Beyond the mission

Deke knight

"No one's dying on my plane," Jason growled, his eyes locked onto Howl like a predator sizing up another apex beast. His voice was calm-but deadly. The kind of calm that came before a storm ripped through everything in its path.

"I knew something was off about you. But this?" His blade still buzzed faintly with energy. "This is just pathetic."

Howl took a small step back, lips curling into a twisted grin. He raised both hands lazily. "Relax, Jason. I was just playing," he said, voice dripping with mockery. "Can't take a joke?"

Jason's glare didn't waver. "Try that again. Let's see if I laugh while you bleed."

A flicker of something dark flashed in Howl's eyes as he slowly turned away-but then he spun back, his face now twisted with something far more sinister.

"You know, Jason..." he snarled, voice low and venomous, "just because Raven put you in charge doesn't mean you get to dictate who I kill. You're not my leash."

Before Jason could speak, Seraphina stood, arms crossed, clearly bored. "Yeah, Jason," she echoed with a scoff. "Quit acting all righteous. Let him finish the job-we all know she's deadweight."

Riley leaned back in her seat, smirking. "She's right. Better a quick death now than a slow one when the real fighting starts. Think of it as mercy killing."

That was it.

Jason stood still-but the pressure in the room shifted. The air grew heavier. Cold. Oxygen felt harder to breathe.

A split second later-BOOM-the dagger in Jason's hand slammed into the wall beside Riley's face, the blade quivering from the force. Everyone froze.

Jason's eyes glowed with barely controlled rage, voice now like cold steel.

"Say. One. More. Word. I dare you."

Even Howl tensed. Seraphina's smirk vanished. Riley's hand twitched near her weapon-but she thought better of it.

Jason's footsteps echoed like war drums as he stepped forward, slow and heavy. The air thickened-his bloodlust spilling out like a wave of pressure, sharp enough to choke on. Even the lights above seemed to dim under it.

He didn't raise his voice. He didn't have to.

"This is what S-Ranks do now?" he said coldly, his eyes like twin blades. "Three against one... and you call yourselves elite?"

His glare locked onto Howl, then slid to Seraphina and Riley, unblinking. "No discipline. No control. Just animals playing soldier."

The temperature felt like it dropped ten degrees. His killing intent wrapped around the cabin like a storm.

"Keep acting like this," Jason muttered, "and I won't need a mission to put you down."

No more words. Just silence-and the feeling that death had passed by.

No one spoke.

Slowly, without another word, Howl turned and slinked back to his seat. Seraphina followed, eyes twitching, and Riley gave Daphne one last glare before backing off.

Jason exhaled, turned, and walked silently back to his own seat.

Daphne sat frozen-her heart thudding against her ribs. Her hands trembled as she stared at the dagger still embedded in the wall. That... was almost meant for someone's throat.

Just then, Brandon casually slid into the seat beside her, holding two cans of soda like nothing just happened.

"Sooo... you always bring this much drama on field trips, or is today special?" he grinned.

Daphne blinked, still shaken.

Brandon popped a can open. "Don't worry. If anyone else pulls a knife, I'll block it with my sparkling personality."

Despite everything, Daphne let out the tiniest laugh. Brandon winked.

"Welcome to hell with extra legroom."

Daphne sat in silence, still shaken. Brandon plopped down beside her, flashing a sheepish grin.

"Yeeaah... sorry about the circus act back there," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "They get dramatic when bored. You okay?"

She turned to him slowly, her voice low but firm.

"You're asking if I'm okay? I almost got stabbed. I know I'm just a D-rank, but this is insane..." Her voice cracked slightly.

Brandon winced. "Yeah, valid. That was definitely not in the agency handbook." He leaned in, lowering his voice like he was sharing a juicy secret. "But hey, Jason stepping in? That was kinda my doing."

Daphne blinked. "Wait... what?"

Brandon smirked. "Yup. I told him if he saved you, I'd leave him alone for a whole day. No jokes, no hugs, no surprise karaoke. He caved instantly."

She squinted. "You bribed him with silence?"

"Exactly. My silence is priceless," he said proudly, pointing at himself with both thumbs.

Daphne laughed a little despite herself. "But... why didn't you help me?"

Brandon shrugged dramatically. "Because I'm not legally allowed to fight before noon. Kidding. Honestly, I'm more like... a weapon without a user. Pointless unless someone swings me."

Daphne looked at him, something soft in her eyes. "You're not a weapon, Brandon. You're more than that. You're kind. And... funny. And you helped me, even if it was in your weird Brandon way."

Brandon blinked as her face got closer. "Uh..."

"Seriously, thank you," she said with a soft smile.

He turned red instantly and leaned away like she'd just ignited. "Cool cool cool. Uh-did you have to get so close, though? I might combust or something."

Daphne tilted her head, confused. "What?"

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing." He sat rigid, pretending to stare at a very interesting screw on the wall.

Daphne smirked. "You're so weird."

Brandon beamed. "And proud."

They were still laughing when Howl appeared like a bad plot twist.

“Hey, Daphne,” he said with a charming smile that didn’t match the earlier threat. “About earlier… sorry if I scared you. But hey, if you ever feel lonely, I’m always around.” He winked and walked off like he hadn’t just tried to murder her a few minutes ago.

Daphne’s smile vanished. Her chest tightened.

She stood up quickly. “I need some air,” she mumbled, turning away.

Brandon gently caught her wrist. “Hey… maybe now’s not the best time to be alone.”

Daphne gave a forced smile and carefully slipped out of his grasp. “I’m fine,” she said, her voice soft, then disappeared toward the bathroom.

Brandon watched her go, guilt and worry twisting in his chest. Can you blame her? After everything, trusting anyone seemed like a luxury.

Three hours passed.

The others were half-asleep or fully out cold, but Brandon kept glancing toward the back of the plane. No sign of her.

Finally, he slipped over to Jason and whispered, “Psst… hey, you up?”

Jason sighed thinking 'of course a deal like that wouldn't keep Brandon away " I am now what do you want"

Brandon leaned in like he was sharing top-secret intel. “It’s Daphne. She’s still in the bathroom.”

Jason gave a deadpan stare. “And?”

“I dunno, man. She could be hungry… or passed out… or DEAD.” Brandon threw in some jazz hands for dramatic effect.

Jason sighed. “Get to the point before I make you actually disappear.”

“I saved her some leftovers.” Brandon held out a neatly wrapped box like it was a peace offering. “Can you go give it to her?”

Jason glared. Brandon grinned.

“I know that look. You’re thinking, ‘What’s in it for me?’”

“No,” Jason replied, deadpan. “I’m thinking I should’ve let Howl stab you instead.”

Jason rolled back over. Brandon huffed. “Fine. Guess I’ll just call you Jay-Jay all the way back to HQ.”

Jason froze. “Where’s the leftovers.”

Jason knocked on the bathroom door, clearing his throat awkwardly.

“Hey… you in there?” No answer.

He waited a few seconds, then muttered, “I’m coming in. Don’t scream.”

He pushed the door open slowly. There, curled up on the floor, was Daphne—fast asleep. Her arms wrapped around her knees, her cheeks stained from dried tears.

Jason crouched beside her and studied her quietly.

“Cried yourself to sleep, huh?” Jason muttered, his voice low and unreadable. He brushed a strand of hair from her face with two fingers, gaze sharp. “You’re really bad at pretending you're strong.”

Her eyes suddenly snapped open, locking onto his.

He didn’t flinch. “Relax. If I wanted to kill you, you wouldn’t have woken up at all.”

Daphne, ignoring his calm demeanor, jolted upright and shot him a fiery glare.

“p*****t!” she snapped, scrambling back like he’d lit a fuse under her.

Her face was burning red, hair a mess, breath uneven. Jason just raised a brow, clearly unbothered.