Chapter 3 The Crimson Call

Neon POV

The explosion rocked the building like a hammer against iron. Dust fell from the ceiling, and small cracks appeared along the walls. I grabbed Seraphine, pulling her close, shielding her with my body.

“We need to move!” I shouted over the ringing in my ears. The metal rod I had leaned on earlier now felt useless. Not against them. Not tonight.

Seraphine’s eyes were wide, fear shining in them like lamps in the dark. “Leon… they’re too strong. We can’t—”

“Yes, we can,” I said firmly. “We have to. Follow me.”

I pulled my hood down tight and scanned the hallway. The sound of running footsteps echoed. Whoever they were, they weren’t waiting to knock. They were coming to take everything.

I didn’t need to guess who. Ravenport’s elite had finally sent someone to deal with me. The group that had haunted my past two years was real—and now, I was standing in their path again.

I touched my pocket and pulled out my phone. The red cover felt heavy in my hand. I tapped a quick code, my thumb sliding across the screen. It was a secure line—one few could trace. Only the Crimson General’s trusted men could hear me.

“Phoenix. I need backup. Now. Heavy units. The Vale property is under threat.” My voice was calm, but inside, my pulse raced. “Code Black. Repeat, Code Black.”

A pause. Then a reply came. Voice deep, calm, efficient. “Understood. Crimson General. ETA ten minutes. Hold your position.”

I ended the call and slipped the phone back into my pocket. Ten minutes. Ten minutes and we either survived, or the night ended here.

Seraphine looked at me. “Ten minutes? That’s… a long time.”

“Not for us,” I said. My eyes swept the hallway, landing on every corner, every shadow. “We survive until then. Do you trust me?”

Her lips trembled, but she nodded. “Always.”

I gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. Not the time for hope, but I needed her strength as much as mine.

Then, the door at the far end of the hall burst open.

Two figures stepped inside. Both tall. Both moving fast. Both armed. Their eyes flicked over the hallway like hunting dogs. The way they moved… they weren’t amateurs. Professionals.

I whispered to Seraphine, “Stay behind me.”

They stopped about twenty feet away. One spoke, voice calm, almost casual. “Crimson General. It’s been a long time.”

“I see,” I muttered. “And you think you can take me now?”

The second figure stepped forward. “We don’t think. We know.”

I crouched slightly, ready to move. The hallway was narrow, and I could use that to my advantage. One misstep from them, and I could control the fight. I could make them pay for daring to come here.

Seraphine whispered, “Leon… please be careful.”

“I will,” I said softly. “But stay close.”

One of the men lunged forward first. Fast, precise, like he had been trained to kill in the smallest space. I moved with him, sidestepping his strike and twisting my body. My hand found his wrist, and with a sharp twist, I sent him stumbling into the wall. He grunted, but quickly recovered.

The other man attacked, swinging a metal pipe. I blocked it with my forearm and shoved him backward. The hallway shook with the impact. Seraphine flinched, but I caught her gaze and nodded—everything was under control. For now.

The first man lunged again, faster this time. I used the momentum and stepped to the side, grabbing his arm and throwing him to the ground. Dust and debris rose from the floor. He rolled and came back up immediately.

“Not bad,” he muttered, wiping blood from his lip.

“I’ve survived worse,” I said quietly. And then I moved.

My training, my years as the Crimson General, took over. Every punch, every kick, every step calculated. I couldn’t let Seraphine see me falter. Not now.

The second man attacked again, but I caught his wrist mid-swing and twisted it behind his back. He grunted, trying to break free, but I held him firm. “You don’t get to fight fair,” I said. “And neither do I.”

Seraphine watched, silent and terrified. “Leon… you’re amazing.”

“Shh,” I said. “Not now. Stay focused.”

The fight continued, fast and brutal. The hallway felt smaller with every second. I could hear my own heartbeat, matching the rhythm of the footsteps, the grunts, and the crashing metal.

Then, I heard a faint tapping outside the apartment door.

I froze for a moment.

Another voice, deeper than the first two, whispered through the cracks. “Leon Hawke… the Crimson General… step outside.”

I didn’t answer. Not yet.

The two men in front of me hesitated. That split second was enough. I grabbed the first man and threw him out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Then, I turned to the second. A swift kick to the chest sent him flying into the wall. He collapsed, groaning, but alive. For now.

Seraphine gasped. “Leon… they’re still out there.”

“I know,” I said. “But we bought time.”

I grabbed her hand. “Now listen carefully. You stay behind me. I’ll take the lead.”

Her grip was tight. “I won’t let go.”

“Good,” I said. And we moved to the window.

The fire escape was old, rusty, and barely holding. But it would have to do. Outside, the street was dimly lit. The sounds of the city seemed normal, but I knew better. Traps, watchers, hidden eyes. Ravenport never slept.

We climbed down quietly, one step at a time. My hands were steady. Seraphine’s trembled slightly, but she trusted me. That trust gave me strength.

Halfway down, a car’s headlights swept across the street. I froze. My pulse quickened. Two men stood by the car. Armed. Watching. Waiting.

“Leon,” Seraphine whispered. “What do we do?”

I looked at her, my mind racing. “We run… straight for the alley. And I call for backup.”

I pulled out my phone again, tapping a few keys. “Phoenix, position Delta. Immediate engagement. Multiple targets. Streets surrounding Vale residence. Move now.”

A pause. Then: “Copy. ETA five minutes.”

Five minutes. Shorter than before, but still enough to test how far we could survive.

The two men by the car noticed us. They stepped forward, weapons raised.

“Run!” I shouted.

We sprinted across the street, shadows chasing us. My heart pounded. Seraphine’s grip on my hand was firm. Her fear mixed with determination. I could feel it. She wasn’t just following me—she was fighting to survive, and I needed to protect her.

The men fired shots. I ducked behind a trash bin, pulling Seraphine down with me. Bullets pinged off metal. Sparks flew. My fingers tightened around my rod. “Keep low,” I whispered.

The alley opened into a narrow street. Old buildings pressed close together. Perfect for an ambush. I moved fast, leading her down twisting paths. I didn’t look back.

The sound of sirens faintly reached us. I knew Phoenix was on the way.

Then, a presence moved ahead. Someone in black, fast, precise. I recognized him immediately.

Jax.

I ran toward him. “About time!”

“Leon! Behind me!” he shouted. And suddenly, more men emerged from the dark corners, chasing us.

We fought together—three moving as one. I took the lead, Jax covered the flank, and Seraphine stayed close behind. Not a word wasted, just movement, instinct, trust.

Bullets ricocheted. Metal hit walls. Screams echoed in the distance.

I could see the backup arriving. Cars screeched, engines roaring. Phoenix’s men jumped out, surrounding the area. Guns trained. Precision and power. Ravenport’s worst just met its match.

I felt Seraphine behind me, breathing hard. “Leon… they’re here!”

“Yes,” I said. My hand gripped hers briefly. “And we’re still standing.”

The enemy paused. The numbers against us had shifted. Confidence faltered in their eyes. They weren’t facing a lone man anymore. The Crimson General had backup.

One of the men tried to charge at me. I sidestepped, twisting his wrist. Another fell. The rest hesitated, realizing they were outmatched. But they didn’t run. They would never run until forced.

Jax shouted, “Leon! Move! Phoenix is covering!”

We ran through the alley, bullets striking walls behind us. The city’s night swallowed the sounds. Ravens perched on the rooftops, silent witnesses. The hunt continued, but now, we had the advantage.

I glanced at Seraphine. Her eyes were wide, yet there was a spark—a recognition that she wasn’t helpless. Not tonight. Not while I was here.

I whispered, “Stay close. We’re almost clear.”

Phoenix’s men engaged the remaining attackers. Flashing lights, gunfire, shouted commands. I felt the tide turn in our favor.

Finally, we reached a safer street. Sirens, shouts, chaos—Phoenix’s men handled it. I pulled Seraphine close. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, trembling. “Yes… thanks to you.”

I shook my head. “No. Thanks to all of us. We survived because we fight together.”

She looked at me, hesitant. “Leon… this isn’t over, is it?”

“No,” I said quietly. “Not even close.”

Her hand brushed mine again. This time, I didn’t pull away.

“We need to plan,” I said. “Tonight was only a warning. Sunrise… it will be worse.”

She swallowed hard. “I trust you. But… I’m scared.”

“Good,” I said softly. “I want you to be scared. It will keep you alive.”

She laughed faintly, shaky but real. “You’re impossible.”

“I’m the Crimson General,” I said. “Impossible is my specialty.”

We moved forward. Back to the temporary apartment, but this time, alert. Every shadow, every sound, every step mattered. The city had eyes, and so did I.

And as we walked, I sent one more message.

Phoenix. Reinforce tonight’s perimeter. Vale residence. Highest alert. Crimson General in position

.

Ravenport was dark. Ravenport was alive. And I, the Crimson General, had just started my night.

The hunt had begun. And now, with backup, it was our turn to strike back.