An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

The sounds of battle echoed under the streetlights. Shouts of pain mixed with the clash of weapons could be heard. Five figures were locked in a deadly struggle, and blood splattered across the ground.

The fight raged for nearly half an hour until the noise gradually subsided. The five figures lay motionless in pools of blood.

Under the dim glow of the streetlights, three of the black-clad assassins were confirmed dead. One’s neck was snapped, another’s chest pierced, and the last had bled out from a fatal wound.

Jovian and Boston were in no better condition.

Boston was soaked in blood. His body was riddled with deep cuts, some so severe they exposed the bone beneath.

Jovian wasn’t much better. His abdomen and shoulder were slashed. His right arm had been severed, and he was left in a pitiful state.

Boston coughed. After taking down the last assassin, he collapsed to the ground. He gasped for air as blood poured from his mouth.

His chest and abdomen were torn open, and his organs spilled out. He was pale, and his breathing was shallow and erratic. His life was slipping away.

“Boston… Boston!” Jovian cried out. He staggered to his fallen comrade’s side while clutching his own wounds.

feed it to Boston. He then tore strips of cloth from his shirt to try and stop the bleeding. But Boston’s injuries were too severe. The tablet had no effect, and the

hang in there! I’ll get you to the hospital,” Jovian shouted frantically as he tried to lift Boston. But with only one arm,

Listen to me…” Boston’s bloodied hand gripped Jovian’s arm and said weakly, “I’m done for… You need to go

Tombsea, remember? You’re not dying here! I’ll get

gritted his teeth as he struggled to lift Boston onto his back. Blood stained

lolled to the side. His body

Wake up!” Jovian shouted, but

still as if he had simply fallen asleep. Jovian stopped in his tracks, and his heart

deserved a peaceful life, but because of his involvement, he had

crossed paths with those wolves in

roar of engines cut through the night. Several black SUVs screeched to

and a dozen masked assassins in black poured out.

group, Ronan Barley, glanced at the bodies of his fallen comrades and

send you?” Jovian growled through clenched

man doesn’t need answers,” Ronan replied coldly. He gestured to

his command, the