Gunfire roared.
Steel clashed.
Energy cracked through the air like lightning.
But beneath the chaos—
There was a plan.
The Illusion of Betrayal
Orlov moved like a weapon unleashed.
Every strike sharp.
Every motion calculated.
He attacked Alessandro again—
Fast.
Brutal.
Relentless.
But not lethal.
Never lethal.
Alessandro Understands
Their fists collided again.
A violent exchange—
Close.
Dangerous.
Controlled.
And in the middle of it—
Alessandro saw it clearly.
This wasn't betrayal.
This was positioning.
The Silent Agreement
No words were exchanged.
None needed.
Just instinct.
Understanding.
Timing.
The Opening Move
Orlov struck hard—
Sending Alessandro crashing into a pillar.
The impact echoed loudly.
Convincing.
Real.
The guards didn't question it.
The mastermind didn't doubt it.
The Real Target
Because Orlov wasn't focused on Alessandro.
He wasn't focused on Elena.
He was watching—
Him.
The Mastermind
Standing calm.
Untouched.
Certain.
Watching everything like a game already won.
Elena's Advance
Energy surged around her again.
Controlled.
Precise.
She pushed forward—
Breaking through the guards.
One by one.
Not stopping.
Not hesitating.
Two Against One
Alessandro rose again.
Blood on his lip.
Eyes locked forward.
This time—
He didn't charge Orlov.
He moved past him.
The Shift
Straight toward the mastermind.
That—
Was the moment everything changed.
Reaction
The mastermind's smile faded slightly.
Just for a second.
But it was enough.
The First Real Threat
"So," he said quietly.
"You finally understand."
Clash
Alessandro fired.
Not once—
But three times.
Each bullet—
Stopped mid-air.
Suspended.
Frozen.
Power Revealed
The mastermind lifted his hand slightly.
Calm.
Effortless.
"Did you really think it would be that easy?"
Elena Steps In
"No."
Her voice cut through everything.
Clear.
Cold.
Certain.
"But this will be."
Power Against Power
She raised her hand—
And the air shifted violently.
The bullets dropped.
The invisible force cracked.
For the first time—
His control broke.
Surprise
His eyes sharpened.
Interest turning into something else.
Recognition.
The Queen vs The Architect
"So this is what you've become," he said softly.
Elena stepped closer.
"This is who I am."
The Engine Reacts
Behind them—
The second Crown Engine began to pulse wildly.
Stronger.
Faster.
Reacting to her presence.
To her power.
The Real Objective
Orlov moved again—
But not toward Alessandro.
Not toward Elena.
Toward the machine.
The Hidden Plan
He reached the control panel—
Hands moving quickly.
Precise.
Familiar.
Adrian shouted from across the room,
"Okay, I really hope he's still on our side!"
The Truth Unfolds
Orlov's voice cut through the chaos.
"I never stopped being on it."
Override
The system flickered.
Changed.
Shifted.
The entire machine's output reversed.
Shock
The mastermind turned sharply.
"What did you do?"
Orlov didn't look at him.
"I broke your system."
The Counterattack
Energy surged—
But this time—
It wasn't controlled by the mastermind.
It was unstable.
Wild.
Turning against him.
The First Damage
The invisible barrier around him cracked.
Visibly.
Audibly.
Finally.
Alessandro Strikes
That was all he needed.
He moved instantly—
Crossing the distance in seconds.
A brutal punch—
Landed clean.
Impact
The mastermind staggered.
Just slightly.
But enough.
More than enough.
The Impossible Happens
He bled.
Silence in Chaos
For the first time—
He was human.
The Realization
Elena's eyes widened slightly.
"…he can be hurt."
The Shift in War
The balance changed.
Completely.
The Mastermind's Reaction
He touched the blood at his lip.
Looked at it.
Then—
Smiled.
Not Fear
Not anger.
Excitement.
"Good," he said quietly.
"Now it's interesting."