Maya and Marcus didn't wait this time.
They moved together.
Fast.
Precise.
No hesitation.
Maya rushed from the right, going low.
Marcus from the front, aiming to close distance and control.
A perfect pincer.
Mostang was about to step in.
but Emma moved first.
Not fast.
Not rushed.
Just… inevitable.
Her hand shot out.
Left hand.
Marcus.
Right hand.
Maya.
Before either of them could react.
Her fingers wrapped around their throats.
Firm.
Unavoidable.
Their momentum didn't stop.
She used it.
With a sudden, brutal motion.
Emma lifted both of them slightly off balance.
Then.
SLAM.
She drove them straight into the ground.
Hard.
Concrete cracked beneath them.
The impact echoed through the entire room.
Maya gasped—
Her grip weakened—
Marcus slides across the floor.
Emma didn't kneel.
Didn't lean.
She stood over them.
Arms extended downward.
Still holding both of their throats.
Tightening.
Their bodies tensed.
Instinct screamed at them—
But her grip?
Too strong.
Too overwhelming.
Mostang watched.
Even he.
paused for a second.
"…Damn."
Emma's face?
Calm.
Too calm.
"You rushed."
Her voice was low.
Cold.
Maya tried to move.
Emma's grip tightened slightly.
Enough to stop her completely.
Marcus forced a breath.
"…You're not human…"
Emma looked down at him.
Blank.
"…I know."
The moment Emma slammed Maya and Marcus into the ground.
A shadow moved behind her.
Silent.
Fast.
Anthony.
Tall. Muscular. Buzz cut. Cold intent in his eyes.
A metal pipe raised high.
Aimed straight for the back of Emma's head.
He swung.
Full force.
No hesitation.
But.
CRACK.
Mostang moved in.
Fast enough to intercept.
His fist slammed straight into Anthony's nose mid-swing.
The impact was brutal.
Anthony's head snapped back.
The pipe slipped from his hand.
Clattering loudly across the floor.
Blood.
Immediate.
Anthony staggered back two steps.
Hand flying to his face.
"…Tch—"
Mostang stepped in front of Emma now.
Protective.
Loose stance.
Cigarette still barely hanging from his lips.
"You picked the wrong moment."
Behind him.
Emma still held Maya and Marcus down.
Unmoved.
Untouched.
Anthony wiped the blood from his nose.
Looked at it.
Then smirked.
"…So this is the Emperor's dog."
Mostang exhaled slowly.
A thin line of smoke escaping.
"Nah."
He cracked his neck slightly.
"…I just don't like cowards."
Anthony's smirk widened.
Despite the blood.
Despite the hit.
"Good."
He stepped forward again.
Rolling his shoulders.
"I was hoping you'd be fun."
Behind them.
Emma finally released Maya and Marcus.
Letting their bodies drop fully to the floor.
She stepped forward.
Calm.
Controlled.
Her right eye scar fully visible now.
"You're all making noise."
She said quietly.
Her gaze shifted between the three.
"…Finish it properly."
Anthony didn't wait.
The moment Emma spoke.
He lunged at Mostang.
BOOM.
Their fists collided mid-air.
A raw, heavy impact.
No technique. Just power.
Anthony followed with a brutal hook.
Mostang slipped it.
Countered with a straight punch to the ribs.
THUD.
Anthony barely flinched.
Instead.
He grinned.
And drove his knee up.
Mostang blocked, but the force pushed him back a step.
"Not bad…" Anthony muttered.
"…You're actually worth hitting."
Mostang smirked slightly.
"…You talk too much."
Then swung again.
Faster.
Sharper.
Meanwhile.
Maya and Marcus got back up.
Breathing heavier.
Eyes locked on Emma.
They didn't rush immediately this time.
They circled her.
Careful.
Maya wiped blood from her lip.
"…She's strong."
Marcus nodded slightly.
Cold eyes focused.
"…We go together."
Next second.
They moved.
Marcus rushed first.
Low angle.
Aimed for Emma's midsection.
Maya followed right after.
From the side.
A kick aimed at Emma's ribs.
Perfect coordination.
Two angles.
No escape.
But.
Emma didn't move early.
She waited.
Last second.
She stepped slightly back.
Marcus's punch missed by inches.
And in that same motion.
She grabbed his wrist.
Twisted.
CRACK.
Marcus's body bent forward from the force.
Maya's kick was already coming.
Emma let go.
Turned.
Blocked the kick with her forearm.
THUD.
Then immediately.
Grabbed Maya's leg mid-air.
For a split second.
Everything froze.
Maya's eyes widened.
"…!"
Emma didn't hesitate.
She slammed her down.
BOOM.
The ground shook slightly.
Marcus tried to recover.
Swung again.
Emma stepped in.
Too close.
Too fast.
Her fist drove straight into his stomach.
THUD.
Air left his lungs instantly.
He dropped to his knees.
Emma stood there.
Between both of them.
Breathing steady.
Untouched.
Her voice was calm.
Cold.
"Two on one?"
A slight tilt of her head.
"…Is that all?"
----
Anthony's back hit the wall.
But before he could recover.
Mostang was already on him.
His hand shot forward.
Gripped Anthony's throat tight.
Veins tensing.
Grip crushing.
And without hesitation.
He yanked him forward.
Then.
SMASH.
Anthony's face slammed straight into Mostang's forehead.
Right on his already broken nose.
A sick crack echoed.
Anthony's body twitched.
Blood burst out heavier.
His vision blurred for a split second.
"…Ghh—!"
Mostang didn't let go.
Grip tightening even more.
Pushing him back.
Dominating the exchange.
But.
Anthony wasn't done.
Even through the pain.
He raised both hands.
Grabbed Mostang's wrists.
Hard.
His fingers dug in.
Strength against strength.
"…You think…"
He growled.
"…that's enough?"
Then.
With pure force.
He ripped Mostang's grip off.
Twisted his arms outward.
And in the same motion.
He grabbed Mostang's shirt.
Turned his body.
And slammed him down.
BOOM.
The ground cracked slightly under the impact.
Dust lifted.
Mostang's back hit hard.
Air forced out of his lungs.
For a second.
Silence.
Anthony stood over him.
Breathing heavy.
Blood running down his face.
"…Stay down."
But.
Mostang moved.
A sudden shift.
His leg snapped up.
THUD.
A clean, sharp kick slammed straight into Anthony's side.
Anthony's body jerked sideways.
A grunt escaping him.
Mostang rolled back.
Got to his feet instantly.
Spat a bit of blood to the side.
Then looked at Anthony.
Eyes sharp.
"…Not happening."
----
Marcus and Maya moved again.
Slow.
Careful.
Circling her like predators who finally understood.
this wasn't normal prey.
Emma stood still.
Eyes tracking both.
Breathing calm.
Then.
A sudden instinct.
A shift in the air.
GUNSHOT.
Emma's body reacted instantly.
She tilted.
Too late to fully avoid it.
The bullet grazed her arm.
A thin line of blood opened across her skin.
She turned.
Fast.
There.
Elena.
Standing a few steps away.
Holding a gun.
Soft face.
Gentle smile.
Almost… sweet.
"…Got you."
That one second.
That tiny distraction.
Was enough.
Marcus rushed in.
Maya followed.
They both grabbed Emma.
Each locking one of her arms.
Forcing them back.
Grip tight.
No space.
Emma resisted.
But their timing was perfect.
Before she could break free.
Elena moved.
Quick.
Light steps.
She came from behind.
Slipped in close.
Her arm wrapped around Emma's neck.
Not fully choking.
But enough pressure.
Enough control.
The gun pressed lightly near Emma's head.
Elena leaned in slightly.
Her voice soft.
Almost affectionate.
"…You're even prettier up close."
Marcus tightened his grip.
Maya too.
For the first time.
Emma was held in place.
Elena smiled.
"Don't move."
A slight tilt of her head.
"…Or I'll ruin that face everyone loves."
Mostang saw it.
Emma is held.
Gun to her head.
His body moved on instinct.
"…Emma!!–"
But.
BAM.
Anthony stepped right into his path.
Blocking him.
Like a wall.
A hand slammed into Mostang's chest—
Stopping him cold.
"Eyes here."
Anthony growled.
Blood still dripping from his nose.
Mostang's jaw tightened.
He tried to move around.
Anthony grabbed his collar.
Dragged him back in.
"You're not going anywhere."
Back to Emma.
Elena pressed the gun firmer against the back of her head.
Close.
Cold.
Her other arm still around Emma's neck.
Holding her in place.
She leaned in slightly.
Breathing in.
"…Hm."
A soft smile.
"What a beautiful hair…"
Marcus and Maya kept her arms locked.
Tight.
No escape.
For a split second.
It looked over.
Then.
A blur.
A hand shot in.
Fast.
Precise.
It grabbed Elena's wrist.
Hard.
Before she could react.
CRACK.
Her grip broke.
The gun shifted.
And.
BAM.
A punch slammed straight into Elena's face.
Sending her flying back.
Her body hitting the floor hard.
"…!"
Marcus and Maya barely had time to react—
They turned.
Too late.
THUD. THUD.
Two fast hits.
One for each.
Clean.
Brutal.
Both of them were knocked away.
Their grips gone instantly.
Emma was free.
And immediately.
A hand caught her arm.
Pulled her slightly back.
Firm.
Protective.
Kane.
Now 19.
Taller.
Stronger.
Presence completely different from before.
He stood beside her.
Eyes sharp.
Locked on all of them.
"…You're late."
Emma said calmly.
Kane smirked slightly.
"Yeah."
A small glance at the enemies.
"…but still on time."
Kane let go of Emma's waist immediately.
Stepping forward.
No hesitation.
Mostang caught that from across the room.
A smirk appeared.
"…Good one, kid."
Kane didn't even look.
Just raised a thumb slightly.
Mostang turned back.
Anthony already coming at him again.
And the fight resumed instantly.
Emma glanced at Kane.
"How did you know?"
Kane cracked his knuckles.
"…Shadow."
Emma gave a small nod.
Of course.
"Go help Mostang."
Kane shook his head.
Eyes still forward.
"No."
A pause.
"…He's got a fair fight."
Then, a slight glance at her.
"I'm here for you."
Emma didn't argue.
Didn't need to.
Her eyes shifted.
Locked onto Elena.
"…Then take the small one."
Kane looked at the gun in Elena's hand.
Without a word.
He stepped forward.
Grabbed it.
Pulled the magazine out.
Let it drop.
Then threw the empty gun aside
It slammed against the floor.
"…Now it's fair."
Elena wiped the blood from her lip.
Still smiling.
"…You're interesting."
Kane didn't respond.
He moved.
At the same time.
Marcus and Maya tried to step in.
To support Elena.
But.
Emma was already there.
Her eyes.
Sharp.
Cold.
And now.
Angry.
She moved first.
THUD.
A punch slammed into Marcus.
Hard enough to snap his head sideways.
Before Maya could react.
THUD.
Another punch.
Straight into her face.
No pause.
No space.
Emma kept going.
Rapid.
Precise.
Punch after punch.
Marcus tried to guard.
Failed.
Maya tried to counter.
Too slow.
Their vision blurred.
Balance gone.
Then.
Emma grabbed both of them.
By their collars.
Lifted.
And slammed them into each other.
CRACK.
Their heads collided.
Bodies dropping instantly after.
They hit the ground.
Dazed.
Barely conscious.
Slowly trying to get up.
But their bodies weren't responding properly anymore.
Meanwhile.
Kane and Elena.
He stepped in first.
Fast jab.
Elena leaned back.
Barely dodging.
She countered.
A sharp strike toward his throat.
Kane blocked.
Twisted her wrist.
She slipped out.
Spinning.
Trying to create distance.
But Kane followed.
Relentless.
A punch.
Blocked.
Another.
Dodged.
Elena smiled through it.
Even while being pushed back.
"…You're strong."
Kane's eyes stayed locked on her.
"…You talk too much."
Then.
He stepped in deeper.
Closed the gap.
And drove a heavy punch straight toward her
Elena's face turned sideways
Then.
She snapped forward.
Her fist landed clean on Kane's jaw.
THUD.
A solid hit.
Sharp.
Kane's head turned slightly.
For a split second.
Silence.
Then.
He looked back at her.
And answered.
BOOM.
His punch hit harder.
Much harder.
Elena's body dropped.
Straight to the floor.
No balance.
No guard.
Kane stepped forward.
Ready to finish it.
"…"
"Enough."
The voice cut through everything.
Cold.
Controlled.
Joseph.
Elena's eyes widened slightly.
She pushed herself up immediately.
Ignoring the pain.
And backed away.
Straight to him.
At the same time.
Anthony froze mid-swing against Mostang.
His fist inches away.
Then clicked his tongue.
And stepped back.
Leo moved fast.
Efficient.
He grabbed Marcus and Maya.
Lifting them up despite their condition.
Pulling them away.
Kane stepped back instantly.
Returning to Emma's side.
Mostang followed.
Calm.
Controlled.
A protective line formed.
Kane's eyes locked onto Joseph.
Burning.
He was about to move.
Emma's hand caught him.
Firm.
Stopping him.
"…Not yet."
Kane didn't argue.
But his gaze didn't leave Joseph.
Mostang reached into his pocket.
Pulled out another cigarette.
Lit it.
A small inhale.
Smoke rising slowly.
As his eyes fixed on Joseph.
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Then.
Joseph stepped forward slightly.
And looked directly at Emma.
A faint smile.
"Hey, Emma."
Emma didn't answer.
Not a word.
Her eyes stayed on Joseph.
Unmoving.
Unblinking.
Behind him.
Leo adjusted his glasses slightly.
Still holding Marcus and Maya up.
Both barely standing.
"…They're in bad condition."
His voice was calm.
Measured.
"Marcus and Maya."
A small pause.
"…They fought her."
Joseph didn't respond immediately.
His eyes shifted.
Looking at them.
Marcus—breathing heavy.
Maya—barely keeping her balance.
Then.
His gaze returned.
Back to Emma.
And there it stayed.
Emma didn't move.
Didn't react.
Didn't even blink.
Just staring.
Two forces.
Facing each other.
Silence stretched.
Heavy.
Pressuring everything in the room.
Then.
Joseph took a step forward.
A faint smile forming.
Not amused.
Not friendly.
Something else.
"…So this is it."
He spoke slowly.
"Our first meeting."
Another step.
"Emperor… Emma."
Still.
No response.
Only her eyes.
Locked onto him.
Cold.
Deep.
Unreadable.
For the first time.
Joseph's smile faded just a little.
Because there was no arrogance in her.
No anger.
No need to prove anything.
Just presence.
Joseph stepped forward.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Closer.
Closer.
Until he was right in front of her.
Inch close.
Their faces nearly touching.
Kane's body tensed instantly.
Mostang's cigarette paused mid-air.
Both ready.
To move.
To strike.
To end it.
But.
Emma raised her hand.
A small motion.
"…Stop."
They froze.
Kane glanced at her.
"…He—"
"He won't."
Emma said calmly.
Her eyes never leaving Joseph.
Joseph kept staring.
So did she.
No words.
Just silence.
Two leaders.
Two legacies.
Breathing the same air.
Measuring.
Weighing.
Understanding.
Joseph's eyes flickered slightly.
Not fear.
Not hesitation.
Recognition.
"…So this is you."
He muttered.
Emma didn't respond.
She didn't need to.
A few seconds passed.
That felt longer than the entire fight.
Then.
Joseph stepped back.
Turning away.
"…"
A small exhale.
"We'll meet again."
A slight pause.
"…Emma."
He walked.
Elena followed.
Anthony beside her.
Leo carrying Marcus and Maya.
None of them looked back.
The door opened.
Then closed.
Silence.
Kane clenched his fists.
"…We should've-"
Emma turned slightly.
"…No."
Mostang exhaled smoke.
Watching the door.
"…That wasn't a fight."
Emma looked forward again.
Out the window.
Her voice quiet.
"…That was a beginning."
Mostang stepped forward
To Emma.
"..are you okay?"
Emma nodded slightly.
"I'm okay."
Then glanced back
Where Joseph left.
"This isn't finished."
Emma said coldly.
Chapter end