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ɴᴇᴡ ᴏʀʟᴇᴀɴꜱ
May 2018

Beyoncé stood at the edge of the town's river, the sun hanging low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the water. The river, often a source of life and vibrancy, now mirrored her turbulent thoughts. She could still feel the heaviness of her recent encounters—her confrontation with Matthew, the haunting image of Onika lying unconscious in the hospital, and the cryptic words of Julius echoing in her mind.

Beside her, Julius watched the water swirl with a contemplative expression. There was a strange comfort in his presence, an odd sense of solidarity that she desperately needed. He had offered her a lifeline, a chance to reclaim her autonomy and fight back against the oppressive forces that threatened to consume her.

But at what cost? She still felt the remnants of Sasha's dark energy simmering beneath the surface, a reminder that she was teetering on the brink of chaos. Would unleashing Sasha again only put her deeper into Matthew's trap? The uncertainty gnawed at her.

"What's the plan?" she asked, her voice steady but tinged with apprehension.

Julius turned to her, his eyes serious. "First, we need to gather intel on Matthew's operation. He's been consolidating power, and I suspect he's preparing to make his move soon. We can't let him catch us off guard."

Beyoncé nodded, her determination solidifying. "And how do we do that?"

"We'll need to infiltrate the Dominion," he said, his gaze piercing. "I have contacts within the ranks who can help us. But first, we need to draw out Robert. He's been operating in the shadows, and he's crucial to Matthew's plans."

"Draw him out how?" she pressed, already sensing the danger in his words.

"By creating chaos," Julius replied, a hint of a smile creeping onto his face. "Matthew thrives on control, and if we can disrupt his carefully laid plans, he'll be forced to react. That's when Robert will show his hand."

Beyoncé's stomach tightened at the thought of causing more chaos, especially after what she had done to Onika. "I don't want to hurt anyone else," she said, her voice quiet.

Julius's expression softened. "I understand. But chaos doesn't have to mean violence. We can create distractions that make it harder for them to focus. The key is to keep our hands clean while making them feel vulnerable."

"Alright," she said, steeling herself. "Let's do it."

The Dominion – Later That Night

The air inside the Dominion was thick with tension, the dimly lit corridors echoing with whispers of impending doom. Matthew sat at the head of a long table, surrounded by his loyal enforcers, his fingers steepled in front of him as he surveyed the room with an air of authority.

"Something is amiss," he said, his voice low and filled with menace. "Beyoncé has gone silent, and I don't like it. She's always been unpredictable, but this... this feels like she's plotting something."

One of the enforcers, a hulking figure with a scarred face, leaned forward. "She won't get far. We can track her. If she's conspiring against you, we can take her down before she even makes a move."

Matthew waved his hand dismissively. "No. She's dangerous when cornered. We need to let her think she's safe, while we close in. I want her to draw out the others, make them think they have an advantage."

"And what of Robert?" another enforcer asked, his eyes narrowing. "He's been slipping away from our grasp. Shouldn't we put more resources into—"

"Robert is a pawn," Matthew interrupted, his voice a lethal whisper. "A useful one, but still a pawn. He'll reveal himself when the time is right. Focus on Beyoncé. I want to know her every move."