Beyond the mission

Mask slipping

Ava pouted dramatically, folding her arms. "Oh come on, Jason... is that any way to treat an old friend?"

Jason didn't even glance her way. "You didn't come all the way out here just to say hi. What do you want?"

She smirked, leaning in just a bit. "Still sharp. I'll give you that. I'm honestly impressed-you, of all people, climbing to S-Rank. Who would've guessed the brat with a death wish would turn into a top-tier killer?"

Jason allowed himself a thin smirk. "What's more impressive is watching an SS-Rank nap her days away."

Ava's grin twitched. "You picking a fight with me, Jay?"

"Just offering you a chance to stretch those lazy limbs," he said coolly. "Or are you afraid of losing to a so-called S-Rank?"

That struck a nerve.

"Oh, that does it-"

Before she could pounce, Raven stepped between them like a blade of cold steel. "Enough," she said flatly. "This isn't the place. The plane's arriving any minute."

As if on cue, the console blinked red. The plane's AI buzzed: "Approaching target zone."

They boarded the aircraft without another word.

Later, seated away from the others, Ava leaned closer to Raven and asked in a low voice, "Alright, drop the act. Why is she really on this mission?"

Raven smiled without warmth. "You never miss a beat, do you?"

"Daphne's a fresh D-Rank. Can barely hold a blade, much less survive a ghost operation. She's the worst in her class-if she dies out there, it'll save the agency the embarrassment. No one will ask questions."

Ava raised a brow, grinning. "Still playing chess with people's lives, huh?"

Raven's voice dropped, dark and smooth. "Why waste resources dragging out the inevitable? A broken weapon is better lost on the field than left rusting in storage."

Ava chuckled under her breath. "You're still sly as ever."

"And you're still entertained," Raven replied.

They both looked toward Daphne, sitting quietly across the cabin.

"Let's see how long she lasts, then again she might not even make it to Saint Lucian" Ava muttered.

Raven smirked. "The clock's ticking."

INT. PLANE - NIGHT - EN ROUTE TO SAINT LUCIAN

The hum of the aircraft filled the silence. Everyone sat spread out, like strangers forced into a temporary truce. Jason leaned against the window, arms crossed. Brandon casually plopped down next to him, popping gum like he owned the plane.

Howl sat a row behind them, head back, eyes closed but listening. Across the aisle, Daphne sat near the window, tense but quiet. Riley and Seraphina flanked her, like wolves circling prey.

Eventually seraphina couldn't help herself "So..." she said loud enough for everyone to hear "anyone wanna bet on how long the D-rank lasts before getting herself killed"

Howl, without looking up "How about we bet on how long you'll keep your mouth shut!"

Seraphina rolled her eyes, leaning back in her seat. "Wow, Howl. Still playing the knight? I wonder how long you can keep that little mask on before it slips." Her eyes flicked toward Daphne, her voice mocking. "You must be feeling all special now that Sir Howl of the Saviors is on your side. But I wouldn't bet my card on him if I were you. Then again... I'd never be you."

Daphne didn't flinch. Just stared out the window, lost in the clouds.

That silence,

That calm,

It burned seraphina alive.

"Did that D-rank just ignore me?" she snapped, turning to Riley. "After I was so generous to give her an advice?"

"She's getting cocky," Riley replied, eyes still on the floor, voice flat. "A little reminder might do her some good. Just enough pain to teach her her place."

They both stood. Riley's voice dropped to a murmur. "We should teach the dog how to sit."

Seraphina chuckled darkly. "And what's a dog without a chain?"

Before Daphne could react, they grabbed her by the arm. She barely got a word out before Riley cut her off.

"Oh, shut up. You talk too much."

They started to drag her toward the back of the plane when a hand caught Seraphina's wrist mid-motion. It was cold. Firm. Unshaking.

Howl.

His eyes weren't kind now. They were still.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked, his tone calm enough to chill bone.

Seraphina looked up at him with a smirk. "Come on, Howl. Don't pretend anymore. We're not at the agency. You don't have to play their sweet little poster boy out here."

"You can do whatever you want now," Riley added with a grin. "No rules, no eyes. Not unless you're actually protecting her."

Howl didn't speak. He simply looked down.

And then he laughed.

It wasn't the charming, collected chuckle they were used to. It was dark. Sharp. And it didn't stop right away. When he finally looked up again, his face had changed.

Gone was the calm, warm expression.

This was someone else entirely.

"You're right," he said, smiling wide. "I don't have to hide it anymore."

Everyone froze. Even Brandon looked up from his seat, tension rising.

Howl turned to Daphne, and the look in his eyes made her heart stop. There was nothing kind in them-only fire behind a steel mask.

"You have no idea how hard it's been," he said softly. "Every single day. Watching you walk around like some trembling little lamb, and resisting the urge to break you into pieces just to hear what kind of sound you'd make."

Seraphina took a step back, uneasy now. "Howl-"

He ignored her. His voice grew darker.

"You think I helped you because I care? No. I wanted to see how long you'd last. I wanted to see if you'd cry, beg, scream. There's an art to it, you know-watching hope rot. Watching someone try to rise when the world's already decided they should fall."

He stepped closer to Daphne.

"And now... now that we're not at the agency, I can do whatever I want. No chains. No eyes. Just me... and you."

Daphne, hands trembling, sank slowly into her seat. Her lungs burned-only then did she realize she'd been holding her breath. The man standing in front of her... wasn't the same kind-hearted Howl she'd spoken to back at the agency. His warmth was gone-replaced by something darker. Something twisted.

Howl leaned in close, his voice low and venomous. "You know," he murmured, his eyes locked on hers, "I've been thinking... when we get to Saint Lucian, there's a pretty good chance the enemy captures you. And when they do... they won't kill you quickly. No, they'll break you-piece by piece. Maybe start with your fingers. Or your voice box. Depends on their mood."

Daphne's breath caught in her throat. Her entire body screamed at her to run, but her legs refused to move.

Howl's grin widened, almost gleeful. "Honestly? I should just do them a favor... and kill you now."

Without warning, he flipped a hidden dagger from his sleeve-its curved, blackened edge gleaming like a predator's tooth. In one swift motion, he lunged forward-

CLANG!

Steel met steel with a screech of sparks. Howl's blade was knocked off course mid-swing.

Jason stood between them, dagger drawn, eyes locked onto Howl like a hunter watching prey. His stance was solid, unmoving.