Beyond the soldier who had fired the missile, Bernard’s heightened senses picked up on four more elite fighters hidden within the frantic crowd.

Like elusive phantoms, these figures blended seamlessly with the terrified masses, their intentions shrouded in the unfolding pandemonium.

Bernard, undeterred by the multiplying threats, braced himself for a confrontation, his words carrying the weight of arrogance as he taunted his unseen adversaries.

BERNARD: "Humph, annoying punks. Come further and witness the fall of your pitiful existence." He provoked them with a disdainful scowl, his hands tucked within his pockets.

But just as he finished his sharp provocation, his eyes inadvertently landed on a striking image amid the turmoil.

A small girl, standing perilously close to the crumbling structure where the missile had hit moments before, caught his attention.

The weight of the impending battle collided with the stark sight of an innocent life hanging in the balance, adding an unwanted layer of complexity to the chaos.

Frustration flickered across Bernard's face as he struggled with the unwelcomed mantle of heroism. His disdain and aversion was evident – especially when it came to ordinary humans, and now he was forced into a situation that put him at a clear disadvantage.

Yet, despite his reluctance, a lingering guilt gnawed at him, acknowledging his responsibility for the shattered remains of the once-standing building. In a moment of resolve, he chose to temporarily set aside the imminent threat posed by his assailants, prioritizing the rescue of the little girl from the wreckage he inadvertently caused.

In a heart-stopping moment, massive bricks dislodged from the crumbling structure, crashing downward toward the vulnerable spot where the little girl stood. Bernard's expression turned grim, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

He propelled himself in a blur of motion and materialized by the child's side, invoking his monstrous strength ability.

With unstoppable force, he intercepted the deadly fall of the colossal debris, shielding the terrified girl beneath the fortress of his body. His frame absorbed the impact, becoming a wall of raw power that kept the looming danger at bay, ensuring her safety within the shadow of his protection.

The girl's wide eyes shimmered with a mix of astonishment and awe, stunned by Bernard's intervention. But before the warmth of relief could fully take root, it vanished.

Bernard's cold, frightening glare cut through to the girl's direction, sending a chilling wave of fear that left her confused and unsettled.

BERNARD: "Get your tiny ass out of here, you little punk!" He scolded her, making her run away in heartbreaking tears.

With the girl now secure, Bernard shifted his focus to the five adversaries, who stood a short distance away, watching him with cold, contemptuous eyes, their silence unnerving in its calculated restraint.

Two of them held high-tech swords, the gleaming blades humming with deadly precision, while the other two gripped advanced firearms, their eyes steady and watchful. The fifth soldier, the one who had launched the missile earlier, stood further back, cradling the missile launcher on his left shoulder, keeping a greater gap between himself, his comrades, and Bernard.

A cold wind whipped through the scene, dust swirling in the aftermath of the crumbling structure, adding a sense of tension to the standoff. Bernard’s eyes scanned their cautious stances, and a sardonic laugh slipped out, the sound harsh against the tense air.

He found bitter amusement in their hesitation, amused by how even now, they kept their distance, wary of what he might do next.

BERNARD: "Hahaha! Took you all long enough to reveal yourselves! It's a pity that your deaths are inevitable. Come! Charge forth against me for my flame hungers for your pitiful extinctions!!" Taunted Bernard in a menacing grin.

Provoked by Bernard's remarks, the five Scale Shield elites seethed with anger and charged into battle. Two rushed ahead, swords gleaming as they aimed for Bernard, while the other three quickly readied their firearms.

The first elite lunged, his blade slicing through the air in a precise, determined arc. But Bernard, with effortless fluidity, sidestepped the attack. Undeterred, the elite pressed on, unleashing a relentless flurry of slashes, each one narrowly missing its mark as Bernard danced out of reach.

In an instant, Bernard seized his opening. His hand shot out, grabbing the elite by the throat, and with a brutal, bone-crushing punch, he shattered the soldier's face. The force of the blow sent the bleeding elite hurtling through the air, crashing violently to the ground.

After dispatching the first elite, Bernard fluidly sidestepped a slashing attack from the second, his movements effortless. With a flick of his wrist and a burst of monstrous strength, he hurled the elite far into the distance, sending him tumbling helplessly through the air.

Meanwhile, the third and fourth elites, gripped by desperation, unleashed a hail of gunfire. But Bernard, moving with blinding speed, weaved through the lethal barrage, each bullet narrowly missing its mark. Aware of the danger posed by a stray shot, he executed razor-sharp dodges, effortlessly avoiding the advanced projectiles.

In a flash, Bernard closed the gap between them, prepared to end both adversaries with a single, calculated strike. But just as he moved in for the kill, the fifth elite fired another missile, the projectile cutting through the air with deadly precision.

Bernard acted instantly, grabbing one of the gunmen and using him as a human shield.

The missile's explosive impact obliterated the unfortunate victim, shattering his remains in the air. However, the sheer force of the blast sent Bernard flying.

He tumbled violently through the debris before skidding to a halt in a crouched, backward slide.

(Damn it! That was close.) Bernard thought, his breath ragged, his tattered outfit bearing witness of the near-fatal blast. Rage coursed through him, igniting his every muscle. Channeling his fury, he gripped a nearby empty truck, hoisting it above his head with monstrous strength. With a roar of effort, he hurled it at the reloading missile shooter.

The elite barely had time to register the incoming threat. The truck hurtled toward him, tearing through the air in a blur of metal. When it struck, it shredded his body on impact, reducing him to a dissected bloody ruin in an instant.

Left with the final elite soldier, who kept shooting and screaming the word "die," Bernard closed the distance with inhumane speed.

He first tore apart the power-proof tech suit, stripping the soldier of his only defense. Proceeding with brutal efficiency, he inflicted bone-rattling blows, targeting vulnerable points with merciless intent. Each strike shattered bone and ruptured flesh, delivering unbearable agony.

The soldier tried to scream, but Bernard’s iron grip clamped down over his face, cutting off the sound. The former got lifted off the ground effortlessly, his muffled cries barely escaping through the crushing hold – adding a pitiful and haunting layer to the unfolding scene.

BERNARD: "[Smirks menacingly.] I've decided a quick but agonizing way to end you. Be thankful to me and extend my greetings to the denizens of hell,"

'BERSERKER FIRE BARRAGE!' Bernard's maniacal laughter echoed as a tempest of raging cyan flames erupted fiercely from his body, mercilessly engulfing the elite soldier and reducing him to ashes.

Bernard surveyed the aftermath of the battle with a deep sigh, his adversaries now lying defeated.

His gaze shifted upward toward a distant point on the horizon, where the faint sound of rotors announced the arrival of his approaching helicopter.

He waited for extraction, standing amidst the wreckage. The mess he had created lingered like a shadow, but Bernard, unfazed, awaited his departure without a glance back.

******

~L.A, The US military base~
Meanwhile, within the walls of the army base, Fiona sat in a critical meeting with the Colonel in her office. Just a month and a half ago, she had been instrumental in dismantling the Chaos Force, a victory that earned her a promotion to Captain of Operations – a well-earned recognition for her role in maintaining peace in Los Angeles.

Now, she and the Colonel were locked in a tense discussion, their focus shifting to the growing suspicions surrounding the Scale Shield organization. The air in the room crackled with urgency as they weighed the potential threat, each word carrying the weight of looming danger.

FIONA: "Colonel, I fail to understand why we must tie our hands while the threat escalates. Even the government has refused to intervene in this matter despite the rumors,"

COLONEL: "The government's silence is unfortunate. But our roles are tied to fighting global wars – It's how we defend the nation. Moreover, you can't be involved in threats beneath the supernatural. We are not the FBI,"

FIONA: "But if that's the case, then why does the government forbids even the FBI or any police force from interfering with the Scale Shield business. I have an unsettling feeling of the Chaos Force's potential involvement, Colonel."

As Fiona and the Colonel's conversation deepened, a firm knock interrupted the flow. The door opened, and a female army attendant stepped inside sharply, her posture straight as she delivered a crisp salute.

ATTENDANT: "Captain! You've got visitors,"

FIONA: "[Furrows an eyebrow.] Visitors!? Um, alright. I'll be with you shortly.
"[Turns to the Colonel.] If you would excuse me, sir, I'd like us to continue this conversation some other time,"

COLONEL: "[Stands and exchanges salute with Fiona.] No problem, Captain – until another time. For now, I'll be on my way,"

***

Moments later, Fiona stepped out of the barracks, her eyes immediately catching sight of David – and to her surprise, Aurora.

Aurora’s face lit up with excitement, and before Fiona could react, she gasped and sprinted toward her. With unrestrained joy, Aurora threw her arms around her cousin, pulling her into a warm embrace that radiated the pure happiness of their reunion.

AURORA: "[Hugs Fiona tightly.] Oh my! Hello cousin, it's been a long while!"

FIONA: "Oi... Um, I can't breathe... Aurora. You're... hugging too tightly,"

AURORA: "[Hastily withdraws the hug.] Oh, sorry. I must have been too excited,"

FIONA: "Oh, what's with the apology, sis? I've missed you too. But what brings you to Beverly Hills? I recently learned of the infiltration at Crestivenia." Fiona replied to Aurora while acting like she hadn't noticed David.

AURORA: "Huh, um right. It's a long story..."

DAVID: "[Interrupts Aurora and furiously chimes into the conversation.] Cut the chase, Fiona! Why did you trick me?"

A/N: Hello dear readers, please don't forget to drop a star 🌟 or honest opinion on the comment box 🗃 if you found this chapter intriguing. Thank you.