Fletcher wondered why he was investing so much effort into training Ray since it felt out of character. When the image of Ray entered his mind, it overlapped with the appearance of another person, someone from Fletcher's past, as he focused on the face of that person, he couldn't help but recall some memories.

25 years ago.

Fletcher had always known that he was different. He couldn't remember a time when he wasn't aware of it. He was taken away from his family when he was just a baby, and brought to a place called Basilisk. He grew up there, alongside other children who were just like him - different, in their own way.

From the outside, Basilisk looked like any other military base. But inside, it was a different story. There were no families, no laughter, no love. Only a never-ending cycle of training, testing, and fighting. Fletcher and the other children were put through grueling physical and mental exercises every day, with no respite or rest. They were taught how to fight, how to kill, how to survive.

"Come on, Fletcher! You can do better than that!" shouted their instructor, Jin was a burly man with a hardened face and deep eyes. He was merciless, pushing them to their limits and beyond.

Fletcher gritted his teeth and pushed himself harder, feeling the sweat pouring down his face. He could hear the other children panting and grunting beside him, their faces contorted with effort. But he didn't let that distract him. He knew he had to be the best, or he wouldn't survive.

After each stage of their training, they had to go through dangerous tests and fights to the death. The first time Fletcher had seen it, he had been horrified. But he had quickly learned that it was just part of life at Basilisk. If you couldn't kill, you couldn't survive.

As he trained and fought, Fletcher couldn't help but wonder what had made him different. Was it something in his genes? Something in his upbringing? He didn't know. All he knew was that he was different, and that he had to use that difference to his advantage.

One day, after a particularly grueling session, Fletcher found himself alone with his instructor and mentor Jin. They were standing in the middle of a vast, empty field, with nothing but the sound of the wind to keep them company.

"You're doing well, Fletcher," said Jin, his voice surprisingly gentle. "But you need to remember that you're not like the others. You're special."

Fletcher looked at him, surprised. "Special?"

The instructor nodded. "Yes. You have something that the others don't. Something that makes you stronger, faster, more resilient. You have the potential to be the perfect killing machine."

Fletcher felt a shiver run down his spine. The perfect killing machine. Was that what he was? Was that what he had been trained to be?

"You're not like the others, Fletcher," repeated Jin, as if reading his thoughts. "You're better. You're the one who will survive."

Fletcher didn't know what to say. He had never thought of himself as better than the others. He had always assumed that they were all in the same boat, all struggling to survive.

But now, as he looked around at the empty field, he realized that maybe he was different. Maybe he was better. And maybe that was what would save his life.

As the sun set behind, Fletcher felt a sense of purpose and determination wash over him. He knew what he had to do. He had to keep training, keep fighting, keep pushing himself to be the best. Because in the end, only he would survive.

***

20 years ago.

After Fletcher had proven himself as the last survivor of his group, his instructor Jin took him to see Shadow Master. Shadow Master was a formidable figure, with piercing eyes that seemed to see right through Fletcher. He wore a black hooded cloak that billowed behind him, giving him an almost supernatural appearance.

"Fletcher," said Shadow Master, his voice low and dangerous. "You have proven yourself to be a formidable warrior. But now, it is time for you to prove yourself as an assassin."

He handed Fletcher a list of 99 targets, each with a name and a brief description. Fletcher's heart skipped a beat as he read through the list. There were foreign politicians, spies, rich men, mafia leaders, and more. Each one was a powerful and dangerous individual, and Fletcher knew that it would be a daunting task to take them all down.

"You have one year to complete this list," said Shadow Master in a commanding voice, his eyes never leaving Fletcher's face.

Fletcher swallowed hard, feeling a knot form in his stomach. He had never killed anyone outside of the confines of Basilisk, and the idea of assassinating 99 people was overwhelming. But he knew that he had to succeed, or he would never be able to leave Basilisk alive.

He spent the next six months on the move, tracking down his targets and eliminating them one by one. He used all the skills he had learned at Basilisk, from his expert marksmanship to his deadly hand-to-hand combat techniques. He moved silently and swiftly, leaving no trace behind.

Each target was a new challenge, but Fletcher never hesitated. He knew that his life depended on his success. And as he crossed each name off the list, he felt a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Finally, after six months of non-stop killing, at 18 years old Fletcher completed the list faster and younger than anyone before him. He returned to Basilisk, exhausted but triumphant. He presented the list to Shadow Master, who looked at him with a mixture of surprise and admiration.

"You have done well, Fletcher," said Shadow Master, his voice almost approving. "You have proven yourself to be a worthy assassin. But you have one final target to complete the final test”

Fletcher stood frozen in front of Shadow Master, the list of 99 targets clenched tightly in his hand. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. His last target was Jin - the very man who had trained him, who had been like a father to him.

"Jin?" Fletcher managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.

Shadow Master nodded, his expression unreadable. "Yes. Jin. He has been a loyal servant to the Basilisk for many years. But now, he has become a liability. He lost his touch, and became too soft. He must be eliminated."

Fletcher's mind was reeling. He couldn't imagine killing Jin. He had been the only person at Basilisk who had ever shown him kindness. He had taught him everything he knew, had been there for him through every test and fight.

"But...why?" Fletcher asked, his voice trembling.

Shadow Master's eyes narrowed. "That is not your concern, Fletcher. Your only concern is to complete the task set before you. Kill Jin, and you will have proven yourself as a true member of the Basilisk. Fail, and you will be eliminated from this world."

Fletcher knew he had no choice. He had come too far to back out now. He had completed the other 99 tasks with ease, using all the skills he had been taught at Basilisk. But killing Jin? That was different. That was personal.

He didn't know how he was going to do it, but he knew he had to try. He would find a way to do it quickly, cleanly, without any unnecessary pain.

The next few days passed in a blur for Fletcher. He didn't sleep, didn't eat. All he could think about was Jin. He tried to come up with a plan, but his mind was blank. He didn't know where to start.

Finally, the day of the task arrived. Fletcher knew he had to be careful. Jin was a skilled fighter, and he wouldn't go down easily.

He made his way to Jin's quarters, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn't want to do this. He didn't want to kill his mentor.

He knocked on the door, and it opened a crack. Jin's face appeared, his eyes widening in surprise when he saw Fletcher.

"Fletcher? What are you doing here?" Jin asked, his voice laced with concern.

Fletcher didn't answer. He couldn't. He just stood there, staring at Jin, trying to work up the nerve to do what he had been tasked to do.

Jin must have seen something in his eyes, because he stepped back, his hand moving to his weapon. "Fletcher, what's going on? Why are you-"

But before he could finish his sentence, Fletcher lunged forward, his own weapon drawn. The two men clashed in a blur of movement, their weapons clanging against each other.

It was a fierce battle. Fletcher was using all the skills he had learned at Basilisk, but Jin was no slouch. He fought back with equal ferocity, blocking Fletcher's attacks and landing blows of his own.

As they fought, Fletcher couldn't help but think about all the times Jin had been there for him. All the times he had shown him kindness, even when the other instructors had been brutal. He didn't want to kill him. But he had no choice.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Fletcher managed to land a fatal blow. Jin fell to the ground, his eyes staring up at Fletcher in shock.

a wave of emotion washed over him. He had done it. He had completed the final task. But at what cost? He had killed the only person who had ever shown him kindness.

Fletcher stood there, his weapon still raised, staring down at Jin's lifeless body. He felt nothing but emptiness.

As he made his way back to his own quarters, Fletcher couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that washed over him. He had killed someone he had cared about, someone who had been like family to him.

Fletcher feeling guilty for killing Jin, decide to avenge his death by destroying the Basilisk organization, starting with shadow master.

Fletcher spent the next few weeks planning his revenge against Basilisk. He knew it wouldn't be easy to take down an entire organization, but he was determined to do it. He had a newfound purpose, a new mission that would guide him forward.

His first step was to kill Shadow Master. He knew that if he could defeat him, he could take control of the organization and shut it down from the inside out.

He made his way to Shadow Master's quarters, his heart pounding with anticipation. He knew that this would be the most difficult fight of his life, but he was ready for it.

When he arrived, Shadow Master was waiting for him, his arms folded across his chest. "Fletcher," he said, his voice cold and calculated. "I expected this from you. But you won't succeed."

Fletcher didn't respond. He just drew his weapon and took a fighting stance. Shadow Master did the same, and the two men lunged at each other.

The battle was intense. Fletcher had never faced an opponent like Shadow Master before. He was fast, agile, and deadly. But Fletcher was determined. He used everything he had learned at Basilisk, and more, to try to gain the upper hand.

They fought for what felt like hours, each blow landing with a resounding thud. Fletcher was starting to feel the strain of the battle, but he refused to give up.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Fletcher managed to land a decisive blow. Shadow Master fell to the ground, gasping for breath. Fletcher stood over him, his weapon raised, ready to strike the final blow.

With a deep breath "It's over," Fletcher said. "Basilisk is done."

Shadow Master stared up at him, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You...you can't do this," he gasped. "You'll be hunted for the rest of your life."

Fletcher just shrugged and said "I'll take my chances".

After killing shadow master, Fletcher proceeded to kill every single person inside the basilisk facilities, men, women and even children a complete massacre. It was a necessary evil to guarantee that all the traces of the basilisk program were erased from the face of the earth.

LostBreath

Greetings, What a roller coaster of emotion this chapter was, I wanted to expand more on the relationship Fletcher had with Jin but I know readers are not fond of flashbacks, so I might bring it up in future chapters, I hope this chapter gives you some insight into the past of our MC.