Spawn's mind raced as he surveyed the corridors ahead. Teleporting now would draw too much attention, too fast. The last thing they needed was for Crimson's entire security force to mobilize the instant they made their move. That would spell immediate problems for Verosika and her crew. He needed stealth, absolute silence.
His cape shifted subtly, wrapping tightly around Moxxie like a second skin, masking their presence completely as they moved through the dimly lit hallway. Spawn kept them in the shadows, every footstep calculated and muffled by the cloak.
Moxxie, despite the exhaustion and pain from the restraints, kept pace, trusting Spawn's instincts. His eyes flicked between the doors they passed, but he said nothing. He didn't want to make a sound that might attract attention.
Every now and then, they passed a security guard or a low-ranking casino employee, but Spawn kept them hidden in the cloak's embrace, sidestepping any potential confrontation with eerie precision.
They reached a set of service elevators that led to a back exit. Spawn paused, scanning for movement. A guard was just around the corner, unaware of their presence. With one fluid motion, Spawn reached out, pulling Moxxie deeper into the shadow of the elevator alcove.
The guard walked past, blissfully unaware of their near encounter. Spawn let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, his cape dissipating slightly to allow for more movement.
"Keep close," he muttered to Moxxie. His voice was low, almost a whisper.
Moxxie nodded, wincing as he straightened up.
Once the coast was clear, they entered the elevator. Spawn pressed the button for the basement level, where the service exits were. The elevator hummed to life, and the soft ding signaled the downward motion.
They had one shot. They had to make it count.
As Verosika's crew continued their chaotic antics, the atmosphere in the casino shifted from vibrant entertainment to a near riot. Kiki and Josh had moved on from flirting with the waitresses to full-blown pranks, tossing chips and cards across the casino floor, causing minor chaos at every table they touched. Meanwhile, Kat was now engaging in a drinking contest with a random guest, holding his own with remarkable ease.
Milky, now atop another blackjack table, belted out a drunken rendition of a pop song, while Ace egged her on, loudly cheering. It wasn't long before the crowd around them grew, and security was getting more and more nervous. Though Crimson had told his guards to allow them to do as tbey pleased, they were now starting to feel the weight of the situation.
The tension was palpable. Crimson's reputation was on the line, and it was clear that Verosika's crew wasn't concerned with consequences.
A few of the guards exchanged worried glances, knowing that they had to intervene soon, or things would spiral out of control. Crimson had insisted they keep things low-key, but this was pushing it.
In the VIP area, Verosika sat in a luxurious lounge, keeping up her flirtations with Crimson. She continued to feed him empty compliments, all while keeping one eye on the door, fully aware that Spawn was likely getting close to Moxxie.
But as the noise from her crew grew louder and more chaotic, she couldn't help but smile. The distraction was working.
"Let them make fools of themselves," she thought. "As long as Spawn gets what he came for."
Spawn and Moxxie paused in the dimly lit basement, eyes locked on the lone guard standing at the far end. The heavy, metallic door behind him was their only way out, but it was rigged with an alarm system. Spawn knew that once they crossed that threshold, it was going to trigger a loud, attention-grabbing noise. They wouldn't have much time before the entire casino would be looking for them.
"Stay quiet, Moxxie," Spawn whispered, his voice barely audible as he surveyed the situation.
Moxxie nodded, still looking a little worse for wear but focused. He had been through hell, but this wasn't the first time he'd been in a tight spot. He just had to trust Spawn.
Spawn's cape seemed to move on its own, creeping out behind him. He'd need to take down the guard without alerting anyone else. Using the shadows to his advantage, Spawn extended the tendrils from his cape, moving silently across the floor toward the guard. As he got closer, he could hear the guard muttering to himself, oblivious to the looming threat.
Just as the guard took a step forward, Spawn struck. A tendril wrapped around the guard's neck, pulling him backward into the darkness. The guard barely had time to gasp before he was choked into unconsciousness, his body slumped and limp against the wall.
With a quick glance, Spawn checked Moxxie, who was frozen, staring at the scene. But there was no time for hesitation.
"Let's go," Spawn murmured, pulling Moxxie forward.
With the guard neutralized, Spawn stepped toward the door, his hand reaching for the control panel. He was already calculating the best way to disengage the alarm. A quick twist of his fingers, and the system seemed to respond, the buzzing alarm silenced for a few moments.
With one last glance at Moxxie, Spawn stepped outside into the cool, dimly lit alleyway. The two of them were finally free, but the clock was ticking.
They had to move fast—there was no way to avoid the chaos that would come once Crimson realized what had happened.
Just as they were about to take a step, a distant siren wailed to life, piercing through the night air. The alarm was activated.
"Time to go," Spawn muttered, as the sound of footsteps echoed from behind them.
They were running out of time.
As the blaring alarm reverberated throughout the casino, Verosika knew exactly what it meant. She stood from her seat, her demeanor cool and collected, though a slight smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. The chaos unfolding wasn't just a diversion—it was the moment for Spawn to make his move.
"Guess that's my cue," Verosika said aloud, though the words were laced with both amusement and an air of command. She adjusted her sunglasses, the only sign of her readiness to engage in a little more chaos.
The casino floor was already descending into confusion. Guards who had been lazily watching Verosika's crew now scrambled, unsure whether the disruption was part of her act or something more serious. Verosika could tell that they were distracted by the commotion her crew was causing, and that was exactly what she wanted.
She turned to her crew, who had already been causing a ruckus in their own ways. Coco and Kat were still deep into their drinking contest, their laughter ringing out, as Milky, still on top of the blackjack table, continued singing loud and off-key. Kiki and Josh had managed to charm a few of the higher rollers, causing them to get lost in their flirtations. Ace was keeping the mood light with snide comments that no one seemed to mind.
"Alright, people, time to turn it up," Verosika commanded with a raised brow. "This is not a drill."
Her crew, fueled by the chaos they'd already stirred up, wasted no time in stepping it up a notch.
Kiki, ever the social butterfly, gave a wink to a nearby cocktail waitress before causing a minor spill that sent a cascade of drinks and ice flying across the floor. The chaos spread like wildfire, and the security, already scrambling to deal with the alarm, was now stretched thin, trying to keep the casino from falling into total anarchy.
Verosika turned her attention back to the commotion she'd set in motion. "Let's make sure Crimson remembers this night," she mused to herself, with an almost mischievous glint in her eyes. Her plan had worked. Spawn would be moving, and with the distraction at hand, they had a few minutes to escape unnoticed.
Back at the door where Spawn had made his escape, things were already spiraling out of control. Guards ran past in a blind panic, unaware that their real target had already slipped out under their noses.
Verosika couldn't help but feel a thrill at the chaos she'd helped orchestrate. It was a bit of a game for her. Stir things up, set them all loose, and then watch as everything fell apart.
"Just a little bit longer," she muttered to herself, knowing that by the time the dust settled, Spawn would be long gone, and her crew would have just enough time to make their exit as well.
The aftermath of the distraction had left guards scrambling and patrons disoriented, but Verosika moved through it all with an air of effortless grace. Her crew trailed behind her, still riding high on the excitement of their antics, but Verosika's mind was already on the next step—getting out and making sure their involvement was wrapped up neatly.
As they approached the front exit, Crimson, ever the opportunist, appeared from behind the casino's glitzy façade, rushing over in an attempt to salvage what little was left of his dignity. His eyes were wide with a mix of frustration and feigned charm.
"Verosika! You can't leave now!" Crimson called, his voice tinged with desperation. "The night's just getting started. Stay, I'll make it worth your while. Drinks, entertainment, whatever you need—don't leave yet. I've got plans, big plans that could use someone like you."
Verosika stopped in her tracks, her gaze turning to him slowly. The smirk on her lips was the only sign of amusement as she raised an eyebrow.
"Crimson, darling," she said coolly, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "This place? It's really not my scene." She waved a hand dismissively as if the whole casino and its inhabitants were beneath her notice. "You'll be just fine without us. Trust me."
She turned, gesturing for her crew to follow her out.
Crimson stood there, flustered and slightly embarrassed, as he watched them leave. "You're making a mistake!" he called after her, but the words fell flat in the wake of the chaos. He knew deep down that no amount of charm would keep her there.
Verosika, unfazed, barely glanced over her shoulder. "I think I've already made enough of them for tonight," she said with a smirk, her voice carrying the unmistakable tone of someone who had already moved on.
With that, the crew, still laughing and jovial from their wild antics, sauntered out of the casino behind Verosika. The night was theirs—successful in every way that mattered. And as they stepped into the limousine waiting outside, the sound of the casino's chaos fading behind them, Verosika allowed herself a brief moment of satisfaction.
"Nice work, team," she said, her eyes glinting with something far more dangerous than mere enjoyment. "Now, let's see what else this night has in store."
As they landed in the dark alleyway, the weight of everything that had just happened began to settle in. Spawn's eyes scanned over Moxxie's battered form. His clothes were torn in places, and his arms and legs had bruises where the restraints had cut into his skin. Despite being free from the clutches of Crimson, Moxxie's pain wasn't just physical. There was something deeper, something he hadn't said out loud for a long time.
Spawn, his mind flashing back to his own tortured memories of betrayal and lost family, couldn't help but ask, "How could someone do this to their own son?"
Moxxie, silent at first, stared at the ground. The air was thick with the sound of the city around them, but neither spoke for what felt like an eternity. Moxxie clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as the memories he'd tried to bury surged to the surface. Finally, he exhaled deeply and began to speak, his voice quiet but firm.
"My old man…" Moxxie began, eyes distant. "He never cared about me. Never. I was just… a tool to him. A pawn. Everything I did was either never enough or it pissed him off. I don't even remember a time when I wasn't walking on eggshells, trying to please a man who couldn't give a damn about anything but power."
He paused, his breath hitching slightly as if the words were choking him. Spawn could see that the anger in Moxxie's eyes wasn't just about what had happened that day—it was a lifetime of pain.
"I was supposed to be this perfect, obedient little thing, doing whatever he told me. But I didn't. I tried to be different. I tried to fight back, to show him that I wasn't just his little soldier. Every time, he broke me down more. Told me I wasn't good enough. He hated that I wasn't like him—that I didn't want to rule with fear. I was always the disappointment."
Spawn could hear the bitterness in Moxxie's words, but there was something deeper. A sadness, a brokenness that Moxxie had kept hidden for so long.
"My mom tried to protect me, but she was powerless. He made her just as scared as me… and worse, he made me feel like I didn't deserve any better. And worse still... I'm all but certain he's the reason my mom is gone." Moxxie's eyes darted to the ground, focusing on something that wasn't there, but something he couldn't escape. "So when I grew up, I got away. Tried to make something of myself… but he's always there. Always pulling me back. Always making me feel like nothing I do will ever be enough for him. Even when I think I've escaped, I can still feel him. His voice. His power. It's like I'll never be free of him."
The weight of Moxxie's confession hung heavily in the air. Spawn, who had seen too many broken souls in his own past, understood that this wasn't just about what happened tonight. This was the kind of thing that shaped a person's whole life.
There was a long silence, one that spoke volumes. In that moment, the pain Moxxie had carried for so long seemed to resonate with Spawn in a way that he hadn't expected. Though their pasts were different, their experiences mirrored each other more than either would care to admit.
In the limousine, the air was thick with the excitement of Verosika's crew. They had pulled off the perfect distraction, and everything had gone according to plan. The mood was celebratory, with everyone chatting and laughing as they drove away from the chaos they'd left behind at Crimson's casino.
But Verosika wasn't celebrating. Her thoughts were elsewhere, fixed on the two figures she had just seen in the alley. Her gaze drifted out the window, and there they were: Spawn and Moxxie. The scene between them didn't look like a victory. It looked like something much more personal. She could see the weight on Moxxie's shoulders, and Spawn, standing still, his posture tense with rage.
Without a second thought, Verosika shouted for the driver to stop. Her crew, confused, looked at her as she hurriedly opened the door.
"What's going on?" Ace asked, glancing at Verosika as she stepped out of the car.
"Stay here," she ordered, her tone sharp. "I'll handle this."
Verosika and her crew made their way to the alley where Spawn and Moxxie stood, just as Spawn turned to face Moxxie. He was furious, his eyes burning with a rage that seemed to come from deep within.
Verosika stayed back for a moment, watching them quietly, before stepping forward. "Is everything alright here?" she asked, her voice softer now, though still filled with concern.
Spawn didn't immediately respond to her. He was still reeling from Moxxie's confession. The words had struck a chord, stirring up memories of his own past. Of a father he had slain for similar reasons. Spawn's fingers flexed around the weapons he had hidden in his cape, and he could feel that old, familiar fire in his chest. The need for retribution.
He turned to Verosika, his face a mask of cold determination. "Keep an eye on Moxxie," he said, his voice low and controlled. "I'm about to finish what needs to be done."
Moxxie, still visibly shaken, tried to protest. "Spawn, wait—"
But before Moxxie could say anything further, Spawn had already vanished into the shadows.
Verosika's eyes narrowed as she watched him disappear, the sudden rush of adrenaline making her realize that whatever Spawn was about to do, it was not something that could be undone easily. She turned back to Moxxie, who looked like he was about to follow, but she stopped him with a firm gesture.
"Stay here," she ordered. "You're not in any condition to follow him right now."
As Verosika kept her eyes on Moxxie, Kiki, unable to hide her excitement, leaned over to Milky with a grin. "It is like a sauna in my panties right now," she said, practically swooning. "I love a man who knows how to take charge."
Milky, ever the skeptic, just shook his head, chuckling. "You have a thing for the whole 'rage' thing, don't you?"
Kiki didn't respond. She was too lost in her own world, imagining Spawn's power in action. It was clear that she had been more than just impressed—she was completely captivated.
But as the tension built, Verosika couldn't help but feel a sense of dread in the pit of her stomach. She knew Spawn wasn't just playing with fire—he was about to unleash it, and things would change, whether anyone was ready for it or not.
Back at the casino, Crimson looked around at the aftermath of the chaos. The once elegant and controlled environment was now littered with empty drink glasses, overturned chairs, and scattered chips from the gambling tables. The guards were scrambling to restore order, and the once rowdy atmosphere was filled with the subdued murmur of complaints and confusion.
Crimson, however, wasn't entirely displeased with the scene. Sure, Verosika's visit hadn't gone as smoothly as he had hoped—she hadn't been convinced by his attempts at charm or his promises of a profitable partnership. But just her presence here had added a certain cachet to his casino. The gossip and whispers of the night would spread, and soon enough, people would be talking about the casino where Verosika had stopped by, regardless of how she felt about him or his establishment.
He turned to his assistant, who was visibly flustered. "See to it that everything gets cleaned up properly," he instructed. "And we'll have a meeting first thing in the morning to assess the damages and plan a more effective strategy for our future events."
The assistant nodded, trying to hide the concern on his face. "Yes, sir. I'll get right on it."
Crimson watched as the assistant hurried away, clearly overwhelmed by the situation. But Crimson knew he couldn't afford to show weakness or uncertainty. He had to keep the façade of control and success intact. After all, appearances were everything in this business, and any perceived slip-up could have dire consequences for his reputation and, ultimately, his wealth.
Turning his attention back to the main area of the casino, Crimson allowed himself a small, satisfied smirk. Verosika might not have been impressed, but the incident would still serve its purpose. Word would get out, and his casino would be the topic of conversation for days to come, boosting his status and ensuring that people continued to see it as the place to be in the Greed Ring. As long as he could keep the attention on his establishment, he was confident he could spin this situation to his advantage.
And while Crimson was right that people would be talking, it would not be for the reasons he wanted.
