In an underground bunker hidden in the city centre, Vincent stood still. He always found a place for himself to hide from both Lorenzo and the Ryuujin-kai.
“I was their target from the start. Damn it!” Vincent threw everything around him in annoyance.
The blue light of the computer screens around him flickered, clearly drawing the image on his tense face. A message that had just appeared on the screen was still glowing, the letters feeling like a blow that shattered his wall of faith. Behind it was a special symbol that reminded him of a name. Kazuto. 
[Give up, Vin!]
“That symbol is ....”
His hands gripped the table firmly, his breathing short and rather heavy. No way. Kazuto was already dead. He saw for himself the explosion that destroyed the laboratory where they were studying all those years ago. However, if Kazuto was really alive...
The sound of footsteps quickly approached Vincent. His assistant appeared from behind the door with a serious expression. 
“Sir, we have a problem. The city's defence system has just been taken over.”
Vincent raised his head sharply. “What? Who?”
His assistant placed a tablet on the table. Vincent caught it and his eyes widened when he saw the data displayed.
“So, all this... he's controlling the defence system?!” Vincent muttered in disbelief.
“In less than an hour, Kazuto was able to take down military communication networks, satellites, and cyber defence systems. This is bigger than just Ryuujin-kai or Valeria,” his assistant reported firmly.
Vincent stared at the screen with a hardened jaw. “He's going to throw the world into chaos.”
Instantly, the screen before him shook. Static began to appear, then slowly, a face that Vincent was very familiar with appeared. Kazuto.
“Vin,” his voice sounded cold but contained a piercing tone of nostalgia. “Do you still remember me?”
Vincent felt his chest tighten. “Kazuto... Why are you doing all this?”
Kazuto smiled faintly. “This world was broken a long time ago, Vin. The system we tried to build back then... was an illusion. I only hastened its downfall.”
“So, you betrayed everything we ever fought for!” Vincent growled.
Kazuto sighed. “No, Vin. I just opened my eyes before you did.”
The screen flickered again, and Kazuto added in a lower tone, almost a whisper, but enough to give Vincent a little chill.
“And you know what? I'm not the only ghost from your past still alive.”
Before Vincent could respond, the screens in the room went off in unison. Only one countdown remained on the main screen.
Time was ticking away.
Vincent took a deep breath, then turned to his assistant. “We need to stop all this. Now!” he ordered.
The assistant nodded, then activated the communication device. “Yes, Sir.”
In the distance, sirens began to wail. The final battle had just begun.
***
Vincent grasped the steering wheel tightly, his eyes fixed on the metallic blue car in front of him speeding through the heavy traffic. He knew who was inside.
“That snot-nosed kid,” Vincent guessed confidently. Who else if not Ryuga.
Vincent was in the middle of his secret investigation when Ryuga accidentally spotted the figure under the Brooklyn Bridge, talking to someone whose face was hidden in shadow. Vincent's instincts immediately took over. As soon as Ryuga got into his car and left the place, Vincent quietly followed him behind.
Their speed increased, cutting through the wet streets filled with red and white lights from other vehicles' headlights. Horns blared as the two cars approached each other, almost colliding at every sharp turn. It seemed Ryuga had also noticed the car following behind him.
“Stop, Ryuga,” Vincent muttered, his hands deftly controlling the steering wheel.
However, Ryuga had no intention of slowing down. He knew Vincent was following him, and the only way to avoid confrontation was to run away. But Vincent wasn't going to let that happen. And he eagerly chased Ryuga down the highway. 
On a quieter freeway, Vincent picked up speed. Adrenaline surged through his veins, and in one measured moment, he swerved his car hard, hitting the side of Ryuga's car with a powerful thud.
BRAKK!
Ryuga's car tyres lost control, spinning wildly before he finally managed to stop at the edge of the road. Vincent immediately braked, then got out of the car quickly.
Ryuga exited his car with his jaw clenched. “Are you crazy, Vin?” he hissed.
Vincent walked over, raindrops starting to wet his face. “I don't have time to play chase with you.”
Ryuga wiped the blood from the corner of his lips, his breathing still heavy. “What do you want?”
Vincent looked at him sharply, his eyes filled with unwavering determination. “I want to meet Milea.”
“Oh, she's fine. I told you, right?” replied Ryuga casually.
“Tell me quickly! Where is she now?” urged Vincent. His temper was exploding and he almost hit Ryuga in the face with his fists.
Ryuga sighed, after he managed to get rid of Vincent's hand that was clutching his black hoodie. His arms crossed in front of his chest. 
“That's impossible, Vin. For her safety.”
“You think I'm going to keep quiet? After everything that's happened? I deserve to see my wife.”
“Listen, I don't want a fight with you. Milea is safe under our protection, and ….“
“Don't talk as if you can protect her. She's my wife,” Vincent cut in sharply. “If you won't tell me, I'll find her myself.”
And he did. In less than an hour, Vincent had managed to hack into Nakamura's security system, tracking Milea's hiding location with terrifying precision. He knew exactly how the Ryujin-kai worked, how Nakamura thought-and he used all that to break into their fortress.
The black iron gates of Nakamura's house burst open, alarms blaring. Several armed men scattered, but Vincent had everything ready. With confident steps, he was able to break through, even subduing two guards with quick, deadly moves.
Inside, the atmosphere was tense. Milea, who was just about to step out of the room, was surprised to see her husband standing in the doorway, his breathing heavy, his eyes piercing.
“Vin ....” she whispered softly.
Their gazes met, a thousand questions and wounds implied in them. However, before they could speak, the sound of clapping echoed through the room.