[The early morning silence was abruptly broken as Reina and Sera entered the room, shaking awake Shirou, Shizuka, Kei, and Mio.]
Reina: Wake up. We've got an emergency.
[Groggy and confused, the four blinked against the sudden intrusion.]
[Sera stepped forward, her expression serious.]
Sera: There's a gunfight under Katöf Bridge, in Sector 7G. The deputy whose near the site called for backup.
[Kei rubbed his eyes, disbelief creeping in.]
Kei: Wait, isn't that area supposed to be quiet? Why now?
[Shirou sat up, the weight of the news settling in.]
Shirou: This doesn't add up... What's really going on?
[Reina nodded grimly.]
Reina: We don't have time to figure that out yet. We need to move—now.
[The four scrambled to prepare, their confusion overshadowed by the urgency of the situation.]
[The four moved quickly, gathering their gear with practiced efficiency. Shirou checked his weapon, tightening the straps on his vest. Shizuka packed medical supplies into her bag, her brow furrowed in thought. Kei and Mio exchanged a brief glance before nodding to each other, readying their equipment.]
[Sera called out as they moved toward the exit.]
Sera: Stay sharp. We don't know what we'll face out there.
[The heavy iron gate creaked open, revealing the police van waiting patiently in the dim light. Reina, Sera, Shirou, Shizuka, Kei, and Mio stepped inside swiftly, the cold metal floor beneath them grounding their resolve.]
[Engines hummed as the van pulled forward through the gate, its headlights cutting through the shadows of the early morning. Outside, the city was still waking, but danger loomed just ahead.]
[Reina tightened her grip on her gear, eyes fixed on the road ahead.]
Reina: Hold tight. This isn't a drill.
[The van surged forward, racing toward the chaos waiting under Katöf Bridge.]
[Meanwhile, at Sector 7G – Katöf Bridge Outskirts]
[Gunfire cracked through the air, echoing off the old metal structures and crumbling concrete. The scent of gunpowder and burning rubber tainted the wind. Sirens wailed faintly in the distance, but the chaos here had already taken its toll.]
[Two groups were locked in a brutal standoff near a row of abandoned warehouses. Bodies were scattered, some wounded, some worse. The night sky above was dim and clouded, casting long shadows from the bridge that loomed overhead.]
[A local deputy crouched behind an overturned patrol car, radio clutched tightly in his hand, sweat dripping down his face.]
Deputy Gotou: HQ, I repeat—we're losing ground! They're armed to the teeth and pushing forward. We need that backup now!
[A sudden explosion rocked the area as one of the warehouses caught fire, sending debris flying. Screams and shouts followed as more shots rang out.]
[Inside Sector 7G, amidst the raging firefight and chaos, two figures moved like phantoms in the shadows—Ifrit and Leviathan. Dressed in covert gear, their presence went unnoticed amidst the bullets and screams.]
[Ifrit adjusted the sling of his modified rocket launcher, his expression calm but ruthless. Leviathan, blade strapped on his back, scanned the area with sharp eyes.]
[They slipped through a broken side entrance of one of the warehouses, smoke trailing from the earlier explosion. Just ahead, behind a barricade of crates and debris, the turf leader—a man in his early 40s, ragged and bloodied—was backed into a corner by the encroaching firefight and flames.]
[The leader raised his hands as he saw the two masked figures approach.]
Turf Leader: W-Wait—whatever you want, I can pay! Just don't kill me!
[Ifrit tilted his head, resting the launcher lazily on his shoulder.]
Ifrit: You were warned. Repeatedly.
[Leviathan took a step forward, voice low and firm.]
Leviathan: Your failures compromised the chain. This is cleanup.
[The leader tried to bolt, desperation in his eyes, but it was too late.]
[Bang.]
[A single silenced shot from Leviathan's sidearm dropped the man instantly.]
[Ifrit glanced at the corpse, sighing.]
Ifrit: Tch. All this effort, and still no thrill.
Leviathan: Focus. We're not done yet.
Ifrit: I know. We gotta clean the pests down and "call it a night", eh?
Leviathan: Indeed. At least that's the only task we gonna do. After that, immediate retreat.
Ifrit: Right, right. We got another boring day, thanks to you, Levicchi.
[The two vanished back into the smoke, heading toward the extraction point just as distant sirens neared the scene.]
[As Ifrit and Leviathan made their way through the smoky ruins of the warehouse, a panicked mafia subordinate stumbled toward them, clutching a bloodied arm.]
Mafia Subordinate: S-Sirs! We've got trouble—big trouble!
[Leviathan narrowed his eyes.]
Leviathan: Speak. Quickly.
Mafia Subordinate: The cops—their main force just arrived! They cut off the north escape route and they've already engaged with the last squad.
[Ifrit let out a low, irritated grunt, gripping the handle of his rocket launcher.]
Ifrit: Tch… Damn timing.
[Leviathan looked toward the warehouse windows, seeing faint flashes of blue and red lights from outside.]
Leviathan: It's them. I knew we should've finished this sooner.
Ifrit: Guess the night just got interesting after all.
[He turned to the subordinate.]
Ifrit: Fall back. We'll handle the rest.
Mafia Subordinate: Y-Yes, sir!
[The subordinate limped off into the shadows as Ifrit readied his weapon.]
Leviathan: Let's move. We finish this fast—or we'll be surrounded.
Ifrit: Okay. Let's kick ass, Levicchi!
[The police van screeched to a halt just outside the scorched perimeter of Sector 7G. The night air was thick with the acrid scent of gunfire and burning fuel. Sirens wailed in the distance, but here, only the tension remained.]
[The back doors swung open as Captain Reina, Officer Sera, Shirou, Shizuka, Mio, and Kei stepped out, eyes narrowing at the ruined warehouse zone ahead. Muffled gunfire echoed within the maze of shipping containers and brick walls.]
Reina: Thanks for holding them off, Deputy.
Deputy Gotou: It's my pleasure, Captain. Thank you also for coming despite the late call.
Reina: Don't mention it. We're just helping each other. That's what we do. So, what's the situation?
Deputy Gotou: It seems the abandoned sector was a hidden hideout for a syndicate turf. The sector may be infiltrated by another gang or mafia and it had lead to a turf war.
Reina: Thanks for the relay, Deputy. But you must fall back and while you're at it, call more backup.
Deputy Gotou: Right, Captain!
[As the deputy quickly retreated, Reina leaned her head to the squad.]
Reina: Stay sharp. This is no ordinary turf—there's something more underneath this chaos.
[Officer Sera checked her sidearm.]
Sera: Mafia or not, expect them to be well-armed and desperate.
[Kei, eyes wide with a mix of nerves and excitement, cracked his knuckles.]
Kei: Heh… looks like we're finally going live. This isn't a training sim anymore.
[Mio gulped softly but kept her grip firm on her equipment.]
Mio: Just stick to what we've learned. Watch each other's backs.
[Shizuka nodded, adjusting the strap on her gear.]
Shizuka: Let's not lose focus. Lives could be at stake here.
[Shirou stood quietly, gaze fixed on the flaming remnants in the distance.]
Shirou: Whatever's happening… we end it tonight.
[Reina raised a hand.]
Reina: Team, move in formation. Secure the perimeter and identify any civilians first. If you engage, prioritize containment over force.
[They all responded in sync, their training kicking in, as they stormed into the ruins of Sector 7G—unaware that two of the most dangerous beings in the underground world, Ifrit and Leviathan, were already watching them from the shadows.]
[As the squad crept further into the war-torn compound of Sector 7G, their boots crunching on shattered concrete and bullet casings, a sharp sound sliced through the static air—a sudden thud from above.]
[Two figures leapt down from a broken second-floor window of a rundown warehouse, landing with inhuman grace onto the cracked pavement below. Dust and debris scattered from the impact, yet both stood firm, completely unfazed.]
[The flames flickered behind them, casting long, monstrous shadows.]
Mio: …Those two…
[Shirou's eyes narrowed as the haze cleared.]
[Two silhouettes stepped forward. One with a massive, modified rocket launcher strapped to his back, eyes burning with heat. The other stood calm and unreadable, with an sleek katana just as cold and sharp as steel.]
[Ifrit and Leviathan—the notorious duo from the Four Fiends.]
Leviathan: calmly Looks like the cavalry has arrived.
Ifrit: cracking his neck Tch. Took you long enough. The show's already halfway over.
Shizuka: …No way… are they part of this?
Reina: All units, stay alert. These two aren't ordinary gang members.
[Officer Sera took a stance, her instincts firing like alarm bells.]
Sera: Frit... Levi.... They're leading this chaos."
[Ifrit slowly unstrapped his launcher, resting it on his shoulder with a lazy grin.]
Ifrit: We're just here to clean up some garbage. You lot? You're just… a complication.
Leviathan: expression stoic And complications must be removed.
[A tense silence followed, seconds feeling like hours. Then—]
Reina: Squad! Prepare for combat!
[The street lights flickered weakly over Sector 7G, casting uneven shadows across the ruined compound. The wind carried the faint smell of gunpowder and burnt steel as the two sides faced each other in a silent deadlock.]
[Reina stepped forward, raising a firm hand as her squad stood behind her in formation—tense, alert.]
[Across them, Ifrit swung his massive modified rocket launcher around with one hand, resting it lazily on his shoulder. Leviathan, silent and composed, kept his eyes locked on the officers, particularly Sera.]
[The air thickened—
One wrong move would ignite an all-out firefight.]
[Ifrit tilted his head slightly, his voice smooth but laced with bitter sarcasm.]
Ifrit: You know… I still find it amusing.
[Sera's eyes narrowed.]
Ifrit: You were one of us, Yggicchi. A smirk played on his lips as he said the old name The roots that held us all together. And yet… you jumped ship. Grew a conscience, did you?
[Sera didn't flinch.]
Sera: …I chose to stop pretending that destruction was purpose.
[Ifrit let out a laugh.]
Ifrit: Tch. Spare us the virtue talk, princess. You think wearing a badge changes what you were?
[Captain Reina stepped in, voice cold.]
Reina: We're not here to discuss the past. Surrender now, or we'll be forced to bring you in.
[Leviathan raised an eyebrow, then gave a slow, mocking clap.]
Leviathan: Oh, how noble. But I'm afraid we have a mission, and your presence?
Well… it's inconvenient.
[Shirou, stepping beside Reina, tightened his grip on his weapon.]
Shirou: Then we'll just have to become your worst inconvenience yet.
[The wind howled again.
Tension snapped like a wire.
Both sides braced.]
[A single bottle clattered in the distance—
Then, chaos ignited.]
[BOOM!]
[Ifrit was the first to move—he lunged forward, rocket launcher already locked and fired. The street erupted in a massive explosion, debris flinging like shrapnel as the officers scattered.]
Reina: MOVE!
[Mio and Kei dove for cover behind a flipped car as the shockwave shook the ground. Flames licked the asphalt while dust and smoke blanketed the field.]
Kei: This guy's insane! That thing's not even legal!
Mio: No kidding—what kind of maniac brings a rocket launcher to a gunfight!?
[Shirou rolled beneath the debris, emerging behind a half-collapsed wall. He drew his sidearm, took a breath, and dashed toward higher ground. From above, he could see it—Leviathan, slithering through the chaos like a phantom, eyes trained on Sera.]
Shirou: He's gunning for Sera—damn it, not on my watch!
[Meanwhile, Sera stood her ground. Flames danced around her as Leviathan approached like a predator—graceful and merciless.]
Leviathan: You trained them well. But they're not ready.
[Sera drew her baton, electricity crackling at the tip.]
Sera: Neither were you when you begged me to teach you restraint.
[Their weapons clashed—CRACK! A wave of energy burst from the impact, sending ripples through the ground.]
[Elsewhere, Ifrit fired again—another rocket, this time aiming directly at Shirou's cover.]
Ifrit: Death from above!~
Shirou: Crap—!
[BOOOOM!!]
[The wall exploded, launching Shirou through the air. He crashed hard but rolled to minimize impact. Blood trailed down his cheek—but his eyes burned with fire.]
Shizuka: Shirou!
[Shizuka charged in with her dual pistols, flanking Ifrit as he laughed, seemingly entertained by the resistance. But she was fast—too fast for him to fire again. She slid in low and aimed for the launcher's hinge.]
[BLAM—CLINK!]
[The blast knocked the weapon from Ifrit's grip.]
Ifrit: Heh… Not bad, kid.
I'm impressed that you can protect yourself now… But you're playing with fire.
[He dashed forward with brutal strength, fists ablaze—Mio barely dodging as his strikes dented steel like paper.]
[Back near the burning wreckage, Reina gave orders through the comms.]
Reina: Kei—back Mio up! Shizuka, stay on overwatch and provide cover!
[Mio, already perched on a fire escape, locked her rifle in place. Her breath slowed, finger on the trigger.]
Mio: …One shot. Just one to stop that guy.
[BANG!]
[The bullet soared like a comet—Leviathan sensed it, tilting just enough for the shot to graze his shoulder.]
Mio: What reflex! I can't believe he even dodged that...
[He hissed.]
Leviathan: …Persistent little pests.
[Sera seized the opening, delivering a full-force charged strike to his side. He was flung backward, smashing through a crate and into a wall.]
[The battlefield was ablaze.
All six combatants tangled in an intense, high-speed brawl of clashing ideals.]
[As the fire reflected in their eyes, the truth became clear—]
[This wasn't just a mission.
This was war.]
[Amidst the chaos, smoke twisted through the wreckage. Leviathan rose from the cratered wall, brushing dust from his coat as if the blow were nothing.]
[His golden eyes glinted under the half-moon sky.]
Leviathan: Still sharp, Sera. Guess you haven't gone soft.
[Sera, breathing heavily, recharged her baton. Sparks crackled at her side as she took her stance once more.]
Sera: You're holding back. Why?
[Leviathan tilted his head, then walked forward calmly—ignoring the gunfire and commotion around them as if it didn't matter.]
Leviathan: You're not stupid. You've felt it too.
These people… these pawns in uniforms… aren't ready to face what's above us. They'll only end up in tragedy.
Sera: Then help me stop it.
[He chuckled, but there was something sad in his tone.]
Leviathan: You assume I'm here to burn it all down.
But truth is… he glanced at the burning rooftop above I've already been feeding you pieces.
[Sera's eyes widened slightly. Her grip on the baton faltered just for a second.]
Leviathan: Anonymous tips? Intel from nowhere? Who do you think's been guiding you in circles around SoveCle's cracks?
Sera: …You?
[He smirked, stepping closer. His voice lowered, only for her to hear.]
Leviathan: But don't get the wrong idea. I'm not helping you burn down SoveCle. Not yet. I just want you to learn how to hurt me the right way.
Sera: What the hell does that mean?
Leviathan: When someone like me finally turns his back on the only place he called home, there needs to be a reason. I'm waiting for you to find it.
[Before she could speak, a loud crash echoed across the lot—Ifrit hurled a destroyed car aside and laughed like a man possessed.]
Ifrit: Time's up, Leviathan! Quit flirting with the enemy—let's wrap this up!
[Leviathan looked at Sera one last time.]
Leviathan: Until you figure it out… I'll keep dancing on this edge.
[He vanished in a blink—shadows swallowing his figure as he rejoined the fight beside Ifrit.]
[Sera stood frozen for a heartbeat, her mind racing.
The rain of bullets, the flashing lights, the chaos—it all blurred around her.]
[Ifrit blasted another volley from his modified rocket launcher, shattering the upper part of a warehouse wall and sending flaming debris into the fray.]
Ifrit: Hah! Look at them scatter! This is almost too easy!
[But Leviathan wasn't laughing. His eyes narrowed, scanning beyond the perimeter. A cold wind brushed past his face—subtle… unnatural.]
[His expression hardened.]
Leviathan: ...Stop.
Ifrit: What?
[Leviathan stepped forward, his hand resting on the edge of his coat where his throwing knives were sheathed.]
Leviathan: We're pulling out.
Ifrit: Tch—What are you talking about?! We're just getting started!
Leviathan: I can sense them. Backup's en route. Not just patrol officers—fully armed tactical reinforcements.
They'll surround us in five minutes.
[Ifrit growled under his breath, clearly irritated, but even he knew Leviathan's instincts never failed.]
Ifrit: …Fine. But next time, I'm finishing what I started.
Leviathan: No one's stopping you. Just not today.
[He glanced once more toward Sera, who was regrouping with Shirou, Shizuka, Kei, and Mio—the four worn but standing firm in the firelight.]
[He murmured under his breath.]
Leviathan: I'm watching, Sera. Show me what makes you different.
[With that, the two Fiends vanished into the shadows, slipping past the crumbling buildings and into a concealed escape route behind the sector's walls.]
[The battleground began to calm, though tension still lingered in the air like smoke.p
[Shirou, catching his breath, tightened his grip on his weapon.]
Shirou: …They got away.
[Sera, still focused on the path they vanished into, clenched her jaw.]
Sera: No. This wasn't just a skirmish.
Mio: Then what was it?
Sera: …A message.
[Just minutes after the shadows of Ifrit and Leviathan vanished into the decaying outskirts of Sector 7G, the sound of roaring engines echoed across the area.]
[Multiple police cruisers and armored vans skidded into formation, headlights blazing through the smoke and dust.]
Officer: This is Station Hokkuri! We received the emergency call—what's the situation?
[Reina, standing tall amidst the chaos, stepped forward.]
Reina: You're late—but not useless. The enemy just pulled out. Secure the perimeter. Look for any survivors and detain the remaining gang members.
[The officer saluted quickly and nodded.]
Officer: Understood, ma'am! Moving in!
[Within seconds, additional officers fanned out across the sector. Some aided the injured, others swept the buildings, dragging out the turf's remaining subordinates who were too slow—or too loyal—to escape.]
[Shirou leaned against a piece of rubble, exhaling deeply.]
Shirou: Just a little earlier and maybe we could've stopped them...
[Kei, equally worn, dropped beside him with a grunt.]
Kei: Yeah... but that guy with the knives... he wasn't serious. He could've finished us. He didn't.
[Shizuka, stepping beside them, her eyes focused, spoke softly.]
Shizuka: He was holding back. Like he wanted to see something... or someone.
[Sera said nothing at first. Her arms were crossed, her expression unreadable.]
[Mio turned to her.]
Mio: Sera... do you know him?
[There was a long pause before she answered.]
Sera: ...I used to.
[The group went silent as the flames and gunfire finally gave way to a tense, quiet night. The stars above Sector 7G shimmered faintly, watching over a battlefield that wasn't finished—only paused.]
Reina: Everyone—stay sharp. We'll return once the clean-up crew reports in. This war's just starting.
[As the backup units settled in, one of the doors on a black armored van slid open. Out stepped a tall man with a stern presence, his uniform crisp and polished despite the chaos—Captain Zak, leader of the Clean-Up Team from another station.]
[He scanned the scene with sharp eyes, then approached Reina and Sera.]
Zak: Captain Reina, Officer Sera. Heard you guys were holding the sector. Looks worse than we expected.
Reina: Zak. Yeah, this turf war's heating up fast. Any word on who else might be involved?
Zak: Intel points to the SoveCle's heavier hand behind this. Looks like their subordinates are getting desperate.
[He pulled out a small tablet, flipping through reports.]
Zak: We're here to make sure this sector doesn't go up in flames completely. We'll handle clean-up and any loose ends.
Reina: Good. We'll regroup back at HQ for the next steps. You lead your team here and secure this perimeter.
[Captain Zak nodded sharply, then signaled his men to fan out.]
[As Captain Zak scanned the area, his eyes briefly shifted toward the outskirts of Sector 7G.]
Zak: Strange thing—there's a village just beyond that ridge, right on the border of this turf. Should've been caught in the crossfire, but it's surprisingly untouched.
[Reina frowned, following his gaze.]
Reina: That's... unusual. Normally turf wars don't spare nearby settlements.
Zak: Exactly. Could be intentional, or there's some kind of unspoken boundary. Either way, it's worth keeping an eye on.
Reina: We'll add it to the surveillance list. Nobody's getting away under our watch.
[Inside the dimly lit police van, Shirou leaned back against the worn seat, exhaustion heavy in his limbs. His breathing was steady but slow, a few bruises marring his arms from the earlier fight.]
[Shizuka knelt beside him, carefully opening a first-aid kit. She cleaned a shallow cut on his forearm with practiced hands, her expression soft but focused.]
Shizuka: You took quite a hit back there. You sure you're okay?
[Shirou gave a tired smile, wincing slightly as she worked.]
Shirou: I'll be fine. Just... wasn't expecting the backup to be that intense.
Shizuka: Well, you need to rest. We all do. Can't keep pushing like this.
[Shirou nodded slowly, grateful for the quiet comfort beside him amidst the chaos outside.]
[As Shirou rested, Kei shifted uncomfortably nearby, rubbing a bruised shoulder. His eyes flicked toward Mio, silently hoping she'd help him like Shizuka was helping Shirou.]
Kei: Hey, Mio... you gonna help me with this?
[Mio glanced up from her spot, a teasing smile playing on her lips.]
Mio: Not a chance. You're tough—handle it yourself.
[Kei groaned, half-laughing despite the pain.]
Kei: Figures.
[Reina glanced at the darkening horizon, then turned to the group.]
Reina: Alright, everyone. We'll leave the perimeter in a few minutes and head back to campus.
[She spoke firmly but with a hint of relief in her voice.]
Reina: The situation here's stabilized for now, but stay sharp. We don't know if they'll try something else.
[Shirou, Kei, Mio, and Shizuka nodded, gathering their gear and preparing to move.]
[The steady rhythm of the police van's tires rolling across the asphalt created a quiet lullaby. The chaos of Sector 7G was behind them now, but the weight of the confrontation still hung in the air like smoke.]
[In the middle row of seats, Kei had slumped over long ago, mouth slightly open as he snored in a crooked position against the window. Mio, sitting beside him, had her arms crossed and head tilted, finally giving in to the drowsiness despite her stubbornness earlier.]
[Shirou, however, had fought to stay awake the longest. Eyes half-lidded, arms limp at his sides, his thoughts tried to process everything—the gunfire, the standoff, the Four Fiends, Leviathan's words—but fatigue was relentless.]
[He swayed slightly as the van hit a small bump.]
[Then, almost instinctively, his body leaned toward Shizuka, who sat beside him. His head found her shoulder, and he relaxed against it without a word. The sudden closeness made her flinch ever so slightly—but she didn't push him away.]
[She turned her head slowly, watching him.]
[Shirou's face was calm now, almost childlike in sleep, a stark contrast from his tense determination earlier.]
[Sera, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced back through the open gap. A faint smile touched her lips as she saw the two.]
Sera: You've all done a good job tonight.
[Her voice was soft, carrying a blend of pride and relief.]
Sera: Especially him.
[Shizuka looked toward her, surprised at the comment. Sera's eyes met hers through the mirror.]
Sera: He's changed a lot, hasn't he?
[Shizuka didn't answer right away. Her fingers fidgeted slightly over the first-aid kit on her lap. Then, her gaze lowered to Shirou's sleeping form.]
Shizuka: He's still reckless. Still charging in like nothing else matters.
[She paused, brushing a bit of hair from Shirou's forehead.]
Shizuka: But… I guess he's doing it for all the right reasons.
Sera: Let him rest. You're all still young. But I'll admit… I think he'll grow into something far more capable than even he realizes.
[The van dipped slightly on a turn. Shirou's head slipped from her shoulder for a moment—causing him to murmur something unintelligible in his sleep.]
[Shizuka reacted quickly, carefully guiding his head down to her lap. She adjusted herself gently, letting his weight settle without waking him.]
[He didn't stir again.]
[She placed her hand on his head, fingers threading into his hair in a calming rhythm.]
Shizuka: ...Just sleep for now. You deserve it.
[For a while, none of them spoke.]
[Only the hum of the engine and the gentle sigh of wind outside filled the van. Sera returned her gaze to the front, the glow of the approaching campus lights reflecting in her eyes.]
[And in that quiet moment—just for a while—they found peace amidst the storm they were all caught in.]