Beyond the mission

Game on (1)

Jason tried to keep his composure, voice low and dry. "Relax. It's not what you think."

Daphne blinked, finally registering who it was-and what she'd just yelled. Her face turned crimson. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean that, it was just- I was having this weird dream."

Jason raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Weird enough to wake up screaming p*****t?"

She immediately turned her face away, hiding the heat rushing to her cheeks. "Y-you don't need to know the details..."

Jason gave a slight smirk but said nothing.

Daphne, still trying to get a grip, sniffed the air-and paused. Her eyes widened. "Wait... is that... fried rice?"

Jason held up the container like it was some kind of peace offering. "Courtesy of Brandon. He begged me to deliver it. Honestly, I preferred the dream version of this conversation."

Jason tossed her the food. "Eat it. Then go back to sleep. Or cry some more. Whatever you do, stop making Brandon worry. It's exhausting."

Daphne watched him as he turned to leave then whispered "thanks".

"Don't mention it. Seriously-don't. And try not to sleep on the floor again-we don't need a corpse before the mission even starts," Jason said, his voice calm but sharp as a blade.

Daphne gave a small tired smile. "Let me guess... Brandon told you to say that too?"

Jason was already at the door, glancing over his shoulder. "No. That one was all me finish that and get some sleep you'll need both."

Daphne watched him walk out, her heart weirdly pounding.

"...Stupid cool guy exit," she muttered under her breath.

Daphne stared after him for a moment, her expression unreadable. She finished the fried rice in silence, then stepped out, glancing around the dimly lit plane. That's when she spotted Brandon, subtly motioning her over. She hesitated... then gave in. She was exhausted, and his presence oddly comforting.

"You sure took your time," Brandon teased with a tired grin.

"Yeah... sorry about that," Daphne murmured, already slumping into the seat beside him. Her head gently fell onto his shoulder, and within seconds, she was asleep.

Brandon blinked, face flushing faintly, then relaxed. "Guess I'll get some sleep too," he whispered, closing his eyes.

Meanwhile-miles away-on a secured comm-line deep within Saint Lucian's dark networks, a shadowy figure stood alone in an unlit room.

The voice was cold, calculated. "You're about to have... unexpected visitors."

On the other end, the mercenary commander stiffened. "Who is this? How do you know that?"

The figure ignored the question. "S-Rank assassins are on their way to your base. And... they're not alone."

A pause. Then- "What are you talking about?"

The figure leaned forward, lips curling into a wicked grin. "Vortex is with them."

Silence. Then panic.

"V...Vortex? You mean-the Vortex?!"

"He's with them. This may be your only chance to erase him from existence," the voice whispered like a curse. "Don't waste it."

The line cut abruptly.

The figure turned to the window, watching the storm clouds roll in over the city.

"Let's see how far you've come, Jason," the voice murmured in the darkness. "I want to see if the rumors... are true."

"APPROACHING TARGET ZONE. ETA: 30 MINUTES."

The automated voice jolted them awake. Jason stood, eyes sharp, and signaled everyone to gather. He didn't raise his voice-he never had to. The weight of what was ahead did all the talking.

After the quick rundown of the infiltration plan, the group slowly scattered to prepare. But Daphne stayed behind, her mind spinning.

This plan... it feels too smooth. Too clean. Where's the chaos? The unexpected? And why does it feel like I'm just... background?She sighed and finally stepped forward.

"Jason," she called quietly.

He turned, cool.

"I just-if this plan goes south... shouldn't we have a Plan B?"

Jason's gaze lingered on her for a second longer before turning away.

"There is a Plan B."

Daphne blinked. "Then why wasn't I-?"

"You might not survive long enough to need it," he said bluntly, already walking away.

It hit her like a slap. "You arrogant-!"

Brandon grabbed her shoulder with a grin before she could follow. "Relax, he's not serious... mostly." He leaned in. "Come on, I'll fill you in on Plan B."

After the full explanation, they both turned toward the screens showing a grainy surveillance image of a boy-Liam, their target.

Brandon whistled low. "Damn... kid looks just like Jason. If Jason ever had a clone with black hair."

Daphne raised a brow. "Let's hope he doesn't share the attitude."

Their plane touched down moments later, wheels skimming across a snow-bitten runway hidden deep in a forest. The cold seeped through the walls like a warning.

They were near the mansion now.

No turning back. The mission had officially begun.

As the ramp hissed open, wind blasted in-sharp, dry, and merciless. Snow crunched under their boots as the team stepped off the plane, their eyes narrowing against the blinding white stretch of wilderness ahead.

Jason led, his coat flaring behind him like a shadow. "Stay sharp," he muttered without looking back. "No unnecessary chatter. We don't know what's waiting for us."

Brandon followed, adjusting the strap of his rifle. "Creepy place. Bet the walls whisper at night."

Daphne stuck close, trying not to shiver-whether from the cold or the nerves, even she wasn't sure. Her eyes locked on the distant silhouette of the mansion, barely visible through the trees. Black. Monolithic. Silent.

Howl, walking at the rear, let out a low chuckle. "Feels like home already."

Seraphina rolled her eyes. "Try not to stab anyone before we get inside."

They split into formation as rehearsed-Jason, Daphne, and Brandon taking point while the others circled wide to flank. The snow muffled their steps, but the tension in the air was loud enough to choke on.

As they neared the mansion's frozen iron gates, Daphne's fingers brushed against her concealed blade. She stole a glance at Jason, who hadn't said a word since they landed.

He stopped without warning.

A sharp whistle cut through the cold-then gunfire.

"Down!" Jason barked, tackling Daphne behind a snow-dusted boulder just as bullets ripped through the space where they'd been standing.

Brandon dove to cover beside them, gritting his teeth. "Well, so much for subtle."

Jason peeked over the rock, eyes narrowing. "Snipers. Two at least. South wing. Suppressed rounds. Professional."

From the tree line, Riley's voice crackled through the comms. "They're already set up. Either we walked into a trap, or they've been watching this place longer than we thought."

"Howl?" Jason asked sharply.

A dark laugh echoed back. "Oh, don't worry. I'm already inside."

Jason's eye twitched. "Of course he is."

Brandon nudged Daphne. "You good?"

She nodded, catching her breath. "Yeah. Just wondering how we're adopting a kid in the middle of a gunfight."

Jason's voice cut in coldly. "You don't. You survive the gunfight. Then you get the kid."

With that, he sprang from cover, flanking wide through the snow with terrifying precision. Brandon followed, firing cover shots while motioning Daphne to stay low.

Inside the mansion, Howl moved like a ghost, already dismantling a guard with quiet efficiency. His eyes gleamed in the dim corridor as he whispered to himself, "Let's see how long this house of lies holds up."

Back outside, Daphne pressed herself against the cold stone wall near the back entrance. Her breath hitched as Jason appeared beside her, flicking blood from his blade.

He didn't look at her.

"Stay close. Don't slow me down."

Daphne narrowed her eyes, heart pounding. "I won't."

And together, they slipped inside. The real mission had begun.

The mansion's interior was dim-flickering chandeliers above, velvet drapes swaying slightly from broken windows, and an eerie silence layered over everything like dust.

Jason moved ahead with silent confidence, every footstep calculated. Daphne stayed close, gripping the dagger Brandon had given her. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears, but her steps didn't falter.

Brandon joined them seconds later, whispering, "East wing's clear. Howl's somewhere up ahead. Riley and Seraphina are circling from the west."

Jason nodded. "Then we corner them from both ends."

A sudden crash echoed through the halls. Then silence.

Daphne whispered, "That sounded like glass."

Jason responded with a deadly calm, "Sounded like bait."

They turned a corner-and stopped.