The masked man's foot hovered, mere inches from Moss's skull, as Gideon's desperate cry seemed to freeze time itself.
The air was heavy with tension, the only sound the ragged breathing of the three combatants, as the masked man's gaze slowly shifted to Gideon, a hint of curiosity flickering across his face.
Gideon's words tumbled out in a rush, laced with a mix of desperation and defeat. "Let him go. We'll do as you say." He paused, swallowing hard, before adding, "Just spare his life."
The masked man's gaze lingered on Gideon, as if searching for any sign of deception, before finally, he sighed. But just as everyone thought he'd show mercy, his eyes behind his mask flashed. "Too late."
With that, he stomped his foot down on Moss's head with crushing force, the sound of the impact sickeningly loud, like a melon bursting beneath a sledgehammer.
