The villa was an inferno of orchestrated sound. The initial distraction—the C4 charges on the west wing—had served its purpose, drawing the bulk of Damon Salvatore's mercenaries toward the surface perimeter. But now, as Vladimir tore through the sub-level toward the medical bay, the Italian command unit had to hold the line, ensuring that this flank remained secure and that Salvatore's desperate reserves didn't cut off Vladimir’s escape route.

I stood on the hillside, a slight elevation ...