ã€ŠDaddy Doesn&#x27;t Know I Shoot Bad Guys!ã€‹


 Chapter 1 - Skullface

    Claire snapped to look at the bathroom mirror.

    There was a question in her blue eyes, and a tangle in her golden hair. She had heard something downstairs, but couldn¡¯t tell what. She wondered about the sound as she drew a brush through her hair once again. She had already changed into her favorite heart pajamas and was preparing to go to sleep even though she definitely wasn¡¯t tired. Stupid bedtime.

    The sound came again and her whole body tensed in reaction. Was that an explosion? Worse than hearing it, she could feel it now. A rumble in the floor which sent all her fun lotions and makeups clattering onto the marble tiles. There was muffled shouting in the rooms downstairs and Claire started to get very worried.

    This was followed by the piercing ring of gunshots.

    Claire screamed and dropped to the floor, covering her ears. She curled into a ball as more questions piled up in her thoughts. Was Daddy going to be okay? Where were her sisters? Did security know this was happening? The shouting grew louder and the shooting continued and Claire cried like a baby. She didn¡¯t care why it was happening. She just wished this terrible night would end.

    ¡°Claire!?¡± a familiar female voice called from the bedroom.

    Claire looked up at the bathroom door with worry. She imagined it was her sister calling, but she was still too startled to make a sound. She sat up, brought her knees to her chest, and watched the door. Shortly after, someone opened the door and Claire was relieved to see her sister, Nina.

    ¡°Oh my god, Claire!¡± Nina said.

    The tall brunette woman closed and locked the door before practically diving ontop of her younger sister. Nina hugged Claire around the head and shoulders. Claire barely reacted; she was too scared to move.

    Nina pulled away and angled her head to see Claire¡¯s face. ¡°Hey, look at me. Are you okay?¡±

    Claire gave a weak nod as tears spilled down her cheeks.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Hierarch is with security, they¡¯re going to take care of it,¡± Nina said.

    ¡°No!¡± Claire cried. ¡°Daddy should be somewhere safe!¡±

    ¡°I know, Claire,¡± Nina said. ¡°But, he¡¯s stubborn like that.¡±

    There was a lull in the shooting. A strange quiet followed; gunshots replaced by paced footsteps. Nina and Claire looked to eachother, both silently wondering if the ordeal was over.

    Another shot rang out, this one much heavier and louder.

    Nina and Claire screamed in unison.

    There were another few steps. Claire listened closely and could recognize her adopted father¡¯s dress shoes on the hardwood floor near the front door. She heard a metallic racking sound. Then she heard another heavy gun blast.

    Claire clung to her older sister and cried, hoping her dad didn¡¯t get hurt. They sat that way for a while, wondering and waiting and hoping. Then Nina¡¯s phone rang. She brushed aside her blazer to reach her skirt pocket.

    ¡°Hierarch!¡± she answered.

    ¡°Daddy!¡± Claire climbed onto her sister to be closer to the phone.

    ¡°Get some sleep, girls. Everything is under control.¡±

    Nina was about to say something before a tone played from her phone. She looked at the device to realize the call had ended.

    ¡°Well, he seems fine,¡± Nina said.

    Was that all he was going to say? He expected them to just go to sleep after that? No way! What if something bad happened and he was just trying to be strong and hide it?

    Hierarch¡¯s dismissive words left Claire dissatisfied. She huffed and pushed up from the floor. She lunged towards the bathroom door, slipping out of Nina¡¯s grasp as she reached to stop her.

    ¡°No, Claire, wait!¡±

    Claire nearly toppled over her dress mannequin as she ran through her bedroom and into the hallway. She could hear Nina¡¯s heels clicking on the wood floor behind her, but she didn¡¯t slow down. She kept running through the long hallway and down the stairs. There, she caught sight of her father standing in the foyer, wearing his typical three-piece striped suit.

    She flung herself at him. Once her arms were wrapped fully around him, Claire finally felt safe again. She buried her face against his stomach and hugged him as tight as she could.

    ¡°Daddy, oh my gosh, I was so scared, I didn¡¯t know what to do-¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s over now,¡± Hierarch said. ¡°Take a deep breath.¡±

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    Claire looked up at her adoptive father with tears in her eyes. He was almost twice her height and the stripes only made him look taller. There was blood splattered across his fair skin and faded hair. A stern look behind his square glasses, as if some memory was bothering him. But that look was always there; this event had not made it any better or worse.

    Hierarch stroked Claire''s hair as she stared up at him. It had a soothing effect on her and, once she had calmed down, she realized that Hierarch¡¯s other hand was caught within her hug. Not only that, but within that other hand there was a large hard object between them.

    Claire took a step backwards and looked down to see it was a large, ornate shotgun. It was longer than her arm and plated with engraved gold. Her eyes went wide with a mixture of curiosity and awe. She had never seen anything like it, especially not one so¡­ pretty.

    While looking down at Hierarch¡¯s gun, Claire finally caught sight of the dead bodies strewn about the floor. She was so concerned for her dad that she hadn¡¯t noticed before, the perpetrators of the attack on their home, laying broken and bloody on the hardwood. Claire brought her hands up to her chest as she spun to look around the foyer. She found more dead intruders, collapsed in the destroyed doorway or slumped against the bullet-ridden walls.

    They were all wearing various combinations of red armor and black gear, with a symbol crudely painted onto the glassy visor of their helmets. Claire couldn¡¯t tell at first, as most of them were shot and shattered beyond recognition. However, after scanning each attacker with morbid curiosity, she pieced together the symbol to be a skull. They were Skullface mercenaries, a villain gang which Claire had heard of on the news.

    But this wasn¡¯t just on TV or somewhere else in the city.

    They attacked her dad. They attacked his home.

    Claire frantically looked at the bullet holes and broken windows and scorched furniture, beginning to feel overwhelmed. She wiped her eyes and turned around in time to see Victor, the leader of the security staff. He wore grey ballistic armor from head to toe and was holstering a pistol while walking over to Hierarch.

    ¡°All clear,¡± Victor said. ¡°Perimeter is secure, no more hostiles.¡±

    Hiercarch didn¡¯t look at him, his eyes still fixed on Claire. Instead, he raised the gold shotgun up to his side. ¡°Return this to the vault.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Victor nodded his head and took the weapon.

    Claire watched as the shotgun changed hands. When Victor glanced at her, she lowered her gaze in reflex. However, when Victor turned to leave, she looked at the shotgun again, staring after it until Victor was gone.

    What vault did Daddy mean? Was there a place for weapons in the estate? Were there other golden guns that Claire had never seen?

    Other members of security arrived soon after. They began checking the Skullface bodies, securing their weapons, and taking pictures of the scene, before finally dragging the dead mercenaries out of the house.

    Heirarch took a step towards Claire and lowered to one knee in front of her. He brushed curls away from her face. Claire sniffed her running nose and wiped her wet eyes to look better for her Daddy, if only slightly. She looked at him and could tell from his stern face that all her questions would have to wait until tomorrow. Though, even if he wasn¡¯t in a bad mood, Claire didn¡¯t have the energy to be as inquisitive as usual.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the house, Claire. All of that can be replaced. What matters is that you and your sister are safe.¡±

    ¡°And you!¡± Claire insisted. ¡°You have to be safe too!¡±

    Hierarch chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re right, and I will. But sometimes, danger finds you.¡±

    Claire whined and shook her head.

    She looked over at the last Skullface on the floor, a bloody mess of bone and metal where his head once was. ¡°So¡­ you¡­ shot them?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re bad guys,¡± Hierarch said. ¡°They got what they deserved.¡±

    Claire tilted her head at that response. A question formed on her lips, but before she could ask it, Hierarch wrapped his arms around her and stood. He picked her up in the same motion and Claire realized in that moment how tired she actually was. Once she was off her feet, the adrenaline drained out of her. That emergency strength was no longer needed while in her daddy¡¯s arms.

    Claire rested her head on her dad¡¯s shoulder. He carried her up the stairs and the comforting rocking motion almost put her to sleep right there. She was fading into unconsciousness, barely able to hear Nina once they reached the upper hallway. She turned towards Hierarch with her phone to her ear.

    ¡°It¡¯s Gravegirl,¡± Nina said. ¡°She asked if you wanted her to come home.¡±

    Hierarch shook his head. ¡°We¡¯re fine here. She can stay out.¡±

    ¡°What? No~¡± Claire whined, trailing off. Gravegirl was Roxxane, their middle sister. Claire would have much preferred her to be home tonight, not out in the city fighting criminals. However, she was too tired to protest any further.

    ¡°Contact Director Cross and Lady Tarsotti,¡± Hierarch said. ¡°I need to meet with them as soon as possible.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Nina nodded her head. She reached up and straightened Claire¡¯s hair before turning to head downstairs.

    Hierarch resumed walking, carrying Claire to her bedroom.

    Claire traced a finger along the stripes of Hierarch¡¯s vest. ¡°Who¡¯s Lady Tarsotti?¡±

    ¡°An old friend,¡± Hierarch said. ¡°She can help me deal with the villain behind this.¡±

    Claire had met Director Cross when he visited sometime in the past. He kept saying something about ¡°The Consortium¡±, whatever that meant. She didn¡¯t pay much attention after that. Just some old guy in a suit who was mean and boring. Without much else to go on, Claire imagined Lady Tarsotti was more of the same; some boring friend who took too much of Hierarch¡¯s attention away from herself.

    Hierarch reached Claire¡¯s bedroom and walked inside, taking care to avoid stepping on any of the many plushies and toys scattered about the pink carpet. Bright theme music played from the monitor of her gaming computer, which filled the room with purple accent light.

    ¡°Clean up your room tomorrow, okay?¡±

    Claire nodded her head against Hierarch¡¯s chest. She loved the feeling of her Daddy; all wrapped up in his strong arms. She loved the way his beard tickled her skin and his cologne made her crinkle her nose in the best way. She clung onto him for as long she could until he placed her down in her princess bed. She curled up on the silk sheets and watched Hierarch step away through the glittery satin veils around her bed.

    ¡°I love you, Daddy~¡±

    ¡°I love you, baby.¡±

    Heirarch walked over to the computer and logged out of the game before switching the machine off. He turned around and walked back to the door, taking one last glance at Claire before he left. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was calm. She would fall asleep soon and get some rest from this traumatic night. However, she still had one last conscious thought; thinking of what Hierarch told her before¡­

    They¡¯re bad guys.

    They got what they deserved.

 Chapter 2 - Gravegirl

    Sunlight filtered through the floral curtains of Claire¡¯s bedroom window. She whined and turned over, subconsciously protesting the morning. After some time, she woke up and opened her eyes.

    The bloody Skullface flashed in her vision.

    Claire recoiled and covered her face, a mess of blonde curls and pink silk surrounding her head and shoulders. She hesitated to open her eyes again. Slowly at first, before tentatively sitting up and looking around her room. Everything was as she expected it to be, which gave her some sense of calm.

    Hierarch always told her to get ready first thing in the morning. That way, no matter what was planned or came up that day, she would be ready. Claire clutched a fluffy stuffed bear to her chest as she thought. Daddy was always mad when he had to tell her over again to get washed and dressed. But maybe he would make an exception for today? Claire sighed. Probably not.

    She really wanted to see him again as soon as possible, but decided it would be better to clean up and put on a pretty dress first. That would make her feel better at least.

    Once Claire finished drying her hair and pulling on a sparkly purple dress, she ran barefoot to her bedroom door. She peeked to the left to check for her sister before running to the other end of the hall towards Hierarch¡¯s room. Claire was pleased to find the door unlocked. She poked her head in and looked around.

    ¡°Daddy?¡±

    No response. Claire stepped into the study and found no sign of her father. The room seemed much bigger in his absence, dim lights looming ominously over dark wood furnishings. She walked further into his office, passing by classical marble statues on her left and a wall of historical maps on her right. Towards the back of the room was a large wooden desk with tall shelves on the wall behind it. The shelves were filled with all sorts of books, along with a few antique curiosities. To the right, Daddy¡¯s bedroom, where Claire had often slept for any number of reasons when she was younger. Not so much in recent years, much to Claires¡¯s chagrin. He had said something about her getting ¡°too old for that¡± which Claire strongly disagreed with. This door was locked, which was expected, but disappointing nonetheless.

    Daddy left without telling me?

    Claire huffed and put hands on her hips. Nina probably knew where he was and what he was doing this morning. She turned to leave before doing a double-take. There was a faint light coming from the other door to the right of the desk.

    She had no idea what was inside; Daddy had never let her inside or told her anything about it. Was this the vault he mentioned last night? At that thought, Claire padded excitedly over to the door, which was as tall as the wall with a large locking device in the center. This door definitely should not have been left open and Claire definitely would not be allowed inside¡­

    Claire went to open the door. Only afterward did she realize it was super heavy, like solid steel. She had to push with all her weight to get the vault door to budge. It was only halfway open when Claire buckled and fell against the large metal structure.

    ¡°Ow,¡± Claire whimpered upon hitting the floor. She sat up and rubbed her elbows as she looked around.

    The room was full of guns.

    All shapes and sizes, mounted on the walls and displayed in various cases. Most of them were gold-plated or otherwise customized in some way. The lights overhead were stark white, painting an intense glare on all of the bare metal surfaces. Claire pushed up from the floor and marveled at all the weapons, her eyes curiously flitting from one to the next. When she caught sight of the shotgun from last night she ran over and grabbed it in both hands

    She didn¡¯t realize how heavy it would be. For a brief moment she struggled to lift it, before she turned to the next display over and saw a pair of smaller guns she would actually be able to hold. She excitedly reached into the case and pulled out two black pistols which each had shiny gold accents. Even these were big for her hands, but that didn¡¯t stop her from posing with them in excitement. She jumped around the vault pointing the guns and making pew pew sounds, imagining the most epic action scene. Though, she noticed after a moment that she couldn¡¯t pull the triggers, as if they were stuck. Were they fake? Or maybe broken?

    ¡°Claire!¡± Nina called.

    Startled, Claire dropped the guns and fell. The two pistols clattered onto the floor and Claire scurried over to grab them. She heard Nina¡¯s heels clicking, coming closer. Claire snatched one of the pistols with one hand and hiked up her dress with the other. She slid the first gun into her panties.

    Nina entered the vault. ¡°What are you doing?!¡±

    ¡°Uhhh¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Claire said in a mousy tone.

    She was caught. One hand pressed between her legs, the other stretched out toward the second pistol on the floor. She looked up at her sister, trying to think of an excuse even though she was clearly guilty. Nina shook her head as she walked over before gracefully lowering to pick up the firearm.

    ¡°You¡¯re not supposed to be in here, Claire,¡± Nina said. ¡°These are not toys.¡±

    ¡°I know~¡± Claire said. ¡°I was just looking ¡®cause the door was unlocked¡­¡±

    ¡°I highly doubt Hierarch left his vault open.¡± Nina gave Claire a skeptical look. She noticed Claire touching herself between the thighs. ¡°Did you wet yourself?¡±

    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t wet myself!¡± Claire protested.

    She stood up and brushed her dress, embarrassed. Thankfully, Nina couldn¡¯t tell that she still had one of the guns. The pistol was cold against her kitty, but at least it was hidden.

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    Nina placed the pistol down on a nearby display. Afterward, she turned and reached out to Claire.

    ¡°Give me your hand.¡±

    Claire pouted before raising her hand up to her big sister.

    ¡°We¡¯re going downstairs,¡± Nina said. ¡°Breakfast is almost ready.¡±

    Nina turned and walked through Hierarch¡¯s vault with Claire in tow.

    Claire reluctantly followed after Nina. She looked around the vault another time as Nina pulled her along. There were so many guns and treasures all around Claire could barely keep track. On their way out, Claire noticed what looked like a set of six metal spheres in glass cases, each one a different color and texture. However, there were seven cases in total and the last one was empty.

    ¡°Nina? I think something¡¯s missing from-¡±

    ¡°Enough,¡± Nina said. She dragged Claire out of the vault and pulled the door closed.

    Nina pressed a series of buttons on the vault''s keypad. A loud click echoed as the locking mechanism engaged, sealing the heavy steel door with certainty. Once outside the vault, Nina crouched down to Claire¡¯s level, her eyes narrowing with a mix of frustration and concern.

    ¡°Listen to me, Claire,¡± Nina said firmly. ¡°That room is not a playground. Hierarch keeps things in there for reasons you don¡¯t need to understand yet.¡±

    ¡°But I wasn¡¯t gonna break anything,¡± Claire insisted, clutching the hem of her sparkly dress.

    ¡°That¡¯s not the point,¡± Nina replied, her voice softening just slightly. ¡°If you play around with things like that, you could hurt yourself or someone else. Do you understand?¡±

    Claire hesitated, glancing back at the closed vault door. ¡°I was just curious¡­¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± Nina sighed, placing her hands on Claire¡¯s shoulders. ¡°But sometimes curiosity can get you into big trouble. Promise me you won¡¯t go in there again.¡±

    Claire nodded reluctantly. ¡°I promise.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± Nina stood and straightened her skirt. ¡°I¡¯ll have to explain this to Hierarch when he gets back.¡±

    At the mention of their father, Claire¡¯s stomach twisted with guilt. She had no idea how he would react if he learned she¡¯d been in the vault, and she didn¡¯t want to find out. She followed Nina down the hall, the golden pistol tucked awkwardly under her dress still pressing against her leg.

    Claire kept quiet as they went downstairs. She had already pushed her luck by sneaking into the vault and managing to keep one of the pistols hidden. Hopefully no one found out and she wouldn¡¯t get in any more trouble.

    Nina led Claire through the foyer where two of the estate¡¯s groundskeepers were still cleaning up after the attack. One of them spread plaster into the bullet holes in the wall while the other mopped up blood from the floor. A new front door was already in place and temporary wooden boards had been installed over the broken windows.

    In the dining room, the aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon filled the air. Heirarch¡¯s housekeepers had already set the long table with silverware, plates, and platters of food. The warm scent of cinnamon rolls and freshly brewed coffee filled the air. Eggs and sausage were presented alongside various fruits and cheeses. Claire¡¯s mood lifted slightly at the familiar comfort of breakfast, though she couldn¡¯t shake the strange feeling about the vault.

    Daddy was always so careful. If one of those spheres was missing, it wasn¡¯t by accident.

    Nina led Claire to the table and released her hand. In response, Claire quickly grabbed a plate and began piling on food. Nina poured herself a cup of coffee, keeping a watchful eye on her little sister. Once Claire filled her plate, she plopped into her usual seat. She caught sight of Nina and quickly looked down, fidgeting nervously under the table.

    Nina gave her a sharp look before taking her own seat.

    Claire took a deep breath and tried to act normal as she smoothed her dress over her knees.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Daddy?¡± Claire asked, stabbing a piece of bacon with her fork.

    Nina took a sip of coffee, her expression unreadable. ¡°He had an early meeting. He¡¯ll be back later.¡±

    Claire frowned. ¡°He didn¡¯t say goodbye¡­¡±

    Nina didn¡¯t respond immediately. She placed her coffee down carefully, as though weighing her words. ¡°Hierarch¡¯s very busy right now, Claire. He¡¯s dealing with¡­complicated things.¡±

    ¡°Like the vault?¡± Claire muttered before she could stop herself.

    Nina¡¯s eyes snapped to Claire, sharp as a dagger. ¡°I thought we were done talking about that.¡±

    Claire bit her lip, her cheeks flushing pink. ¡°Sorry¡­¡±

    Nina leaned back in her chair and let out a small sigh. ¡°Eat your breakfast, Claire.¡±

    The two sisters ate in silence for a while.

    As Claire chewed her food absentmindedly, her thoughts kept drifting back to the vault and its missing sphere. Something didn¡¯t feel right. Her curiosity gnawed at her, but she knew she couldn¡¯t bring it up again. Nina¡¯s sharp tone left little room for further discussion, but Claire couldn¡¯t stop wondering.

    Just then, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the house, followed by the sharp click of boots on the floor. Claire turned towards the entrance as Roxanne walked inside, clad in her Gravegirl costume. She wore a crop top, mini skirt and long jacket, all made of dark fabric in varying degrees of weathering and distress. Her hood was up, shadows framing her pale face and gloomy makeup. Without so much as a glance at the breakfast spread, Roxanne turned on her heel and made her way up the stairs.

    Claire¡¯s eyes followed her older sister as she disappeared. A deep sigh was Nina¡¯s only acknowledgement of Roxxane¡¯s abrupt entrance, but Claire¡¯s curiosity was piqued. She quickly finished her breakfast, leaving a glass of orange juice untouched. As soon as she could, she excused herself from the table and hurried after Roxxane.

    Claire padded through the foyer. She was careful not to disturb the workers, but her excitement was building the whole time. She had to talk to Roxxane. Maybe she knew something about the vault, or whatever Daddy was involved in.

    When Claire reached the second floor, she walked towards Roxanne¡¯s door. She reached out to the knob and pushed the door open only a few inches. Inside, all the lights were off except for a single candle.

    ¡°Close the door,¡± Roxanne groaned.

    ¡°Can I come in?¡± Claire asked in a small voice.

    ¡°Whatever.¡±

    Claire took a step into Roxanne¡¯s room and closed the door behind her. When the light from the hallway was gone, only darkness remained. Claire could barely see anything other than smoke and shadows. After a moment Claire could finally make out the lay of the room which flickered in dim candlelight. Roxanne was sprawled face down in her bed, still wearing her costume.

    ¡°What do you want?¡± Roxanne said.

    Claire nervously fingered the ruffles of her dress.

    ¡°So¡­ Nina told you about last night?¡±

 Chapter 3 - The Power Schism

    Roxanne turned her head slightly, her pale eyes catching the dim light. ¡°Yeah, she told me. Skullfaces. Big mess.¡± She sighed, sitting up and stretching her arms. ¡°Wish I had been here. I could¡¯ve cursed them dead in two seconds.¡±

    ¡°Where were you?¡± Claire asked, stepping closer.

    ¡°Dealing with Skater X again,¡± Roxanne replied with a shrug. ¡°Guy thought he could rob a bank and get away with it. Didn¡¯t work out for him.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Claire shuffled her feet. ¡°Well, there¡¯s something else. I found the vault door open this morning.¡±

    Roxanne¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°The vault? Dad¡¯s vault?¡±

    ¡°Mhm.¡± Claire nodded. ¡°There was a bunch of guns, but¡­ one of those weird metal balls was missing.¡±

    Roxanne frowned, leaning forward. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have been in there. Only people that have access are Dad, Nina, and Trevor.¡±

    Claire¡¯s heart sank. ¡°But¡­ the door was already open when I found it.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Roxanne said, skeptical. ¡°And who would be dumb enough to leave it open?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Claire clutched her hands to her chest.  ¡°Daddy told Trevor to put his gun away¡­¡±

    ¡°So Trevor stole from Dad?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that!¡± Claire blurted before her voice turned small again. ¡°But¡­ I kinda stole something¡­¡±

    Roxanne raised an eyebrow. ¡°Show me.¡±

    Claire slowly reached under her dress and drew the golden pistol from her panties. Its metallic surface glinted faintly in the candlelight.

    Roxanne blinked, then grinned wide, a dangerous gare in her eyes. ¡°Swiped that from Dad¡¯s collection? What a rebel.¡± She gave a low chuckle. ¡°Do you even know how to use it?¡±

    ¡°No~¡± Claire shook her head. ¡°I tried to shoot it, but it didn''t work. I think it''s broken.¡±

    Roxanne rolled her eyes. She took the gun from Claire and oriented it between her hands. She then racked the slide of the pistol, drawing a round into the chamber. Afterward, she handed it back to her little sister. ¡°There. Next time it''ll go bang, not click.¡±

    Claire took the firearm in both hands. Her eyes were wide as she held it, knowing that it would actually shoot next time. Her hands were trembling just thinking about it. She looked up at Roxanne, who ruffled her hair in response.

    ¡°Crazy little baby with a gun,¡± Roxanne mused. A wicked grin spread onto her face. ¡°Wanna take out a villain?¡±

    Claire¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°Really? I can go out with you?¡±

    ¡°Why not?¡± Roxanne said with a shrug. The expression on her face made Claire both scared and excited. ¡°You can see my powers, watch a superhero fight, get out of this boring house...¡±

    Claire was jumping up and down. ¡°This is going to be amazing! Where are we going? Is it dangerous?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough,¡± Roxanne said with a wink. ¡°Just don¡¯t slow me down.¡±

    Before Claire could respond, there was a knock at the door.

    ¡°Claire?¡± Trevor called from the other side of the door. ¡°Your driver is here.¡±

    Claire groaned, rolling her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll be right there!¡± she called out, then looked back at Roxanne with a pout. ¡°I hate lessons.¡±

    ¡°Well, you got something to look forward to,¡± Roxanne teased, ushering her toward the door. ¡°Tonight¡¯s going to be epic.¡±

    Claire once again slid the pistol into her underwear before she practically skipped out the room. She was already imagining tonight¡¯s adventure. She looked back to see Roxanne leaning against the doorframe, watching her go with an amused smirk. Claire returned a bright smile. They were going to be superhero partners! So cool!

    But first, Claire had to endure her private tutoring session with Mnemonic, the renowned hero professor with super memory and knowledge. Claire quickly dipped into her room to grab the matching shoes to her sparkly dress. Afterward, she danced into the hallway and down the stairs, her curls swishing behind her as she hummed an upbeat tune. Trevor stood near the door, arms crossed. He had taken off the armor from last night. Now he wore only a grey suit and tie. As such, Claire could see more of his shaved head and thick neck. He reminded her of a meatball.

    ¡°Ready!¡± Claire announced once at the bottom of the stairs.

    Trevor opened the door for her, stepping aside as she breezed past. Outside, Mr. Beasley stood by the glossy black and silver luxury hovercar, holding the back door open. The older man¡¯s kind eyes crinkled in a warm smile as Claire approached.

    ¡°Good morning, Miss Claire,¡± he said, his voice as smooth and deep as always.

    ¡°Morning, Mr. Beasley!¡± Claire replied, hopping down the steps.

    She ducked into the car, but as she did, her eyes caught something odd. Trevor had approached the car, his hand absently brushing his neck. That¡¯s when she noticed a glowing red kiss mark, stark against his fair skin.

    Claire¡¯s brows shot up. She froze halfway into the car, staring at the mark as it pulsed faintly, like embers in the dark. Her mind raced. Was it magic? A tattoo? Did Trevor have a secret girlfriend?

    ¡°Everything okay, Miss Claire?¡± Mr. Beasley¡¯s voice pulled her back to the moment.

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    ¡°Huh? Oh, yeah! Totally fine!¡± she said quickly, sliding all the way into the seat and settling her bag beside her.

    Beasley nodded and closed the door, then climbed into the driver¡¯s seat while Trevor took the passenger side. The quiet hum of the engine rose as the car glided forward, leaving the estate behind. Claire leaned back in her seat, her excitement for the evening momentarily tempered by the strange sight of the kiss mark.

    As they drove, the sleek black vehicle ascended through the meticulously designed infrastructure of Zenith One. Claire gazed out the window, her eyes drinking in the utopian splendor of the highest level of the superhero megacity. Zenith One was a marvel of heightened engineering, its gleaming towers piercing the sky and glittering with mirrored panels that reflected sunlight in dazzling patterns. Elevated walkways connected luxurious complexes, and spotless automated trams whirred silently along magnetic rails.

    Yet, for all its perfection, there was a sterility to it. The greenery lining the streets was too manicured, the air too crisp and controlled. The bustling activity of heroes, bureaucrats, and elites moved with an eerie precision, as though the city itself orchestrated their every step. Even the laughter of children in the neatly maintained parks seemed subdued, as if Zenith One demanded order in all things.

    ¡°Almost there, Miss Claire,¡± Beasley said, his tone calm and professional as ever. He navigated the vehicle effortlessly, merging into the flow of other high-end hovercars. Trevor, seated beside him, remained silent, his eyes scanning their surroundings with the vigilance of a soldier always on alert.

    As the silence stretched, Beasley glanced at Trevor with a wry grin. ¡°So, Mr. Security Expert,¡± he drawled, ¡°care to explain that glowing love note on your neck? Quite the statement, if I do say so.¡±

    Trevor¡¯s jaw tightened, and he shot Beasley a flat look. ¡°It¡¯s not what you think,¡± he replied curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument. ¡°Focus on the road.¡±

    Beasley chuckled softly, clearly amused by the deflection. ¡°As you wish.¡±

    Claire bit her lip, fighting the urge to laugh. Trevor¡¯s serious demeanor remained unshaken but her curiosity only grew. For now, she settled back into her seat, filing this mystery away with the others.

    When they arrived at the private school, Beasley parked the car in a reserved spot near the entrance. Trevor stepped out first, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings before opening Claire¡¯s door. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he said, motioning for her to follow.

    Claire hopped out, slinging her bag over her shoulder. The school courtyard stretched before them, a pristine expanse of marble walkways and verdant gardens meticulously maintained by the school¡¯s automated systems. Towering glass buildings lined the perimeter, their surfaces shimmering and pristine. As they walked through the courtyard, Claire couldn¡¯t help but feel a mix of awe and discomfort. Everything was so perfect it felt unreal. Other students in immaculate uniforms passed by, their conversations hushed and precise, as though the school itself demanded the same conformity as the city outside. Claire¡¯s sparkly purple dress stood out in the exact way that she wanted.

    Trevor kept a steady pace, his posture rigid and alert. Claire trailed behind, her gaze flitting between the city¡¯s silvers towers and the clear blue sky beyond, dotted with jetcar lanes and the occasional flying hero. They reached the grand double doors of the main building, which slid open silently as they approached.

    Inside, the air was cool and faintly scented with something Claire couldn¡¯t quite place¡ªclean, but not natural. Trevor led her through a maze of gleaming corridors, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished floors. Finally, they stopped in front of a sleek, modern office door.

    ¡°Mnemonic¡¯s expecting you,¡± Trevor said, his tone leaving no room for argument. He opened the door and gestured for Claire to step inside. ¡°I¡¯ll be nearby if you need anything.¡±

    Claire nodded, taking a deep breath as she stepped into the office. The door closed softly behind her, leaving her alone with her tutor¡ªand whatever this session had in store.

    Claire settled into her usual seat in the sleek, minimalist office. Mnemonic was in the center of the room, half-sitting on the metallic desk. He wore a viscored headset over his eyes and ears and a purple supersuit with a stylized ¡®M¡¯ on the chest. Ever calm and composed, he stood and activated a series of floating displays around him, each one flickering to life with data and images. Claire had never seen his whole face. She wondered if the visor was permanently attached to his head.

    "We continue your lessons on The Power Schism," Mnemonic said.

    Claire rolled her eyes. The Power Schism was a bunch of old battles where all of the supers of the time fought eachother for some reason. She had been learning about it for months by now and still didn¡¯t understand what was the point or why it still mattered. Reluctantly she took out her tablet and stylus to take notes.

    Mnemonic gestured towards the holograms, and the first holograph appeared: an image of Ardentia, a female hero from the previous era, a fiery psychic aura crackling around her. The visuals shifted to a map, highlighting a stronghold under siege.

    "Ardentia''s team was tasked with holding the Murion Front against Krasildur and his raiders." Mnemonic said, his voice calm and steady. The accompanying slide displayed a massive viking man, wielding two runed axes, cloaked in furs, leading a horde of his brothers in battle. "However, Ardentia abandoned the defense of the stronghold towards a more personal mission."

    A new image flickered into view, showing a woman contained within an energy barrier. A super by the name of Fray, surrounded by unstable psychic power. Her face was sullen and fearful and her ghostly appearance suggested she might dissolve or fade away.

    "Fray, Ardentia''s partner, had been captured in a previous engagement with Superhunters,¡± Mnemonic said. ¡°Against direct orders, Ardentia chose to leave her post to rescue Fray. Unfortunately, by the time Ardentia reached her, Fray had disappeared."

    Claire raised a brow. ¡°Wait, why?¡±

    Mnemonic swiped to a different screen which contained more detailed information about Ardentia and Fray in particular. ¡°Some supers with psychic powers have the ability to project a thoughtform or, more rarely, eschew their physical body to become such. Due to a complication of Fray¡¯s powers, it was a struggle for her to maintain a stable presence. It is my understanding that, in the prolonged absence of a grounding relationship during her capture, she dissolved into raw psychic energy, essentially ceasing to exist."

    The screens switched through a series of interviews and articles detailing the impact of Ardentia''s decision, how it led to the collapse of the defense, the casualties, and the eventual reveal of the futility of the effort. There were a variety of opinions, some seeing it as justified desperation, others deeming it to be careless or even treacherous. Mnemonic¡¯s voice remained clinical, never revealing any perspective of his own.

    "In the end, Ardentia was left with nothing. Many of her allies died when Krasildur took the Murion Front and Fray was never seen or heard from again. At the time, Ardentia blamed the rigid structure the Allied Powers held during the Schism. She claimed that she would have been more effective during the war if she had more freedom to act.¡±

    Claire listened on with unexpected interest. There was a detached quality of Mnemonic¡¯s voice, droning on like he had told these events a dozen times. But Claire reacted very differently to the story. As the holograms shifted between images of Ardentia in battle, Fray¡¯s capture, and the magic viking raiders, Claire wondered beyond the raw analysis.

    She thought about what it would be like to prioritize passion above all else. To do what she wanted instead of what she was told. Ardentia had acted out of love, driven by an intense emotional connection, risking it all because of what she felt. But she had waited too late and ended up losing everything.

    Claire¡¯s gaze lingered on the glowing image of Ardentia, the fire in her hands, the fury in her eyes. It was reckless, yes. But it was also... freeing. She felt a stirring inside her, a reminder of what she sometimes pushed down, the need to pursue what truly mattered to her, to stop being so obedient.

    ¡°Be sure to study the battles of the Murion Front,¡± Mnemonic said. ¡°Your test is next week.¡±

    Mnemonic powered the system down and sat down behind the desk. As the holograms disappeared, Claire sat quietly, her thoughts a whirlwind of ideas.

    Did she want to follow Hierarch¡¯s rules? Were they keeping her safe or were they holding her back? Even if she had more freedom, what would she do with it?

    And perhaps most concerning of all¡­

    When she finally decided to follow her heart, would it be too late?

 Chapter 4 - Lady Tarsotti

    After the lesson with Mnemonic, Clairesat outside of the office, reflecting on the story of Ardentia. The rest of the lesson had covered the aftermath of Ardentia''s actions, the fractured alliances, and the lessons learned from her bold decision. But Claire¡¯s mind kept drifting back to the idea of not holding back from what you truly want.

    She needed to process it. But that would have to wait. Lunch was calling.

    Claire headed toward the cafeteria, a bustling hub of students, all going about their day, filling trays with food, and chatting with friends. Claire grabbed a pizza and salad and made her way outside to the courtyard.

    The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm glow over the stone benches and quiet paths. But despite the pleasant setting, Claire¡¯s mood soured as she sat down and took a bite of the food. It was... disappointing. She found herself poking at it rather than eating. She should have asked Hierarch¡¯s staff to make her something instead.

    She let out a small sigh, her thoughts returning to the lesson and to Ardentia''s daring rescue mission. Maybe life could be more like that¡ªunpredictable, messy, passionate. But here she was, sitting in the courtyard, trying to stomach a terrible lunch. It all felt so... ordinary.

    ¡°You gonna eat that?¡± a voice suddenly asked from above her.

    Claire glanced up, her eyes meeting a friendly grin from a male student standing beside her. He had dark skin and short, curly hair with a confident posture and an amused look in his eyes.

    ¡°You can have it,¡± she muttered, pushing the tray away slightly.

    The boy chuckled and sat down on the edge of the bench next to her, pulling out his own lunch, a sandwich wrapped in foil. ¡°Nice, thanks,¡± he said. He unwrapped his sandwich then took Claire¡¯s unwanted pizza in his other hand.

    Claire gave him a side-eye but couldn¡¯t help the small smile tugging at her lips.

    ¡°You¡¯re really hungry, huh?¡±

    ¡°Gotta eat up for the game,¡± he said between bites. ¡°We¡¯re playing the Currents tonight. You should come watch.¡±

    "Oh, thanks," Claire said. ¡°But I have plans with my sister.¡±

    ¡°Oh well, maybe next time,¡± he said with a shrug. He grinned, setting his sandwich down and turning to face her more fully. "You know," he said, eyes lighting up as if an idea had just struck him, "you remind me of a Wonderworld character."

    Claire raised an eyebrow. "What¡¯s that?"

    ¡°It¡¯s a fighting game with a bunch of crossover characters. There¡¯s this elf princess, Linvala. She¡¯s like, cute and little, but also totally broken.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, I think.¡± Claire blinked. She wasn¡¯t sure whether to be flattered or annoyed. Fighting games weren¡¯t her favorite genre, she moreso preferred roleplaying games.

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± He stood up and offered a fist bump. ¡°Marcus, by the way.¡±

    Claire tentatively raised her own fist to return the gesture. When their fists met, a golden spark of energy flowed from Marcus into her. Claire quickly brought her hand back, looking down to her pale knuckles, which now felt strangely warm.

    ¡°See ya later.¡±

    With that, Marcus gave her a quick wave and walked off toward the courtyard exit, leaving Claire to stare after him, feeling oddly lighter than she had before.

    She wasn¡¯t sure why it had felt so different from most interactions. The boy had called her Linvala, short and sweet, but also extremely powerful. For some reason, that simple comparison stuck with her. She couldn''t remember the last time someone had seen her that way, or maybe it was the novelty of being seen for something other than the usual rich-girl persona.

    Her quiet reverie was interrupted by Trevor, walking toward her with a purposeful stride. His face was as stern as ever as he pulled his phone away from his ear.

    "Claire," Trevor greeted. "Who were you talking to?"

    The young boy she had been speaking to was already gone, disappearing into the crowd of students, but Claire still felt the warmth lingering on her hand. She hadn¡¯t noticed Trevor approaching, and his question caught her off guard for a moment.

    "Oh, just another student," Claire replied. "He said I reminded him of a character from his favorite game."

    Trevor looked her over for a moment longer, his gaze narrowing. Afterward, he nodded slightly. ¡°Just be careful. You never know who might be trying to get too close.¡±

    "So, who were you talking to just now?" she asked, her tone light but with a hint of curiosity.

    A flicker of surprise crossed Trevor¡¯s face. "None of your business," he said.

    Claire smirked. "Was it your secret girlfriend?"

    Trevor didn''t seem fazed by her teasing, but the coldness in his eyes hardened a little. "It¡¯s nothing for you to concern yourself with, Claire."

    The way Trevor had brushed her question aside only piqued her curiosity further. Who had given him that kiss mark? Why was he being so cagey about it? Was he also hiding something about the vault?

    Claire shook her head, dismissing the questions for now.

    Her thoughts shifted when she heard the familiar sound of a hovercar engine approaching. She glanced up and spotted Mr. Beasley¡¯s black sedan pulling into the courtyard. The older man, with his signature warm smile, waved at Claire as he slowed the car to a stop beside her.

    "Miss Claire," he greeted, opening the door. "Ready to head back to the estate?"

    Claire nodded. "Yep, I¡¯m good to go.¡±

    She turned to look back at the courtyard one last time before getting into the car. The car door clicked shut behind her, and Beasley climbed into the driver¡¯s seat. Once Trevor was also inside, Beasley started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. As the car moved along the winding streets toward Hierarch¡¯s estate, Claire leaned back in her seat, staring out the window. The city flashed by in a blur of tall buildings and flashing neon signs, but her mind wasn¡¯t on the sights outside.

    "Everything alright, Miss Claire?" Mr. Beasley asked, his voice as steady and comforting.

    Claire gave a half-smile and nodded. "Yeah, just thinking. It¡¯s... been a weird day."

    "Anything you¡¯d like to talk about?" Beasley inquired, his eyes briefly meeting hers in the rearview mirror. He had a way of making her feel at ease, as though she could share anything with him.

    Claire hesitated. She wasn¡¯t sure if she wanted to talk about anything honestly with Trevor also in the car. So, she simply shook her head, hoping to speak with Beasely alone sometime soon. "No¡­ just school stuff."

    Beasley gave her an understanding nod, keeping his attention on the road. "Alright, Miss Claire. We¡¯re almost there."

    The remainder of the ride passed in a comfortable silence. Claire¡¯s mind wandered back to the image of the boy¡¯s smile. There was something disarming about his easy confidence. But what really stuck with her was Trevor¡¯s sharp gaze, his refusal to share even the smallest bit of information.

    Before she knew it, they had arrived at Hierarch¡¯s estate. The sprawling mansion loomed before them, its darkened windows reflecting the evening light. Mr. Beasley parked the car, and with a polite nod, he stepped out and opened the door for her.

    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    Claire stepped out as Trevor walked ahead toward the front entrance. The familiar grandeur of the estate had been restored with repairs, no sign remained of last night¡¯s attack.

    Trevor opened the front door for Claire and Claire met his eyes briefly as she stepped into the grand entryway. His cold eyes contrasted with the familiar warmth of the home. He folded his arms and Claire was glad to see he was going to stand guard outside.

    The mansion was as pristine as ever, its marble floors gleaming beneath her feet. The soft hum of activity greeted her, servants moving through the halls, the scent of something rich and savory drifting from the kitchen.

    She paused in the foyer for a moment, taking in the atmosphere. There was a sense of calm here, one that she often sought out to escape the outside world. But tonight, she was excited to go out again.

    The service staff had already begun preparing dinner. She caught sight of a few servants moving to and fro, tending to the large stove, setting the table with polished silverware, and arranging a variety of dishes. The aroma of roasted vegetables and herbs filled the air, but Claire had her mind on something else.

    ¡°Hey, can I have ice cream?¡± she asked the cook, leaning casually against the counter. ¡°With cherries? And sprinkles?¡±

    The cook gave her a knowing smile. ¡°Of course, Miss Claire. But don¡¯t let me get in trouble for spoiling your dinner.¡±

    Claire grinned. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll take all the blame.¡±

    As the cook turned to prepare her request, the kitchen door swung open, and Nina strode in. Her sharp gaze immediately landed on Claire. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± she asked, hands on her hips.

    Claire turned, unfazed. ¡°Getting dessert. Why?¡±

    Nina frowned. ¡°You know you shouldn¡¯t have dessert before dinner.¡±

    Claire smirked, a glint of mischief in her eyes. ¡°Daddy¡¯s not home so¡­¡±

    Nina raised an eyebrow, her expression unimpressed. ¡°I just spoke to him. He¡¯s on his way home right now.¡±

    Claire¡¯s eyes widened, the mischievous smirk dropping from her face. ¡°Really? You¡¯re not just saying that, right?¡± she asked, her voice tinged with surprise and excitement.

    Nina nodded. ¡°Maybe think twice before breaking any more rules.¡±

    Claire hesitated as the cook returned and handed the ice cream to her. Then, with a burst of enthusiasm, she took a few quick licks before tossing the rest into the trash.

    Without another word, she darted out of the kitchen, leaving Nina shaking her head.

    Racing through the halls, Claire burst out onto the front steps just in time to see a sleek black car pulling up to the estate. Her heart raced with anticipation as she spotted the familiar silhouette inside.

    Claire bounced on her toes. Her curls bobbed with each movement as she craned her neck, trying to catch a better glimpse of the car. The moment the vehicle came to a halt, the driver stepped out, walking briskly to open the back door. Trevor stood at attention to the side of the entry, his ever-watchful eyes scanning the surroundings.

    The driver pulled open the door with the smooth precision Claire had come to expect. For a heartbeat, there was silence. Then, Hierarch stepped out, his presence as commanding as ever. Dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, his sharp features betrayed little emotion.

    Claire felt the familiar urge to run to him, to throw her arms around his waist like she always did. But before she could take a step, Hierarch turned back to the car and extended his hand. A moment later, a woman stepped out, her movements fluid and graceful.

    Claire froze.

    The woman was striking, her dark hair falling in glossy waves which accented her olive skin. She wore a stark white dress that clung to her curves, her posture exuding both confidence and mystery. Her lips, painted a vivid red, curved into a subtle smile as she placed her hand delicately on Hierarch¡¯s arm.

    Claire¡¯s breath hitched. Who is she?

    Hierarch exchanged a few quiet words with the woman before turning his gaze toward the estate. His eyes briefly met Claire¡¯s, and for the first time, she hesitated. Normally, she¡¯d already be halfway to him, but the sight of the unfamiliar woman at his side made her pause.

    ¡°Claire,¡± Hierarch called, his voice warm yet composed.

    ¡°Hi, Daddy,¡± she managed, her voice louder than she intended. She stood rooted in place, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.

    The woman¡¯s eyes flicked to Claire, studying her with a faint, unreadable expression. Claire felt the weight of the woman¡¯s gaze, her heart pounding in a way she didn¡¯t fully understand.

    ¡°Come here, baby,¡± Hierarch said, his tone inviting, but Claire didn¡¯t move immediately. Her feet felt heavy, as if they were glued to the stone steps.

    Finally, she forced herself forward, her steps slower than usual. Her eyes kept darting to the woman at Hierarch¡¯s side. When she reached him, she felt small under his steady gaze and the woman¡¯s presence looming beside him.

    ¡°Who¡¯s she?¡± Claire blurted out, unable to keep the question to herself.

    Hierarch¡¯s lips twitched into a faint smile, but his answer was calm, almost measured. ¡°Claire, this is Lady Tarsotti. She¡¯s a¡­ friend of mine.¡±

    ¡°Hello, Claire,¡± Lady Tarsotti said, her voice smooth and melodic, yet carrying an undercurrent of something Claire couldn¡¯t place. ¡°I¡¯ve heard so much about you.¡±

    Claire blinked, unsure how to respond. Her usual impulses were stripped away, replaced by a mess of emotions she couldn¡¯t untangle. She nodded quickly, mumbling a quiet ¡°Hi,¡± before looking back at her father.

    Hierarch placed a hand on her shoulder, the familiar gesture grounding her slightly. ¡°Let¡¯s head inside,¡± he said, guiding both Claire and Lady Tarsotti toward the grand entrance.

    This wasn¡¯t how Claire expected his homecoming to feel. She walked beside Hierarch as he went upstairs, awkwardly trying to stay an arms length away from Lady Tarsotti at the same time. She stole a glance at the mystery  woman, who met her gaze with an almost predatory curiosity. A chill snaked down Claire¡¯s neck and she quickly looked away.

    ¡°Tell me, young lady, what do you value more, loyalty or ambition?¡± Lady Tarsotti asked, her voice velvety and alluring. She looked down at Claire, her sharp eyes like a cat that had cornered its prey.

    A knowing smirk played on her lips as if she were always privy to some grand secret. The question caught Claire off guard. Her steps faltered slightly, and she looked between Lady Tarsotti and Hierarch, unsure of what kind of answer was expected. She gave a small shrug.

    ¡°Loyalty is better,¡± Claire said. After a moment she turned to Hierarch. ¡°Right, Daddy?¡±

    The corners of Lady Tarsotti¡¯s lips tilted upward in a sly smile. She chuckled softly, a sound that felt both approving and amused. Hierarch, too, let out a small laugh, though his was quieter and more controlled.

    ¡°Yes, baby,¡± Hierarch agreed, but his tone was off.

    Claire made a face, unsure of both the meaning of the question and the validity of her answer. After all, even she was considering more ambition recently.

    As they continued walking, Claire remembered something that had been bugging her earlier. ¡°Oh, by the way,¡± she said, glancing up at Hierarch. ¡°Someone left the vault door open. I wasn¡¯t sure if I should¡ª¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that,¡± Hierarch interrupted smoothly. His tone was reassuring, but there was an edge of finality that made it clear the matter was closed. ¡°Nina already told me, and I¡¯ve dealt with it.¡±

    Claire frowned slightly but nodded. Still, the vault wasn¡¯t something she liked to think about being unsecured.

    They reached the second floor, and Hierarch led the way toward his office. When they arrived, he gestured for Lady Tarsotti to enter first, holding the door open with courtesy. Claire followed but stopped in the doorway, feeling out of place.

    Inside, the office was just as imposing as ever. A massive desk dominated the space, flanked by shelves filled with books and documents, and a globe sat in the corner, draped in low light. Hierarch and Lady Tarsotti moved to the desk, taking seats opposite one another.

    Claire lingered in the doorway, her curiosity still tugging at her. Whatever they were about to discuss likely wasn¡¯t meant for her to hear.

    Heavy boots echoed down the hall. Turning, she spotted Roxanne approaching, with an edgy shaved hairstyle, dark punk outfit, and mischievous expression.

    ¡°Ready?¡± Roxanne asked, stopping a few feet away and crossing her arms. Her piercing gaze swept over Claire before briefly flicking toward the office.

    ¡°Do you two have something planned?¡± Hierarch¡¯s voice drifted through the office, heavy with implication. He was still seated at his desk, though his sharp eyes had moved from Lady Tarsotti to the pair in the doorway.

    Claire hesitated, glancing between her father and Roxanne. She quickly realized that trying to avoid the question wouldn¡¯t work. ¡°I¡¯m going out to the city with Gravegirl,¡± she said, her tone casual as she tried to brush off the potential tension.

    Hierarch¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but his eyes narrowed slightly. Roxanne met his gaze head-on, her jaw tightening just enough for Claire to notice. There was a long, uncomfortable pause. It felt as though some invisible contest of wills was happening between them. Finally, Hierarch leaned back in his chair, his expression relaxing somewhat.

    ¡°Take care of your sister.¡±

    Roxanne gave a small nod, her eyes never leaving his. ¡°Always.¡±

    The tension in the air didn¡¯t fade, but it shifted, becoming something quieter and less overt. Claire, caught in the middle, fidgeted slightly before Roxanne jerked her head toward the hall.

    ¡°Come on,¡± Roxanne said, turning and walking away without waiting for a response.

    Claire glanced back at Hierarch, who had already returned his focus to Lady Tarsotti, as if nothing unusual had happened. She hurried after Roxanne, the echoes of their conversation lingering in her mind as they headed downstairs.

 Chapter 5 - Killwater

    Roxanne¡¯s pace was brisk, her boots crunching against the gravel path as she led Claire away from the estate, toward the sprawling gardens in the back. The evening air was cool, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers, but the mood felt far from tranquil.

    ¡°Where are we going?¡± Claire asked, trying to keep up with her older sister¡¯s long strides.

    ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± Roxanne replied curtly, not bothering to slow down or offer further explanation.

    Claire frowned but didn¡¯t press. She knew better than to expect immediate answers from Roxanne when she was like this.

    They weaved through rows of carefully maintained hedges and flowerbeds until the estate itself was out of sight. The path gave way to a wilder part of the garden, where the groundskeepers¡¯ care was less apparent.

    ¡°So,¡± Claire tried again. ¡°If you don¡¯t use a car, how do you even get to the city?¡±

    Roxanne let out a dry chuckle, glancing over her shoulder. ¡°You think I drive around in a beat-up van with ¡®Gravegirl¡¯ painted on the side?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Claire admitted, though she couldn¡¯t help but imagine it. ¡°But you can¡¯t exactly fly either so how-¡±

    ¡°Patience, kid,¡± Roxanne interrupted, brushing aside a low-hanging branch as they approached a secluded area of the garden. ¡°You¡¯re about to find out.¡±

    They stopped at a spot that looked completely unremarkable¡ªjust an overgrowth of shrubs and scattered leaves. Claire tilted her head, puzzled, as Roxanne knelt down and began pushing aside the debris.

    ¡°What are you¡ª¡± Claire started, but her words caught in her throat as the faint glimmer of glowing lines began to appear beneath the leaves and branches.

    As Roxanne cleared away the area, the full image of a magic circle came into view. Intricate runes and symbols pulsed faintly with a soft, purple light, etched into the ground itself.

    Claire¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Whoa. Is that¡ª¡±

    ¡°A teleportation circle,¡± Roxanne finished, standing and brushing dirt off her hands. She turned to Claire, her lips curving into a small, mischievous smile.

    Roxanne stepped into the circle, her boots sending a faint ripple through the glowing runes as though they responded to her presence. She motioned for Claire to follow.

    ¡°Get in the circle,¡± Roxanne said. ¡°And hold still.¡±

    Claire hesitated for a moment, glancing nervously at the shimmering symbols. ¡°This isn¡¯t gonna, like, blow me up or anything, right?¡±

    Roxanne smirked. ¡°Only if you mess around. Now get in.¡±

    With a deep breath, Claire stepped into the circle, standing next to her sister. The faint hum of energy beneath her feet sent a shiver through her legs, but she bit her lip and stayed still.

    Roxanne raised her hand and spoke a few words Claire didn¡¯t recognize. At her words, a burst of dark purple light erupted in her palm, coalescing into the shape of a staff. The lantern staff was a sleek, black metal rod topped with an ornate lantern that flickered to life with a small, eerie purple flame inside.

    Claire couldn¡¯t help but stare. ¡°That¡¯s so cool.¡±

    Roxanne lowered the bottom of the staff to the exact center of the circle. As soon as it made contact, the runes flared brighter, and a rush of heat swept over them.

    ¡°Hold on,¡± Roxanne warned, her voice calm but firm.

    Before Claire could ask what she meant, purple fire exploded outward from the circle¡¯s edges, engulfing them both. It wasn¡¯t like normal fire¡ªthere was no heat, no pain, just a strange, weightless sensation as if they were being pulled through a swirling void.

    When the flames subsided, the energy dispersed with a faint crackling sound, and Claire blinked against the sudden change in scenery.

    They were no longer in the garden.

    Instead, they stood in a dimly lit alley surrounded by towering buildings, their brick walls adorned with glowing neon signs and holographic advertisements. The hum of activity echoed in the distance¡ªvoices, music, and the unmistakable buzz of hovercars zipping past overhead.

    Claire spun around, taking it all in. ¡°Is this Level 2?¡± It looked so much more vibrant and lived-in compared to Level 1, so many interesting colors and textures. She could barely see the sky down here, all the buildings above seemed to stretch on forever.

    Roxanne rested her staff against her shoulder, her smirk returning. ¡°Welcome to the city.¡±

    Roxanne led the way out of the alley and onto a quieter street. The vibrant hum of Zenith One surrounded them, but Roxanne didn¡¯t pause to take in the sights. Claire hurried after her, struggling to keep up with her sister¡¯s determined pace.

    ¡°So,¡± Roxanne began casually, glancing back at Claire, ¡°there¡¯s a bunch of girls having a tea party nearby. I¡¯m taking you to play with them.¡±

    Claire stopped mid-step, her expression dropping. ¡°A tea party? Seriously?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Roxanne replied, deadpan, though the corner of her mouth twitched in amusement. ¡°You¡¯re gonna love it.¡±

    Claire scowled, crossing her arms. ¡°I thought I¡¯d get to see you fight a villain or something cool.¡±

    Roxanne shrugged. ¡°I am gonna fight a villain. Just not yet. That¡¯s later.¡±

    Claire groaned, dragging her feet as she followed. ¡°Why do we have to do the lame tea party thing first?¡±

    Roxanne didn¡¯t answer, and her silence was enough to make Claire glance up at her sister¡¯s face. The playful smirk was gone, replaced by a tight, focused expression.

    The streets became quieter as they ventured deeper into the level. Bright lights gave way to dim alleys, and the vibrant bustle of Zenith One was replaced by an eerie stillness. Eventually, they reached a parking lot outside a nondescript warehouse.

    In the center of the lot was a box truck, its sides scuffed and unmarked. Around it, various figures were gathered, villains and criminals of all shapes and sizes, along with their vehicles. A few motorcycles and beat-up cars lined the edges of the lot.

    Claire¡¯s stomach tightened when she spotted the Skullface mercenaries. The skeletal masks were unmistakable, even from a distance.

    ¡°Roxanne¡­¡± she whispered, her voice trembling.

    ¡°Quiet,¡± Roxanne ordered, her tone sharp but steady. ¡°And keep your eyes down.¡±

    Claire hesitated but obeyed, lowering her gaze as they approached the gathering. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she felt like every step was bringing her closer to danger she couldn¡¯t escape.

    Roxanne, however, walked with calm confidence, her lantern staff slung casually over her shoulder as though she didn¡¯t have a care in the world.

    ¡°Stick close to me,¡± Roxanne murmured as they neared the edge of the parking lot. ¡°And don¡¯t say a word.¡±

    As Roxanne led Claire closer to the crowd, voices began to rise from the criminals, cutting through the tense silence.

    ¡°Who the hell is that?¡± one of them barked, pointing in their direction.

    ¡°Hey, freak, get lost!¡± another yelled, his hand already hovering near his weapon.

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    Soon after, recognition dawned on one of the Skullface mercenaries. ¡°That¡¯s Gravegirl! Blast her!¡±

    Several weapons were raised, and Claire tensed, her heart hammering as she glanced nervously up at Roxanne.

    Roxanne, however, remained calm. She lifted both hands in a gesture of surrender, the lantern staff still balanced casually on her shoulder. ¡°Relax,¡± she said, her voice cutting through the commotion with chilling clarity. ¡°I¡¯m not here to fight.¡±

    The criminals hesitated, though their weapons didn¡¯t lower.

    Roxanne gestured to Claire. ¡°I brought you another one. Free of charge.¡±

    The murmurs grew louder, skeptical and suspicious.

    ¡°Piss off!¡± one of the men growled.

    ¡°It¡¯s a setup,¡± another sneered.

    Roxanne shook her head, her tone laced with feigned exasperation. ¡°No tricks. All this little brat does is annoy me, so I¡¯m getting rid of her.¡± She smirked, her voice dropping just enough to sound sinister. ¡°Consider it a gift for Killwater. I hear he has certain¡­ tastes.¡±

    The name sent a ripple of reaction through the group. Claire stiffened, her stomach dropping at the mention of someone she instinctively knew was bad news.

    The criminals exchanged glances, their weapons lowering slightly, though skepticism lingered in their eyes.

    ¡°What¡¯s the catch?¡± one finally demanded.

    ¡°No catch,¡± Roxanne said smoothly, her expression unreadable. ¡°Just take her and leave me out of it.¡±

    One of the Skullface mercenaries motioned toward the box truck, his skeletal mask making his expression unreadable but his tone dripping with malice. ¡°Open it up. Let¡¯s see what we¡¯re working with.¡±

    Another thug complied, yanking the truck¡¯s rear doors open with a metallic groan. Inside, the dim light revealed a small group of young women, their wrists and ankles bound, their faces pale with fear.

    Claire¡¯s breath caught in her throat. She took a step back instinctively, but before she could bolt, Roxanne shoved her forward with just enough force to make it look convincing.

    ¡°Go on, brat,¡± Roxanne growled, her voice cold.

    Claire stumbled, her knees wobbling as the Skullfaces grabbed her.

    ¡°Wait, no¡ª¡± Claire started, her voice breaking, but her words were cut off as one of the mercenaries pulled a length of rope from his belt. She struggled weakly, but it was no use.

    ¡°Stop squirming!¡± one of them snapped, tying her hands behind her back.

    Another forced her forward into the truck, and she nearly tripped on the metal floor. As they secured her in place alongside the others, tears welled in Claire¡¯s eyes.

    Her gaze darted back to Roxanne, standing a few feet away. For a split second, their eyes met. Claire saw no cruelty, no malice in her sister¡¯s expression¡ªonly the faintest, reassuring wink.

    The truck doors slammed shut, plunging the interior into darkness.

    The other girls inside shifted uneasily, their soft whimpers the only sound. Claire squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, swallowing hard against the lump in her throat. Then, as the truck jolted to life and began to move, a spark of clarity cut through her panic.

    Roxanne wouldn¡¯t abandon her.

    Claire didn¡¯t fully understand her sister¡¯s plan, but she trusted her. She forced herself to breathe deeply, focusing on the sounds and vibrations around her.

    Her mind began to shift, piecing together the situation. She was inside the enemy¡¯s den now, closer to the villains than she¡¯d ever dared to be. And unlike the other captives, she wasn¡¯t completely defenseless.

    Hidden beneath her dress, secured to her thigh, was her Daddy¡¯s gun. Roxanne had fixed it for her, so if any villain tried anything, they were getting a bullet to the face.

    The truck lurched forward, the rumble of the engine masking the faint whimpers and murmurs of the captives. Claire adjusted her position, trying not to jostle the others as the vehicle¡¯s uneven ride made her stomach churn.

    She glanced at the girl sitting next to her¡ªa slim, pale-faced teenager with straight black hair. Her wrists were bound like Claire¡¯s, but her posture sagged with exhaustion, her head resting lightly against the cold metal wall.

    After a moment of hesitation, Claire whispered, ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    The girl¡¯s eyes flickered open, dark and tired. She stared at Claire for a moment before answering. ¡°No. But¡­ thanks for asking.¡± Her voice was soft, almost a whisper.

    Claire bit her lip. ¡°Do you¡­ know where they¡¯re taking us?¡±

    The girl shook her head weakly. ¡°No clue. Somewhere bad, probably.¡± She shifted slightly, wincing as the ropes bit into her skin. ¡°What about you? Why are you here?¡±

    Claire hesitated. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ complicated.¡± She decided it was better not to explain her sister¡¯s plan, especially when she wasn¡¯t entirely sure what it was herself. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±

    ¡°Mei,¡± the girl replied.

    ¡°Claire,¡± she offered in return, her voice steadying slightly.

    Mei nodded faintly, then let her head rest against the wall again.

    ¡°Are you hurt?¡± Claire asked, keeping her voice low.

    ¡°Not really,¡± Mei said, though the way her shoulders drooped told another story. ¡°Just¡­ really tired. I¡¯ve been using my powers for hours before they caught me.¡±

    ¡°Powers?¡± Claire leaned in, intrigued despite the situation.

    Mei gave a small nod. ¡°I can heal people, but¡­¡± She trailed off, closing her eyes. ¡°Not now. Not until I rest.¡±

    Claire frowned, glancing at the other captives. ¡°How many did you help?¡±

    Mei¡¯s lips twitched into a faint, bitter smile. ¡°Enough to make these bastards hate me.¡±

    Claire felt a pang of sympathy, but also a spark of admiration. Mei didn¡¯t look like much, but she¡¯d fought back in her own way.

    The truck jolted, and Claire leaned closer, lowering her voice to a near whisper. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯re going to get out of here.¡±

    Mei opened one eye, regarding her skeptically. ¡°You sound confident for someone tied up in a truck.¡±

    Claire offered the smallest of smiles, her resolve growing. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I have a plan.¡±

    She hoped that was true.

    The truck came to a shuddering stop, and the doors groaned open to reveal a dimly lit warehouse. The air smelled of oil, sweat, and metal, a mix that churned Claire¡¯s stomach. She squinted against the glare of overhead lights as the Skullfaces barked orders, dragging the captives out one by one.

    Claire stumbled as they pulled her from the truck, her tied wrists throwing off her balance. She felt Mei¡¯s arm brush against hers as they were herded toward a crude stage at the center of the warehouse.

    As they climbed the rickety steps, Claire¡¯s gaze darted around. Behind the stage, a chaotic array of lights, cameras, and screens loomed. The setup reminded her of an old movie set, but the sinister undertone made her skin crawl.

    In front of the stage stretched a wide expanse of villains and criminals. They gathered in clusters, their laughter and chatter echoing through the cavernous space. Claire recognized some of them from news reports: fish-faced mutant Razorfins, creepy cultist Apostates, and even a few Skullface elites.

    Her heart pounded as the Skullfaces shoved her into place alongside the other captives. She could feel their eyes on her, appraising her like a piece of meat.

    A booming voice silenced the crowd.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight¡¯s main event!¡±

    Claire turned her head sharply toward the source. A tall man with fair skin and dark hair walked onto the stage. He wore a dark formal suit and purple cloak around his shoulders which was immaculate despite the grime of the warehouse.

    ¡°Ringleader,¡± Mei whispered, her voice trembling.

    Claire didn¡¯t need the warning. She¡¯d heard the name before, Ringleader, a notorious crime boss with a penchant for trafficking and underground auctions.

    Ringleader spread his arms wide, addressing the crowd. ¡°We¡¯ve got a fine selection for you tonight! Fresh faces, untapped potential, and maybe even a little entertainment for those of you who like to see a good fight.¡±

    The crowd erupted into cheers and jeers, and Claire¡¯s stomach twisted.

    Ringleader stepped closer to the line of captives, his sharp eyes scanning them like a predator surveying prey. He paused in front of Claire, tilting his head as if considering her.

    ¡°Well, what do we have here?¡± he mused, reaching out to lift her chin. Claire flinched but kept her glare steady, biting back the surge of fear rising in her chest.

    ¡°A feisty one,¡± Ringleader said with a chuckle, turning back to the audience. ¡°Who wants to make the first bid?¡±

    One individual raised a hand and walked toward the front of the crowd. He wore red armor plating from head to toe, covered with black straps and holsters holding a plethora of weapons. Killwater, the infamous super assassin, said to have a weapon for every super no matter what powers or defenses they had.

    ¡°Excuse me. Watch out. Get out the way!¡± he said as he pushed through other criminals to reach the stage. There was some sort of tech in his helmet which changed his voice to be deeper. He scanned the stage with a hand to chin before pointing at Claire. ¡°I want her, full send, one million credits!¡±

    The room stilled for a moment before murmurs broke out among the villains. A few shook their heads, clearly unwilling to challenge the offer. Others looked tempted but wary, none wanting to cross Killwater over a single captive.

    After a tense pause, Killwater smirked. ¡°Looks like she¡¯s all mine,¡± he declared, gesturing to the Skullfaces.

    Claire¡¯s heart sank as they grabbed her roughly, dragging her down from the stage and toward a side door. She glanced back, her eyes searching for Mei or any sign of help, but the other captives were still on display, their fates yet to be decided.

    Once inside a smaller, dimly lit room, Killwater shut the door with a loud clank. The Skullfaces stood guard outside, leaving him alone with Claire. He took his helmet off, revealing a face riddled with scars and lesions to the point that there was barely any normal skin left. He placed the helmet down on a nearby table, dingy and made of bare metal, laden with syringes and bottles.

    ¡°Alright, princess,¡± he said, his tone mockingly sweet as he approached her. ¡°Let¡¯s get a better look at you.¡±

    Claire stiffened as he reached for her. Her mind raced, instincts screaming for her to act.

    Killwater grabbed the rope binding her wrists and began untying the knot. ¡°Don¡¯t bother trying anything stupid,¡± he warned, though his focus seemed more on the ropes than her. ¡°There¡¯s nowhere to run, and my boys are right outside.¡±

    As soon as her wrists were free, Claire swung her hand with all her might, her palm connecting with Killwater¡¯s face in a sharp, satisfying slap.

    The impact startled him and he stumbled back with a curse. ¡°Little bitch!¡±

    But Claire was already moving. She darted toward the shadows of the room, her small frame slipping behind a stack of crates. Her heart pounded in her chest as she crouched low, trying to stay silent.

    Killwater snarled, rubbing his cheek as he scanned the room. ¡°I wasn¡¯t gonna kill you at first,¡± he said, his voice low and dangerous. He drew one of the swords sheathed on his back. ¡°But now you¡¯re dead when I find you.¡±

    Claire¡¯s fingers fumbled for the gun hidden in her dress, her pulse racing. She had only one shot at this, and she couldn¡¯t afford to miss.

    Killwater stalked through the room, his boots thudding against the concrete floor. ¡°You¡¯re only making this harder on yourself,¡± he growled, knocking over a crate. Bottles and papers clattered to the ground, but Claire didn¡¯t flinch.

    Her back pressed against a wall, hidden behind another stack of crates. Her fingers finally found the cold, familiar grip of the gun strapped under her dress. She pulled it free, the weight heavier in her trembling hands than she expected.

    ¡°You can¡¯t run away, and you can¡¯t stop me.¡± Killwater¡¯s voice came again, closer this time. ¡°You¡¯re just a baby.¡±

    Claire¡¯s heart pounded as she tightened her grip on the pistol. She raised the pistol just as Killwater rounded the corner. His grin was wolfish as he caught sight of her. He slashed at her in the same second that she pulled the trigger.

    The shot rang out and Killwater¡¯s head jerked back in a violent fashion. He fell forward through the inertia of his attack and Claire fell with him. She was cut, from shoulder to collarbone, blood spilling down her dress. And there was more blood pooling at her feet, leaking from Killwaters head as he laid limp on the grimy store room floor.

    Claire struggled to get up from between him and the scattered packages behind her. Then, she looked down with her purple dress marred with red, her blonde curls tangled and uneven, and a morbid smirk on her face.

    ¡°A baby with a gun.¡±

 Chapter 6 - Baby Gun

    Claire¡¯s heart dropped as Killwater¡¯s body stirred.

    At first, it was just a twitch of his fingers, but soon his entire body shifted. With a groan, he pressed a hand to the bloody wound in his head. His flesh bubbled and knit itself back together, the hole closing before her eyes.

    Claire gasped.

    Killwater chuckled darkly as he staggered to his feet. His grin returned, more menacing than ever. ¡°A single shot never takes me down.¡± He cracked his neck, the sound reverberating in the tense room. ¡°What kinda bullets do you have?¡±

    Claire backed away, clutching the gun tightly in both hands. She had no idea if the bullets in Daddy¡¯s gun were special or not.

    Before Killwater could take another step, the door burst open with a resounding crash. Purple flames swirled into the room as Gravegirl stormed in, her lantern staff blazing.

    Behind her, a second figure entered. Dressed in a formal black outfit adorned with a dark cloak, Black Jade exuded a quiet confidence. Her dark skin faintly reflected the eerie green light of her magic.

    ¡°So, this is the infamous Killwater,¡± Black Jade said. ¡°He doesn¡¯t look like much.¡±

    Killwater grinned and drew a firearm from his side. ¡°Two heroes? You¡¯re just making this more fun for me,¡± said while he stalked out from the disheveled pile of crates, a sword by his side, an uzi raised and ready to fire.

    ¡°Shut up and die!¡± Gravegirl said.

    She pointed her staff at Killwater and the flame of the lantern flared bigger and brighter than ever. This energy flew out from the staff towards Killwater, who dove to avoid the blast. An explosion of purple fire erupted along the back wall of the grimy store room. Killwater rolled away as the smoke cleared, then pointed his gun and sprayed bullets at the pair of witches.

    Claire peeked over the toppled crates to see Gravegirl and Black Jade both duck for cover to avoid the chaotic gunfire. Killwater gave a wicked laugh as he charged their position with his sword raised. Meanwhile, there were more Skullfaces coming from the main area of the warehouse. Claire hurriedly pointed Hierarch¡¯s gun at one of them and fired. The shot wasn¡¯t so jarring this time. Claire blinked against the muzzle flash. When she focused again, she realized the target had gone down. Her heart lit with accomplishment and she excitedly took a few more shots. The enemy then recognized her position and returned fire. Claire screamed and dropped to the floor as bullets shattered the wall above her.

    ¡°Gravegirl! Skullfaces!¡±

    Gravegirl turned to the entrance and waved her hands, purple magic symbols gathering in the air around her. With a few dark words, the magic took hold and a series of curses befell the incoming Skullfaces. They were blinded and silenced and diseased in rapid succession. Seconds later, they were crumpled dead. Meanwhile, Black Jade finished drawing a ritual on the floor. Green energy trailed along the ground towards Killwater. Upon contact with the villain, vines tore up from the ground, entangling his legs.

    ¡°What the hell? Get this shit off me!¡±

    ¡°Gravegirl!¡± Black Jade shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. ¡°Get the girls and get out of here!¡±

    ¡°What about you?¡± Gravegirl said over her shoulder, her glowing staff raised towards the dead Skullfaces who began to rise under her command.

    ¡°I¡¯ll handle him!¡± Black Jade snarled, her hands sparking with green energy as she conjured more thorns and vines to contain Killwater. ¡°Go! Now!¡±

    Gravegirl grit her teeth, glancing toward the captured girls huddled together on the stage outside. ¡°Come on, Claire!¡± she barked, her hand stretched out to her little sister.

    Claire darted out from behind her cover, her gun still clutched tightly in her hands. Once she was near, she and Gravegirl ran out of the store room to free the other girls, who stumbled to their feet, fear etched into their faces.

    ¡°Stay close to me,¡± Gravegirl instructed the girls as she ushered them toward the door. Claire followed, her heart pounding as she kept glancing back at the battle raging behind them. Black Jade stood her ground against Killwater, her magic surging like a storm.

    As they emerged from the warehouse, they were greeted by a chilling sight. Standing in the parking lot, illuminated by the eerie glow of streetlights, was a tall dark elf woman draped in flowing black and violet robes. Her eyes glimmered with an unnatural light, and her hands were outstretched as if conducting an orchestra.

    ¡°Coveness,¡± Gravegirl called, relief in her voice.

    Coveness turned her piercing gaze to the group, her expression calm and commanding. ¡°Stay behind me,¡± she instructed, her voice as smooth and cold as glass.

    The criminals and villains gathered in the parking lot began to notice her presence. Murmurs of confusion spread, followed by shouts of alarm. Coveness raised one elegant hand, and the air around her shivered.

    Suddenly, the parking lot transformed. To the villains, the ground seemed to crack open, revealing a terrible abyss filled with writhing shadows. Unholy beasts clawed their way out of the void, their faces twisted and grotesque. A cacophony of wails and screams filled the air, causing the gathered villains to scatter in panic.

    ¡°What the fuck is that?¡± one criminal shouted.

    ¡°Get out of here!¡± another yelled, scrambling for his vehicle.

    Within moments, the area was deserted, the criminals fleeing in all directions.

    Coveness lowered her hand, and the illusion dissipated. She turned to Gravegirl with a faint smirk. ¡°Effective, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Gravegirl replied with a nod. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±

    Coveness stepped closer, her hands tracing glowing runes in the air. A teleportation circle materialized beneath their feet, its swirling energy casting an otherworldly glow over the group.

    ¡°Everyone, hold still,¡± Coveness instructed, her voice steady.

    The circle flared with light, and in an instant, they were gone.

    <hr>

    The teleportation energy dissipated, and Claire stumbled slightly as her feet met solid ground. She looked around, her breath hitching as she took in the surroundings. The hideout was a sprawling underground chamber, dimly lit by glowing purple crystals embedded in the walls. Books, vials, and magical artifacts cluttered every surface, and the air smelled faintly of herbs and burnt incense.

    Gravegirl led the group further inside, guiding the rescued girls to a comfortable area lined with cushions and blankets. ¡°Everyone, sit down and catch your breath,¡± she said.

    Claire followed silently, her mind still reeling. She sank into a corner, clutching her knees to her chest as the adrenaline began to wear off.

    Coveness was already at work, conjuring soothing orbs of light that hovered around the rescued girls, their gentle glow easing some of the fear and tension. ¡°You did well, Gravegirl,¡± Coveness remarked, her tone calm but approving.

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    Gravegirl gave a curt nod. ¡°It¡¯s not over yet.¡±

    The sound of footsteps echoed through the chamber as a tall figure emerged from a side passage. Doctor Hex, a wiry man with dark, ashen skin, grayed dreadlocks, and glowing orange eyes, approached them. His exotic, patchwork cloak swayed as he carried a leather satchel brimming with alchemical supplies.

    ¡°Who needs treatment?¡± Doctor Hex asked.

    ¡°Not me,¡± Gravegirl said, gesturing to the girls. ¡°But they might.¡±

    Hex nodded and knelt beside the group, beginning to examine them with a practiced hand. His presence was oddly comforting, his focus entirely on his task.

    The room grew quiet, the tension thick in the air, until another flash of teleportation energy filled the space. Black Jade staggered into view, her normally commanding presence diminished by the clear exhaustion on her face. She was bleeding from a slash to the face, and had suffered burns about her left arm and shoulder.

    ¡°Jade!¡± Gravegirl exclaimed, rushing to her side.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Black Jade muttered, though her uneven breathing betrayed her. She allowed Coveness to guide her to a seat, collapsing onto it with a wince.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Gravegirl demanded, stepping forward.

    Black Jade shook her head, her expression grim. ¡°Killwater got away.¡± She paused, glancing at Claire and the others before continuing. ¡°He has a shard of nihilite, so he resisted my spells.¡±

    Gravegirl and Claire exchanged a look. ¡°So, he¡¯s still out there,¡± Gravegirl said.

    Black Jade nodded, her gaze hardening. ¡°Yes, and now he knows we¡¯re a threat.¡±

    The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the soft murmurs of Doctor Hex as he tended to the girls. Claire sat quietly, absorbing the weight of the words. Her hands clenched into fists. She didn¡¯t fully understand the scope of what had just happened, but she knew one thing for certain: this wasn¡¯t over.

    <hr>

    Gravegirl and Claire appeared in a swirl of purple fire back in the hidden garden circle, the cool night air brushing against their faces. The faint hum of the magical energy dissipated, and Gravegirl extinguished her lantern staff with a flick of her wrist.

    Claire looked around, momentarily disoriented, before realizing they were back on the estate grounds. She glanced up at Gravegirl, her curiosity bubbling over despite her exhaustion.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me the plan?¡± Claire asked as they started walking toward the estate, her voice soft but insistent.

    ¡°It was a test.¡± Gravegirl shrugged. ¡°You passed.¡±

    ¡°A test?!¡± Claire said. ¡°I was so freaked out, I didn¡¯t know what to do!¡±

    ¡°You figured it out,¡± Gravegirl said. ¡°Shot Killwater like we needed, gave us a better chance to catch him.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Claire asked. ¡°Did you know he could heal?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s an assassin who kills supers and also regenerates. We needed to get the advantage somehow.¡±

    ¡°By using me as bait!¡±

    Gravegirl chuckled as they reached the back entrance of the estate. ¡°Hey, you agreed to come with me. Now you know how dangerous it really is.¡±

    As they slipped inside and headed toward Roxanne¡¯s room, Claire¡¯s tone grew more earnest. ¡°But you¡¯re so brave, and you have friends like Black Jade. She¡¯s amazing! And Coveness, her magic scared all those bad guys away!¡±

    Gravegirl pushed open the door to her room and gestured for Claire to follow. She casually banished the lantern staff into a puff of smoke. ¡°Bravery isn¡¯t about not being afraid. It¡¯s about doing what needs to be done even when you are.¡±

    Claire frowned, her brow furrowing as she processed the words. ¡°But... why do you do it? Why fight bad guys like Killwater when it¡¯s so dangerous?¡±

    Gravegirl sat on the edge of her bed, leaning forward slightly. ¡°Because someone has to,¡± she said simply. ¡°People like him don¡¯t stop unless we make them..

    Claire sat down on the plush rug, hugging her knees to her chest. ¡°Do you think... I could be brave like that someday?¡±

    Gravegirl studied her for a moment, her expression softening. ¡°You already were tonight. Most people would¡¯ve frozen or given up. But you didn¡¯t. You fought back.¡±

    Claire smiled faintly at the compliment, but her mind was already racing with thoughts of the Coven and the world of superheroes her sister had opened up.

    ¡°I want to be a superhero too,¡± Claire declared, her voice filled with conviction.

    Gravegirl raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. ¡°Oh yeah? And what makes you think you¡¯re cut out for that?¡±

    Claire sat up straighter, her excitement bubbling over. ¡°I don¡¯t have magic like you, but that¡¯s okay! I could get better at fighting. I guess I can use a gun now, and I could maybe even get better weapons.¡± Her eyes shone as she spoke, a mix of determination and youthful ambition.

    Gravegirl crossed her arms, watching Claire carefully. ¡°Alright. But you need to understand something; being a hero is more than just having a good weapon. You¡¯ve got to be ready to face the worst, to make hard choices.¡±

    ¡°Got it,¡± Claire said, nodding earnestly. ¡°I¡¯ve also got a great name for myself: Baby Gun.¡± She grinned widely.

    Gravegirl lips twitched. ¡°Baby Gun, huh? That¡¯s... a choice.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t laugh!¡± Claire said. ¡°I¡¯m small and I¡¯m gonna shoot bad guys.¡±

    Gravegirl leaned back, her arms uncrossing as she considered her sister¡¯s words. ¡°You¡¯re serious about this, huh?¡±

    Claire nodded enthusiastically. ¡°Yeah. I don¡¯t want to just sit around and wait for trouble to happen. I want to fight, like you.¡±

    Gravegirl studied Claire for a long moment, the amusement fading into something more thoughtful. ¡°Alright. But if you¡¯re gonna be Baby Gun, you¡¯ve got a long road ahead of you. Training, learning about your limits, and, most importantly, keeping your head on straight when things get tough. I won¡¯t go easy on you.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, Gravegirl,¡± Claire whispered, her heart pounding in her chest. ¡°I won¡¯t let you down.¡±

    After leaving Roxanne¡¯s room, Claire made her way to her own space, the quiet hum of the estate surrounding her. The long hallway stretched ahead, and the weight of the day seemed to settle on her shoulders. But the excitement from the night¡¯s events, of fighting, surviving, and the idea of becoming a superhero, kept her wide awake, her mind filled with possibilities.

    Entering her room, Claire closed the door softly behind her and flicked on the light. It was the perfect blend of elegance and playful chaos. The walls were painted a soft blush pink, accented with ornate white molding. A grand canopy bed filled the center, draped with soft pink curtains and piled high with an assortment of stuffed animals, their plush forms ranging from tiny bunnies to oversized bears. The floor was covered with a fluffy pink carpet, and the windows were dressed in flowing curtains which, when parted, revealed the sprawling estate grounds below.

    Against one wall stood her desk, a haven for her hobbies. The dual-monitor gaming PC, glowing faintly with purple accents, was surrounded by neatly arranged anime figures, each posed dramatically on their stands. Posters of her favorite superheroes and magical girl lined the wall above, their bright colors and sparkles reflecting her exuberant taste.

    On the opposite side of the room were several dress mannequins, each adorned with intricate dresses in various shades of pink, white, and pastel blue. Lace, ribbons, and embroidery detailed the garments, creating a miniature showcase of her personal style. A nearby shelf held accessories such as bows, gloves, and tiaras, all arranged for easy pairing. A full-length mirror stood nearby, framed in silver filigree.

    She walked over to the mirror and looked at herself. The ordeal at the warehouse had left her skin bloody and her dress stained with grime. If she was going to be a superhero, she definitely didn¡¯t look like one. At least, not yet.

    Claire tossed the gold-trimmed pistol onto her bed before she kicked off her shoes. She then unzipped her dress and let it fall to the floor before going to the bathroom to clean up. Moments later, she returned to the mirror refreshed, dressed in scarce white lace.

    From there, she looked over all her different dresses and gowns that were to the left of the mirror, debating which one would look best for her costume. She eventually decided to put on a matching corset and skirt. The top had boning lines on either side which reminded Claire of similar shapes she had seen in the supersuits of other female heroes. The skirt was fluffy and layered, very short and playful, but full enough to still be safe. They were both glossy white satin, trimmed with pink frills.

    Twirling in front of the mirror, she grinned at the airy layers that fanned out with her movement. Knee socks were next, sheer white with ribbons laced at the top, followed by the pink heels that added just the right amount of height.

    It was past her bedtime by now, but Claire went on, consumed by inspiration. Makeup was her next step. She applied a pale red blush and lip color, making a variety of mocking hero faces at herself all the while. During that time, she thought she needed a superhero symbol as a final touch. That¡¯s when she looked down at the lipstick in her hand, blinking at the realization

    Lipsticks and bullets look alot alike.

    Claire darted over to her makeup drawer and pulled more supplies, using as makeshift paints to draw a symbol which villains would soon learn to fear. She grabbed the gun from her bed then jumped back to the mirror in her best hero pose.

    She gave herself a cheeky smile, and stared at the bullet/lipstick symbol in the center of her chest.

    ¡°Baby Gun, ready for battle!¡±