Encino – Streets
The air felt thick, heavy with tension as Mike, Johnny, and Tory regrouped in the shadows. The fight with the Wraiths had drained them, but it wasn't over. They knew that. Mike could feel it in his bones—Kessler wouldn't let them walk away. Not after everything they had done.
"We've got to keep moving," Mike said, his voice low but firm. "Kessler's not done yet."
Johnny wiped sweat from his brow, his face pale but determined. "She's playing the long game, isn't she?"
Mike nodded. "She's always two steps ahead. But we've got a chance. We take the fight to her compound now. No more running. No more waiting."
Tory scanned the street, her eyes sharp. "We're still outnumbered. What about backup?"
Mike's jaw tightened. "We don't have time for backup. We're on our own."
They continued forward, moving through the night as the distant sound of sirens began to echo in the streets. It was only a matter of time before Kessler's forces closed in on them. Every corner, every shadow felt like a trap.
Germany – FANG V2 Compound
Kessler's fingers hovered over the console, her cold eyes scanning the feeds. The Wraiths had failed, but she had known they would. She always did. Her gaze shifted to the screen, and her lips curled into a thin smile.
"Phase Three," Kessler whispered to herself. "Let's see if you can survive this."
She pressed the button.
Encino – Mike's Apartment
The phone buzzed on the table again. Mike didn't even hesitate this time. He picked it up, his grip tightening as he saw the message flash across the screen.
"It's begun. Phase Three. Get ready."
The message was from the same unknown source. Whoever they were, they had been watching Kessler's every move—and now they were giving Mike the chance to strike back.
"Phase Three?" Johnny asked, his voice cautious. "What does that mean?"
Mike's eyes narrowed, his fingers curling into fists. "I think Kessler's finally done playing with her toys. She's going to hit us harder than ever."
Tory moved closer, her expression grim. "We need to stop her. Now."
Mike nodded. "We don't wait. We go in. We take her down. We finish this."
Germany – FANG V2 Compound
Deep within the compound, a hidden door opened, revealing a massive chamber. Inside, there was a containment unit—a large, cylindrical tank, filled with liquid. Shadows danced across the walls as the eerie hum of machinery echoed through the space.
A figure emerged from the tank, its body lithe, but imposing. It was human, but its movements were unnaturally precise, robotic. The creature stepped forward, its eyes gleaming with a cold, calculated malice.
Kessler stood at the control panel, watching the figure emerge. Her lips parted, a smile creeping onto her face. "Meet Erebus. My greatest creation."
The figure turned, its eyes locking onto Kessler's. It was silent, but there was an unmistakable awareness in its gaze.
Kessler stepped back, her hand hovering over the activation controls. "It's time. Bring him to Encino."
Encino – Streets
Mike, Johnny, and Tory neared the outskirts of Encino, the compound in the distance. It was a concrete fortress, surrounded by high walls and guarded by Kessler's forces. It seemed impossible, but Mike wasn't going to let that stop him.
"Do you see that?" Tory asked suddenly, her voice sharp. She pointed to a dark figure in the distance, moving with unnatural speed and precision.
Mike's eyes narrowed. "That's not a regular soldier."
The figure was coming closer, faster than any human should be able to move. It was like a shadow—silent, deadly, and eerily calm.
The moment the figure was within range, it lunged.
Mike reacted instinctively, stepping forward, his fists raised, but the figure moved like lightning, dodging his strike with ease. It's movements were fluid, inhuman. This was no ordinary fighter. This was something else entirely.
Johnny moved in, but the figure swept his legs out from under him with a single, swift motion, sending him crashing to the ground.
Tory wasn't far behind. She launched herself at the figure, but it dodged and caught her mid-air, flipping her over its shoulder, sending her slamming into the concrete.
Mike stood his ground, his fists clenching. This wasn't just a man—it was a machine, a weapon. And it was going to take everything Mike had to stop it.
The figure's head tilted slightly, as if studying him. Then, with a blur of motion, it rushed forward again.
Mike's instincts kicked in. He dodged, narrowly avoiding a kick that would have taken his head off. He could hear the whistling of the wind as the figure's limbs moved with terrifying precision, and he realized that this wasn't just a fight. This was a test. A test of everything he had ever learned.
He needed to beat it. He had to.
With a roar, Mike surged forward, launching a flurry of punches. Each strike landed, but the figure absorbed them, its body moving like fluid, adapting, never slowing.
Then, Mike remembered something—something his mentor had once taught him. "Sometimes, it's not about how hard you hit. It's about where you hit."
Mike feigned another strike, then quickly twisted his body and aimed for the figure's knee, delivering a low kick that sent the machine stumbling.
That was all the opening he needed. With everything he had left, Mike launched himself at the figure, bringing his elbow down on its neck with a brutal snap. The figure froze, its body locking up before crumpling to the ground.
Breathing heavily, Mike stood over the fallen form, sweat dripping from his face. This fight was far from over, but he had won this round.
Germany – FANG V2 Compound
Back in the compound, Kessler watched through the surveillance system as Mike took down her creation. A flicker of surprise crossed her face. Impressive, she thought. But not enough.
She pressed another button on the console, her voice cold. "Phase Four. Initiate."
----
Mike has faced Kessler's first weapon, Erebus, but the battle is far from over. With Kessler escalating her operations, Mike and his team must race against time to take down the compound before the next wave of horrors is unleashed. The fire is just beginning to burn.