I began distributing the explosives throughout the base and opened the doors to let the prisoners and children out.
A small child ran toward me, panting: "Are you going to save us from here?"
"Yes, get out quickly!" I told him.
"Thank you, Mr. Masked One!" he said with a quick smile before running off with the others.
Once I made sure everyone was out, I headed to the cunning man's room.
He was deeply asleep, as if he had never hurt anyone in his life.
I splashed water onto his head suddenly.
He woke instantly, shouting: "You bastard!"
He looked at me in confusion: "Who …who are you?"
I removed my mask and said coldly: "It's time for you to feel pain."
"Do you know this is called betrayal!?" the man shouted angrily.
"Call it what you want. I don't care," I said, calm and detached.
He lunged at me to strike, but I grabbed his hand and twisted it so hard he bent at my feet, powerless.
"How does it feel to bow to me?" I asked mockingly.
"It doesn't matter what Mr. Dante thinks, I will kill you tonight!" he shouted stubbornly.
I slapped him hard, then struck his head with the edge of my weapon. "You're not in a position to threaten me."
Blood began to flow from the cunning man's head. He touched it angrily, then screamed and charged at me.
But I was no longer that weak child; I had changed and become stronger.
I struck him relentlessly all over his body, each attempt to approach me costing him more until he finally collapsed at my feet.
I sat on his bed, feeling something like relief, then readied my gun and aimed it at his head.
"Can you see my face clearly now?"
"I… I will kill you" he whispered, barely able to lift his body.
"Do you have any last words?" I asked coldly.
"You will not…" He tried to speak, but before he could finish, I shot him in the head.
"It doesn't matter, I don't want to hear them."
I stepped over his blood and left the room.
Luca was waiting for me at the door. I said, "Now it's Dante's turn."
"That vile man? Go for him!" Luca said eagerly, his eyes shining with excitement.
I put my mask back on.
"We have ten minutes before the explosion."
We reached his room and kicked the door with Luca until it broke.
He woke up terrified: "What's happening? Who are you?"
"I am your end," I said coldly.
He drew his gun and fired at me, but I moved to dodge, then shot his hand, making him drop the weapon.
He bent to pick it up, but I charged and struck him, then bound him.
"Now, the game begins."
I removed my mask and looked at him.
Dante whispered, staring at my face in shock and fear: "So… the lion is behind the child who surpassed his strength."
"Eight minutes left," Luca said.
I grabbed him and began dragging him. Dante screamed in anger: "You'll regret this!"
"We'll see about that," I said calmly.
We reached the gathering point, then I fired three shots into the air.
"Come out now!"
His followers appeared one by one, stunned.
"What's happening?" they asked.
"Mr. Dante," some whispered fearfully.
"I am Mildo, and today marks the end of the Black Beasts.
We've lived in fear, lost our humanity because of you. So I decided to repay your debt , and steal your lives!"
"What are you going to do?" one shouted, panicked.
"In a few minutes, this place will collapse," I said calmly. "I planted eleven bombs in every corner, and no one will escape. But first…"
I looked at Dante, struck his knees until he fell at my feet, then took out a bottle containing a corrosive substance.
"Look at your precious leader bowing to me."
"Do you see the scars on my face? Remember them? Remember how you burned me?" I screamed, my voice filled with rage.
"You fool!" Dante shouted in fear. "If you blow this place up, the children will die too!"
"Hmm… I doubt that," I said quietly, a cold smile forming on my face.
Someone suddenly entered and shouted: "All the children and slaves are gone!"
Dante looked at me in shock and anger: "How dare you!"
I opened the bottle and poured it over his face.
He screamed in pain as the substance burned through his skin.
Someone tried to intervene; I raised my hand and fired toward him.
"No one moves unless I say so!"
I approached Dante, who was screaming. "Let me end your pain!"
I fired three shots into his chest, then finished him with one to the head.
"Oh, your leader is dead."
I tilted my head slightly, looking at them.
"Now it's your turn."
"Five minutes left," Luca said, his voice tense but excited.
"Let's kill them, Luca," I said firmly, my blood boiling with anger and anticipation.
"I've been waiting for this moment," Luca smiled, his eyes sparkling like sparks.
I put on my mask quickly, grabbing another gun in my other hand, every move precise and deadly.
Luca drew his weapon, and together we moved like an unstoppable storm.
Bullet after bullet, every scream, every movement met with lethal force, until they all fell, lifeless.
I looked around, the bodies scattered, smoke rising from every corner, feeling the weight of the past lifting slightly.
"Is this nightmare over? Am I free now?" I whispered, barely daring to pause.
"One minute left!" Luca shouted, his voice slicing through the silence, quickening my heartbeat.
We ran at full speed, my heart soaring like a bird leaving the cage.
Before reaching the gate, the bombs began to detonate around us, shaking the ground, heat burning our faces, smoke blinding our vision.
I opened a window and jumped quickly, Luca right behind me.
As soon as we were out, the building exploded completely, flames and smoke shooting into the sky.
I looked at the burning building, flames dancing, smoke filling the air.
I removed my mask and watched, whispering to myself: "It's over."
I turned around, but Luca was gone: "He disappeared."
From behind, I heard the children's voices: "Mr. Masked One!"
I put my mask back on quickly and faced them.
"You're still here?"
"We wanted to say goodbye before returning home," one said.
Some of the children hugged me, tears of joy in their eyes.
"Thank you, now I can see my mother again."
"It's okay. Now go quickly!"
"And you… where will you go?" a small girl asked innocently.
"I…"
I had never thought about where I would go. I knew no one, I had no place.
"Don't worry, I'll return to my home too," I said aloud, trying to sound confident.
The little girl smiled: "We'll miss you, Mr. Masked One."
I nodded, feeling a strange ache in my chest, as if a part of me remained tied to these children.
Everyone began walking toward freedom, their laughter echoing, the heat of the explosion fading behind us.
I stood for a moment, watching the burning building, feeling the emptiness around me. I had no one and didn't know where to go next.
I lifted my head, hands on my mask, determined to find my path and discover who I truly am, away from the past and the Black Beasts.
I found a motorcycle that had survived the fire, started the engine, and roared through the smoke and debris, heading toward Casalini City, my first step toward a new beginning.
The road was cold, the wind slapping my face as if reminding me that freedom doesn't mean comfort.
My stomach growled, and I had no money for food, but I didn't stop; hunger and fatigue could no longer hold me back.
All I had was the mask on my face, the guns at my sides, and a heart that feared nothing.
I reached Casalini, stopping at the entrance, the motorcycle's sound fading.
I looked at the people ,children crossing the street safely, men and women laughing, friends holding hands as if they'd never known fear.
A strange feeling pierced my chest, and I whispered softly, barely audible:
"Has the world always looked like this?"
I held my mask, feeling it part of me, yet a barrier between me and this world that no longer felt like mine.
I parked the bike, securing it tightly, and walked into the city.
I put my mask back on, not only hiding my face but also a past I didn't want anyone to see.
Through the crowded streets of Casalini, eyes turned at me, whispers rose:
"Who is that?"
"The masked one?"
I ignored them.
I caught the smell of food, which drew me instinctively.
I muttered, "The smell of food," and followed it, as if my stomach was guiding me.
I arrived at a restaurant with a sign: The Land of Smiles.
I raised an eyebrow behind my mask: "What a ridiculous name."
But the place was full of people, laughter filling the air, the smell of food irresistible.
Suddenly, something caught my eye.
A girl with dark brown hair flowing over her shoulders danced happily.
The crowd applauded her warmly, and joy surrounded her like a light in the world.
I stood stunned, watching her, unable to understand why.
But moments of peace didn't last.
Two armed men suddenly stormed in, their faces cruel. One shouted:
"No one moves!"
The room froze; hands stopped clapping, laughter vanished, silence taking over.
The girl spoke sharply, despite the fear:
"Who are you?"
The criminal sneered, waving his weapon:
"Empty the safe if you want to live, or we'll turn this land into hell instead of the Land of Smiles."
Some customers trembled. An elderly man tried to retreat toward the door, but the second criminal grabbed his hair and screamed:
"I said no one moves!"
He screamed in pain, everyone's eyes frozen in fear.
Mildo rushed forward, grabbed the man's hand before he could harm the elder.
The criminal panicked:
"Who the hell are you?"
Mildo's voice was cold:
"Let the old man go."
The criminal laughed, tightening his grip:
"And what if I don't?"
Mildo twisted his hand with sudden force; the criminal screamed and let the man go, writhing in pain.
At the same moment, the other man aimed at Mildo's head, but the girl jumped lightly, kicked the gun away skillfully, then pushed him to the ground, pinning him under her feet.
We captured the criminals and tied them up.
The girl approached me, smiling despite the tense situation:
"Thank you. You've helped us so much."
I replied coldly, adjusting my mask:
"It's nothing."
She raised an eyebrow:
"Hmm… but why wear a mask?"
I answered briefly:
"I'm comfortable this way."
Suddenly, my stomach growled loudly. Silence fell for a few seconds. She covered her mouth to hide a small laugh and said softly:
"You look hungry. Let me get you some food as a thank-you."
I pulled my hand back coldly:
"No thanks. I have no money to pay."
She smiled warmly, easing the tension:
"No worries. It's on the house."
I hesitated, glancing away. Hunger gnawed at me, but my pride resisted.
"Alright," I said, stepping inside. The moment I entered, everyone applauded, their voices filled with amazement and gratitude.
The girl gestured for me to sit:
"You seem like a hero today."
"A hero," I whispered to myself, the word foreign on my tongue.
I observed the joyful faces, the children smiling without fear, the customers exchanging glances.
I sat at a table, tense, my eyes scanning the room, as if unsure how to act amidst the warmth and laughter.
The girl went to fetch my food.
Suddenly, I felt a tug on my robe. I turned sharply. A small girl stood before me, holding out a red flower:
"For you, Mr. Masked Hero."
I took it hesitantly:
"Th… thank you."
She smiled shyly, then asked innocently:
"Can you come closer?"
I leaned toward her. She kissed my mask lightly and ran off giggling.
I touched my cheek in shock, the touch of her lips lingering on my mask.
"Your food is here!" the girl announced, setting several dishes before me.
I stared at them in disbelief:
"All this for me?"
"Of course, Masked One," she said kindly.
I sat, frozen, watching her, then lifted my mask just enough to take the first bite.
The flavor struck me: "Delicious."
A simple word, but it felt like a revelation, I hadn't tasted anything but bread and water mixed with the scent of gunpowder in ages.
I lifted my spoon again, hands trembling slightly.
She noticed and said warmly:
"It's okay to cry sometimes, even heroes need to."
I froze. My eyes widened behind the mask. I didn't know if she saw the tears that slipped unwillingly or just sensed them.
I lowered my head, trying to regain composure:
"I'm not a hero."
She smiled quietly:
"Maybe not, but you were the hero for that little girl who gave you her flower ,and for me too."
"Alright, I'll let you continue your meal," she said with a gentle smile, returning to work.
I ate slowly, savoring each bite, a feeling I hadn't known in a long time.
Later, she approached me quietly, only to stop in surprise as she saw me leaning on my arm, asleep.
She smiled softly:
"What a strange man. "
She carefully cleared the dishes and wiped the table, wondering about the mask and the man beneath it.
The restaurant was empty except for sleeping Mildo.
She raised her hand to touch the mask, but before she could.
He opened his eyes, grabbed her hand, and pinned it to the chair, staring sharply.
"What are you doing?"
"I-I didn't mean anything, I just " she stammered.
Before she could continue, a small necklace dangling from his neck caught her eyes.
Frozen, she reached and grabbed it:
"Wh… where did you get this?"
He pulled it away and hid it inside his shirt:
"I don't remember much about it, but I think someone gave it to me."
"What , is your name?" she asked, curiosity and tension mixing.
He looked at her for a moment, then answered coldly:
"Mildo , just Mildo."
A look of sorrow flashed across her face. She whispered to herself:
"It's not him ,but why does he have that necklace? Could it be ?"
Then, lifting her head, she asked aloud:
"Do you know someone named ,Andrei?"
Mildo felt a sharp pain in his head.
"My head .." he muttered, pressing his hands to his temples.
Suddenly, he grabbed her shoulders firmly, eyes burning with anger and confusion:
"Do you know the owner of this necklace? Where can I find him?"
She trembled under his grip, eyes wide with fear, trying to answer in a shaky voice:
"I don't know, I'm looking for him too."
Mildo paused, breathing heavily, eyes fixed on her, heart torn between anger and uncertainty.
The necklace was more than a piece of metal it was a link to his lost past and to one name only ,Andrei.