Butler Die Co.

**Chapter 11: The Ambush**

Thaddeus stood in the shadows of the training hall, his mind drifting back to the past as he overheard Bertram telling the story of how they had first met. Bertram spoke of that day with reverence, calling it a blessing, a turning point in his life. But for Thaddeus, the memories of that day were far more sinister and complex.

The mission to disable an elite team of military soldiers had seemed routine, but Leo, as he was known then, sensed that something was amiss. He and Tanya, who was known as May within The Made Maids, were tasked with the mission. Tanya was not only Leo's romantic partner, but she also had the unique ability to calm Leo's bloodlust, a constant struggle for him due to his battle mania.

As they approached their target, Leo's senses were on high alert. The air was thick with tension, and he could feel the presence of unseen eyes watching their every move. Leo and Tanya moved with the grace and precision of seasoned warriors, their bond and training making them a formidable team.

The ambush was sprung suddenly. Elite soldiers emerged from the shadows, surrounding Leo and Tanya. Leo's instincts took over as he and Tanya found themselves in the midst of battle. Despite the intensity of the situation, Leo hardly broke a sweat. His movements were swift and lethal, each strike executed with precision.

However, only half of the soldiers fell under their initial assault. Tanya continued to deal with the remaining soldiers, her movements fluid and precise as she disarmed and incapacitated them with ease, putting them to sleep without taking any lives. Leo admired her skill even as his own focus remained razor-sharp.

As Leo dispatched another soldier, the commanding officer, a formidable opponent, stepped forward. Leo recognized the resolve and skill in the man's eyes, traits he would later come to know well in Bertram. The two men squared off, their fists raised and ready. This was not a battle of swords, but of pure physical prowess and skill.

Leo engaged Bertram in combat, their fists clashing with intense force. Despite Bertram's skill and determination, Leo's superior training and battle-honed reflexes quickly put him at an advantage. Leo admired the young officer's resolve, noting the fire in his eyes and the unwavering will to win.

With a series of calculated moves, Leo disarmed Bertram and delivered a decisive blow, rendering him temporarily incapacitated. But before Leo could interrogate the officer, another figure stepped out of the shadows. Clad in dark, stealthy attire, the assassin moved with deadly grace. Leo's heart sank as he realized the true danger they faced. This was no ordinary soldier; this was a professional assassin, sent with a singular purpose.

The assassin's movements were swift and lethal, each strike aimed with deadly precision. Leo found himself on the defensive, his battle instincts pushing him to the limit. Tanya remained focused on the remaining soldiers, her presence a calming force amidst the chaos. Together, they formed a formidable defense, their synchronized movements a testament to their bond.

As Leo continued to fight the assassin, he began to notice something familiar about the assassin's moves. There was a familiarity in the way the assassin fought, an echo of his own training methods. Leo's mind raced as he tried to make sense of it. Could it be someone he had trained?

The realization made his blood run cold. The assassin moved with a grace and precision that was unmistakably similar to his own. Leo's battle instincts surged, and he struck to kill, delivering a series of powerful blows that left the assassin seriously wounded. In the heat of the moment, with his bloodlust fully engaged, Leo prepared to land the killing blow.

But just as he was about to strike, Tanya's voice cut through the chaos. "Leo, stop!" she called out, her tone urgent and desperate. The moment of hesitation allowed the assassin to evade the final blow and make a run for it.

Leo watched as the assassin fled, frustration and anger boiling within him. He turned to Bertram, who lay incapacitated on the ground. "You have a choice," Leo said, his voice cold and commanding. "Join us, or perish."

Bertram, recognizing the power and skill of the man before him, nodded in agreement. Leo didn't wait for further confirmation. He walked off in the direction the assassin had fled, his determination unshaken.

The pursuit was intense, with Leo navigating the shadows and tracking the assassin's every move. His mind raced with questions and suspicions. Who was this assassin, and why did their moves feel so familiar?

Leo finally cornered the assassin in a deserted alley. The figure lay wounded, struggling to catch their breath. Leo approached with caution, his heart heavy with dread. The assassin, weakened and vulnerable, looked up at Leo with defiance.

Without hesitation, Leo delivered the final blow, ending the assassin's life. The act was swift and merciless, driven by a need to eliminate the threat. Leo called in a team to clean up the body, his mind still racing with unanswered questions.

As the team arrived and began their work, Leo took a moment to process the events. The ambush, the familiar moves, the sense of betrayal—it all pointed to a deeper conspiracy within Signs of Elegance. Leo knew that this was only the beginning, and the road ahead would be fraught with danger.

The weight of the day's events hung heavy on Leo's shoulders as he made his way back to Tanya. The ambush had revealed the depth of the treachery they faced, and Leo was determined to uncover the truth. For now, the identity of the mastermind remained a mystery, but Leo's resolve to see justice done was unwavering.