The school bell rang, and the classroom erupted into motion. Students rose from their seats, conversations spilling into the air as they funneled toward the exit. What was once a calm space now pulsed with movement.
Jaxon stood, weaving through the thinning crowd until he reached Sophie, who still sat confidently at her desk, unfazed by the commotion around her.
"Hey," Jaxon called out.
She glanced up, already looking mildly irritated. "What?"
"Our project," he reminded her.
Sophie sighed, rubbing her temple. "Right… I completely forgot about that."
"Good thing you have a partner like me," Jaxon said with a smirk.
She propped her chin on her palm, unimpressed. "Where do you want to meet?"
"I don't know. I'm kinda new to Gotham. You pick."
She considered for a moment. "How about we meet here tomorrow? It's Saturday, so the class will probably be empty."
"Alright. See you at twelve." Jaxon was already turning away when—
"Wait."
He paused, looking back.
"Give me your number," Sophie said.
Jaxon smirked. "You want my number?"
She frowned. "Not like that. Just so we can keep in touch about the project."
The smirk lingered. "Well… I don't have a phone."
Sophie blinked. Then, as if she misheard, leaned forward. "You don't have a phone?"
"Yeah," Jaxon said, his tone flat.
"You don't have a last name, and now you don't have a phone. What else do you not have?"
Jaxon chuckled. "I'm just full of surprises, aren't I?"
Sophie exhaled sharply. "You know what? Just be here tomorrow. 12 PM. Don't be late."
"Yes, ma'am," Jaxon teased, strolling toward the door.
Sophie groaned, watching him leave before exhaling in exasperation.
****
Belmont Mansion
"How long do you want me to wait, Alfred?" Belmont groaned.
"Patience, Master," Alfred replied calmly. "If you speak out in support of Black Mask too soon after the Mayor's speech, you'll seem no different from every other citizen already rallying behind him. But if you wait… let the tension build… then, when you do speak, your words will carry real weight. Timing is everything, Master. Timing."
Belmont exhaled sharply, his head tilting back against the chair. "I just want this over with. Gotham is my city. No one is taking it from me. Plenty have tried before—one in particular was especially difficult—but I crushed them all. I won't let some masked vigilante steal my throne."
A soft chuckle escaped Alfred's lips.
Belmont's gaze snapped to him. "Something funny?"
Alfred smirked. "Just amusing, that's all—how you still underestimate this 'masked vigilante,' Master. After everything that's happened, you really think he's just another criminal for you to eliminate?" He paused, his tone deepening. "Call it a hunch, but I'd say this one might be on the same level as Jack the Reaper once was… if not stronger."
Belmont's eyes darkened. "And what makes you think that?"
Alfred exhaled, his expression unreadable. "Let's just say… it's the same feeling I had when Jack first appeared. Twenty-two years ago."
****
Night fell over Gotham, shrouding the city in neon glows and shifting shadows. Streetlights flickered over rain-slicked roads as cars weaved through traffic, their headlights slicing through the fog. Sirens wailed in the distance, blending with the murmur of the restless crowd. Above, towering buildings loomed like silent watchers, their dim windows peering into the abyss. In Gotham, the night never truly slept—it watched, it lurked, it waited.
Jaxon crouched at the edge of a rooftop, his body tense, clad in his Black Mask suit. The wind whipped through his hair as he listened to Milo's voice crackle through his comms.
"And then what?" Milo pressed.
"She told me to meet her tomorrow in class for the project."
"And then what?" Milo repeated, more eager this time.
Jaxon exhaled. "Relax, man. She's just a person."
"Sophie Belmont isn't just a person, Jaxon. We're talking about the wealthiest, prettiest, and—"
Jaxon cut him off. "Hold on."
His gaze dropped over the rooftop's edge, locking onto a group of thugs cornering a woman in a dark alley below. His jaw tightened. Without another word, he pulled up his mask, concealing his face—only his piercing blue eyes remained visible.
--
Inside the Dark Alley
Five thugs circled a young woman, their leering faces closing in. Hands reached out, touching her without restraint.
"Let me go!" she screamed, her back pressing against the cold brick wall.
The leader grabbed her throat, squeezing just enough to make her gasp. "Who said you could scream, huh?" His breath was rancid, his voice thick with control. "You're gonna do whatever I tell you. Got it?"
He reached into his back pocket, pulling out a gun. Then, he released his grip, letting her collapse, panting for air.
"Now, take off your clothes." His voice was dripping with menace.
Laughter erupted from the other thugs, their shadows stretching over her.
"I said, take off your—"
CRACK!
A boot slammed into his face. His body shot backward like a ragdoll, crashing through wooden crates before slamming into a wall with a sickening thud. Dust clouded the air.
The remaining thugs froze. Their eyes widened in horror as a figure landed between them and the girl.
"T-That's… B-Black Mask."
"Shit! I'm not dying tonight—run!"
They turned to flee.
Swiish! Swiish! Swiish!
One by one, they collapsed to the ground, their bodies paralyzed but still conscious. Jaxon rematerialized behind them, his presence a death sentence.
He turned, his piercing blue eyes locking onto the terrified woman. "Are you okay?"
Tears welled in her eyes as she stumbled forward. Then, suddenly, she threw herself into Jaxon's arms, clinging to him. "I-I'm so sorry."
Jaxon chuckled. "For what?"
A sharp sting—cold metal puncturing his back.
Jaxon's body stiffened. His breath hitched as pain seared through him. His eyes darted down. A small drug vial was buried in his side.
He staggered back, clutching the wound. "You… bastard."
The alley spun around him. His limbs felt like lead.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Slow, deliberate claps echoed from the darkness. A figure stepped into the dim light.
Renzo.
He ran a hand down the woman's hair, his touch unnervingly gentle. "Well done, Lisa. You did great." His voice was eerily calm. "You can leave now."
Jaxon gritt
ed his teeth, forcing his head up to look at him.
Renzo took another step forward, stopping just short of him. "So... you're Black Mask, huh?"