Revenge is Best Served… After Reborn

Sophie stood with her back to the ocean, her mouth moving silently as if she were saying something. Then, with her eyes closed, she fell backward.

James' pupils dilated rapidly, panic surging in his heart like a tide. He struggled, stumbling forward, but all he saw was Sophie disappearing into the depths of the sea. "Sophie!" James cried out, his voice breaking. In that brief moment, it felt as if his heart had been torn apart.

The two mercenaries watched the scene indifferently, then turned away bored. One of them spoke into the radio with a cold detachment, "Boss, the job's done." James collapsed to the ground, his vision blurring into a sea of red. He hadn't forgotten the words Sophie had mouthed to him just before jumping.

"Avenge me."

James turned to look at the two mercenaries and said icily, "Tell Odie there's no peace between Burke International and him."

The mercenaries looked at James, smirking in disbelief at his vow of vengeance against Odie.

As they approached James with their guns, a gunshot suddenly echoed from outside the cave. The mercenaries turned towards the sound, hearing the rapid approach of a large group. They tried to flee but were quickly apprehended.

Colby and Adler, leading a sizable team, arrived. Adler spotted the disheveled James and shouted, "Colby! James is here!"

Hearing this, Colby rushed to James, "Where's Sophie? Where is she?"

"She's down there," James replied, his voice hoarse and dry.

At his answer, Colby froze.

"What do you mean 'down there?' What's down there?" Adler asked anxiously.

"I mean, she's down there," James repeated, his gaze lifeless.

Colby immediately ran to the cliff edge. The vast, tumultuous ocean lay before him, but Sophie was nowhere to be seen.

"How could you let this happen... why didn't you protect her!" Colby grabbed James by the collar, his eyes burning with fury.

"Colby! Calm down!" Adler attempted

to intervene, but James was already devoid how failed to protect her

of strength, question alread

he

He had watched helplessly as Sophie jumped from the cliff. What had become of the composed and collected James of the past? Why hadn't he protected her?

"Colby, our priority is to find Sophie now!"

"Yes... yes, find Sophie..." Colby was in utter disarray, feeling as if he could barely stand.

"You and James stay here. I'll get help... and call a doctor." Adler noticed the blood on James' leg, likely a gunshot wound that could easily become infected without prompt care. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Meanwhile-

Sophie felt severe pressure on her chest, the salty taste of seawater being forced from her throat.

"Cough, cough!" Sophie suddenly

woke to find herself under a blinding blue sky, lying on a deck without knowing how she got there. A man's lazy voice soon reached her ears, "Ms. Sophie, long time no see."