KINGPIN

The underground hospital room remained silent, save for the rhythmic beeping of the monitors and the faint hum of machines. The cold, sterile air pressed against Gina's skin as she stood near the bed, her gaze lingering on the still figure of her mother.

Then, without a word, she turned.

Her boots made a soft sound against the smooth floor as she moved toward the door, her black coat shifting slightly with each step. Mark followed, his presence steady, his white coat barely rustling as he walked beside her. The mechanical door slid open, revealing the dimly lit underground corridor beyond. The light was softer here, casting long shadows against the concrete walls.

As they stepped outside, Mark exhaled, his voice calm but firm. "Where were you?"

Gina didn't stop walking. "Running some errands," she answered simply, her tone unbothered, almost distant.

Mark gave a small nod, his expression unreadable, then glanced at her again. "Have you watched the news yet?"

A scoff left Gina's lips as she slowed her pace, eventually stopping. She leaned back slightly, resting against the cold, unyielding surface of the underground passageway wall. Her arms remained relaxed at her sides, but the slight tilt of her head carried an unspoken edge of irritation.

"I don't need to," she said, her voice quiet yet firm. "They all spread false information anyway."

Mark studied her for a moment, his eyes shadowed beneath the dim lights. Then, he spoke again.

"Gina…"

She turned her head, her red eyes gleaming faintly as they met his.

His voice was steady, carrying the weight of something deeper than concern. "What do you think your father would say if he saw his daughter endangering herself like this?" He let the words settle before continuing. "Making enemies of the two only and most powerful sides?"

The corner of Gina's mouth lifted slightly, not a smile, not amusement, just something bitter, something distant.

"He wouldn't think anything," she said, her voice devoid of hesitation. "Because he's already dead."

Mark's lips parted slightly, as if to speak, but Gina's voice cut through the space before he could form a response.

"When is the transfer beyond the walls happening?"

Mark remained silent for a brief moment, as if considering his answer, before finally speaking. "In less than two hours."

Gina gave a slow nod, her gaze lowering slightly in thought. The air between them grew still, thick with unsaid words.

Then, Mark exhaled, his voice softer this time. "I'm going to prepare for the transfer."

She didn't reply immediately. She simply watched as he turned, his movements smooth, practiced. His footsteps echoed lightly against the underground floor as he headed toward another corridor, disappearing into the dim passageways of the hidden facility.

But just before he was entirely out of sight, Gina spoke.

"Thank you…"

Mark's steps faltered slightly.

For a fraction of a second, he paused, as though something in those words had struck deeper than she intended. But he did not turn. He only gave a small, almost imperceptible nod before continuing forward, vanishing into another room.

Gina stood there for a moment before slowly shifting her gaze back toward the door she had just exited.

She turned and walked back inside.

The air was still the same. Cold. Quiet. The faint glow of the monitors cast small pools of light against the sterile walls. Her mother lay there, unchanged, her breathing steady but fragile beneath the hum of machines.

Gina stepped closer, her movements slow, calm.

Then, without a word, she sank down onto the floor beside the bed.

The coolness of the tiles pressed against her skin, but she barely noticed. Instead, she leaned slightly forward, her arms resting against the bedside, her head lowering just enough so that she could watch her mother's face, pale, unmoving, yet still there. Still breathing.

"Mom…"

Her voice was softer now, quieter. Almost vulnerable.

"This is the last time I'll see you until you get better." She paused, slowly inhaling. Then, her voice hardened, not with anger, but with resolve. "I know you will."

Her fingers curled slightly against the edge of the bed.

"And I promise… before you wake up, before you get better… I'll make sure to tame this land."

A shadow passed over her red eyes, dark, unmoving.

"Good and evil. Heroes and villains."

She exhaled, her breath slow, steady.

"I'll tame it all."

****

The room remained still, the only movement coming from the soft flicker of the dim overhead lights. The sterile scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, mixing with the faint metallic tang of machinery humming in the background.

Gina sat there, unmoving, her red eyes locked onto her mother's still face. A quiet, lingering moment stretched between them, one that carried a weight no words could hold.

Her fingers lightly traced the edge of the bedsheet as a thought settled deep within her mind.

So it would be a better place to live in.

Slowly, she let her head rest against the mattress, closing her eyes. The fabric was cold beneath her cheek, the quiet rhythm of her mother's breathing the only thing grounding her in that moment.

She waited.

The stillness of the underground facility pressed against her senses, wrapping around her like a thick fog. She listened to the distant hum of pipes, the faint shuffling of unseen movement beyond the corridors, the low mechanical whirr of a life-support system keeping time with her own breathing.

Then she heard...

Footsteps.

Soft, but calm.

Gina's eyes opened, her gaze steady as she pushed herself up slowly.

The approaching steps grew clearer, the weight of authority in their rhythm unmistakable. She already knew who it was.

It was time.

Rising to her feet with a smooth, controlled motion, she turned toward the door just as it slid open.

There stood Mark, his expression calm as always. His white coat barely shifted as he walked forward, flanked by several men dressed in black suits, their movements efficient and precise.

The air between them was thick with unspoken understanding.

Gina met Mark's gaze, her crimson eyes unmoving.

A slow nod.

Mark returned the gesture, brief but firm.

And that was it.

No words needed to be exchanged.

Gina didn't look back.

Without another glance toward the room, she turned, her footsteps echoing lightly against the cold underground floor as she made her way through the passage upwards where she came from... The air felt heavier the closer she got to the exit, but she never hesitated, never slowed. She moved with purpose, the path already ingrained in her mind.

When she stepped outside, the night greeted her with its quiet vastness.

The sky was a deep, endless black, the distant city lights barely visible beyond the towering iron gates that enclosed the estate. A cool breeze brushed against her skin, rustling the hem of her black coat as she walked forward.

A sleek, jet-black Jeep sat parked near the entrance, its polished surface reflecting the faint glow of the mansion security lights. Gina leaned against it, crossing her arms as she tilted her head back slightly, eyes trailing the dark expanse above.

The silence stretched.

She waited.

Minutes passed by as moments later..

Beep! Beep!

The sharp chime broke through the night.

A small red light flickered on the sleek device strapped to her wrist.

Gina glanced down, her expression unreadable.

Without a word, she slipped her right hand into the deep pocket of her coat, fingers brushing against cool plastic before pulling out a large, spiral-patterned lollipop. She unwrapped it with practiced ease, the faint crinkle of the wrapper lost in the wind.

Placing it between her lips, she let the sugary taste settle on her tongue, but her eyes, those glowing red eyes remained distant.

Then, slowly, she lifted her hand.

Her fingers poised.

Snap.

The sharp sound cut through the night like a whisper of finality.

BOOM!

The mansion erupted in an explosion of fire and debris, a monstrous roar tearing through the silence. The ground trembled beneath the force, waves of heat rolling outward as shattered glass and splintered stone rained down like dying stars.

Flames licked hungrily at the night sky, consuming everything in their path. The once-pristine mansion was now a crumbling ruin, engulfed in chaos, smoke curling into the darkness like writhing specters.

Gina didn't flinch.

The orange glow reflected in her crimson gaze, but her expression remained unreadable, her posture relaxed as she continued sucking on the lollipop.

The world behind her burned.

And she turned away.

Without a second glance, Gina stepped toward the Jeep, sliding into the driver's seat.

The engine purred to life with a low growl, headlights cutting through the blackened night.

And as the tires rolled over the cracked pavement, leaving the burning mansion behind, the beginning of something far greater had already begun.

The start of a long journey

To rule..