Page 352 of Mercy Written in Blood

The main western force entered. Humans first. Vampires behind. They used the white-banded Unveiled as cover, forcing Mina's people to hesitate. Haruki did not.

"Central lights."

The chandeliers ignited. Brilliant white flooded the floor. The attackers became visible — every face, every weapon, every allegiance exposed beneath light intended once to flatter wealth.

"Now," Haruki said.

The Casino answered. Security shutters dropped behind the attackers. Fire doors closed at the side corridors. The open floor became contained. Not a kill zone. A room in which leaving required surrender.

The Ishida guards fired controlled bursts into weapons, shoulders and legs. Accord officers aimed more centrally. Renji altered their shots where he could — a wrist turning before a trigger pull, a shoulder losing strength. Small interventions. Lives preserved through fractions of movement.

Mori saw it.

"You are protecting them."

Renji closed a wound in an Accord officer's thigh.

"They can still surrender."

"They came to kill you."

"That is not medically relevant."

Mori almost smiled. Then a bullet struck the table between them. They separated.

Isao moved through the battle towards Riku. He carried no gun. Only a knife. Ryota stepped in front of him. Isao struck himaside. Mina fired. Isao turned. The bullet entered his upper arm. He continued. Fanaticism altered pain but not anatomy.

Renji reached for his circulation. Haruki spoke sharply.

"Wait."

Renji stopped. Isao reached Riku's mother. She held her son behind her. The knife rose. A gunshot sounded from above. Isao's hand burst. The knife fell.

Haruki stood at the upper security balcony. For one second, Renji could not understand what he was seeing. Haruki wore hospital trousers and an open black coat over bandages. One arm remained in a sling. A portable chest drain hung beside him, carried by Akiko, who looked prepared to murder him herself. Ken supported his weight from the other side.

Haruki held a pistol in his left hand. The shot had been accurate. Too accurate for someone who should not have been standing.

Renji's calm fractured at the edges.

"What are you doing?"

Haruki looked down at him.

"Fighting with you."

"You cannot be here."

"Later."

The word struck. A promise returned.

Isao stared upward, clutching his destroyed hand.

"You think this changes anything?" he shouted. "You protect the lie because it protects your power."

Haruki's face had gone pale. His voice remained steady.

"No."