Episode 3: The Reckoning

The Aftermath of Defeat

The rain was relentless, soaking the blood-stained pavement as Benjamin lay motionless. His body was broken, his mask torn. It was Selene who found him, half-conscious in the storm.

She didn’t say anything at first. Just knelt beside him, her expression unreadable. Then, with a sigh, she muttered:

"You really are an idiot, huh?"

She helped him up, supporting his weight as they disappeared into the night.

Two Years Later…

The city knew his name now.

Not Benjamin Crowne. Not the broken boy who once stood on the edge of a rooftop.

Now, they called him Darknight.

Over the past two years, he had carved his legend into the underworld of Evernight City. He wasn’t the same scared kid who got beaten half to death. He was sharper, faster, and colder.

His suit had evolved, too—a sleeker, more realistic version of a legendary hero’s old design. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t meant to be. It was built for war.

Tonight, that war led him to an alleyway where a drunk man was trying to attack a pregnant woman.

A mistake.

Darknight struck hard and fast, breaking the man’s wrist before slamming him into the wall. The woman ran, her sobs lost in the rain.

As he stood over the unconscious drunk, a familiar voice cut through the night.

"Been a while, Darknight."

Benjamin’s eyes flicked up.

There he was. William "Blackout" Grayson.

The same red-and-black striped button-up. The same calm, unnerving presence. But this time, there was something else—a hint of respect.

Benjamin smirked. "Hi, William."

Blackout chuckled. "You still mad about last time?"

Benjamin cracked his neck. "Not really. Just came to return the favor."

The Battle Begins

Blackout moved first.

A brutal right hook shot toward Benjamin’s face—fast, precise.

But this wasn’t two years ago.

Benjamin ducked, twisting around and slamming his elbow into Blackout’s ribs. The older fighter staggered back, grinning through the pain.

"Damn. You actually learned something."

Benjamin didn’t reply. He was already moving.

A sharp knee to the gut. A forearm across the jaw. Blackout stumbled, but he didn’t go down. He lunged, grabbing Benjamin’s cape and yanking him forward, throwing him into a dumpster.

The impact was rough, but Benjamin rolled with it, landing in a crouch.

Blackout wiped blood from his mouth. "Tell me something, kid. You really think you’re a hero?"

Benjamin exhaled, stepping forward. "I don’t care."

He rushed in.

This time, he was faster. Smarter. He dodged Blackout’s counterpunch, twisting behind him and landing a brutal kick to the back of the knee.

Blackout dropped.

Before he could recover, Benjamin grabbed his arm—and snapped it.

A sickening CRACK echoed through the alley.

Blackout screamed, collapsing onto his side. His left arm was ruined, twisted at an unnatural angle. Rain dripped from Benjamin’s mask as he looked down at his fallen opponent.

The Dark Moment

Blackout gasped, trying to crawl away. His breaths were sharp, pained.

Benjamin followed, his boots splashing in the puddles. Slowly. Deliberately.

"You know what’s funny?" he said, his voice eerily calm. "I used to have nightmares about you. About that night. About being helpless."

Blackout groaned, dragging himself forward.

Benjamin kept walking.

"And now, look at you."

Blackout turned onto his back, his face pale with fear.

Benjamin stepped closer.

"Crawling."

Blackout trembled. "Kid… don’t do this."

Benjamin knelt beside him, tilting his head.