Steven talks to Phil on the phone about the blood found on a knife that one of the thugs used to stab the Bloodstained Crow.

Steven: What did you say?

Phil: I don't know how else to say this but its black blood.

Steven: Black blood? Are you sure its blood?

Phil: Of course I did re-test it at least 4 times before I told you. It has everything how regular blood cells act, it’s just black. Look I gotta go. I have to run more types of tests on this.

Steven: Understood, take care of yourself.

As Steven finishes the call with Phil, Marshall arrives into their office.

Steven: Marshall seems we got a lead on the Bloodstained Crow.

Marshall: About damn time, looks like this bastard finally gave us something other than eye witnesses to work with.

Steven: Yes, however. Marshall, the thing is that what they found was blood that had an odd color.

Marshall: Huh, what do you mean?

Steven: What they found was black blood.

Marshall: Black blood? You sure that dipshit Phil wasn’t playing you?

Steven: He’s no actor and he sounded quite perplexed himself when he brought it up.

Marshall: Aright then, I’ll trust your judgment. If it is black blood you think it was some type of disease or side effect to some drug?

Steven: I’ve never heard of any disease that turns blood black. It might be possible it’s a new drug but we can’t be too sure about it.

Marshall: *sigh* So what? The rumors about him are right. That the Bloodstained Crow is a monster? Give me a break.

Steven: I agree; if that’s how it was he would have killed the girl or anyone that was inadvertently saved when he attacks.

Marshall: Okay, so what do we know that could be his motives? Cross began approximately 9 years ago. They had their methods of “sacrificing” that threatened anyone that gets in their way; however they haven’t done that since 8 months ago. So the Bloodstained Crow must be involved with one of the victims that were killed.

Steven: Most of the victims’ families didn’t care about them so many weren't ever reported. The victims did share one thing which was that they were people that were against Cross.

Marshall: Yes but unfortunately there were exceptions, since some of them did have families that cared.

Steven: Like that boy your children knew, correct?

Marshall: He was a pain in my ass, a straight up smart ass, and continually called me old, an outright delinquent type of kid. However he had a loving guardian and he was Iris and Brandon's childhood friend when the three lived in an orphanage. It was painful when I found out he was one of the victims of 8 months ago.

Steven: My condolences. With that said, the Bloodstained Crow must be someone that wants vengeance for losing their loved one or member of Cross that was betrayed somewhere at that point in time. Or-

Marshall: Someone that survived and has begun to hunting them down.

Steven: Precisely the case. So in regards to last night when do you think Los Soldados de Reyes will retaliate?

Marshall: Aghhh! This god damn crow is seriously a pain in the ass.

Steven: Agreed.

Meanwhile in building in downtown, a boss sits in his office. The boss sits in his room with his hands typing away on his computer. Besides his computer is his name labeled onto a tag, Charles Servantas, the CEO and founder of a major technology "Servantas TECH" a company that has made technological advancements in consumer and private affairs. He's wearing a normal business suit, has faded brown hair, and black eyes.

Receptionist: Sir, you have a phone call on the line. He said he wants to talk to you about something important. Shall I tell him you’re not here?

Charles: Thanks but put him through.

Receptionist: Very well.

While on the phone a business man walks into the Charles’s office as the receptionist tries to stop him.

Business man: Am I interrupting?

Charles: *hangs up the phone* No, no of course not it’s just some annoyance I had to deal with. *sees that his receptionist is behind the man* It’s okay; He’s someone I was expecting.

As the receptionist nods and leaves the two begin to talk amongst themselves.

Business man: Good. Let’s cut to the chase shall we. My boss, well, our boss wants you to know that it’s almost time for the third phase to begin.

Charles: Very well. The arrangements should be ready within three days from now.

Business man: Great to hear. I sure do hope nothing bad happens to them, it would be quiet troublesome to deal with.

Charles: True, your boss isn't exactly doing this for a right cause. Am I right?

Business man: Hmm I won’t answer that for now, but I’ll ask you this, what do you think about this person going around killing members of Cross. It's been about 3 weeks since it started and this gang has gotten much smaller.

Charles: What about him?

Business man: Some of the cargo was "stolen" by Cross correct? I believe if you’re not careful, he might come after you.

Charles: I've thought of that. I have a solution to this and plus, I have doubts that the Bloodstained Crow as anything but destroying Cross in his mind.

Just then the receptionist calls Charles again and tells him that he has another phone call for him on hold at the moment. The business man nods to him so that he can answer the phone. It is Gomez Santiago, leader of the Soldados de Reyes, one of the notorious gangs that had power in the gang world of Los Angeles until Cross was established.

Gomez: Ay, your son fucked us last night. I told you, I was gonna waste him if he fucks up again.

Charles: If you do that, then the one who is interfering in your business will go after you.

Gomez: Who!?

Charles: Have you heard of the Bloodstained Crow?

Gomez: That thing they say on the tv?

Charles: I have some people in the police that told me, the Bloodstained Crow is the one that killed your men last night.

Gomez: FUCK! You know what. I’m gonna get this faggot for getting in my way. It’s fucking up my business.

Charles: Well I sent someone with money for you to pay certain people that will dispose of him. Don’t blow this Gomez, if you spend that money other than what’s need, those mercenaries will kill you after I’m done with you. Is that understood?

Gomez: Yea yea. Dios, los blancos siempre son anales sobre-

Charles then hangs up the phone and tells the business man of the situation.

Business man: I see. So you’re still in contact with those people?

Charles: Don't worry. I'm almost done with this side project of mine.

Business man: Good and besides who knows, this crow may benefit us one day.

Charles: How so?

Business man: If something goes wrong, we can just blame it all on him. However if I may ask, these people you mentioned from before; do you think your mercenaries will be capable of killing the Bloodstained Crow?

Charles: They’re highly trained professionals. They should already in the city and most likely searching for the crow as we speak.

After parting a few words the business man leaves the office and enters the elevator. While in there he begins to laugh hysterically. As he laughs he looks back at his reflection from the shinning door in front of him.

Business man: (Ahh, this is gonna be really fun to watch. I just hope Cipher does not resist his desires this time. Ugh, this human look for me really is ugly in comparison to my normal angelic self.)

Back at the Patientia household Iris returns home as walks upwards to her room. The look on her eyes seemingly looks somber.

Eveline: Welcome back Iris.

Iris: Hey. By the way Mom can you wake me up at 12, I’ma go back to sleep right now.

Sharon: Will do honey.

Iris: Thanks. *walks upstairs*

Sharon: *sigh* No, it just that the poor girl, she still hasn’t forgiven herself about the incident.

Eveline: What do you mean?

Sharon: Well, you see. Moments before Cipher disappeared. Those two had gotten into a big argument. I'm not entirely sure what is was about, but she must still feel guilty in some form.

Eveline: I see.

She then looks at a photo that has Iris, Brandon, and Cipher when she had entered college. Upstairs Iris enters her room and lies on her bed and closes her eyes as tears begin to come out.

Iris: … Damn, hearing them talk about how we met you; Cipher… If I didn’t say all those things to you, you would still be here with us still. Damn it I really gotta stop feeling sad like this. I’m sure you would have called me something rude if you saw me like this.

Soon after she closes her eyes and tries to sleep. Outside of her window though, in the bushes of the tree nearby, is the Bloodstained Crow crouched in the tree. He was able to follower her and hide within the tree's bushes.

Cipher: …

Cipher leaves the house behind and walks along the sidewalk. He gets ready to leave before he can be noticed, however then he hears an unfamiliar voice.

???: If thyself truly believes to one day return to the old normal human life, then thou art nothing but a fool.

Cipher: *looks at all directions* Huh?! Who said that!

No response, as he looks at every direction until he sees a dark figure walking towards him. In front of him is a mysterious man, who has his face covered by a metallic face mask, jet black robe covering his body, and gray looking hair.

Mysterious man: For now I give thee a warning. The power thou'st acquired will erase any hope to return to the life from hence forward if continued on the path of malice.

Cipher: ... (Is he really talking like that?)

Mysterious man: If thou hast kills the one thou seeks, then all that thine would hold dear will be destroyed.

Cipher: What the hell does that mean!

Mysterious man: Thou must decide; to kill or to leave the sinner for the living to judge. I advise to not mention nothing about our meeting towards that fallen angel.

Cipher: Fine, but you mind telling me who you are?

The mysterious man begins to walk toward Cipher and as he does, Cipher prepares himself for an attack. However he is unable to move as if his body is refusing to listen. Finally the mysterious man just walks past Cipher, ignoring his very presence. Quickly Cipher turns to look at the mysterious man only to see no one around him, as if he just vanished.

Cipher: What the... Where the hell did he go? Just what the hell was that all about anyways?

Dusk had arrived and Cipher starts to look for Club68. However unaware to him as he searches in the city, he is being watched by one of the mercenaries. One of them then starts to talk into a radio.

Mercenary1: I found the target.

Mercenary2: What’s the status?

Mercenary1: You won't believe this but he’s jumping on roof tops. Surprised no one seen him.

Mercenary3: So this job is to eliminate some superhero wantabe. I mean this guy is called a Bloodstained Crow.

Mercenary4: Hey I didn’t get much time to read the info, why do they call him that?

Mercenary2: Says he has claws that tear though many things got black iron armor most parts of his body, and his cloak resembles a crow from behind as it’s covered in the blood of his enemies. I still can't believe this shit is actually for real.

Mercenary1: Hey I got a clear shot at him, should I get em now?

As the mercenaries prepare themselves, Cipher ponders to himself.

Cipher: (Why was that metal faced guy telling me not to kill my murder? How is he connected to this whole thing? When he was walking towards me, I just froze there like a damn coward.)

Mercenary2: Almost there.

Cipher: (Also if somehow they get hurt because of me. It’ll be my fault. I can’t do that to them. I don’t want them involved in this. God damn it I’ll figure this out when I get to that club.)

Mercenary2: And go.

Using a sniper rifle equipped with a suppresser, Merceanry1 shoots his sniper rifle and hits Cipher on the side of his right kneecap. Cipher falls from the bullet's strength and lands into a street market below.

Mercenary1: Got em.

The people below start to panic as Cipher crashes down onto the top of a food truck. As he hits the truck he then bounces of it and onto the ground were people are.

Mercanry3: Kay, finishing the job.

Cipher: *holds his knee in pain* (Where that come from!)

As he tries to get up the people start to run away from the area making it easier for the mercenaries to shoot again.

Cipher: (Wait, if there’s a sniper then-)

Mercenary3 then shoots his sniper rifle towards Cipher’s head but misses it, only because he barely dodged it.

Cipher: (Damn, looks like their pros!)

Cipher’s kneecap heals enough for him to run towards cover.

Mercenary2: I though you got him on his leg.

Mercanary1: I did. He managed to move?

Mercenary2: Sure did. Guess he’s gonna give us some fun after all.

Mercenary4: Alright! Ay little birdie, let’s play hot potato!

Mercenary4 then starts to throw grenades towards Cipher’s location.

Cipher: You’re kidding…

The grenades then explode as the shockwave pushes Cipher to his back. He then sees Mercenary4 and tries to attack. Only to have his hand shot off by Mercenary3’s sniper rifle.

Cipher: *falls on his back* (Shit, I forgot about him!)

As Cipher is on the ground and in pain from the bullet that took his hand off, Mercenary2 then shows up next to Mercenary4.

Mercenary2: So you’re the guy that’s been going around killing all these people. You’re nothing but a kid. Hell I bet you haven’t even had sex, sorry kid. But you an’t ever gonna know that feeling.

He then shoots Cipher on the head.

Mercenary2: Welp, job well done. Thought this kid might be some challenging seeing that we were called here.

Mercenary1: Yeah right, that kid didn’t even stand a chance.

Soon after Mercenary2 then uses a phone to call Gomez about the job done.

Gomez: Is he dead?

Mercenary2: Yeah job’s done. I expect the money is with you?

Gomez: Yea of course you know where to find us.

Mercenary2: Yeah yeah. This was overkill though, was this guy really worth our time?

As Mercenary2 talks on the phone, Mercenary4 grabs Cipher’s shot off hand, walks towards Cipher’s body and crouches next to it.

Mercenary4: Look at you, some fun you are. These hands though, just what type of kid would do this to themselves?

Upon closer inspection, Mercenary4 can see that the claws look painfully large and almost transparent with a tint of red. All while his palms are normal like a humans.

Mercenary4: Ah well your dead now, and we get paid for it. So don’t take it personal.

He then gets stabbed by Cipher’s other claw hand. As he starts to absorb Mercenary4’s soul; the hand that he had lost starts to regenerate back on Cipher.

Gomez: Bring me his head. I wanta see the face of the fuck the killed my men.

Cipher: (Damn, I gotta move now! But where?)

Suddenly Cipher, vanishes from the ground. As Mercenary2 hangs up the phone he looks back and sees Cipher’s body is missing and Mercenary4’s body in its place.

Mercenary2: What the hell! Hey! What happened!?

He looks at the body and sees the stab wound on Mercenary4’s heart.

Mercenary2: Fuck, everyone the kid is still alive; I repeat the kid is still alive!

Mercenary3/1: What! Wait how! I thought you shot his head!?

Mercenary2: I did. But where his body should be, I just see Gerald’s body!

Mercenary1 then looks though his sniper scope and sees what Mercenary2 sees.

Mercenary1: Yeah, he’s right. How the fuck is this guy still alive? He a zombie?

Mercenary3: But if you shot a zombie on the head they die don’t they!?

Mercenary1: Not if they’re “Return of the Living Dead” zombies, with those, its game over!

Mercenary2: That’s enough regroup back to the location we discussed.

As the mercenaries begin to regroup Cipher looks from the shadows of the corner of where he was. Thinking about what he just did, he remembers how Vice and the mysterious man can disappear.

Cipher: (So this is how Vice and that masked weirdo suddenly vanish. This will defiantly come in handy.)

The mercenaries regroup, get into a car, and drive off.

Mercenary1: Crap that money better be a whole lot.

Mercenary3: You think he’s following us on those roof tops.

Mercenary2: If he can move, then I bet on it. He’s is coming so be ready.

Soon as he said that Cipher uses his new teleportation skill and lands onto the car’s front hood.

Mercenary1: What tha-

Mercenary3 then starts to shoot.

Cipher: *getting shot at* (Damn! I ended up in the wrong part!)

Mercenary1: What the hell is this guy!?

Cipher then breaks the front window and tosses a grenade into the car. Afterwards jumps away.

Mercenary2: Fuck! Get out!

The 3 mercenaries the roll out of the car just as it explodes.

Mercenary1: Where the fuck did he get that grenade!

Mercenary2: My guess that was Gerald’s grenade. The kid must have looted his body.

Mercenary3: Got any idea where we should go, boss?

Mercenary2: First grab a car, then well head towards an open area.

Mercenary1: Ah! I know a place.

A police siren is heard and then an officer gets out of the car and points his gun at them.

Officer: Freeze.

Mercenary2 then immediately shoots the officer on the head, killing him instantly.

Mercernary2: That car will do.

As one of them hijacks a car the other 2 get in and begin to drive away, Cipher watches them from above as he follows after them.

The mercenaries end up driving towards Santa Monica Pier and go all the way towards the end of the dock.

Mercenary1: What you think?

Mercenary2: Clear the area and get your rifles out, he’ll be here any second!

2 of the mercenaries then open fire killing some people as others try and escape.

Soon the pier is empty and Mercenary1 and Mercenary3 both go to the top of the buildings to gain a better shot of hitting him. Then one of them spots Cipher across the other side.

Mercenary1: Got him! *shoots*

It grazes Cipher’s face as the bullet barely hits him.

Mecenary3: My turn! *shoots*

However when Mercenary3 shoots, Cipher vanishes from the line of fire.

Mercenary3: What the… D-did you see that! He can turn invisible!

Mercenary1: That or he can teleport! Fuck no money is worth dying for this guy!

Mercenary2: Well it’s too late now, besides we have an advantage we know he’s going to be in front of us. Moment he see him, we’ll open fire!

Back at Cipher’s location inside a building on the pier, he wonders if he can use this new power to its limit.

Cipher: (Looks like there’s only one way there. Can’t necessarily swim with all this stuff on me, especially with these claws. I’ll have to time this perfectly, too many bullets hit me in this condition and I’m screwed. Wonder how far I can teleport?)

He then walks out of the building and dashes towards the mercenaries.

Mercenary1: Found him!

Mercenary2: Well fucking fire!

They all open fire and as soon as they do Cipher teleports out of the way and reappears closer to the mercenaries then he was before.

Mercenary3: He did it again!

Mercenary2: Quick! Spray those bullets till you get the bastard!

The mercenaries then shoot at Cipher many times as he teleported. However each time they did, he only got closer and closer until they did not see him anymore. Mercenary2 then radios the others about the situation.

Mercenary2: Where is he!

Mercanry3: Agh!

Mercenary1: Fuck, he’s here! *shoots*

Mercenary2: What! What’s happening up there!

Mercenary1: What the fuck are you! Why can’t you die!

Mercenary2: John what’s happening! John! Is Jack dead!?

Radio is silenced, and then Mercenary2 sees a 5 year old boy with his mother hiding under some stairs.

Mercenary2: Come here *grabs the boy*

Mother: Let him go!

Mercenary2: Shut it! *shoots her on the leg*

Boy: MOMMY!

Mercenary2: Fuck up brat. HEY CROW! IF YOU DON’T WANT THIS KID’S BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS COME OUT HERE!

No response was given to him as he holds the frightened child.

Mercenary2: FINE I’LL COUNT TO THREE. ONE…TWO… THRE-

Just then Cipher appears in front of them, now somewhat covered in blood.

Mercenary2: Hold your hands up. NOW!

Cipher holds up his hands and reveals his claws dripping in blood.

Mercenary2: Wha… What the fuck!?

Seeing the mercenary in complete shock Cipher uses this chance to teleport in front of him and slams his head onto the wooden floor.

Mercenary2: Gagh!

Cipher: Who sent you?

Mercenary2: Like I’ll say.

Cipher: Are you in any position to say that? Look at your situation, you’ve lost, and I know you’re just a hired gun. Is it really worth it to die for some money you won’t see depending on your answer?

Mercenary2: … Gomez. His name is Gomez Santiago.

Cipher: Where is he?

Mercenary2: I have the directions on this paper. Take it.

Cipher: Thanks. Unfortunately I never said you’d live. *cuts his head off*

He sees the frightened boy and gestures to go to his injured mother and leave the area. As soon as they leave Cipher begins to experience an enormous amount of pain circulating in his head.

Cipher: Huh!? *holds his own head* What the- GAH!!!

As Cipher falls to his knees holding his head, Vice appears in front of him.

Vice: *whistles* Sure did a number on them. Good job on staying alive and nice plan on getting shot in the head. Worked in your favor didn’t it.

Cipher: Aghh!

Vice: But what I’m really surprised is that you learned to how to teleport like we do. So a congratulations is in order. But you sure did over use it. Was hoping you would kill that stupid looking brat and his harlot.

Cipher: Wha- AGH!!

Vice: Listen, you can learn much more abilities and all you need to do is kill more people and absorb their souls. More life you take away, the stronger you will get. That’s the truth of your power.

Cipher: *holds head* This fucking hurts!!

Vice: Aw come on. All you should be feeling is your body burning up and your brain being stabbed by an infinite amount of needles. So quit your bitching and stand up.

Cipher: Shut… the hell up, Vice.

Vice: You just need practice for every new skill you learn. Just know for now that your teleportation is limited to where you can visualize yourself at. As the humans would say, practice makes perfect, even though humans can never know such a blissful thing.

Sirens are then heard and a news helicopter is then seen.

Cipher then walks toward Mercenary2’s head and looks up to see the news helicopter is spot lighting him. He then heads into the shadows of the building. At the other side of the pier, Marshall and Steven head towards his location.

Marshall: We got him. There’s no way he can escape, since we’re blocking the only way out.

Steven: What if he swims away?

Marshall: What you think I forgot about that? Patrol boats around the pier; he and those bastards aren't going anywhere.

Steven: Who do you think he’s going against now?

Marshall: Not sure, but its an’t no way he’s fighting anyone normal. Those craters back at the markets, those bullet holes, and my personal favorite-

Steven: The dead body of that soldier looking fellow. We must proceed carefully this time, Marshall.

When they get there, the whole area is blocked out and they proceed to move in. However one of the officers sees someone approaching them from the end of the pier. Steven then pokes Marshall and points in front of them.

Marshall: Hey there, here I’m with the police. We’ll help you. *signals for the paramedics*

Boy: *crying* My… my mommy is bleeding.

Marshall: No problem, we’ll help her. Can you tell me who did this ma'am?

Mother: It- it was the people with the rifles. They just started to fire into the crowd.

Marshall: I see. Who helped you escape?

Boy: It was the scary man, he killed the bad people.

Marshall: I see... Don’t worry, you’re safe now.

He then let the paramedics take him and his mother to get treated. They then proceed towards the end of the pier with caution. But by the time they get there, no one is there.

Marshall: Where is he!? Did he escape again!

Officer: Sorry sir, there’s no sign of him anywhere.

Marshall: GOD DAMN IT! *punches the wall nearby* Just how in the fuck did he escape!

Steven: But he was here, there’s signs of black blood here, just like the market. I’m quite curious to see why these people were killed by him.

Marshall: Don’t take a smartass to know why, they must be hired guns that got taken out by the crow.

Steven: Marshall, I don’t think these guys weren’t hired by Cross, they don’t have resources to pull this off. I’m certain this was someone else that gave them the money to get rid of the Bloodstained Crow.

Marshall: So it has to be the Soldados got caught in the crossfire yesterday night.

Steven: Yes, looks like something might begin soon.

Marshall: *sigh* … Wait!

Steven: Figure something out?

Marshall: That boy said a scary man came and saved him and his mother and this is place is out in the open by the sunlight.

Steven: Do you think the crow's face was visible because of that?

Marshall: Let’s just hope so.

Steven: We could always make them remember.

Marshall: … You watch too many movies. Anyways let's give them time to recover from this tragedy.

Later that night Gomez leaves the meeting area that the mercenaries and he were to meet.

Gomez: Seguro que la noticias dijo eso?

Bodyguard1: Si, estan muertos los mercenarios supone que cumplir con.

Gomez: El gringo va esta enojado. Menos aun tengo ese dinero que nos dio.

Bodyguard2: Vamos a utilizarla en algun culo fino, jefe.

Gomez: No seas retardado. Este dinero vale mas el entonces de sus niños, okay!

As soon as he they get close to his car, he sees the head of Mercenary2 on the roof.

Gomez: Puta mierda!?

Cipher: So you’re the one that sent these guys after me.

Soon they see a person standing on the car in a bloody cloak. Then Bodyguard’s 1 and 2 pull out their guns and shoot at Cipher. However right as they shoot Cipher dashes towards them and stabs right through their chests.

Gomez: Fuck!? Wha- what do you want!?

Cipher: I want to know why you sent those men after me.

Gomez: You killed my men yesterday, I’m not gonna let some faggot get in my way!

Cipher: Well those men of yours were up to no good. More importantly, they just got in my way.

Upon looking at Cipher better he can see that he’s only a teenager.

Gomez: You’re just a kid! I’m a make sure your family is gonna get it.

Cipher: "Gonna get it?" Jesus you’re a gangster right, so fucking say you’re going to try and kill them.

Cipher then walks towards Gomez, as he does Gomez begins to back off.

Gomez: Wha- What! What else do you want!? Do you know who I am!?

Cipher: Just another fatass latino that’s gonna die if you don’t tell me where Cross’s leader is.

Gomez: I don’t know, I haven't seen the guy in ages! IS that all you want!?

Cipher: Let me say this in Spanish so even you can understand. Aléjate furea de mi camino.

Gomez: Aright then!

He then grabs Gomez by the neck and begins to further threaten him.

Cipher: Repeat it. *starts to grip harder*

Gomez: I’ll stay out of your way.

Cipher: Can't hear you.

Gomez: Your way! I’ll stay the hell away from the Bloodstained Crow’s way.

Cipher: … Ruega a tu Dios que no nos encontramos de nuevo. *walks away into the darkness*

Gomez then pulls out a gun but realizes he’s shaking too much to shoot.

Gomez: FUCK! *throws gun*

Cipher then returns to the boarding house he stayed at the night before.

Vice: Didn’t ask about the location of the club you know.

Cipher: No point. Don’t want to deal with that or you right now.

Realizing that he wasted too much time, he decides to look for “Club68” the next night. Suddenly as he is walking in the house he realizes he’s surrounded by spirits of the dead.

Spirit1: It’s here.

Spirit2: ItS hEre

Spirit3: ITs FlesSH

Spirit4: Its BoNe

Spirit5: OuRS

Spirit6: All of IT

Cipher: Took you long enough. *grins* Let’s see if you bastards can take this body from me this time.