Location: Manila Port, early dawn
Time: January 1996
Juan Cariño Hernández stood on the wet dock, the salty sea breeze tugging at his coat. The city skyline was a fading silhouette behind him. The sun had not yet risen, but the weight of memories was heavier than any dawn's light.
His cigar burned low, the smoke curling like ghosts from his past.
Gabriel... The image of his younger brother, lifeless and floating on the Pasig River, haunted him still. Killed by the ruthless henchmen of Señor Lim Tionco, the powerful Sangley lord of Binondo who ruled the shadows of the Chinese-Filipino underworld.
Juan clenched his fists. The blood debt was far from paid.
A rough voice called him from behind.
"Juan, the boat's ready. We leave for Macau. Now."
Don Eduardo Montefalco emerged from the shadows, his usual calm demeanor set in the early morning gloom. Behind him, his trusted American allies — James Smith, Harry Williams, and Tommy Brown — prepared their gear.
Don Eduardo's face softened for a moment.
"You remember what we said in Intramuros, yes?"
Juan nodded.
"To justice... and revenge."
The four men shared a silent toast with their coffee thermoses, the clink of metal against metal echoing softly.
"Macau," Don Eduardo said, eyes steely, "is where the game is changing. Señor Lim's empire is just a pawn in a bigger war. Victor Liang's shadow looms large."
Juan took one last drag of his cigar, extinguished it beneath his boot.
"This is far from over. For Gabriel... and for all those lost."
---
The boat engine roared as they pushed off from the dock. The water glittered under the first rays of the sun. The journey was beginning — a journey that would take them deep into the heart of Macau's deadly casino syndicates.