Viper: The Official Remaster

Chapter 12: Senza

Viper lunged around the corner, firing into the open basement of the ruined complex and flicking his wrist. The weighted mock blade nestled into his gloved palm as he struck, successfully avoiding the barrel of an M34 vaulting in his direction.

Dokkaebi threw a punch when he dodged the weapon, unable to piece together that Ryker's opening had been little more than bai; Dokkaebi had pieced it together too late as his blade slashed across her throat. Counting the seconds against his own prediction, Ryker pivoted and threw the blade, almost allowing himself time to smile as it embedded firmly in Flores's chest.

Keeping Dokkaebi standing upright as a shield, Ryker drew her pistol, nearly losing control of the weapon as automatic rounds spat from the weapon, enough of the bullets slamming into Sledge's body to count as a kill. Ryker's time was up. As he let Dokkaebi fall, he turned towards the stairs and-

A boom of thunder blasted him into the ground several feet from where he initially stood, the concentrated buckshot of a SIX12 shotgun hitting him with enough damage to kill him twice over. Ryker smashed into the concrete with a thud, lying still from the shock of the blow, his mouth agape from behind the black faceplate he'd elected to wear.

The announcer bellowed to the very limited crowd it had become a One on One, with each other contender being soundly eliminated. Ryker could barely hear the ecstatic voice over his breath as he came to. Surprisingly, Lucero quietly spoke, his raspy whisper cackling with humor.

Flores: Ryker. Was it good for you, too?

Ryker couldn't hide his exhausted snicker at the immature joke, his body still trying to catch up to the blow Ying had given him.

Viper: Shut... up... Flores...

Lucero chuckled in return, only rolling his eyes at Caveira's coming statement.

Caveira: We're supposed to be corpses. Both of you, shut up.

Flores: And you were supposed to back Ryker up. Can't swallow your pride enough to help him out?

Her response was fierce, warranting a flinch from Flores as she turned her head to where his crumpled body was leaning.

Caveira: Don't you fucking dare even insinuate that, Santiago.

Ryker stayed silent, the sharp pain needling across his chest starting to dull as Taina broke her own command. She'd been goaded.

Flores: Sorry. Just giving you shit about trying to fight Ryker the first day.

Viper: Taina, it's fine.

Her chest rose, then fell a second later as she got her explosive dialect under control.

Caveira: It isn't like that. Sam and Harry trust you. So why the fuck can't I?

Taina humbled her voice, low and regrettable.

Caveira: And besides, Ex-Mask or not, you weren't the one stepping on my neck after you beat me.

Ryker remembered Kali had done just that, flattening Taina's face to the ground as she stood with her team. Although he doubted Caveira was the least bit innocent in escalating the probable trash talk, he imagined that stunt gave her quite a lot to think about after the match.

Taina spoke again, deciding to open herself up and all but abandon her silent prerogative.

Caveira: I know you didn't do it for me, Ryker. But it still felt good watching that snobby bitch's face turn upside down when you shot her.

Viper: I just can't believe Kali thought-

Gunfire roared on the floor above them, complete with the booms of heavy boots stomping across the tile.