Hugo towered over Angelo, his massive frame casting a shadow that seemed to swallow the smaller man whole. Angelo planted his feet firmly, refusing to back down even as uncertainty coiled in his gut. Their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills while everyone around them held their breath—Veronica and the light twins approaching cautiously from one side, Neiva edging closer from another, and Sol, Red, and Blue watching with visible tension.

"Think we deserve a little chat, wouldn't you say?" Hugo's confident smile returned, stretching across his face like a predator sizing up its meal.

Angelo crossed his arms, his expression deliberately neutral. "Not much to discuss."

Hugo's enormous hand clamped down on Angelo's shoulder, squeezing just hard enough to make him wince. "Don't test my patience, boy." Each word fell like a hammer. "Why the hell did you drag your enemies to my doorstep?"

Angelo shrugged free of the grip, brushing his shoulder as if removing dust. "Like I said—they're terrorists. Infernian terrorists."

Hugo paused, his eyes narrowing as he considered the words hanging between them. "And I'm supposed to just swallow that? For all I know, you're spinning tales to paint yourself as the victim here."

"Holy shit, Angie!" Red's excitement bubbled through their mental link. "His whole body is reacting to 'Infernian.' I'm getting waves of pure hatred off him—he despises them!"

Angelo raised an eyebrow, studying Hugo's subtle reaction. "Sounds like you've got some grudges with Infernia."

Hugo's bushy eyebrows shot up momentarily before his grin returned, now tinged with something darker. "Sharp eye you've got there. Yeah, you could say that." His smile twisted with disgust. "Can't stand the whole rotten lot of them."

Angelo gave a thoughtful hum, turning his gaze toward the horizon where Dray had disappeared. "That man attacking us? He's Dray of the Black Flames, a high-ranking member of the Sundering Flames. Look him up if you don't believe me."

Hugo's expression shifted like storm clouds changing formation. "The Sundering?" He dropped to a crouch, bringing his massive face level with Angelo's, studying him with newfound intensity. "And why would Sundering scum chase you all the way out to this backwater?" His eyes bored into Angelo's, searching for lies.

"Because I killed his brother." Angelo's voice fell flat and hard. "When they attacked Novaria during the New Light Festival. He swore revenge."

Hugo straightened to his full height, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Well, well. That changes the playing field."

"Oh, come on!" Zack threw his hands up in exasperation. "Boss, you're buying this garbage? He's obviously spinning tales to save his skin!"

Hugo stroked his beard, considering. "You'd be surprised how good I am at spotting liars, Zack."

"So what's the verdict?" Zeke asked, shifting his weight impatiently. "What do we do with them?"

Hugo's chest expanded as he drew in a deep breath, then: "They're now honorary guests of Thunderclap Port!" His declaration boomed across the street, triggering an instant wave of murmurs from both Cliffhangers and locals alike. "I'll be damned if I let Infernian filth have their way in MY town! And if they dare show their faces here again—" his fists clenched tightly, "—I'll personally ensure they never leave."

A hesitant townsman approached from behind, his cap twisted nervously in his hands. "Mr. Reid, sir? We should probably start repairs right away. Storm season's coming, and some folks don't have roofs anymore..."

"Good thinking." Hugo clapped his hands with enough force to sound like a thundercrack. "Cliffhangers! Get to work on repairs! Now!"

"YES, BOSS!" The cry erupted from dozens of throats as gang members and townspeople alike scattered to begin the restoration work.

"As for you lot—" Hugo turned back to Angelo's group, his smile returning with an edge that made Neiva visibly gulp, "—you're coming with me. We still have details to sort out."

Hugo led them through town toward his mansion, flanked by his lieutenants.

"Hey, would you look at that!" Sol suddenly veered off, spotting his silver jacket still lying in the dirt where he'd discarded it before fighting. He scooped it up, slapping uselessly at the caked-on grime. "So much for dry cleaning."

The group was escorted into Hugo's impressive mansion and up to the second floor, where a set of imposing double doors dominated the hallway.

"You two wait here," Hugo gestured to Sol and Neiva, then turned to Angelo and his duplicates. "The triplets and I need a private conversation." He swung open the massive doors revealing a spacious office with a breathtaking ocean view. "After you," he said with a grin that didn't reach his eyes.

Angelo and Blue walked in with carefully neutral expressions, while Red muttered profanities under his breath.

Outside in the hallway, Sol and Neiva settled onto a bench, acutely aware of the light twins hovering nearby and Veronica's intimidating presence on the other side. Neiva fidgeted uncomfortably, constantly shifting position.

Sol leaned toward her, trying to break the tension. "So... full-fledged Auron now, huh? That's quite the promotion!"

"Thanks," she mumbled, casting nervous glances toward the twins, who hadn't taken their eyes off the office door.

"How'd you finally break through?" Sol asked, genuinely curious despite their precarious situation.

Neiva's fingers twisted in her lap. "Lavvy kind of... kidnapped me. Tied me up and stuffed me in a closet."

"What?!" Sol's outrage momentarily overrode his awareness of their current predicament. "That slimy little weasel!"

"Yeah..." Neiva tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I realized I'm always just deadweight for you guys. Guess that final push of desperation was what I needed."

"That's actually impressive," Sol offered with genuine warmth despite their uncomfortable surroundings.

"Is it weird that I kind of feel sorry for him?" she whispered, the words barely audible.

Sol's brow furrowed. "Sorry, what was that?"

"Nothing!" She straightened abruptly, her posture stiff with awkwardness.

Meanwhile, inside Hugo's office, the gang leader settled into an enormous chair behind his desk, steepling his fingers as he studied the three identical men standing before him. His gaze lingered on the glowing cracks still visible across Red and Blue's bodies.

"First things first," Hugo's voice rumbled like distant thunder. "I want to know exactly what brought you to my doorstep. Thunderclap isn't exactly on the tourist trail, and my people tell me you came equipped for an extended stay."

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The three duplicates exchanged glances, Angelo asked the others aloud. "Should we just tell him the truth?" Meanwhile, his thoughts raced: "What the hell do we say?"

"The fuck should I know?" Red's mental voice snapped back. "Blue, pull something out of that encyclopedia brain of yours!"

"I prefer not to participate in deception," Blue replied internally, his perfect posture faltering slightly at his transparent excuse.

"Now I understand how Lavvy felt when we cornered him like this..." Angelo thought, then suddenly brightened. "Wait, I think I've got it." He addressed Hugo directly: "That silver-haired guy in our group? He's a geologist. Completely obsessed with the Geodite mines mystery."

"Brilliant strategic appropriation of Lavvy's fabricated narrative!" Blue's mental voice practically glowed with approval.

"What happened to not participating in deception, you hypocritical bookworm?" Red snickered internally.

Hugo's expression darkened instantly, his previous amusement vanishing like smoke in wind. "What mystery exactly?" Each word carried a dangerous edge.

"Whoa, he's radiating murder vibes now," Red noted mentally.

Angelo gave Blue a gentle nudge forward. "I'm not the science expert. He is."

Blue cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with his role in this charade. "Geodite is a highly specialized mineral formation typically indigenous to the Geovale desert region. Our colleague Solomon aspires to shed light on the geological anomaly that resulted in this particular Geodite deposit manifesting in Luminian territory, so distant from its natural habitat."

"hm, I see," Hugo visibly relaxed, the tension melting from his massive shoulders. "And what about you three? What's your stake in this geological expedition?"

Red bounced forward, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. "We're his bodyguards! Got him here without a scratch!"

Hugo's eyebrow arched skeptically as he leaned back in his chair. "Funny, I spotted a nasty wound on his chest earlier. Not to mention there's a terrorist with a personal vendetta hunting you down." He tapped his fingers against the desk. "Doesn't exactly scream 'competent protection' to me."

Blue adjusted his non-existent tie, clearing his throat delicately. "A remarkably perceptive observation. I regret to acknowledge this particular oversight in our professional capabilities."

"Right." Hugo's predatory smile returned as he shifted topics with unsettling ease. "Then there's the redhead with your group. Quite the looker, I must say."

Red's face contorted with instant rage, his eyes flashing crimson. "Back off, you oversized mountain of muscle!" He grabbed Angelo's sleeve, yanking him off-balance. "She's Angelo's girlfriend! Off. Limits!"

Hugo's deep laugh rumbled through the office. "Calm down, hothead. Unlike some folks, I don't wander into another man's territory." His smile sharpened into something dangerous. "But let's cut through the bullshit, shall we? What really interests me is that nickname flame-boy tossed around." He leaned forward, his massive frame making the desk creak. "'Angel of Death'? Care to explain that particular title?"

Angelo's eyes widened briefly before he exhaled slowly, closing his eyes as if bracing himself. "I used to work for Novaria's Auron police division."

Everyone in the room stiffened at the admission.

Hugo chuckled, the sound like rocks tumbling down a hillside. "You've got some real balls admitting that in my presence, knowing exactly who and what I am."

Angelo continued as if he hadn't heard, his voice steady. "When confronting criminals, I always gave them a choice: surrender and reform, or fight and face death." His eyes remained closed, face calm despite the tension crackling through the air. "That's where the name came from."

"Oh-ho!" Hugo clapped his hands together, the sound like thunder in the confined space. "Quite the justice system you've got there! Humor me—why offer a choice at all? If you truly hated criminals, you'd just eliminate them. If you were truly righteous, you'd simply arrest them."

"Because I believe that when someone truly faces death," Angelo opened his eyes, meeting Hugo's gaze directly, "even the most corrupt soul can find redemption." The words fell between them like stones. "So I became that face. And if the fear of death isn't enough to change someone..." his voice hardened, "nothing will. There's no point in them continuing." He closed his eyes again, feeling the weight of his past.

Hugo's face split into the widest smile yet, teeth gleaming in the light streaming through the window. "And what about me? Would you offer me your famous ultimatum? Your one chance?"

Blue's eyes widened in alarm, his perfect posture faltering as he glanced worriedly at Angelo, who remained perfectly calm.

Angelo's eyes began to open slowly before snapping open with cold resolve, piercing glowing orange as he locked gazes with Hugo. "Yes."

Hugo's laughter boomed through the office like cannon fire, his massive frame shaking with genuine amusement. "You're something else, boy! I like you." He wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. "Why not just give me that ultimatum of yours right now and be done with it?"

The glow faded from Angelo's eyes, his expression softening. "Because I'm not stupid. As things stand, you wouldn't fear me for a second." He shrugged one shoulder. "Without that fear of death, I can't offer you a fair chance at redemption."

"Ah..." Hugo pushed himself up from his chair, turning to gaze out the window at his domain. "But what if I'm not as evil as you think?"

"You literally named your gang after hanging people off cliffs," Angelo replied flatly.

"Fair point." Hugo nodded, his back still turned. "But you've got blood on your hands too. What gives you the right to judge my choice of victims or my reasons?"

"What are you—" Angelo started.

"I don't execute people for entertainment, let's put it that way," Hugo cut him off, his voice suddenly stripped of its usual playfulness. "I have a town to maintain. Those who threatened that goal became examples." He gestured toward the window. "You saw my people out there, helping rebuild what was destroyed. Every single one of them."

"That's true, but—" Angelo tried again.

"So what makes your kills more justified than mine?" Hugo's question hung in the air between them.

Angelo paused, visibly taken aback. "But why set an example with such extremes?!" Angelo finally shouted, frustration breaking through his calm facade.

The room fell into tense silence, broken only by the distant sounds of reconstruction from the town below.

"Because if I don't," Hugo finally answered, his voice thick with emotion, "history will repeat itself." He waved Angelo over. "Come here. Look."

Angelo joined him at the window, peering out at where Hugo pointed in the distance.

"See that?" The gang leader's massive finger indicated a faint outline on the horizon. "That used to be Netfall, my hometown. Also on the ocean. Used to be a happy place—fishermen doing honest work, trading even beyond Luminia's borders."

Hugo's face darkened as he continued. "One day while surfing, I noticed dead fish floating everywhere. Turned out a new factory upstream was dumping chemicals into our waters."

His expression twisted with remembered rage. "I warned the town leaders, but they brushed me off. No matter how much evidence I brought, they ignored me." His enormous fists clenched. "So I took matters into my own hands. Gathered some friends to take down the factory. None of us were Aurons—just regular folks with homemade explosives. We got caught. And hanged."

"What?!" Angelo couldn't hide his shock.

Hugo traced the rope scar around his neck. "This isn't for show, kid."

"How the hell are you still breathing?!" Red blurted out, his usual bravado momentarily forgotten.

"Strangest thing," Hugo said, his voice distant with memory. "With the pain, the desperation, the darkness closing in as I choked... The rage... something clicked. A connection formed." He spread his massive hands like a showman. "Became an Auron right there on the gallows."

"That's... incredible," Angelo murmured.

"With my new power, I took over the town and destroyed the factory." Hugo's shoulders slumped. "Only then did I discover the factory owner had been paying off the town, in place of our usual income. But by then it was too late."

"What happened?" Blue asked quietly.

"We lost everything. The factory was gone, and the fish didn't return in time." Grief shadowed Hugo's face. "My beautiful hometown, lost forever." He gestured broadly toward the town beyond the window. "Thunderclap became our new home. And I won't let history repeat itself."

Hugo turned, motioning for Angelo to return to his original position. Angelo complied, his mind visibly processing everything he'd heard.

"All this heavy talk is bringing down my mood," Hugo announced, his usual demeanor returning like a mask sliding back into place. "So I'll let you go with a warning: you're free to stay and investigate your little mystery, but if I catch you stirring up trouble..." His smile never wavered despite the threat in his voice. "I won't be so accommodating. Are we clear?"

"Crystal," Angelo replied, turning toward the door where Sol and Neiva waited anxiously on the other side. Sol and Neiva leapt from the bench when Angelo opened the massive doors.

"Oh, and Angel of Death," Hugo called as they reached the threshold, making Angelo turn back while Sol and Neiva watched with wide-eyed concern. "I strongly suggest you think twice before challenging me." The temperature in the room seemed to drop. "Because if you do, it WILL be the last mistake you ever make." Their eyes locked in silent confrontation before Hugo's expression suddenly warmed. "Bye-bye now!" He waved cheerfully, the abrupt shift somehow more unsettling than the threat.

"Let's go," Angelo muttered, brushing past the others without explanation, leaving them to scramble after him down the hallway.

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