The sun had already dipped below the skyline when Nigel and Zack woke from their brief naps. The rusted skeletons of old rides loomed above them as they gathered their gear in the abandoned amusement park. Tonight was the night—they were going to raid a Silencer weapons depot.
Zack strapped the last piece of equipment onto his belt. "Alright. We're good. Let's move."
Nigel cracked his neck, his demonic arm pulsing faintly beneath the bandages. "Whatever happens," he muttered, "we push through."
The two slipped out of the park, sticking to narrow back alleys that smelled of damp concrete and old garbage. They moved quickly, avoiding every street camera they could. After ten minutes, they reached the ambush point—a quiet stretch where the Silencer supply truck would have to slow down.
Nigel scanned the street. "Zack… how long until this truck gets here?"
"Five to ten minutes. Give or take." Zack grinned. "We've got time to kill."
Nigel exhaled sharply. "Man, this better work. Otherwise, we're dead men walking."
"Ha! You worry too much, bro."
"And you don't worry nearly enough."
"That's what makes us the best duo in the city."
"Yeah, sure. Just let me know when the truck comes."
They reviewed the plan again as they waited. Minutes later, the low rumble of an engine crept toward them.
Zack pulled his hood up. "Showtime."
He stepped into the road and collapsed convincingly onto the asphalt. The truck screeched to a halt, its brakes screaming. A Silencer driver kicked open the door and rushed toward him.
"You alright? Hey—can you hear me?"
As the guard knelt beside Zack, Nigel burst from the alleyway. His fist struck the side of the guard's helmet with brutal precision. The Silencer dropped instantly.
Nigel dragged the unconscious man into the alley as Zack rolled to his feet.
"See? Told you it'd work," Zack said, stripping the guard's uniform.
"We're not done yet. We still need to get in, get the gear, and get out alive."
"True. But so far, so good. I'll drive. You hop in the back."
Nigel climbed into the cargo area, the demon arm throbbing beneath his sleeve.
Zack slid behind the wheel and guided the truck toward the depot.
Fifteen minutes later, the massive gates of the weapons depot came into view. Floodlights swept across the pavement like artificial suns.
A guard stepped toward the driver's window. "Soldier, identification. Silencer number?"
Zack handed over the dog tag he'd taken. "Silencer number 3745. Here for pickup."
The guard checked his tablet. "Confirmed. Proceed to Building F6."
Zack nodded. "Appreciate it."
Once the gate lifted, he allowed himself a tiny grin.
From the back, Nigel whispered, "I can't believe that actually worked."
"I told you," Zack replied quietly. "If things go bad, I got your back."
"…How did you even know the driver's number?"
"All Silencers keep their ID on dog tags—and our guy was generous enough to let me borrow his."
They arrived at Building F6. The overhead lights flickered with mechanical hums.
Zack lowered his voice. "Stay in the truck. Don't make a sound. I'll handle the shipment."
Nigel nodded. "Just be quick."
Inside F6, crates were stacked high—weapon cores, shock rifles, EMP grenades, and the star of the shipment: the prototype all-purpose drone.
Zack followed procedure and loaded the crates into the truck.
From the opposite end of the depot, Lieutenant Raz "Kabal" Navin entered to confirm that the elite drone had arrived safely. His mask gleamed under the industrial lights as he walked toward F6.
Zack looked up—and froze.
Everyone in the city knew the infamous masked Silencer Kabal.
Raz approached him. "Is the shipment ready for transport?"
Zack forced a steady tone. "Yes, sir. Just finished loading it."
"Good. The Commander expects this package immediately. She'll be pleased once it's delivered."
"Of course, sir. I'll make sure the drone and weapons reach base safely."
Raz paused. "How do you know what the shipment contains?"
Zack stiffened. "I… overheard someone mention it when I was assigned to delivery."
Raz's eyes narrowed. "Impossible. Only high-ranking personnel know about the drone."
Steel whispered. Raz drew his sword, Nirvana.
"Who are you? Because you are NOT a Silencer."
Before Raz could strike, Nigel erupted from the back of the truck, his demonic arm unfurling into a blade.
Raz pivoted, clashing with Nigel in a burst of sparks.
Zack seized the moment, sprinting back to the truck and slamming the doors shut.
Nigel and Raz exchanged rapid blows—Nigel's inhuman speed against Raz's flawless combat precision.
Raz barked an order into his comm.
"Target confirmed! Stop that truck from leaving!"
Silencers mobilized instantly as Zack drove toward the exit.
Raz turned back to Nigel, eyes cold. "Now… I'm dropping you. Then I'll kill your friend."
"Over my dead body, bastard," Nigel growled.
Raz lifted his gun—Oasis.
"Kabal Series 6: Burning Eclipse."
The shot fired—silent, instantaneous, traveling like a streak of molten light. It tore through Nigel's chest, igniting his insides. He collapsed, screaming as smoke poured from his wounds.
Raz exhaled calmly. "Mission accomplished."
He turned toward the gate—
Nigel coughed.
Raz froze.
"Where… you going…?" Nigel rasped, blood dripping down his chin.
Raz spun, stunned. "How are you alive?"
Nigel staggered to his feet. His wound sealed itself, flesh twisting unnaturally. His right eye turned pitch-black with a glowing red pupil. His hair flickered like red flame.
The world froze.
A shadow peeled itself from the darkness behind Nigel.
Kuran.
"So it begins," the demon whispered. "Give in to me."
Time snapped back.
Raz sensed the shift instantly. "What the hell…?"
Nigel vanished—
—appeared behind Raz.
Raz swung, but Nigel slipped past it effortlessly. One punch slammed into Raz's ribs with explosive force, launching him across the yard and through the wall of Building F6.
Unconscious.
The depot alarms screamed as Nigel turned toward the gate.
Zack needed him.
And the monster inside him—the one named Kuran—hungered.
Nigel sprinted after the truck, leaving chaos in his wake.