Authors note: As always, read the notes at the end. Also, I met a Mostima cosplayer back in Sunday and took a few pics with her. We truly live in a post-modern world in the cusp of a fourth or maybe second digital revolution…

She didn't help me… That damn fallen angel just laughed at my cry for help.

No worries, I thought back then. It wouldn't take more than half an hour, right?

How wrong I was.

I ended up working on placing the explosives and set up defences all by myself while she does whatever like exploring and looking at me work, I don't know.

"Hey, if you want to leave, now's the perfect time." I said to Mostima who was watching me from behind as I set up a claymore mine behind the front door, "The there's a backdoor there, you can leave before I board it up."

"Why should I?" I can't see what she's doing back there, but I can guess that she's crossed her legs.

"Because… There are at least hundreds of policemen out there, and while yes I did take you as a hostage. You're not forced to stay here."

I finished setting up the claymore mine and turned to Mostima. You know, with the little interaction totalling to a whopping 5 hours I've had with her, I never understood her at all. is she a Sankta, or is she a Sarkaz? Both? Being both an Angel and a Demon?

Now, I'm no psychologist, but I'm pretty sure behind that fake smile is something more.

I should know, I've been there.

"Say, Mostima. I have a question." I said as I sat down on the floor and cleaned my Ak-74.

"Oh? What is it?" She watched in interest as I did maintenance to the rifle.

"How did become like that? Like that I mean." I pointed to her horns and dark halo and wings.

"That's a pretty personal question for someone who I just met in a random family restaurant." She grinned.

"I'm serious and curious." I shake my head, "I'm a believer of God, and I am a man of knowledge."

"Really~?" She teased.

"Ahem. Trust me on this one." I faked a cough.

"… fine, if you must know. But! I'll answer your question and you'll answer mine. Quid Pro Quo as the say, heh." She rests her chin on her hands.

"Fine. Just get this over with."

"well~ where should I start?"

"At the relevant part." Heavy emphasis on 'relevant' there.

"Well, there's not much. I broke a law in Laterano, and now I'm here."

"Yeah well, what law exactly?"

"There are some laws that are absolute for us Sankta, even if we don't live in Laterano. And the law of Laterano are Absoulute."

"Absolute laws, huh? How does that work?"

"Laws that we shouldn't break under any circumstances. Like pointing a gun towards your own kind. Would you do that, Valor?"

"I assume that is how you ended up like this. But to answer your question… yeah, yeah I definitely would if said person was threatening my life, or… something else."

"Hmm~. I was forced to give up my guardian gun. And I was forced into exile."

"Sounds tough. To give up your gun… that's like getting stripped of your rights, right? I read somewhere that Laterano has a constitution with thirteen rights that are guaranteed to every Lateran citizen. One of them involves guns."

"Haha. You're right." For a moment, I saw a glint of sadness in her eyes, "Now! Let's get into your answers!"

"Yeah, yeah. Fine. What is it that you want to know?" I waved.

"What is your biggest regret?" She asks.

My biggest regret, huh?

I closed my eyes and travelled back in time. To a time where things were simpler. To a time where I needn't worry about making enemies and working. To my childhood.

My biggest regret…

"COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP. WE HAVE YOU SURROUNDED TERRORIST 'V'"

A loud voice demanded with an authoritarian voice boomed from outside.

That… ruined the moment, innit?

"Look, Mostima, I like you, you know? You're a… nnnnnnnnnnnice… girl… yeah." I struggled to find a word that fits her, "And it would break my heart to see a girl like you get hurt in my business. So do yourself a favour and get away."

Mostima seems reluctant but eventually nods her head. "Fine, but remember about your promise. Someday, we might meet again." She turns to leave through the backdoor.

"No don't go through there. Go to the basement. There's a hidden passage that goes to the sewer system."

She nods and leaves. Leaving me alone to deal with the police force.

Haaah~

I really want this to end…

Oh fuck… I just realized…

I'll need to possibly rebuild in Lungmen.

"COME AT ME FEDS! I AIN'T AFRAID TO SHOOT AND KILL! AND I HAVE A HOSTAGE WITH ME! STAY BACK OR SHE GETS IT!"

The police forces remained calm and stoic and trained their weapons at the building as the terrorist hurled his threats.

High Commissioner Rex, and his assistant, Superintendent Mayweather stood behind the police line as sirens blared and as they observed the situation from a distance.

"Sir, the terrorist says he has a hostage. We suspect that it is the same hostage from when we tried to arrest him at the restaurant." The Superintendent read out a report to her superior.

"Mmm. Describe to me the building we're besieging." The High Commissioner nods.

"The building is a two-story building measuring 10 meters in height and approximately 200 square meters at the very least. With a width of 11 and a length of 18 meters."

"The windows were all boarded up, however the terrorist left out a small hole in the front window presumably to peek through."

"As of yet, we are uncertain on whether or not to launch an all-out assault of the building or not. As our spies have reported that the terrorist plant traps around the property and or in the building itself."

"So… the terrorist has a hostage, eh? Well, I'm only seeing one figure inside. The hostage must've escaped some time ago." Rex confidently said as he observed the surrounding area.

"She's… gone?" Mayweather stops to look at the building and then back to Rex, "Well sir, knowing you, I'm confident you're right." She agrees confidently.

"Mhm. Order the ballista to load in smoke arrows and fire it to the window." He orders.

"Yes sir." She salutes and turns to the ballista team and relays the order.

The first shot was loaded and the ballista took its aim.

The arrow was launched and it pierced through the boarded front window with ease and began to release smoke in the building. Quickly filling it with thick, white smoke that poured even poured outside.

"..." Rex narrowed his eyes as he observed the individual inside the building, Valor.

At first, Valor didn't move an inch. Rex saw the outline of his figure seemingly covering his nose, and he started to run upstairs.

Believing that this is a good opportunity, Rex gave his men the greenlight to barge in.

He taps into his radio, "Captain, it's time. I will lead you through the smoke. And beware of traps."

The captain nodded and dozens of police officers closed in on the building, slowly and carefully as to not trigger any traps.

When they reached the front door, they all lined up against the wall and unsheathed their swords. The captain signalled his men in sign language to proceed. His teammate nodded and raised his sword to break through the lock.

"STOP!" came the high commissioner's voice from the radio, "Go through the window."

With her binoculars, Mayweather had advised her superior to not act rashly and advises him to enter through the front window. Her argument being a possible booby trap being installed behind the door.

The captain and his team moved towards the front window, and after confirming that it was secured, they went in and into the smoke one by one.

"Captain, beware of traps INSIDE the building." Mayweather's voice crackled alive.

"Understood." The captain took a stance.

"Go upstairs, Captain. He is there." Rex's stoic voice sounded through the radio.

The stairs to the second floor were in front of the front door, and the captain notices a trap set to trigger if the door knob was turned or broken.

The team carefully and slowly made its way upstairs as each step produced a loud creak sound.

The captain was in front, leading his team, when he noticed a strange glow in the smoke which caught his attention.

Time seemed to slow down for him as the glow slowly gets nearer and nearer to him. Revealing itself to be a bullet speeding towards him.

At this realization, he managed to dodge to the side, hitting the wall but narrowly avoiding death.

His teammates, were not as fortunate.

The bullets struck them one by one. Launching themselves from the smoke without warning as the captain helplessly watches as his team gets slaughtered.

"Captain! What is happening in there?!" The voice of Superintendent Mayweather broke through the chaos.

The captain took a deep breath and steadied himself.

The bullets continued to rain down on them as the captain slashed his way through the smoke, cutting the incoming bullets in half and blocking them. But then, his sword collided with something solid. Someone had blocked his attack.

As the smoke clears, he can see clearly who blocked his sword. It was a man wearing a black coat using a gun, an assault rifle, to block his swing.

"Why didn't you go through the front door?" The man said disappointedly as he quickly swung his rifle and slammed it in the captain's face, knocking him down the flight of stairs.

"You are merely a dead man walking." The man declared coldly and with a steady voice as he raised his rifle with one hand and pressed the trigger, releasing a bullet that sliced through the air right towards them.

It was, however, not aimed at the captain, nor to his team. It was aimed to the Claymore mine behind the door.

And with a resounding explosion, the claymore was triggered and tears apart the entrance and sent mutilated bodies flying in every direction.

The sheer force of explosion was blinding, and caused the police to cover their eyes.

Rex stood silently as all of this unfolds. And as Mayweather barked orders to the police. "SECURE THE PREMISES!" she shouts.

"Superintendent. I'm dealing with this myself." Rex said before walking calmly towards the building. Towards the figure of Valor.

"Wait, sir! Let me guide you!" She shouts as she catches up with him.

Heh. That should demoralize them. Now time to make my exit!

I don't plan on winning this fight. I just wanted to gift a little something to the police.

This seems to be a fitting end to my operations here in Victoria, gone ablaze.

Blindly firing at the line of policemen, I descended down the stairs heading towards the basement. The same route which Mostima used to leave. Once there, I can us the hidden passage.

Once I'm out, well, the Carolina family's mafiosos should be waiting for me. And at that point, it's a straight shot towards Lungmen.

As I calmly approached the basement door, I saw a huge flame surged towards me and I instinctively rolled forwards to avoid being scorched.

What the hell?!

Oh for the love of God! Don't tell me… a Caster?!

"Terrorist, today marks the end of another evil from Terra." Proclaimed one tough looking Draco.

Oh shit… he's some big shot, isn't he?

I aimed my rifle at him as he stood there defiantly with his right hand firmly rested on his cane.

"You seem pretty confident you can defeat me." I decided to ply along. Why not? I can pull the trigger and turn his head into red mist if I wanted to. Very easily at that.

"Oh, but I am." He chuckles as he taps his cane on the ground as burst of flames erupted from the tip and formed into three dragon heads and circling around him. With a smug grin and eyes gleaming with dangerous confidence, he looked to me, "I am more than capable of defeating you."

Following his declaration, the three large separate dragon heads merged into becoming the colossal head of a fiery hydra. Its serpentine necks extended as high as the building itself, each head staring at me with fiery gaze.

I kid you not I am scared shitless.

I am NOT prepared to fight this.

I am NOT prepared to fight a caster at this level.

The only right thing to do is RUN.

I thought of firing my bullets at it, but for what? I'll only waste my bullets and at that point, I might actually die.

Wait. the flame dragons themselves can't be harmed by traditional means. But the caster's body can.

I aimed my AK-74 to the man and fired a burst of bullets at him. Only to be blocked by someone who suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"Your days are numbered, terrorist. Surrender now!" She declares. She wears the same uniform as the man.

Tch. Terrorist? shouldn't you be focusing more on Reunion that poor old me? This week has been tough on me.

Hmm… we're on a standstill… or more like I'M in a pickle right now.

Let's weight our options…

On one hand, I can get arrested and sent to prison. Though at least I won't get extradited to Iberia or Laterano.

On the other hand… I can go out in style and be forever marked in the history books as someone who bombed the VBC headquarters. And only that.

What I've learned from my childhood is to never give up and never surrender.

I choose the latter!

"NEVER!" I yelled, spinning around and ran to the basement door as fast as I could.

"Oh no you don't." The hydra heads surged towards me, spewing fire as they opened their mouths wide.

Am I not gonna make it? is this the end? Will I die by being burnt alive?

I could feel the heat creeping closer and closer towards me.

Time seemed to slow down as I got closer and closer to the basement door, and as the flaming dragons head got closer and even closer to me.

I was sure that I would become charcoal, until the basement door suddenly opens and I saw the wry smile of that fallen angel.

She spoke something to me, though I didn't hear it, or maybe I just had a hearing problem.

She did something that I can tell. I'm supposed to be burnt beyond recognition at this point, yet I'm still alive.

Tunrning around, I saw mostima holding up a staff and creating some sort of shield around us as the hydra collided with the shield and burst into flames. The intense heat managed to leave a burn in my skin.

IT'S SO HOT! FUCKING HOT!

I can't imagine all the heat Mostima is feeling while holding her staff to hold back the hydra.

Eventually, after an intense minute or two, the hydra dissipated.

I looked around and saw that people weren't moving, as if they were frozen in place. Except for me, Mostima, and…

"What did you do?!"

That policewoman that blocked me from shooting the man.

"Someone asked me to deliver you this." Mostima handed me a radio, "well~ my job's done here." She cracks her back.

"Hello? Hello?" the radio crackled to life.

"What did you do?" I still looked around me, trying to understand what just happened, before answering the radio, "Nevermind, we'll save it for later. Hello? Who's this?"

"Ah! Sir Valor, we are sent by Il Capo to escort you to Lungmen. We were worried when you didn't show up on the designated location." The nervous voice from the radio said.

"So you sent Mostima, who came to that location to find me instead? Tell me you guys are not leaving…"

"We wouldn't dare! We have three civilian helicopters we hijacked and we are hovering above the battlefield."

"Okay? That benefits me how? You know you're just getting killed, right?"

"We brought napalm." He simply states.

"Well why didn't you say so? BURN THEM ALL!" I screamed into the radio.

I turned my attention to the policewoman from before and emptied a mag at her.

As expected, she blocked them all and closed her distance to me. Little does she know, I have a plan.

If one can consider letting her get close and initiate CQC is a valid plan, the I have a plan.

But I am at best subpar at CQC. Which is why I'll just dodge her every attacks, and when she has an opening or over extends herself too far, I'll go in and bash her with the Ak-47.

That's right. bash her.

As expected, she quickly closed the distance between us and slashed her sword at me. I masterfully avoided it to the side and tried to raise my rifle at her. Which was parried almost immediately and knocking me back slightly.

She immediately turned and gave a strong thrust to which I narrowly avoided losing an eye.

I rolled to the side and aimed to shoot.

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

Yeah I hadn't reloaded.

Realizing what I had intended to do, she charged towards me and forcing me to block with my rifle with two hands.

CLANG!

Her sword smashed into my rifle. I sometimes thought about how any of my guns I used for melee fights have been rarely sliced in half.

With my strength, I forced her back and eventually managed to catch her off guard by instantly using my rifle as a blunt weapon. She parried my attack, of course.

But what she doesn't realize is, by concentrating fully on my attack, I can pull out my knife and push it down her stomach.

I did just that. But instead of falling down and screaming in pain, she continued on.

I was the one who was caught off guard when she thrusted her sword aiming at my neck, giving me almost no time at all to dodge.

She is injured though, so I might just have enough time to reload my rifle.

I have to hurry, though. She seems to have resolved something on her mind.

There! Finished reloading! Get ready for a storm of bullets! Until it runs out… but until then!

Suddenly, just as I was about to unleash a storm of bullets at her, our surroundings suddenly began to move again and I can see the complicated expression of the man who summoned the whole ass freaking big ass fire hydra.

I can hear the sounds of helicopters rotors above me. Which I assume was mine.

Wait a minute. I looked around and saw hell itself. Well, technically the slums of Victoria, or any nation for that matter, is hell incarnate. But this takes the cake, as my surroundings are literally on fire.

Burning houses, burning police cars, burning corpses, and burning cops.

Guess who won again! Valor 1 – The law 0!

The man looked angry at me.

Uh oh. Time to get the fuck out.

Thankfully, a ladder thrown from one of the helicopters above appeared in front of me. And I instinctively climbed it, after which the helicopter picked up altitude and flew away while I'm still hanging on the ladder.

The police didn't try to stop me. Even that hydra guy.

I mean, they are burning alive right now, but that's besides the point.

"ADIOS VICTORIA!" I cheered.

Authors note:

This is gonna be the last time Valor will be residing in Victoria. He has made many enemies, made tons of money, and now he aims for more. Which is why he chooses to go to Lungmen, where there are many opportunities available.

I tried to write a decent enough action scene(s) hopefully it's good, I mean, that's why this fic is even here in the first place. I'm practicing my writing while also making a fic that I like.

I'll probably release an epilogue chapter of sorts like I usually do after wrapping up an (albeit) short arc. After that, I want to focus on updating the genshin impact fanfiction and maybe release a chapter or two for it. (If you're interested, its on FFN and Ao3).

And comments and criticisms are welcome!