Sword of Vengeance (Bjorn and Zyro #2)[COMPLETED]

6: Secrets of Tondo

The drive to Tondo was filled with a palpable sense of urgency, the city blurring past them as they navigated through the bustling streets.

Bjorn sat in the backseat, his mind racing with thoughts of the impending confrontation.

As they pulled into a narrow alleyway that led to the rumored hideout, Bjorn took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever lay ahead. "Alright, let's make this quick and clean," he instructed, glancing at Zyro. 

****

As Bjorn and Zyro ventured deeper into the heart of Tondo, the vibrant sounds of the city faded into the background, replaced by the haunting echoes of the impoverished streets. Graffiti-tagged walls loomed over them, and the scent of desperation filled the air. The duo navigated through narrow alleyways, keeping their senses sharp for any signs of the werewolves.

After some time, they stumbled upon a large, abandoned building, its once-bright exterior now faded and worn. The iron gate creaked ominously as they pushed it open, revealing a vast courtyard filled with debris and remnants of a forgotten past. Bjorn's instincts kicked in, a sense of foreboding washing over him.

"This feels too quiet," Zyro murmured, scanning the area.

As they stepped further inside, Bjorn felt a rush of adrenaline. The space opened up into a vast room, dimly lit by shafts of moonlight filtering through cracked windows. At the center, a makeshift ring had been established, surrounded by a group of werewolves in various stages of transformation. They were sparring with one another, their fierce growls and laughter echoing off the walls, creating an electrifying atmosphere.

Bjorn exchanged a glance with Zyro, who nodded subtly. "Let's get closer," he whispered. They carefully maneuvered through the shadows, seeking a vantage point to observe the sparring wolves without being seen.

"Look at them," Bjorn said, his eyes fixated on the ring. "They're training like they're preparing for war."

Zyro leaned in closer, his expression a mix of intrigue and caution. "I recognize some of those faces. They're known to be part of Johnny Cortes' pack. If they're here, it means he's planning something big."

Just then, a loud thud caught their attention as one werewolf was knocked to the ground, the victor standing over him, a fierce grin plastered on his face. The crowd around them cheered, their voices a cacophony of excitement.

"Should we confront them?" Bjorn suggested, his grip tightening on his dagger. "We can't let them continue training for whatever scheme they have in mind."

Zyro considered the idea, his brow furrowing in thought. "If we go in guns blazing, we might not make it out. We need to gather intel first. Let's see if we can overhear anything important."

They crept closer to the ring, utilizing the shadows to stay hidden. The wolves continued their brutal sparring, but the murmurs from the crowd began to grow louder.

"Did you hear about the shipment?" one wolf said, his voice low and conspiratorial. "The vampires think they can just take back what's ours."

Bjorn's heart raced at the mention of the shipment. "They're planning something," he whispered to Zyro.

Another wolf piped up, "Johnny has a plan to take over the whole territory. With the Ghost Alpha on our side, no one can stop us."

Bjorn's eyes widened. "The Ghost Alpha? They think Conrad is on their side?"

Zyro nodded, his expression darkening. "We need to warn him. This could put him in grave danger."

Just as they were about to retreat, a wolf turned abruptly, sniffing the air as if sensing their presence. Bjorn's heart raced, and he instinctively pulled Zyro back into the shadows.

"Did you smell that?" the wolf growled, his eyes scanning the darkness.

"We need to move—now!" Zyro hissed, urging Bjorn to retreat further into the shadows.

As they carefully made their way back, Bjorn couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. The werewolves were gathering power, and with Johnny Cortes at the helm, their plans could spell disaster not just for the vampires but for everyone in the city.

Once they reached a safer distance, Bjorn turned to Zyro, determination burning in his eyes. "We need to warn the others and come up with a plan to stop them. We can't let them succeed."

Zyro nodded, resolve written across his face. "Let's get back to Spike and Conrad. We need to figure out our next move before it's too late."

With the weight of the discovery heavy on their shoulders, they made their way back through the labyrinth of Tondo, the shadows of the past looming ever closer.

"Well, well, if it isn't the Vampire Detectives," Johnny Cortes said, stepping into the faint light. His demeanor was relaxed, almost mocking, but the glint in his eyes betrayed his true intentions. "What brings you to my territory?"

Bjorn instinctively tightened his grip on his dagger, but Zyro raised a hand to keep him calm. "Johnny" Zyro bared his fangs.

Johnny chuckled, his laughter echoing off the crumbling walls. "You're not the only ones who keep tabs on things. I've heard whispers of Vanong's plan to eliminate any wolves and vampires who dare to oppose him. You should know that his ambitions go far beyond just control."

Bjorn frowned, his expression hardening. "And what do you want, Johnny? What's your angle in all of this?"

"I want to be your ally."

Bjorn smirked. "Well, it's either you're my ally or you're dead."

"I want to negotiate," Johnny replied, crossing his arms. "There's a storm coming, and it would be foolish for us to fight each other when we should be standing united against Vanong. He's not just a vampire; he's a monster. He will stop at nothing to achieve his goals."

"Why should we trust you?" Bjorn shot back, suspicion lacing his tone. "You've made your allegiance clear."

Johnny shrugged, an almost playful smirk on his face. "Trust is a luxury in our world. But consider this: Vanong's dark capabilities are not something to underestimate. I've seen what he can do, and it's terrifying. He's been gathering strength, and if you think you can stand in his way, you're gravely mistaken."

Zyro's brow furrowed as he contemplated Johnny's words. "You're saying that you want us to join forces against Vanong? After everything that's happened?"

"Exactly," Johnny said, stepping closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You know as well as I do that he's no ally.  And definitely Luke cannot be trusted. He wants his power on the council. That's why he invented those ultraviolet ammunition. And Vanong, he killed my pack, and now he's gunning for yours. This is bigger than personal grudges. It's about survival."

Bjorn exchanged a glance with Zyro, weighing the implications of Johnny's proposal. He could sense the desperation in Johnny's tone, but trusting a known enemy felt like walking a tightrope over a pit of vipers. "We're not interested in making deals with you," Bjorn finally said, steel in his voice. "We'll find our own way to stop Vanong."

"You're playing a dangerous game, and I'm not the only one who will be watching you. Mark my words—if you go against Vanong, he'll obliterate anyone who dares to stand in his way. I'm offering you a chance to save yourselves."Johnny replied, the smirk fading from his face.

Without waiting for a response, Johnny stepped back into the shadows, his figure melting away as quickly as he had appeared. Bjorn and Zyro stood there, the weight of his warning hanging heavily in the air.

"What do you think?" Zyro asked, his voice low. "Could he be telling the truth?"

"I don't know," Bjorn admitted, frustration creeping into his tone. "But one thing is clear: we need to get back to Spike and Conrad and figure out our next move. If Vanong is truly as powerful as Johnny claims, we can't afford to be naive."

With a newfound urgency, they quickened their pace, racing back toward the safety of their temporary refuge. But as they moved, the shadows felt darker, and the threats more palpable. They were running out of time, and the looming specter of Vanong's wrath cast a long shadow over them all.