Blood.
A single drop.
Running down the mastermind's lip.
And yet—
It changed everything.
The Shift
No one spoke.
Not immediately.
Because that one moment—
Proved something impossible.
He could be hurt.
The Smile
He wiped the blood slowly.
Studied it.
Then looked up again.
And smiled.
Not shaken.
Not afraid.
Excited.
The Truth
"Now we're finally past the illusions," he said calmly.
Alessandro didn't respond.
He moved.
The First Real Fight
This time—
It wasn't a test.
It wasn't observation.
It was war.
Collision
Alessandro struck first.
Fast.
Precise.
Deadly.
The mastermind blocked—
But not effortlessly anymore.
Impact echoed through the chamber.
Elena Joins
She didn't hesitate.
Energy surged from her hands—
Controlled.
Focused.
Directed.
She aimed straight for him.
Pressure Builds
For the first time—
He had to move.
Really move.
Dodging.
Deflecting.
Countering.
Two Forces
Alessandro's raw brutality.
Elena's controlled power.
Together—
They pushed him back.
Step by step.
Orlov's Position
At the control panel—
Orlov worked quickly.
Sweat forming at his temple.
"This won't hold forever!"
Adrian covered him.
"I'm starting to like you again!"
System Collapse
The Crown Engine pulsed erratically.
Energy reversing.
Breaking.
Failing.
The Mastermind Reacts
He noticed.
Of course he did.
His gaze snapped toward Orlov.
"You."
The Target Changes
Everything shifted instantly.
In a blur—
He moved.
Faster than before.
Straight toward Orlov.
Too Fast
Adrian fired—
Missed.
"Hey! Rude!"
Orlov barely turned—
Just in time to see him coming.
Impact
The hit was brutal.
Crushing.
Orlov was thrown across the room—
Slamming hard into the wall.
Silence
For a split second—
Everything slowed.
Elena's Reaction
"ORLOV!"
The Damage
He didn't get up.
Didn't move.
Blood spread beneath him.
Still.
Rage Ignites
Something inside Elena snapped.
Not fear.
Not panic.
Something deeper.
Darker.
Power Unleashed
The air exploded around her.
Violent.
Uncontrolled—
But directed.
The entire chamber shook.
The Queen's Fury
"You don't get to touch them!"
Her voice wasn't just sound anymore.
It carried force.
Weight.
Power.
The Assault
She attacked—
Full force.
No hesitation.
Energy crashing into him again and again.
Relentless.
Unforgiving.
The Mastermind Falters
For the first time—
He staggered back.
More than before.
More than expected.
Alessandro Advances
He didn't waste it.
Didn't hesitate.
He moved in—
Striking hard.
Again.
And again.
The Pressure Breaks
The invisible barrier shattered completely.
Gone.
Destroyed.
The Turning Point
Three against one.
Now—
It was his turn to adapt.
The Counter
And he did.
Power Beyond
He raised both hands.
And everything—
Stopped.
Frozen
Alessandro.
Mid-strike.
Elena.
Mid-motion.
Adrian.
Mid-step.
Everything froze.
Control Returns
The air went still.
Heavy.
Absolute.
The Truth Revealed
"This…"
His voice echoed softly.
"…is the difference between us."
The Final Move
He stepped forward slowly.
Toward Elena.
Unaffected.
Unstoppable.
"You're powerful."
A pause.
"But not enough."
The Twist
Behind him—
Orlov's fingers twitched.
Just slightly.
Not Done Yet
Blood pooled beneath him.
But his eyes—
Opened.
And this time—
He wasn't getting back up to fight.
He was getting up…
To end it.