Cassie had always been quiet, the kind of girl who drifted through life trying not to be seen. But that all changed the night her world was shattered, leaving behind pieces that no one could mend. From those broken fragments, Vanity emerged—fierce, unyielding, and fearless. Vanity was everything Cassie wasn’t, a dark and twisted reflection, born to protect her from pain she couldn’t face alone. Now, they moved as one: Cassie, trying to heal and find her place in the world beside William; Vanity, guarding her with sharpened claws, ready to fight anyone who dared to come close. Together, they were both shield and sword, bound by the past and wary of the future.
Cassie thought she’d buried Vanity for good, locked her away in the shadows where her rage and pain couldn’t harm anyone. But when Kami was attacked, something inside Cassie twisted, an ache deeper than sorrow. She knew there was only one way to make things right, even if it meant giving up the fragile peace, she had fought so hard to find. Summoning Vanity would mean sacrificing her healing, risking the dark parts of herself she had tried to leave behind. But for Kami’s sake, Cassie would endure that darkness once more, unleashing Vanity’s fury to exact the justice that only she could deliver.
Cassie surrendered herself to the ocean’s ruthless pull, letting the current drag her down into the cold, dark depths. She needed something extreme, something irreversible to bring Vanity back—something that would push her beyond fear and into the clutches of the beast within. As she began to sink, she made no move to resist, allowing herself to be swallowed by the relentless waves. Struggling would only prove her strength, would only remind Vanity that she could fight. No, to awaken Vanity, Cassie had to lose the battle, had to surrender herself completely to the abyss.
By pure chance, a young man was walking the quiet sands that morning when he saw a figure tossed lifelessly upon the shore. He sprinted toward her, heart pounding as he reached her cold, unresponsive form. Without hesitation, he began chest compressions, silently praying she hadn’t been lost to the ocean’s depths. Time stretched unbearably as he fought to bring her back, knowing every second was vital. Moments later, William appeared, drawn by the man’s desperate shouts for help. But as he knelt beside them, his breath caught in shock—the woman lying pale and still was Cassie, the one he’d never thought he’d see like this, caught between life and death.
Acting on pure reflex and raw concern, William shoved the man aside, leaning down to breathe life into her lungs himself. With each desperate breath, he watched her chest rise, his heart pounding as he willed her to come back to him.
“Breathe, Cassie—don’t you dare leave me,” he muttered, his voice choked with anger and fear. Each plea was a command, a prayer, his determination unwavering. She had to come back; he couldn’t lose her like this. Just as William began to fear the worst, a deep, waterlogged cough erupted from Cassie’s mouth. Relief flooded through him as he quickly turned her to the side, watching the oceanwater spill from her lips. Gently, he held her, waiting as her eyelids fluttered, slowly opening to meet his gaze. In that fragile moment, the world around them faded, and all that mattered was that she was alive.
Cassie’s eyes grew cold, shifting from familiar warmth to a relentless, curious gleam. As she stared into William’s concerned gaze, an uncontrollable urge rose within her, a desire she could no longer deny. A crooked, seductive smile crept across her lips as Vanity emerged from the shadows, reborn in Cassie’s place. William had been Cassie’s love, but to Vanity, he was something else entirely—her dark, lustful fascination. Slowly, she reached out, her fingertip brushing down the line of his lip, her touch both soft and electric. With a low, sultry whisper, she greeted him.
“Hello, Killer…”
William, stunned, looks down into her eyes. “Vanity?”
She smiles, “The one and only…Miss me?” she smiled devilishly.
With a sigh, he leans her up. “Why are you here? What have you done with Cassie?”
Looking into William’s curious eyes, she taunts him with unanswered questions.
“All in good time, killer. You will find out, all in good time.”
This makes William a little aggravated, but he knows Cassie’s fragile state, now must be the reason she is hiding. He does his best to try and bring Cassie out, but Vanity smiles at his failed attempts.
Back at the dojo, Colton and Hara are alone. Colton sits in a chair, watching Hara, who’s seated on the floor, staring blankly into space. Colton stands, walks over, and nudges him with a foot.
“Hey, cuz. What do you say we work out some of that anger? This is the place for it. Now get up and let’s do this.”
Colton leans down to slap Hara on the back of the head, but Hara catches his hand mid-swing.
Hara locks eyes with him, springs to his feet, and flips Colton over his shoulder, sending him crashing to the floor. Colton chuckles as he stands, brushing himself off.
“Alright, tough guy. Let’s take this to the ring.” He glances over, but when he turns back, Hara is already standing in the ring, waiting.
Colton climbs in, but before he’s fully through the ropes, Hara is on him, hammering down hard elbows. Colton pushes him off, sending Hara to the mat. Wiping the blood now dripping from a cut on his eyebrow, Colton snaps.
“What the fuck, cuz? Is this what you want? Fine. If this’ll settle you down and clears your head, then bring it.”
Hara springs up and charges at Colton. Colton catches him, seizing his arm and flinging him into the ring ropes. Hara rebounds, only to be met with a hard clothesline that sends him crashing to the mat. Colton doesn’t hesitate, dropping down to rain punches on him. Hara twists free and scrambles across the ring, a flash of shock in his eyes as he sizes Colton up. Colton stands, a smirk spreading across his face.
“This is what you wanted, Hara. You think those Russians are just going to stand there and let you hit them? You’ve got to be smarter, faster, and willing to do what needs to be done. How much does she mean to you?”
At those words, Hara charges, landing a solid dropkick that knocks Colton down. Hara quickly mounts him, hammering down punches. Colton grins, grabs Hara’s arm, and pulls it left, sliding out and twisting around to land on Hara’s back. Colton locks in a chokehold, and Hara struggles but can’t break free. Finally, Colton releases him and stands, looking down at Hara.
“You’ve got to do better than that, Hara. If you don’t start thinking, they’ll crush you.”
Hara gets to his feet, locking eyes with Colton, anger flaring.
“And what about you, Colton? Who are you to tell me how to fight? Where were you during the match? I’m the one who got my hand raised, me and your little sister standing in that ring. You didn’t do a damn thing. If I need help, I’ll go to Cassie—at least she knows how to handle herself in a match.”
Colton moves like a striking snake, slapping Hara hard across the mouth. He grabs Hara by the throat, shoving him against the turnbuckle, then slaps him again.
“Who the fuck do you think you are, Hara? You want to act tough? Fine. But remember—I’m more dangerous than you’ll ever be. This isn’t your world. I grew up in this. This is your first taste, and you think a couple of wins make you something. You’d better remember where the hell you came from, and where I come from.”
Colton steps back, releasing his grip. Hara takes his chance, kicking Colton in the stomach, making him double over. Hara tries to grab Colton’s head, but Colton sidesteps, seizes him from behind, and locks in another chokehold. He holds it until Hara goes limp, then lets him drop to the mat. Standing over him, Colton smirks.
“Damn, kid. Just lie there and get some sleep.”
Colton walks over to a chair and sits, waiting for Hara to wake up.
William’s arm circles around Vanity as he helps her up from the sand, steadying her as they move together toward the paved walkway. The beach breeze shifts behind them, rustling loose strands of Vanity’s hair, but she doesn’t look back. William’s face is unreadable, his jaw tight, eyes focused on the sunrise as he pulls out his phone and calls for a car, his voice low and efficient.
They wait in silence, the only sound between them is the gentle crash of waves in the background. Vanity’s fingers slip into his hand, and she gives it a squeeze, her grin hinting at something darker and thrilling. William is hesitant but does not pull away.
“Where is Colton, take me to him.” She whispers, her voice a mix of challenge and anticipation.
William’s gaze flicks to her, an eyebrow lifting slightly, but he doesn’t question it. Instead, he sends a quick message, his fingers moving swiftly over the screen, and within moments, the location pings back. The two exchange a look, a silent understanding passing between them.
The car pulls up, tires crunching softly over the gravel. William opens the door, guiding Vanity inside before slipping in beside her. He leans forward to give the driver an address, his voice is just loud enough to be heard, and they ease out onto the road.
As they move through the sun kissed streets, Vanity’s gaze drifts out the window, watching the world blur by in streaks of light and shadow. She feels William’s presence beside her, solid and unyielding, but her mind is elsewhere, already imagining what lies ahead. A thrill runs down her spine, the anticipation of facing Colton crackling like electricity in the air.
"It's been a while, how's he doin?" she murmurs, her voice barely audible over the hum of the engine.
William turns to her, his expression softening for the briefest moment.
“Colton? Just worried about you, eh, Cassie in this match.” he replies.
His tone carrying a weight that tells her there’s more he’s not saying. But for now, that unspoken tension lingers between them, an unbreakable thread connecting them as they move closer to the confrontation, they both know is inevitable.
The car slows to a stop outside Kami’s dojo, the building modest yet imposing, surrounded by the quiet strength of towering cherry blossoms and the faint scent of Tiger Lily fill the air. William steps out, extending a steady hand to Vanity, who accepts it with a quiet smile. As she steps out, her eyes widen, taking in the rugged charm of the dojo’s surroundings, a stark contrast to the intensity that buzzes in her veins. The building’s simple structure, set against the wild landscape, feels like a sanctuary hiding secrets within.
Vanity begins to walk toward the dojo, her pace, slow, almost reverent, as if drawn by some invisible force. She glances back at William, who follows close behind, his face unreadable but alert. With a deep breath, Vanity pushes open the door and steps inside.
The faint smell of sweat and sandalwood fills the air, grounding her in the moment. Her gaze sweeps the room, taking in the rows of punching bags, worn mats, and polished wood floors that hold stories of past battles. At the center of the dojo, a man lies sprawled in a small wrestling ring, chest heaving as if he’s just come out of a grueling match. Vanity pauses, her curiosity piqued by the stranger’s presence.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she spots Colton. He sits in a chair, his body relaxed but his expression hard, arms crossed as he observes the man in the ring with a look that borders on disdain. His gaze flickers over to the doorway as Vanity steps further inside. His eyes narrow, and a smirk plays at the corner of his mouth.
"Took you long enough! What were you thinking, Cass? You called the folks and made them worry. Mom calls bitching at me, because you are out and no one knows where the hell you are at. I guess all we have to do is sit around and wait for the little princess to be done throwing her little tantrum."
Vanity arches an eyebrow, mirroring his smirk as she takes a few steps closer, her damp shoes echoing softly against the wooden floor.
“It is always such a charming experience to be graced by the words of the all mighty big brother.” She replies, her tone light but laced with challenge.
Colton looks her over. "Why in the hell do you look like a drowned rat?”
Vanity grunts, the thrill of the scene adding an edge to her voice.
"Don't you worry about that. What you need to worry about is why I am here."
She steps up slowly, swiftly kicking the chair out from under Colton.
William walks over and helps Colton to his feet.
"Man, I found her washed up on the beach. Had to give her CPR just to bring her back."
Colton takes a step back, glancing from William to Cassie. He walks over, meeting her gaze intently.
"Sis, are you alright?"
His stare lingers, as a crooked smile forms along her lips, his tension building.
"Son of a bitch... This is the last thing we need. Why the hell are you here?"
Vanity gives Colton a sly smile.
"I'm here to give you shit, dear brother."
She saunters over toward Hara, who’s slowly rising to his feet. Her eyes widened.
"OOhhh, and who might this be?"
Hara looks up at her, bewildered.
"Cuz, are you alright?"
Vanity’s gaze sweeps around the dojo, then lands back on Hara with a cocky grin.
"First of all, I’m nobody’s 'cuz,' and second, I'm just fine." She steps closer to William, slipping her arm around him. "Isn’t that right, Killer?"
Hara glances at Colton, who raises an eyebrow at William.
"Killer, huh? Anything you want to share with me, Billy?"
William shrugs, giving Colton a measured look.
"Vanity, what the hell are you doing here?"
Vanity shakes her head, rolling her eyes at Colton.
"You’re supposed to be the smart one, brother—why don’t you figure it out?"
She stands with her hands on her hips, a smirk tugging at her lips.
"Ask yourself: why would Cassie go to such extremes to bring me out?"
"Why don’t you just say what you’ve got to say,"
Colton mutters, turning and heading back to his chair.
"You’re here because she thought I couldn’t get it done. Well, let me tell you something—that’s far from the truth. If any of you think I’m getting written off because of that last match, you’re sadly mistaken. Next time will be different. If I have to take down all fifty-nine other competitors by myself just to prove you shouldn’t doubt me, then that’s exactly what I’ll do."
Vanity gives a mocking smile, nodding in sarcastic approval as she steps closer to Colton.
"So, little sis thinks you’ve lost your edge, huh?"
She taps him on the head with a single finger, chuckling.
"This just gets better every time I come out to play." She saunters over to Hara once more, who’s still visibly confused.
"Cuz, why are you calling Cassie ‘Vanity’?" he asks, looking at her with uncertainty.
Vanity steps further away from Colton, moving closer to Hara, and casually props her arm on his shoulder, leaning in with a smirk.
"Allow me to introduce myself..." She leans close, her lips nearly brushing his ear.
Hara quickly steps back, visibly uncomfortable, and glances over at William as if to say, I didn’t invite this. William just rolls his eyes, clearly exasperated. Vanity grins at William.
"Oh... am I sensing a hint of jealousy?" she teases before turning back to Hara with a mocking tone.
"What’s wrong, cuz? Don’t tell me you’re afraid of women."
Colton, noticing William’s growing irritation, steps in. He grabs Vanity’s arm and spins her to face him, his expression firm.
"Cut the childish crap, Vanity," Colton snaps.
"Hara doesn’t know you, and he’s just trying to be respectful to William. He knows about Cassie and William, and, besides, he’s in love with Kami."
Hara steps up, looking embarrassed. "Cuz, don’t say that. It’s not true. Kami and I are just friends and tag partners in the ring."
Colton and William burst into laughter, sharing a knowing look. William grins at Vanity. "Alright, Vanity, play nice with Hara. Be a good girl, and maybe I’ll even give you some head pats."
Vanity shakes her head, a smirk on her face. "Head pats, Killer? Really? Is that all it takes to keep Cassie in line?"
She winks, then shifts her focus to Colton. "Alright, enough with the games—since you guys are clearly dull as hell."
With a dramatic sigh, she strolls over to the chair, sits down, stretches, and crosses her legs.
"So, is someone going to show me this so-called match that’s got Colton feeling a bit... inadequate?"
She cocks an eyebrow at Colton, her gaze sharp.
"I need to see exactly what led Cassie to bring me out."
William steps up behind Vanity, giving her a seemingly playful pat on the head. But in a sudden, unseen move, he grips her hair and pulls her head back, his eyes locking fiercely with hers.
"You don’t talk about her like that," he murmurs, his tone low and dangerous.
Meanwhile, Colton and Hara scroll through their phones, finally finding their match from the first night of the PPV. Colton tosses the phone toward Vanity, who’s still locked in an intense stare with William. Clearing his throat, Colton breaks the tension.
"If you two are done with… whatever this is, here’s the match. See for yourself."
She breaks eye contact, glaring at the phone, excitement simmering in her gaze like a predator on the hunt. She approaches Olga’s chaotic scene and shakes her head, laughing dismissively at the poor fool in the ring. Her attention is fixated.
[Outside the ring, Colton Hurst faced off with Mordokrov, his chair raised high. But before he could strike, Mordokrov caught the chair mid-swing, pulling Colton toward him and locking him into the Kremlin Cross. Colton’s eyes widened in panic.]
Vanity’s gaze snaps to Colton, her expression shifting to disbelief. She watches intently.
[Colton’s free hand clawed at the mat, desperate to break free, but Mordokrov’s hold was iron. Holly Hudson: “Colton’s in trouble! He may have bitten off more than he can chew!”]
Vanity stands, eyes fixed on Colton, who notices her change in demeanor.
"A crossface, Colton?" she sneers, shaking her head, pacing with anger as she squeezes the phone tightly. Her eyes meet his once more. "A damn crossface?"
In a sudden outburst, she smashes Colton’s phone against the brick wall of Kami’s dojo. Hara, William, and Colton all look on in shock. Vanity’s gaze turns dark, her expression twisting as she looks back at Colton.
"That was the most pathetic display of weakness I’ve ever seen from you," she taunts, shaking her head in disgust. "Even Sammy could have done better, Colton."
Colton’s eyes harden, rage simmering beneath the surface. If Vanity weren’t his sister in spirit, she might be on the receiving end of a harsh retaliation. William, sensing Colton’s frustration, steps between them, silently urging him to hold back. Vanity smirks as she backs away, watching Colton gather the remains of his phone. She looks to Hara.
"Give me your phone. I need to watch the rest."
Reluctantly, Hara handed her his phone. She fast-forwards until she finds the aftermath of Colton’s mistake. She paces around the dojo, her attention caught by a scene of Hara and Kami fighting together. She pauses, narrowing her eyes. "Who’s this girl?"
Hara lowers his gaze. "She’s my Tensi...I mean, Kami."
Vanity waves off his reply, her attention fixed back on the screen. Soon, she watches a large man restrain Kami from behind while another woman lands brutal blows to Kami’s midsection with brass knuckles. Vanity’s smile widens, sparking a fierce anger in Hara’s eyes.
Hara steps toward Vanity, fists clenched, ready to grab her when William intercepts, gripping Hara’s arm firmly before releasing him. Hara stares Vanity down.
"Does her pain make you happy, you heartless woman? She’s a far better person than you could ever hope to be, and don’t you forget that."
He turns and walks away.
Vanity chuckles as he leaves, muttering, “Oh, he’s definitely not in love with her.”
She returns to the video, scrolling forward. Time passes, and she notices the relentless in-ring action—but Colton is nowhere to be seen. Confused, she watches as Kami takes a final hit to the midsection, collapsing like a sack of potatoes, while Cassie desperately tries to pull her to safety. Vanity sighs, seeing Colton reappear as Cassie drags Kami’s limp body to him. He picks her up and heads off, while Cassie stands guard, fending off three much larger attackers. Vanity smirks, impressed by Cassie’s bravery, as she watches Hara’s relentless determination, his defiance evident even through visible pain.
"Now there’s a fighter, Colton. Where the hell were you?" she mutters.
Hara turns, glaring at both of them. Colton can sense his lingering anger and walks over to Vanity, stopping mere inches from her face. His eyes narrow, his face flushed, as he whispers with a newfound intensity.
Colton leans close, his voice low so only Vanity can hear.
"Don’t think just because you look like Cassie that I won’t knock you on your ass and feel nothing about it. On your best day, you’re still no match for me. If you really want to try, let’s take this outside—away from Hara and your so-called protector."
He reaches up, pressing a hand against her face and shoving her back.
She stumbles slightly, but her eyes stay locked on him, narrowing with a smirk. Holding herself back, she speaks.
"Your first mistake, Colton, is thinking I’m afraid of you. Your second mistake is believing those two could hold me back."
She steps up close, her gaze fierce.
"I’m not your enemy, Colton, but if you need me to be..."
She gestures at the door of the dojo, her eyes daring him.
Colton glances at William and Hara.
"This is family business."
He brushes past Vanity, bumping her shoulder with his as he heads to the door. Before stepping outside, he turns back, fixing her with a hard stare.
"It’s about time you learned why I’ve always held back with you. Even as Vanity, you’re still the little sister."
He exits, leaving William to approach Vanity.
"Why are you pushing him like this? Nothing good will come of it," William says.
Vanity shrugs, a smug smile on her lips.
"He’s not a weak crybaby anymore, is he? That look in his eyes—that’s the Colton I know. That’s the bloodlust of a Hurst—a true fighter. What I saw in the video in that match last night wasn’t him. If I can’t bring it out of him, then no one can."
She starts toward the door, but William grabs her arm, pulling her close by the throat. "This is a dangerous game you’re playing, Vanity. You’d better know what you’re doing."
He kisses her roughly, then releases her.
Vanity grins, savoring the taste on her lips. She turns to the door, cracking her neck.
"If I don’t make it back from this and Cassie takes over to stop me, tell her I’m sorry for failing her. I get why she brought me back now… but she needed her brother back even more."
With that, she steps outside.
Colton is waiting, with a dark intent in his eyes. As she approaches, he lands a sharp kick to her stomach, doubling her over. He grabs her, lifting her up and slamming her down onto a bed of bushes outside the dojo. Looking down at her, he says, "It would have been a lot worse if I had not been listening to you, before you came out.”
Slowly, Vanity gets to her feet, brushing off leaves and dust without a hint of pain. She gives him a sly grin.
"Stick to what you know best Colton, that is standing by and defending yourself with a partner. I, on the other hand, have my sights set on a bigger prize. After tonight, I do believe I will stick around for a while. Daddy dearest isn't around to save his princess, and I think she is well overdue for a break. I know Killer over there, won't mind one bit."
She glances at William with a wicked smile.
"But he is going to have to ‘up the ante’ to get me to play nice. Head pats are for innocent little girls. I'm far from being little, and by no means am I innocent.”
She winks at William.
“You stay in your lane brother..I will take my claim. Dethrone me if you can, but make no mistake, I'm here for vengeance, my eyes are not set on you."
She turns to leave, then pauses, looking over her shoulder at both men. "So, which one of you is taking me to meet Kami?"
As Vanity heads down the path, Colton whistles sharply, catching her attention. She turns, and he raises his middle finger with a smirk and a wink.
She grins, shaking her head. “Ya..right back at ya, brother..”
She turns back around, continuing to walk along the path with William by her side. They come up to a gorgeous Cherry Blossom tree in Kami’s back yard, Vanity stops, turns her back against the trunk, grabbing William by his arm, pulling him in close.
“So, you wanna talk about that kiss, Killer?”