Leon wiped the sweat from his brow, his sword still humming from the battle's intensity. The last remnants of the monstrous horde lay scattered around him, their grotesque bodies dissolving into black mist. His teammates panted heavily, some leaning on their weapons for support.
"That was insane…" Finn muttered, sheathing his twin daggers. "I thought we were done for."
"Yeah," Lila agreed, brushing strands of her silver hair from her face. "But Leon… you were incredible."
Leon merely shrugged, stretching his sore muscles. "That? That was nothing compared to the three-headed hound I fought underground."
The group exchanged glances. Finn let out a whistle. "You fought a what?"
Before Leon could elaborate, a slow, deliberate clapping echoed through the cavern. The group turned sharply, weapons at the ready. A figure stepped from the shadows, his crimson eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Jack…" Leon whispered, his grip tightening on his sword.
Jack smirked, his elegant coat swaying slightly as he moved forward. "It's been a while, Leon. I must say, I'm impressed. I was expecting you to die within the first few days."
"Sorry to disappoint," Leon shot back, leveling his blade. "What do you want?"
Jack sighed dramatically, examining his gloves as if the entire situation bored him. "Straight to the point, as always. No pleasantries? No 'Hey Jack, how have you been? How's the whole dark and brooding villain thing going?'"
Leon took a step forward. "I'll ask again. What do you want?"
Jack's smile widened. "I'm here to deliver a message. Or rather… a warning."
The atmosphere grew tense. The air itself felt heavy, as if something unseen pressed down upon them. Lila instinctively reached for her staff, but Jack merely chuckled.
"You see," Jack continued, "there's someone very interested in you. Someone who doesn't like loose ends. And, well… you and Ricardo are very big loose ends."
Leon's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Ricardo. "Where is he?"
Jack tilted his head, feigning curiosity. "Oh? Concerned for your friend? That's sweet. But I think you should be more worried about yourself."
The shadows behind Jack shifted unnaturally, and then—without warning—another figure emerged.
Ricardo.
But something was wrong.
His usual calm demeanor was gone. His eyes glowed faintly with an eerie light, his stance rigid, controlled. His armor was darker, the intricate designs on it pulsating as if alive.
Leon's breath caught in his throat. "Ricardo…?"
Ricardo didn't respond. He simply drew his sword, the sound of metal against metal ringing ominously in the silence.
Jack grinned, stepping back. "You wanted to know where he was? Well… here he is."
Leon felt a chill run down his spine. This wasn't right. Ricardo's movements were too stiff, too unnatural. It was as if he was…
"Controlled…" Lila murmured in horror. "They did something to him."
Jack mockingly placed a hand on his chest. "Oh, come now. 'Controlled' is such a strong word. Let's just say he's… under new management."
Leon gritted his teeth. "You're lying."
"Am I?" Jack mused. "Then why don't you ask him yourself?"
Leon turned to Ricardo, stepping closer. "Ricardo, if you can hear me, fight it! Whatever they did to you, you can break free!"
For a moment, there was a flicker of hesitation in Ricardo's eyes. But then, as if a switch had been flipped, he lunged.
Leon barely had time to react, raising his sword just in time to block the powerful strike. The force sent shockwaves through his arms, and he slid back several feet. Ricardo didn't relent. He attacked with precision, his strikes faster, stronger, more merciless than ever before.
Leon clenched his jaw. This wasn't just some mindless puppet. Ricardo was fighting at full power—but without hesitation, without restraint.
"Damn it, Ricardo!" Leon dodged another strike, his mind racing. He couldn't hurt him. He wouldn't. But how could he stop him?
Jack watched with a satisfied smirk. "Oh, this is delightful. Watching best friends try to kill each other… truly, nothing warms my heart more."
"Shut up!" Leon snapped, parrying another blow. He had to find a way to break through to Ricardo.
Then, he saw it.
A crack. A momentary lapse. For the briefest second, Ricardo's hand trembled mid-strike, hesitation flickering in his gaze.
Leon seized the chance.
Instead of attacking, he dropped his weapon and lunged forward, grabbing Ricardo's wrist. "Wake up!" he shouted. "You're stronger than this!"
Ricardo's body tensed. His breathing grew uneven. The eerie glow in his eyes flickered.
"No!" Jack's smirk finally faltered. "Not yet—"
A surge of energy exploded from Ricardo, sending both Leon and Jack stumbling back. Ricardo clutched his head, groaning in pain as the light in his eyes dimmed. His body shook violently before he collapsed to his knees, gasping for air.
Leon rushed forward, steadying him. "Ricardo, are you—"
Ricardo suddenly looked up, his voice hoarse but firm. "Run."
Leon's heart pounded. "What?"
Ricardo grabbed his arm. "You have to get out of here. Now. Before—"
A low growl filled the cavern. The shadows behind Jack twisted, forming into monstrous shapes. Jack, recovering from the blast, straightened his coat and sighed.
"Well… that was disappointing," he muttered. Then, his eyes gleamed with malice. "But no matter. If one puppet won't dance, I'll just have to send something else."
The cavern trembled as creatures began emerging—massive, grotesque beasts unlike anything Leon had ever faced.
Ricardo pushed himself up, still weak but determined. "Leon… go."
Leon tightened his grip on his sword. "Not without you."
Jack laughed, his voice echoing hauntingly. "Oh, this is going to be fun."
Leon took a deep breath, readying himself. If this was going to be a fight, then he wasn't holding back.
Because this time, he wasn't just fighting for survival.
He was fighting to save his friend.
To be continued…