Kaiden sat upon the throne of bone. The seat was cold at first touch, but warmth crept up through the veins of red that pulsed through it.

Nyx sat perched on the armrest beside him. One of her hands lovingly combed through his dark hair, fingers trailing through the strands as he unfolded the letter once more. Her touch kept him anchored while he read.

The parchment was smooth, yet the handwriting trembled, like it had been written with fear shadowing every stroke.

—

Dear Nyx,

I might have some information that will lead to the downfall of Maximilian Vice. Please read this carefully.

I've been following the news about Maximilian and the other ChronosX leaders, namely: Elise Dupré, Anton Krieger, Harold Veyne, and Lionel Hawke.

I know for a fact that all of them are scum. They used the same kind of blackmailing tactics as Maximilian had, if not worse. They ruined numerous people's lives, turned them into debt slaves, among other things, and forced them to do unspeakable things.

But on the news, nothing has been said about them.

Considering how the President himself put his name on the line for this investigation, I thought there would be headlines of finding new victims, getting their testimonies, and justice finally catching up to them. But everything has been silent, more focused on possible financial crimes than the large human trafficking and enslavement ring they have going on. Aside from me, they found no one else in similar situations.

That makes me think the victims are either being silenced… or kidnapped. Maybe taken somewhere remote, somewhere no investigator will find them.

I can't bear the thought that these monsters might get away with everything they've done. I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing others are still suffering while their oppressors live comfortably behind political favors and corporate protection.

I'm lucky. I found a friend like you, Nyx. And through you, I met Kaiden and the girls. You gave me a place to feel safe again. But the others? They don't have that. They're still trapped in their own nightmares.

They deserve justice.

Now, I know the bunker is under heavy surveillance by the government, and that's exactly why I couldn't say this aloud. I don't trust them, and I know that neither does Kaiden. So, I hid this letter inside your gauntlet before you left. It was a desperate gamble, I know.

As for how to make them pay… I'm too weak. Too useless to do it myself. But one day, I overheard one of Elise Dupré's slaves whisper something under his breath with a frightened expression I can't get out of my head:

"Please, just not the underground place…!"

I don't know what that means exactly, but I think… maybe they're hiding the evidence of their crimes somewhere in a secret location beneath the surface.

When the government questioned me, I didn't tell them this. I was afraid the agents might be compromised, and I couldn't live with the guilt if Maximilian got tipped off because of me.

That's why I believe… if anyone can uncover the truth, it's you.

I'm sorry for placing this burden on you, and I understand completely if you decide it's too risky.

I'll always be grateful for everything you've already done for me. No matter what happens next, I'll keep praying for your safety every time you leave for battle.

Alexandra

—

Kaiden's gaze lingered on the letter even after he'd finished reading it for the second time.

"Underground location…" he murmured under his breath.

The flicker of lava light from the walls reflected in his eyes as he lifted his head only to meet Nyx's gaze. The two locked eyes, and for a brief heartbeat, the air between them seemed to hum with shared realization. Their eyes shimmered the same way, with that familiar glint of purpose, of a storm about to break loose.

Was this it?

The breakthrough they'd been searching for was handed to them in the form of a desperate plea.

Kaiden folded the letter carefully and slipped it into his pocket, then reached for Nyx.

He didn't like the distance between him and his curvaceous lover.

In one smooth pull, he wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her into his lap. Even while armored, her body fit against his as if it belonged there.

Nyx laughed softly, releasing that same airy, playful giggle that always made his chest tighten whenever his ears were graced with their wonderful melody. She didn't resist the pull; she melted into him with an ease that spoke of trust, pressing her forehead to his before tilting her face upward.

Her lips brushed his, but this time, neither of them closed their eyes. They kept staring into each other's gaze, letting the shared spark of mischief and resolve deepen.

Kaiden's hand slid up her back while his voice dropped to a whisper that vibrated against her lips.

"What an awesome girl this Alexandra is," he murmured. "Even after everything she's been through, she's more worried about the others than herself. She even feels guilty for putting us up to the task."

Nyx's grin bloomed wide and bright. "Alexandra is the best! I'm so happy to have her back in my life." Her eyes softened, moving down as a brief shadow crossed them. "I really thought I lost her the day she kneeled before Maximilian."

Kaiden brushed a thumb across her cheek, steady and reassuring. "I am happy you managed to reunite with your friend, my love."

Nyx's eyes fluttered wide open. It was very rare for Kaiden to call any girl his love. He usually used less romantic nicknames for his girls, such as space babe for Nyx.

Her heart increased its pace as the girl leaned in for a second kiss, this one more fervent and longer lasting. After dozens of seconds, their glistening lips parted once again.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Kai?" she murmured, voice low and honeyed.

Kaiden's mouth curved into that dangerous smile of his. "It's time to end it. Once and for all."

Nyx trailed a slender finger along his jawline lovingly while sporting a sly smirk. "You know we could bring this to the government, right? Alexandra might not have any trustworthy contacts, but we do. We have Grace, the Awakened Association Chairman's secretary, on quick dial."

Kaiden's expression hardened as he shook his head. "Grace would have to report it to her superiors. If there are crooks in the system, they'd bury it before we even got close."

Nyx hummed, unbothered. Her pink eyes gleamed like twin galaxies as she teased, "You just want to end it with your own two hands. Don't lie to me, Boyfriend. If you were being pushy, maybe you could even get the President on the line directly. And if you asked Mommy Shadow Monarch for help, she'd definitely make it happen."

He said nothing.

And that silence made Nyx smile, soft, knowing, and utterly in love.

Because she didn't need him to answer.

She understood that she'd read her man like an open book.

And she adored him all the more for it.

Kaiden's hand came down with a playful smack against Nyx's armored butt. Nyx, full of theatrics, yelped, "Kya!" in a breathy, delighted squeak.

With her armor on, she'd felt little more than a pinch at best, but she still played along. Kaiden's fingers lingered, massaging the spot where he'd just struck.

"I've got a bigger reason than wanting to beat the everliving shit out of Maximilian with my own two hands," he revealed at last.

Nyx's brow quirked. "Oh?"

Kaiden didn't answer with more than a sly sparkle in his eyes.

He opened the status window. Nyx didn't see it. Kaiden could choose to show his system messages to others, but this time, he elected not to.

It was the main mission quest he'd received.

[Space Valkyrie's Tormentor: Defeat Maximilian!]

Objective: Neutralize and utterly dismantle the influence of Maximilian Vice, CEO of ChronosX Corporation.

Mission Directive:

– Dismantle ChronosX's corporate infrastructure.

– Destroy Maximilian Vice's financial and political leverage.

– Render subject Maximilian incapable of exerting further harm.

Failure Condition: Any outcome in which Maximilian Vice retains the capacity to recover his influence.

Completion Requirement: Maximilian Vice must experience absolute collapse. His empire stripped. His pride obliterated. His soul left screaming in helpless ruin.

—

With determination evident on his face, he stood. "Let's go. It's time to end this."

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