The Hollow Crown
The Shipment
Viper
Boss… we’ve got a problem
Ghost
The shipment… it didn’t reach the docks
Raven
…What do you mean it didn’t reach?
Viper
We checked the route...Halfway through, the trucks vanished
Raven
Vanished? In the middle of a storm? Don’t test my patience
Ghost
Boss, it’s not the storm
We found tire marks leading into the old industrial yard
The place reeks of gunpowder… and blood
Viper
The enemies were waiting
It wasn’t random...Someone tipped them off
Raven
Who’s breathing after stealing my weapons?
Ghost
We saw their insignia sprayed across the containers… crimson snake
Raven
The Serpents *mumbles*
Viper
Yes, boss
They hit us hard...Confiscated every crate
Raven
In the middle of the rain, under my nose… they dared
Ghost
The bodies… they left them hanging on the fences. A warning
Looks like hell out here, boss
Raven
Good. Let hell open
Tell the men to stay where they are
No one moves till I arrive
Viper
You’re coming here in this storm?
Raven
Did you think I’d watch from a distance while they slit our throats?
If the Serpents want war… I’ll feed them their own venom
Ghost
…Boss, the thunder just knocked the lights.. It’s pitch black
Raven
Perfect
Darkness belongs to me
The Growl
The rain lashes harder. Thunder rolls like war drums. The industrial yard is drowning in shadows, broken only by flashes of lightning that reveal blood-stained fences
Raven
Listen carefully
We don’t panic. We don’t scatter
We hunt
Viper
Boss… what’s the move?
Raven
Secure the perimeter
Raven
Leave the bodies untouched — let the Serpents choke on their arrogance
Raven
Burn their trail before dawn
Raven
We’ll take them back… every last one
But first… the traitor bleeds
A flash of lightning reveals the serpent insignia dripping red on the rusted containers. A warning. Or a challenge-
Viper
You think it’s someone inside?
Raven
It’s always someone inside
Snakes don’t bite unless fed from within
Ghost
What if they’re still here, waiting in the dark?
Raven
Then we welcome them
In silence
In shadows
In blood
The men glance at each other, drenched, their guns slick in the storm. Raven’s voice cuts through their unease like a blade — calm, merciless, certain
Raven
Move like phantoms
No mercy. No mistakes.
Tonight, the rain washes their crimson snake off these walls…
…and paints it with theirs
The thunder growls again
The hunt has begun
The Hunt
The storm cracks open
Shadows move between the crates. Muffled footsteps, metallic clicks. The Serpents are here — waiting
Ghost
Boss… movement north side. Three men. Armed.
A whistle of blades in the rain
A thud!! One Serpent drops
The other two panic — gunfire erupts, echoing across the steel yard
Viper
They heard us. More incoming!
Crew
*huffs*
South gate breached! They’re flooding in!
Raven
Hold the lines
Bleed them, but don’t waste bullets
Let the storm do half the killing
Lightning strikes — Raven himself moves through the chaos, black coat whipping, eyes merciless
His gun fires once, twice. Two Serpents fall like rag dolls in the mud
Ghost
*shouts*
Boss… traitor spotted
He’s running toward the west wing
Raven
*growls*
Alive. I want him breathing
Crew corners the traitor — a rat-faced man, trembling, soaked. A rifle butt cracks against his jaw, knocking him to his knees. He coughs blood, begging. Still alive
Viper
Got him.
Should we end it?
Raven
A traitor’s death is not quick
Bind him. Break his bones if he resists.
He’ll learn what loyalty tastes like… when it’s stripped from his flesh
The rain drowns out his screams. Around them, the Serpents retreat, leaving their dead in the mud. Raven stands over the captured traitor — calm, unmoved. He lights a cigarette in the storm, smoke mingling with thunder
Raven
Tonight was just a warning
Tomorrow… we erase them
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