Alexei's face twisted in a mask of unbearable anguish as he sank to his knees beside Ivan's lifeless form. With trembling hands, he clutched desperately at Ivan's cold body, his fingertips searching in vain for any lingering signs of life. A desperate prayer echoed silently within him, yearning for a flicker of movement or the faintest whisper of a heartbeat."No..." Alexei's voice quivered, choked with sorrow. "It can't be true. It just can't..."But the undeniable truth loomed over him like a shadow. Ivan, once full of vitality and strength, had met a tragic end. He had become a casualty of the overwhelming power that Edward possessed.Brenda stood frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief. She could hardly comprehend the sight before her—the lifeless body of Ivan Petrovich, a man whose physical prowess had seemed impenetrable. Her hand instinctively flew to her mouth, her fingers pressing firmly against her lips as if to suppress the gasp that threatened to escape.Next to her, Ivy stoo
As the tension continued to mount, a familiar figure approached the trio. It was Ivy, her presence a calming influence in the midst of the brewing storm. "Mikhail, are you sure about this?" Ivy asked, her voice steady. She had never questioned Edward's skill, so she wanted to make sure Mikhail was fully aware of what he was getting himself into.Mikhail nodded firmly, confirming her determination to face Edward in a pistol duel. Ivy understood that Mikhail's desire was for revenge, but she also knew that Edward had extraordinary abilities that he had yet to reveal.Without hesitation, Ivy reached into a concealed compartment and retrieved two Magnum 357. She handed one to Edward and the other to Mikhail. The Magnum 357, a powerful and iconic handgun, was known for its accuracy and stopping power. Its weight and firm grip provided stability for precise shots."Good luck to you both," Ivy stated, her voice carrying a mix of solemnity and caution. "But remember, the outcome of this duel
In that fraction of a second, the atmosphere shattered. The crack of the pistols split the air, the distinct sound of the Magnum 357 reverberating through the room. It was a thunderous explosion of power, a symphony of raw force unleashed.Edward and Mikhail remained locked in their stances, their eyes unblinking, their fingers squeezing the triggers. For them, it felt as if the world had momentarily frozen. And then, in an instant, the exchange of gunfire ceased. The room fell silent once more, and the echo of the Magnum 357 faded away, though the haze of gun smoke still lingered.At last, the outcome had been decided, and the consequences etched themselves into the bodies of the duelists. Edward's left shoulder bore the mark of the bullet's impact. Blood seeped from the wound, staining his shirt crimson. The pain throbbed through his body, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to let it consume him.On the other side of the room, Mikhail's hand trembled, the once steady grip on his Ma
Ivy's eyes narrowed, realizing the importance of the information she was about to reveal. She took a deep breath, composing herself before speaking. "The Virgo Files have unique powers, Ed. The one who possess the Virgo File gain incredible healing abilities and immunity to all forms of poisons and toxins. Throughout history, the heads of the Virgo Family are known to be the longest-lived, with life spans between 100 to 125 years."Edward's eyebrows shot up in surprise. The implications of such abilities were astounding."But that's not all," Ivy continued, her voice growing more fervent. "The Virgo Family, being focused on healing, has a long-standing pact with all the Zodiac Families. They have aided and healed members of every Zodiac Family at some point, creating a debt of gratitude among all the families."Edward realized something. "Supposedly, none of the Zodiac Families dare to disturb or challenge the Virgo Family. They owe their well-being to the healing power of the Virgo F
Edward's hand reached out to a nearby wall, where an array of weapons were displayed. Among them, a gleaming silver dagger caught his attention. With a firm grip, he carefully pulled it off the wall, holding it up for everyone to see. "This might surprise you a little," he said.In one swift motion, Edward swiftly stabbed the dagger into his left shoulder, causing gasps of shock and disbelief to fill the air. Before anyone could react, he swiftly twisted the blade and pulled it out, causing a loud clatter as a bullet embedded in his shoulder dropped to the floor.Brenda and the Windsor family stood frozen, their minds struggling to process the sight before them. Edward's expression remained unnervingly calm and composed, devoid of any signs of pain or discomfort. Brenda, unable to contain her concern any longer, rushed forward to Edward's side. "What have you done? Are you hurt? Why aren't you reacting to the pain?"Edward turned to face Brenda, his eyes meeting hers with an intensi
As Edward ended the call, a heavy silence descended upon the room. The air seemed to thicken, and no one dared to break the stillness. The expressions on their faces revealed a mix of awe and a touch of fear. It was as if they were witnessing the emergence of a king who brooked no questions or refusals.Minutes passed, each second amplifying the weight of the moment. Then, as if in response to the palpable tension, the doors to the training room swung open, and Jake entered, his presence bringing a gust of fresh air into the room. Edward turned to face Jake."Report," he commanded.Jake stepped forward, his tone measured. "The plan has been successfully executed, sir."Edward nodded, acknowledging the information. He then turned to Xavier, who was observing the scene with curiosity. "All of Petrovich's personnel have been neutralized. We will return them, along with Alexei and his brother's bodies to the Petrovich residence. This will send a clear message that we have never and need
A wave of despair washed over Edward as the familiar notification of the Domination System echoed through his mind. The initial surge of happiness and relief dissolved swiftly, making way for an unsettling apprehension that settled deep within his being.His hold around Brenda's waist tightened, seeking solace in her comforting presence. Yet, his thoughts were ensnared by the grim awareness of the ominous road that stretched ahead. The weight of the impending darkness pressed upon him relentlessly. Edward understood all too well that refusing the mission could have dire consequences. However, the mere thought of succumbing to the puppet strings of the Domination System, carrying out acts of violence against his will, sent shivers down his spine, haunting his every waking moment.As Brenda sensed Edward's distress, she looked into his eyes and spoke. "What's wrong, Ed? You seem... distant. Is something bothering you?""I... I'm fine," he managed to say, his voice trembling slightly. "
Ivy's voice trailed off. The world seemed to blur around her. But then, her gaze shifted to Edward's hand, lying limp on the pavement. And that's when she saw it—a faint movement in his pinky finger.Without hesitating, Ivy reached out and took hold of Edward's hand, cradling it in her own. Her fingers trembled as she pressed her thumb against his pinky, hoping for another sign of life. And there it was—a faint response, almost imperceptible but undeniably real. Edward's pinky finger twitched ever so slightly in Ivy's touch.A surge of hope flooded Ivy's being. "Brenda! Look, his finger moved! He's alive!"Brenda's eyes widened in disbelief, her tears momentarily halted. She turned her attention to Edward's pale face, searching for any other signs of life. As if in response to Ivy's revelation, a faint rise and fall of his chest confirmed his faint breath. She leaned in closer, her trembling voice filled with a newfound hope. "Edward, can you hear us? Can you feel us? Please, fight!"