen cooked it. Gwen rolls her eyes at the compliment, but the corner of her mouth betrays a smile as she watches Emilia mop up sauce with the last piece of bread.
From beyond the reinforced windows, the Narrows sings its nightly dirge: the distant crack of gunfire, and faroff explosions. Somewhere far below, a scream rises, then cuts off abruptly.
Inside, though, the apartment is warm. The table lamp casts a golden glow, softening the edges of their tired faces.
Gwen
"I got the job. Ashcroft Asylum. Warden Moon offered it to me this morning."
The Narrator
Her tone is steady, but her eyes shine with the weight of it. Emilia freezes mid‑bite, then sets her fork down, her face breaking into a grin.
Emilia Lebenstocher
"Gwen, that's incredible! Between your new post and me being put in charge of Project Ice Heart… things are finally looking up for us."
The Narrator
She pushes her chair back, rising with sudden energy. Gwen tilts her head, curious, as Emilia circles the table. Then, with a mischievous grin, Emilia drops to one knee.
Emilia Lebenstocher
"Maybe it's time we stop waiting for the right moment. Maybe the right moment is now. Plus honestly this has been burning a hole in my pocket for over a month now."
The Narrator
From her pocket, she produces a small velvet box. Gwen's eyes go wide as Emilia opens it to reveal a simple but elegant ring, the metal catching the lamplight. Gwen's hand flies to her mouth, tears already gathering.
Gwen
"Emilia… oh my gods, oh my gods…"
The Narrator
Her voice breaks as her heart races. Emilia takes her hand, steady and sure.
Emilia Lebenstocher
"Gwendolyn L. Valentine, will you marry me?"
The Narrator
The silence stretches for only a heartbeat before Gwen nods, tears spilling freely.
Gwen
"Yes. Yes, of course I will."
The Narrator
Emilia slips the ring onto Gwen's finger. Gwen throws herself into Emilia's arms as she rises to her feet. Laughter and tears mingle as they drown eachother in gleeful kiss is tender at first, then deepening with building passion, carrying them both down the hall as, they stumble toward the bedroom, lips never parting. The door closes softly behind them, shutting out the Narrows' symphony of violence, leaving only the sound of their love.