Shadow Reckoning

The gunfight was brutal. Close-quarters.

Shade moved like a force of nature, disarming one man and putting a bullet between his eyes before spinning to snap another's arm.

Jade fought just as fiercely, stabbing a thug in the thigh before using his own gun to take down another.

The floor was slick with blood by the time it ended.

And Sable was nowhere to be seen.

Shade scanned the room, heart pounding.

Then he saw it—an open service hatch near the back.

Jade followed his gaze. "He's running."

Shade's jaw clenched.

Not this time.

Rooftop – Final Confrontation

The storm had rolled in, rain pouring in heavy sheets.

Sable stood near the edge, adjusting his cuffs as Shade stepped onto the roof.

"Persistent," Sable mused. "I almost respect it."

Shade stalked forward. "You killed my family."

Sable sighed. "And? You think you're the first person I've hurt? You think your pain makes you special?"

Shade's fingers twitched. He wanted to kill him. Wanted to end him.

But then Sable smirked. "Go ahead. Kill me. And prove that you're no different."

Shade hesitated.

For the first time since this nightmare began, he hesitated.

Because the truth was—Sable was right.

He had already crossed the line. He had become the thing he once fought against.

Jade's voice broke through the storm. "Don't let him win."

Shade's grip loosened.

Sable saw his chance. He lunged—

But Shade was faster.

One punch. Straight to the ribs.

Then another.

And another.

Sable stumbled back, coughing blood. He teetered on the edge.

For a moment, neither man moved.

Then Shade grabbed him—

And threw him over.

Sable plummeted.

The sound of his body hitting the pavement was lost in the storm.

Shade stood there, breathing hard.

It was over.

But as he looked at Jade, he realized something.

This wasn't the end.

It was just the beginning.