Shadow Of Kingscity

Ten Seconds to Truth

Boss, 25 seconds left! Tony’s urgent voice crackled through the earpiece right in Ethan’s ear.

The situation was already bad, but it got worse fast. The rest of the guards lay scattered on the ground, while more stood outside with guns trained on the building, ready to shoot the moment anyone stepped out.

Ethan’s eyes widened in shock. “Ain’t they aware of the bombs planted everywhere?”

“I don’t think so, boss,” Tony replied, tension thick in his voice. “20 seconds left.”

Ethan turned quickly to Keon. “Can you walk?”

“Nah, nah,” Keon groaned, shaking his head. “They broke my gorgeous leg. No more flying kicks or anything fun I used to do with these legs.” He tried to smile through the pain, but it came out weak. “It’s fine, Ethan. Save yourself. Looks like they planned to get me killed here, but they really wanted you to die with me too.” Keon studied Ethan’s face for a second. “From your look, I can guess the whole building is wired with bombs and time is almost up.”

“Tony!” Ethan called out, his voice now hard and commanding. “Deploy the ninja tortoise robot. Keon will grab onto it, and I will find my way down and land in that swimming pool I saw below before this place turns to ashes.”

“Bad news, boss,” Tony answered right away. “I don’t think the swimming pool is safe. I’m getting beeps. Bombs all over the water too.”

“Ninja tortoise online,” Tony said a moment later.

The robot shot out from its hiding spot and flew across the guards before they could even react. It rained bullets down on them, dropping most of them instantly. The few survivors scrambled for cover, shouting in panic.

In that same second, Ethan tossed Keon toward the robot. Keon reached out, managed to grab hold, and Tony immediately lifted them both away from the building and into the night sky.

“10 seconds left!” Tony shouted into the earpiece, trying to warn Ethan.

But Ethan did not listen. His mind was set. He sprinted toward the open window, heart pounding hard in his chest. Without slowing down, he jumped.

Right before he lost balance in the air, he fired the gripping ninja rope from his hand. The sharp end pierced the top of a tall street light that lit up the area. The rope acted like a strong tape measure. When Ethan pressed the button on the handle, it yanked him back with force and helped swing him clear of the building.

He flew outward in a wide arc, heading toward the dark forest outside the mansion.

Just as he was midway through the air, the bombs finally went off.

A massive explosion ripped through the building behind him. The whole place turned into a fireball of bright orange flames and thick black smoke. Chunks of concrete and glass shot into the sky like deadly fireworks. The force of the blast pushed hot air against Ethan’s back as he sailed toward the trees.

The once grand mansion crumbled into nothing but ashes and destruction in seconds.

Ethan helped Keon inside the safe house and patched him up. Bandages now covered most of Keon’s body, but the pain still showed in the way he sat.

“Ethan,” Keon said quietly, “I never thought I would see another day, talk less of seeing you again.”

Ethan looked at him and remembered that last mission. “What happened to you? I saw that helicopter blow up right in front of me.”

Keon leaned back slowly. “Yeah, I was the one piloting it. I didn’t know the target we were trying to save was actually an agent for the Kingsmen. He spotted the bomb locked on the chopper and panicked. He screamed through the wire that they should cease fire on the helicopter. He thought I wouldn’t hear because of the headphones, but I did. I took the chance and dived straight into the river before the chopper got hit. Left it behind and watched it explode from the water.”

Ethan’s jaw tightened. “You don’t know how angry I got the moment I saw your chopper turn to pieces.”

Keon gave a small, tired smile. “You don’t need to tell me. I know. That was when your nickname as the Demon came out. You killed every last one of them in the most painful ways.”

Just then Tony stepped out from the next room.

“Who is this?” Keon asked, his eyes narrowing with clear distrust.

“He’s my friend,” Ethan replied calmly. “He works for me.”

Keon didn’t soften. “Do you trust him?”

“Yes, I do,” Ethan said without hesitation. “He owes me too much to betray me.”

Tony smiled and gave a small nod. “Hello, boss’s friend. I know I’m not trained like you Ghost guys, but I’m real good with computers. I’ve been helping the boss with his missions for a long time now.”

Keon studied Tony for a moment, then nodded slowly, as if deciding to accept Ethan’s judgment.

Ethan finally asked the question that had been burning in his mind. “What were you saying about my brother back at the mansion?”

Keon’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “I told you I would love to see the fire in your eyes when you finally understand that the brother you’re searching for is actually your enemy now.”

Ethan froze. “What do you mean my brother is my enemy?”

“I don’t know the full story,” Keon said, “but the men who captured me were not ordinary. They weren’t Ghost agents or Kingsmen. I’m not even sure who they were. I used the crash as my chance to leave the organization. Later I heard you guys all left too, and no one came after you.” Keon paused. “I was tired of the killings. That’s why I walked away.”

“So what does your abduction have to do with my missing brother?” Ethan pressed, impatience creeping into his voice.

“Because he came there.”

“What?” Ethan’s eyes widened. “He came to the mansion?”

“Yes,” Keon replied firmly. “He did.”

“Did Liam know you?”

“He did.” Keon’s voice stayed steady. “He called me by my code name and said, ‘Do you think you will live a peaceful life after working for the Ghost Elite?’ At first I thought the Ghost Elite sent him, but the fact that it was your brother told me it couldn’t be. You promised the circle that any member of your family joining the Ghost Elite ends with you.” Keon shifted slightly on the couch. “He told them not to kill me. Said I would be the perfect messenger to you.”

“He said that?” Ethan asked again, needing to hear it twice.

“Yes.”

“That was when I knew they were expecting you,” Keon continued. “And honestly, I was kind of happy it was you. I was sure they had no idea how strong you really are. If they did, they would have brought much stronger men who could actually challenge you.”

Ethan grew restless. Memories flooded back, images of him protecting his younger brother, shielding him from danger. He stood up and began pacing the room, unable to sit still.

“How did Liam turn out this way?” he muttered. “What happened to him?”

After several tense laps around the small room, Ethan stopped. “Keon, you’re safe here. Tony will get you anything you need. I have to go meet my uncle. If something happened to Liam while I was away, that might be what turned him like this.”

Ethan turned to leave, but before he could step outside, Tony stopped him just beyond the door.

“How well do you trust this guy?” Tony asked. Worry was written all over his face.

“I do trust him,” Ethan replied. “Keon would take a bullet for me if he had to.” He placed a hand on Tony’s shoulder. “You should have asked me how he knew my brother. Keon has the same obligation my family has with the Ghost Elite.”

“What obligation?” Tony asked, looking even more confused.

“You won’t understand,” Ethan said simply. “I’ll be back. Take care of him.”

He gave Tony’s back a gentle pat and walked off into the night.

Ethan stepped into the dimly lit workshop, the smell of oil and metal thick in the air.

“Uncle Mark, we need to talk.”

Uncle Mark lay under the bonnet of an old car, tools scattered around him. He had not heard any footsteps, nor the low rumble of Ethan’s bike pulling up outside. It was late, and he thought he was the only one left in the shop. How did the boy appear so suddenly?

He shook the thought away and slid out from under the car. When he stood up, he wiped his hands on a dirty rag and looked at his nephew’s face.

“Ethan,” he said with a long sigh. “Come, let’s sit.”

He motioned toward a pair of worn stools beside another car parked in the corner. “Sit down while I get us some beer to drink.”

Ethan nodded and took a seat. His uncle disappeared for a moment, then returned with two chilled bottles of beer. He handed one to Ethan and settled down beside him.

“What do you want to talk about, my child?” Uncle Mark asked, his voice warm and welcoming.

“Liam,” Ethan replied.

Uncle Mark’s expression changed slightly. “What about him?”

“How did Liam know about the Ghost Elites?”

The question hung in the air. Uncle Mark let out another deep sigh. He could not bring himself to give Ethan an answer, nor could he look his nephew in the face. His eyes stayed fixed on the concrete floor of the workshop as silence settled between them.