THE FINAL MOVE : THE LAST LAUGH

Imperial and Gray infiltrate a secret facility and uncover disturbing evidence of human experiments—failed subjects stored in boxes and others suspended in capsules. As they gather proof, they are discovered by enemy captains, forcing them into a fierce battle where Imperial chooses to stay behind and hold the line so Gray can escape with the evidence.

Gray sprinted toward the stairwell, urgency and fire in his steps. Meanwhile, Imperial was locked in a fierce battle with two captains. The clash of powers shook the walls behind him. Gray hesitated for a moment at the landing, glancing back.

"Hold them off," he whispered under his breath, and then continued upward.

Reaching the top floor, Gray quickly turned to the corridor and extended his arm. A pulse of bluish magic radiated from his palm, forming a glowing sigil that sealed the staircase. The air shimmered as a barrier of force erupted between the two floors. This would buy him a few precious minutes.

Without wasting time, Gray began his descent—floor by floor, darting down the narrow, winding stairwell. Each level was crawling with guards. Cries of "Intruder!" and "It's Gray Welhawk!" rang through the stone halls.

Soldiers surged at him, but Gray moved like a shadow. His twin guns, customized for rapid and precise fire, whirled into his hands. His movements were fluid, almost dance-like. He took down one soldier after another—never wasting a bullet, always hitting his mark.

His agility was exceptional. Sliding across banisters, vaulting over debris, and somersaulting through narrow spaces, he was the embodiment of a master gunner in motion. Even as bullets and spells flew past him, his focus never wavered. He avoided direct confrontation unless necessary, disabling foes with swift, non-lethal shots to the legs or hands.

Reaching the ground floor at last, Gray burst through the main entrance. Smoke and shouts filled the air behind him. He sprinted across the courtyard, ducking behind fallen pillars and collapsed walls.

From behind a cluster of trees and bushes not far from the building, his team watched intently. Ari, Jack, Tracey, and a few others waited in anxious silence.

"There he is!" Ari shouted.

Jack reacted instantly. With a flick of his wrist and a low chant, a circular glyph of light appeared beneath him. He vanished in a flash—and reappeared next to Gray.

"Gotcha," Jack said, grabbing Gray's arm. The two vanished again, reappearing with the team behind cover.

As soon as Gray arrived, Ari and Tracey rushed up to him.

"Where's Imperial?" Ari asked, her voice tense. "He was with you when you called. Where is he now?"

Gray's face was grim. "We were ambushed by two captains. He... he gave me an opening to escape. He stayed behind to fight them. But I sure he is dead now cause surviving against two captains it now easy at all"

Tracey's face darkened. he grabbed Gray by the collar.

"How dare you say that like he's gone!"

Gray's eyes narrowed. In a flash, one of his guns was out, pointed directly at him.

"You think you could've survived that fight? If he stayed, it's because he knew what he was doing. Don't put that on me."

Ari stepped forward, drawing her sword. "Put that down. Now." To gray .

The rest of the CA members—Dawn, Vince, and the others—stood still, but the tension was palpable. Muscles tensed, eyes sharpened. It was a standoff waiting to erupt.

Then, a sudden pressure filled the air. Everyone felt it—an aura dense and electric.

A calm voice broke the silence. "Why are you guys fighting?"

All heads turned upward. Imperial sat casually on a branch high above them, the wind gently rustling his hair.

He leapt down gracefully, landing between Gray and Tracey. In a fluid motion, he lowered Gray's gun and pushed Ari's sword back into its sheath.

"Relax. Now's not the time for infighting."

Ari and Tracey rushed him without hesitation, embracing him tightly.

"You're okay!" Tracey said.

"We thought..." Ari began.

Imperial smiled. "Why wouldn't I be?"

The group stared, speechless.

Gray blinked. "Who the hell is this guy?"

Before the mood could settle, another voice echoed through the trees.

"Commander Silver! Looks like the general is here."

Everyone turned toward the main road. A detachment of soldiers arrived, led by a tall, broad-shouldered man in regal armor—General Rhogar. Several captains flanked him, and after sew second two familiar figures were dragged in chains—the very captains Imperial had fought. They were bruised, beaten, and barely conscious .

Prisoner wagons stood nearby, ready to transport the guilty.

General Rhogar stepped forward. "I know Gray Welhawk is here. And perhaps the CA is, too. I want to thank you all. You helped uncover corruption that operated under the nose of the Royal Council."

Commander Silver approached. "It's best to hand over the evidence directly to the general. If we submit it through normal channels, the council may tamper with it."

He nodded to Imperial and the others. "You've done enough. Thank you. You're dismissed."

Gray stepped forward. "Wait. I still want to know what they were doing here."

"Already asked Vince," Silver said. "They're our allies now. You don't need to worry."

Imperial and his group quietly disappeared into the trees.

Meanwhile, the CA revealed themselves to the general.

"You've always been a help to us, Gray," General Rhogar said. "I still wonder why you retired. But let's skip that for now. Tell me everything."

Gray nodded and presented a glowing blue crystal.

"This contains all the footage I gathered. The illegal magic experiments, the torture of citizens, the smuggling—it's all in there."

The general took it carefully. "You've done well. I'll begin the rescue operations immediately and make arrangements to send these people safely home."

He turned to his captains. "Secure the area. Treat the wounded. Arrest anyone connected to this scheme,

[Scene: As Imperial and the group walk away from the area...]

Tracey:

That Gray guy acts like he's some big shot.

Imperial (calmly):

He is.

Dawn (nodding):

Gray is the Vice Commander of the Common Association in this empire—and also the Head Vice Commander across all Common Association branches in the other empires.

Ari (confused):

What does that even mean?

Dawn:

It means Gray has the authority to interfere in any matter, in any empire, as long as it concerns the Common Association. Normally, if someone wants to act in another empire, they need that empire's commander's permission. Even other commanders need that. But not Gray—he's the exception.

Tracey:

But why him?

Dawn (serious tone):

Only the Vice Commanders and Commanders of each empire's Common Association know the truth:

Silver wasn't the one who came up with the idea of forming an organization to help commoners and stand against the Royal Council. It was Gray. But he never wanted to lead. He chose to stay in the shadows and made Silver the official Commander—the public face of the CA.

Dawn (lowering her voice):

Gray is what's called a "Shadow Accession." He was trained from the beginning to follow orders, not to give them. That's why he refused leadership, even though it was his idea in the first place.

…I'll tell you more about him later. For now, let's move. We need to get out of here.

________________________________________

[Later, after a brief discussion with the general, Gray, Silver, and the other CA members begin to leave as well.]

Gray (muttering to himself):

I'm still wondering… who was that guy?

Silver (glancing back):

Oh, you're still thinking about him? That was Imperial Alden.

Gray (shocked):

Alden? You mean… he's from one of those eleven scumbag families?

Jack (warning tone):

If I were you, I wouldn't say that out loud, Gray. Those eleven families hold the highest power in this world.

Gray (gritting his teeth):

I don't care. If I'd known he was an Alden from the start, I wouldn't have accepted his help. I'd rather get my own hands dirty than work with one of them. That brat...