Six days had passed.
The rusted, creaky doors of the old warehouse came into their view, Prince shoved his hands in his pockets as he glanced at Saint beside him.
"You nervous?" he asked with a teasing smirk.
Saint blinked and rubbed the back of his neck, "What? No… it's just been a while…"
Prince rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah… well, let's head inside."
As they stepped in, the hum of voices welcomed them. The team was already gathered, huddled around a whiteboard, with Jovi standing at the center.
"Ah! Saint and Prince. Just in time," Jovi beamed with his signature innocent smile.
Prince raised an eyebrow, feigning betrayal jokingly, "You started without us?"
"We were just about to. Please, take a seat. You too, Saint," Jovi gestured.
Sliding into two open seats, Saint caught Jane's glance over her shoulder. She gave him a small wave.
Saint's face lit up as he returned it with one of his own.
Prince nudged him sharply with his elbow. "Focus."
"Alright," Jovi began, pointing at the board with a marker. "We'll go through with the original formations. Once we're all inside, Crowley will cast his barrier using a pact. That'll lock down the place, no one comes in or out except us." He continues,
"For this to work, everyone has to do their part. If anyone leaves their formation, we can assume it's game over. If Nas or Renai show up, we delta. Fast."
Jovi's expression turned cold and determined.
"Our plan is to: get in, neutralize the guards, secure the infused bodies and the merchandise, then get out. Any questions?"
The group responded in silent understanding, all standing at once like a synchronized army.
"Good. We move out in twenty, through Mari."
As the room dispersed into activity, Jane strolled up to Saint with her usual relaxed air.
"Hey," she said, her voice soft.
"Hey…" Saint replied, a slight grin tugging at his lips.
"How did it go?" she asked, eyes searching his expression.
"It was tough… but I feel much stronger now."
Jane chuckled behind her hand, "You better not leave me in the dust…"
Before Saint could reply, a playful voice chimed in.
"Oh my… is that Saint?" Mari teased, her smile wicked.
"You're becoming one of us, look at you!" She pinched his cheeks, her tone mimicking a baby's cooing.
"Hey! Stop that already!" Saint flailed, trying to pry her off, but Mari's grip was solid.
Jane couldn't help but laugh at the scene.
Mari finally let go with a grin. "Let me introduce you to the rest of the gang. Might come in handy."
They crossed the room, stopping by a small group.
"Everybody, this is Saint, my little brother," Mari says jokingly,
Saint groaned, "I'm not… whatever…"
"This is Ivy." Mari gestured toward a girl with vibrant pink hair and eyes that glittered like crystals.
Ivy extended her hand with a playful expression. "Wow… you're cute… look at those eyes…"
She glanced at Mari, and the two burst into giggles.
Saint blushed, awkwardly shaking her hand.
"Hey, don't mind them," another voice called out, this one calmer. A young man and woman, their matching light blue hair giving them a twin-like quality, approached.
"I'm Skai, this is Mela. We're NOT related by the way… I've seen you around, but we haven't met."
Saint nodded and shook their hands. "Right. Nice to meet you."
Then came the heavy scent of tobacco.
A man in a loose black suit and white fedora approached, puffing on a cigar. His grip was firm, almost too firm.
"How you doin'?" he asked with an accent, "Name's Capone."
Saint barely had time to process the handshake when the next introduction came from a Stoic figure with jet-black hair and haunting purple eyes.
"Zodiak '12' Star. Pleasure to meet you."
Saint returned the nod. "Likewise."
Just as he turned to the next person, Mari pulled him aside.
"Not him," she said, voice dropping a tone. "He doesn't do greetings."
Saint looked back briefly, catching a glimpse of Crowley, who stood alone, staring into the wall's abyss.
…
Soon after, the group circled around Mari, who clapped her hands once.
"Ready?" she asked.
Jovi gave a gentle nod.
In a blink, the entire squad was swallowed by her shadow,
"It seems like we'll be there right on time," Jovi remarked, arms crossed.
Without a word, Jane reached out and gently took Saint's hand. Their eyes met.
A warm, unspoken promise passed between them.
...
They arrive.
Mari emerged from the shadows again, releasing Capone, Mela, and Zodiak onto the roof of the auction building,
"No issues here," Mela confirmed.
With a nod, Mari vanished again and surfaced at the front, dropping off Jovi, Skai, Ivy, and Crowley.
Then finally, she arrived at the back entrance with Saint, Jane, and Prince.
"In position," Jane whispered, her eyes narrowing.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in everyone's head.
"Testing, testing," a woman's voice rang out.
Saint clutched his head. "What the hell?"
"Relax," The voice soothed, "It's Mela. This is my technique. Telepathy. We can all stay connected this way."
Jovi's voice returned, calm but resolute.
"Wreak havoc."
In a blur, Jovi kicked the front doors in. Skai, Ivy, and Crowley advanced with deadly precision behind him.
Prince blasted through the backdoor with a grin. "Easy-peasy."
On the roof, Capone and Zodiak shattered the metal framed skylight, Mela leapt down after them.
"Una passeggiata," Capone said casually, cigar still burning.
Inside, the chaos began. Panic rippled through the bidders as elite guards dispersed around the building,
"Crowley! NOW!" Jovi yells,
Crowley stutters,
"Pact Style: Confines of Doom."
A black barrier slammed around the building.
Jovi exhaled sharply. "No Nas or Renai. Everyone, move forward. Mela, switch communications to set groups."
"On it."
…
Inside, Saint, Prince, Jane, and Mari rushed through the hallways.
"Jane, with me. S and P, check the basement levels," Mari ordered.
Down the stairs they went, fast and focused. Prince wasted no time, he rammed a heavy door open.
A low chuckle came from within.
"Look what the cat dragged in," It's Brugger.
Saint froze.
Prince glanced at him. "You know him?"
Saint nodded carefully. "Yeah. He's an instructor at Sangre De Reyes."
Prince gave Saint a puzzled look, then turned to Brugger. "Really?"
Brugger's eyes flared. 'Saint's with them? And that other dude doesn't even remember me?!'
"No matter. Saint, you're coming back with me."
Saint's face hardened.
In his mind, Mela's voice broke through.
"Prince? Saint? Mari says you two need to hurry. We just got word... Nas is on his way."
Saint clenched his jaw.
"Prince. You go ahead. I've got this."
Prince looked at him, then smiled with pride.
"Don't die."
With that, he disappeared down the corridor.
Brugger stepped forward,
"Saint, you're seriously not thinking about fighting me, are you? Once we start… there's no going back."
Saint's eyes glinted with unwavering resolve.
"My mind's never been clearer."
In the next heartbeat, he accelerates and launches forward, straight at Brugger.
…