Lee's days had a new rhythm, one marked by gloom and retribution. The Skull Mask's might pulse through him, permeating both his thoughts and deeds. He was now a formidable force, a vigilante who operated in the shadows with an intense hunger for justice, no matter how brutal it could be.

  Lee adopted the persona given to him by the Skull Mask and started going for enforcers and criminals connected to Winston's group. Every night, he would strike with measured accuracy, eliminating those who had harmed the defenceless and taken advantage of the weak. His tactics were harsh, leaving a path of panic and anarchy.

  His physical attributes had started to represent his new ego. In dramatic contrast to the city's neon lights, the trench coat's blackness billowed about him as he moved. A symbol of the power he had; the cunningly smirking mask shone with an unpleasant radiance.

  Lee’s will not stop until Aaron’s death was avenged.

  Lee started to detect changes in himself as the days evolved into weeks, though. The distinctions between his two personalities began to fuzz. The Skull Mask's power, which was first harnessed for the sake of destruction, started to spread even more widely. He began to become more vicious in his tactics as the evil that had been hiding inside him became greater.

  It was like Lee was stuck in the form; it was intoxicating him. But his other side of himself held him together as he was constantly in the shadows of the day and night. For him, it was a miracle no one had any pictures of him yet despite the decrease in crime rates.

  He grunted in pain. “Keep fighting it, don’t succumb to it yet.”

  Havel City Department

  Detective Luke Pierce arrived amid all this commotion. He was a 6'0" veteran investigator with a strong physique and a commanding appearance that attracted attention. He appeared more mature due to his short-cropped grey hair and thick beard, and his steel-grey eyes exuded intellect and inquiry.

  The sun appeared to have hardly touched Detective Pierce's pale skin, which was a result of the extended periods he had spent indoors following up on leads. He always wore a sharp suit, which contrasted with the gritty underbelly of the city he examined. His dedication to his position as an assiduous defender of justice was highlighted by his dark blue tie, badge, and polished black leather shoes.

  Detective Pierce inspected the evidence he had acquired in his disorganised office. Photos from the crime site, witness testimony, and news clippings were all over his desk. He scratched his temples as he tried to piece together the jigsaw that was happening in front of him.

  One of the detective's co-workers names Mickie came into the office to discuss the situation. “Mr Pierce you have been here for hours, any results?” she asked

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Mickie cast a quick check over the items strewn over the desk. What unifies these events?

  Pierce said, his eyes fixed on the stories, "Seems like he's prioritising criminals and enforcers connected to Winston's organisation." "People who believed themselves to be above the law."

  Mickie thought, "Sounds like a person's taking punishment into their own hands."

  "I noticed Pierce nod. But it's not that easy. The foe has a threatening aura about it. Witness accounts of him nearly sound supernatural."

  Mickie arched her brow. "Supernatural?"

  Pierce stated that "witnesses say his mask glows and he has this spooky presence about him." His techniques are severe enough too. Not your typical vigilante, this one sounds like a comic character.

  Mickie leaned on the desk and observed her companion. "Do you believe this has more to it? What's it like?

  Pierce said, "I'm not sure. "But I have a gut instinct. I must ascertain this person's identity and motivations.

  In a different part of the city, Lee needed somewhere to say as he hadn’t eaten for days, so he came up with the idea of visiting an old friend.

  Where he found himself travelling to was an apartment building door of twenty-seven knocking three times hoping his friend was home. Fortunately for him, the door did open and it was his friend Taz. Who was shocked to see Lee alive?

  “Can I come in?” Lee whispered

  Taz pulled him inside his home.

  “I can’t image how scared I was, hearing rumours you were dead but I had to have faith you were still alive. What happened to you?” Taz badly wanted to know.

  "The day after we completed our business, I received a letter from Winston requesting to meet with me. He had plans for me to advance in the hierarchy, but I refused to do so. It turned out that he murdered my only father, Aaron since he was deeply in debt and used my boxing prowess to con me into working as a debt collector. I was abandoned in the middle of the ocean, but now, weeks later, I'm showing up at your door. Lee methodically specified

  “Exactly, how are you alive?”

  "Taz, I need to put my trust in you with something that could put us both in trouble."

  “What exactly is going on.”

  As he said, Lee's voice was low and his stare was fierce. "You are aware of the vigilante they are referring to?

  After pausing, Lee said, "Taz, I've become that vigilante."

  Taz's eyes widened in shock as he attempted to digest the information. "You? Yet how?

  “Long story short let’s just say I had some supernatural encounters. All there is to this is that I will not perish until I deal with Winston” Lee said

  “Do you think you can put his whole organisation down?” Taz asked

  “I’m not sure, but I need to give it a try, I had enough of a lot of things!”

  Taz sighed, feeling torn. "I can't believe you're doing this, but I can tell you're serious because of the look in your eyes."

  Lee shook his head but continued to nod. "I am. And I need you to help me, Taz. I require a trustworthy, well-known person to keep an eye on me more than my only friend.

  Taz paused before nodding gradually. Lee, I'm ready. I'll support you. But promise me you'll use caution.

  Lee responded, "Thank you, Taz," expressing his appreciation. I swear I'll take all precautions I can to keep us both safe.

  As Lee and Taz forged an alliance in the city's instability, the tension in Havel City continued to spiral, with the vigilante's actions drawing the attention of both the police and the criminals he pursued. The lines between justice and vengeance blurred, leaving everyone to grapple with the consequences of their choices.

  What will progress from here?