THE WAR

Men were snarling and squealing as the ground became greasy with gore. Weapons were clanging and clangorous under the seething, spite-filled sky. It was the third day since the Oddesseau's camps began to attack along with the five mafia leaders and now penetrating the heart of Brethren city. A number of men were dispersed to hunt down and kill anyone who belong to the Aslanovs but their group failed to overthrow the clan, especially Mort. They could not find even the glint of his shadow.

Not only is the bloody massacre taking place in the Underground but the war has also affected the surface world. The men of the five mafia leaders begin to sow terror. They killed elder ones, raped women, and brutally tortured men they saw on the road for no reason. They have been wreaking mayhem in the city, burning down buildings and establishments, bombed every street and alley. With every passing minute, many people were lying dead on the road. Hundreds of civilians have been massacred mercilessly.

The once mighty metropolis is now tainted with blood and horror. The violent conflict between the Mafia leaders had reached the surface and it affects poor and innocent lives. The groans and caterwauling sounds from afar merge in the air.

"What's happening?!"

"Is there a purge or is it the end of the world?"

"Help! Someone's stuck in here!"

Panic was written all over their faces. People were screaming, running in different directions just to get away from the collapsed buildings after Don Juno's men bombed the place just to get the Aslanov's attention. They know the Aslanovs don't want the surface to be involved in their war. And that's what they doing.

The City President has imposed a law to evacuate civilians away from the chaos of the high-profile Mafias in the Underground for their safety, especially those who live near the battleground. The policemen were powerless to fight them. They were completely outnumbered. And most of those who sow evil is the most dangerous criminals on the list who were released from the prison cell according to Don Shien's order. The city policemen did not participate in the war. Their main missions are the President's orders to protect the people.

"Don't try to get involved in their war if you don't want them to burn the entire city. My order is to help people away from the danger zone. Dismiss." The Brethren's president ordered and brushed his face in so much frustration. The number of dead people has increased. He's weak and defenseless. He has no power to resolve the dispute happening in the city. The war is too big and out of his control. It brought wide-scale bloodshed. He is aware this will happen because of his connection to the Underground.

"I hope this will be over soon."

..............

Inside the Massoullèves' manor, the family gathers around the long table. Everyone is present, except for Sumire who is now living abroad, and Clair who is currently at her boyfriend's home. Creux took her before the war started. Chadwick and Blanche were also not present in the meeting.

What happened in the Brethren city had reached the family's patriarch of Massoullèves. Businessmen are now afraid to enter the city because of the reigning chaos and some of them had decided to pull out their investments. Don Severus Achaeus had just ignored the conflict in the Underground. As long as it won't ascend to the surface, he will take no action but the war has now bloomed in the city.

"This is getting out of control. If we don't act to stop this madness, they will destroy the entire city minutes from now on." Thick eyebrows squinted into a thin line, Chaise said looking at the projector of the destroyed metropolis.

"This is awful..." Lunaire said almost in a whisper who was stiffened in her seat when she saw the dead people lying on every street and corner of the city. Chaise immediately holds his wife's hand frozen cold.

"Dad, we need to rescue the innocent civilians who were involved in their mess. If we are late to take an action, there will be no more to save." Cornelius said that his wife, Aireinna nodded in agreement with him.

The door opened and the family's Butler approached and whispered something in Don Achaeus's ear. The Head throws a cold gaze at the screen projector. No reporters or journalists tried to go to the battlefield to broadcast what happened on TV or in newspapers. Engulfed with fear, the media were silent on the ongoing war.

There are ambulances and paramedics on every road to treat the injured civilians who have been hit by bombs and barely alive people who are on the road and streets after being tortured by the order of the associates of the Mafia leaders who work with the mobs and criminals.

Don Achaeus' deep and stern voice thundered in the entire corner of the place. "Get my study room ready."

............

From the deserted dark alley of the city, a rumble of a platoon of cars arrived at the place and Don Gunner's men got out with their smuggled firearms. A group of thugs came out into the alleyway. They were covered in tattoos looking violent and intimidating. The smell of the garbage and smoke of cigarettes was evident.

"Destroy more lives. I don't care how you do it. That's an order." Says the senior Associate of Don Gunner's men.

"If you guarantee the deal made, we will grant your wish." A leader of the low-rank mob said. Some of the members of the thugs had just been released from prison. They were carrying baseball bats and other killing weapons.

"That's an order." The leader of the Associate repeated with a finality tone. The group just nodded to them, turn their backs, and headed to the main streets. A few minutes after they left, a piercing sound of people screaming in agony could be heard from a distance. It's like a purge has set on in Brethren city.

The men of the five Mafia leaders spare no one in their killing spree. Gruesome series of murders took place on different corners and streets. They continued to wreak havoc in the city but stop right away when a seemingly invincible army arrived in the place.

"This is the match I've been waiting for."

When the soldier men of the Aslanovs and low-ranking men of Mafia rivals met, they wasted no time and immediately clashed on the road.

............

From the Underground, the whole computer program was hacked by an anonymous and there emerged a message that worried the Mafia Lords. It was a threat, a warning message from the most powerful figure on the surface who now meddled in the Underground's chaos. The message was exclusively for those powerful elites in the Underground.

As Mort stormed with Don Zagreus toward Oddesseau's base, they received a warning message from the Head of the Massoullèves. They need to end the war quickly especially since the Massoullèves threatened to close the Underground by themselves even if they sacrifice half of their wealth. The Mafia Lords know the Massoullèves' capabilities when they intervene and can do whatever they please in a heartbeat but they can't close totally down the Underground. Below millionaires will be affected by what the Massoullèves will do, but the upper billionaires will only get a little damage.

"It looks like we need to end this fast and quick." Don Zagreus said but he received no answer from the grandson. Mort was driving wearing his famous stoic face. The old man just grinned.

When they reached the base, they split. Don Zagreus took the North wing and Mort took the South. Just at the entrance, Don Zagreus was immediately surrounded by a horde of a skilled fighters.

He stretches his arms and back. Don Zagreus look wickedly at the leader while tilting his head to the side. The men looked coldly with weapons in their hands.

"This is gonna be fun."

While on his way to the South wing of the Oddesseau base, another wave of men carrying various weapons coming out into the hall and corridors greeted Mort. They wasted no time and attacked altogether but he quickly dodges their deadly assault.

He expertly kills them in one swift. Without any weapon, Mort used his raw strength and fought them barehandedly. His eyes glint in bloodlust. Going into appalling carnage, he started smashing his enemies' faces on the wall with one hand, twisting their heads off, breaking torsos and limbs with his extraordinary strength. The T-shirt was stretched tight over his bulging chest. Mort stood tall and beastly, and he was crushing his enemy like small goblins.

"Die! You bastard!" One man shouted and shot a dagger in Mort's direction but he dodged the blade and it darted into the wall. Move like a bullet, Mort captured him and killed him brutally.

More men leaped towards him and attack together. Mort buried his hand in their chest and pulled their hearts out one after another. He mercilessly removed their throats and break their legs and spine. The sound of ill-curling screams and bones cracked echoed throughout the place. Little by little, the dead and mutilated bodies of men piled up at his feet. The cold floor and walls were burnished with fresh crimson blood. It was a scene of appalling bloodshed.

"Disgusting." His eyes glint in bloodlust, veins protruding on his hands. Mort dropped the tongue and throw the lifeless body smashed against the wall when someone suddenly attacked him from the air.

One assassin dared to stab him with the dagger. Mort immediately dodged the attack but the edge of the blade hit his eyebrow. Ember-red blood dripped on his face. Mort looked coldly as he shot a death stare at the man who now shakingly stepped back. His bloodlust now directed to him. The feeling of dread, panic, and terror is painted on his face when Mort comes his way. Frozen in his feet, the assassin cowardly shrank as his legs were wobbly with fear.

"I'm sorry, p-please s-pare-ack!" raw panic was in his voice Mort clawed him by the neck, choking and lifting him. The assassin struggled on Mort's grip as the color drained from his face.

"If Sumire finds it hideous...." referring to the side of his eyebrows cut in half, Mort tightened his grip on the assassin's neck who was now barely breathing. "I will hunt you even in hell." Mort darkly added. When the assassin tried to fight back in his last strength, Mort twist his head and the sound of a crushing throat can be heard loudly the place. He separates the assassin's head from his body and throws it away, smashing it on the wall.

Mort look coldly around. He was standing in the pyramid of gore sight of dead bodies and a sea of scarlet liquid. His hands were filled with blood and it stained his face. He strode out of the place and leave the art of horror behind him.

Don Zagreus and Mort meet in the heart of the enemy's Base. Both are bathed in blood. They eliminate all the threats in the way but they still got a few minor scars.

"I guess I've killed more than you do." Don Zagreus said with a satisfying smile as he walked towards his way and showed the dismembered hand of their enemy to Mort.

"You really are old." Mort uninterestingly said and raised the severed head of the assassin in his hand. Its eyes were creepily dilated.

"That's so rude to tell your old man like that. Well, I killed hundreds of these peasants. How about you?" Don Zagreus asked, grinning from ear to ear as he stretched his body and back once more.

"Who cares," Mort replied uninterestingly, looking around. Don Zagreus immediately noticed Mort's eyebrow was cut and bleeding. The old man smirked.

"Aren't you getting weak now? I never thought the Beast I raised would get bruised." Don Zagreus teasingly laughed but his grandson ignores him.

Mort was just wearing a black t-shirt hugging his well-sculpted body. He had a visible cut on his shirt obviously he had been in a fierce battle earlier. But Don Zagreus didn't see a glint of exhaustion, instead, Mort's bloodlust is greatly overwhelmed that anyone in the place could feel it. He really raised a killing human machine.

A flash of memories comes back to his mind when he trains Mort at a young age as the next successor of the clan. Don Zagreus throw Mort into the lair of wolves. He thought his grandson would never come out alive, but Don Zagreus was surprised when it came out of the den carrying half the head of a rogue wolf with its tongue still hanging out and its eye sticking out. Young Mort slaughtered the wolf dearly with his bare hand. No glint of emotion can be seen in his eyes. It was dark and devoid of life. Mort tossed it in front of him and left without a word.

A proud smirk curved on Don Zagreus' lips while facing his grandson's massive back. Mort had become invincible, extremely ruthless and dangerous, and universally feared.

"Let's get this over with," Mort said in a cold tone without throwing a glance at him and started walking ahead. Don Zagreus followed him with a smirk still lingering on his face. They left the amputated hand and severed head on the cold floor.

They immediately went to the operation room where the five clan leaders led by Don Charles were gathering. Mort kicked the door of the room so hard that it immediately flew away from the impact.

"Damn it!" Mort cussed under his breath when the headless leaders revealed to them. Heads were placed on silver plates opposite their lifeless bodies. And they also found the decapitated head of Don Charles seated on the edge.

They walked together inside, approaching the place. In the middle of the table was a golden plate and a black note with gold letters written on it. [Congratulations! You've won the war. Now push the button under the golden plate.]

Mort gave an icy stare at what was written on the note. Don Zagreus then removed the plate and there revealed the red button. Without having a second thought, the old man pushed the button. Seconds later, confetti fell from the ceiling.

"They have managed to play with us, huh? The audacity." Don Zagreus commented and get one of the heads of five leaders he knew. Mort left the place without a word.

They rushed out of the base and passed the corpses in every corridor and hallway. The sky raining in confetti and the quiet place greeted them from outside. The war has just ended. Eyebrows knitted into a frown, Mort and Don Zagreus looked around the place. It's like they are inside a movie and someone had complete control to pause or stop the current war using a button control. And the Aslanovs didn't like such a play.

"What a beautiful scene," Don Zagreus uttered. Their eyes peruses the place and saw the aftermath of the war. The smell of death hung over the battlefield. The ground was drowned in a crimson sea and the lifeless bodies were scattered around. The battlefield had been baptized in blood from the gruesome death of their enemies emanated from it.

The city was left severely damaged. The cruelty and horror are evident in the place. The Aslanov's armies manage to slay all the low-rank mobs and captured Don Charles' associates for interrogation. The widespread trauma caused by these atrocities made it completely unforgettable and unforgivable to the victim civilians who had suffered in the Underground war.

The city authorities started to gather all the dead bodies and the death toll massively increased. Cries of pain and anguish can be heard in the streets of the city.

Their attention was caught when a phone suddenly rang. Mort took it out of his pocket and answered it.

"Sir, the war has stopped and the enemy has almost been wiped out, but Mischa is missing," Klauss reported on the other line.

"Maybe she's -" Mort didn't finish what he was going to say when suddenly Klauss called someone's name on the other line.

"Narco!" Klauss screamed and let go of his phone when Lyric, who was already standing behind him, injected him with the highest dose of sleeping pills. Klauss fell on the ground, knock out.

Smiling from ear to ear, Narco took Klauss's phone to the ground and placed it on his ear.

"Hello, Dad!"