The neon-lit skyline of Lumivale stretched endlessly.
Chrome towers pierced the sky, reflecting electric storms raging above. Holographic billboards flickered erratically as drones patrolled the air—
A city alive.
A city dangerous.
And tonight—
A battlefield.
Far below, the robo army swarmed the streets, a mechanical horde guarding a newly surfaced artifact shard.
Above it all—
Kael landed.
Soft.
Controlled.
Deadly.
Stormfang hummed in his grip, storm aura crawling along its edge like restrained lightning. His eyes scanned the battlefield, sharp, calculating.
Every reflection.
Every movement.
Every threat.
Not far from him—
Bloomfall hovered.
Effortless.
Untouchable.
Her crystalline wings caught the neon light, scattering it like broken stars as a slow, teasing smirk curved her lips.
She noticed his focus.
And enjoyed it.
Inside the chaos—
Elaris and Xyren moved ahead.
Fast.
Precise.
They infiltrated a towering vault at the center of the plaza. Elaris's metallic wings flared, circuits glowing in sync with the runes along her arm.
Xyren's neon-green eyes flickered rapidly as holographic controls unfolded around him.
"Security grid shifting," he muttered. "We don't have much time."
Elaris didn't respond.
She was already moving.
Outside—
Kael's gaze never left her.
Not even for a second.
Even in chaos.
Even in battle.
She was his focus.
His priority.
His—
A mechanical sentinel dove toward her.
Too fast.
Too close.
Kael moved instantly.
A burst of storm aura—
And he was there.
Stormfang sliced clean through the machine.
Sparks exploded into the neon rain.
Another drone lunged—
Kael blocked it.
Effortless.
Precise.
Violent.
His storm aura flared stronger.
Dangerously stronger.
Bloomfall noticed.
Of course she did.
She drifted closer, slow… deliberate… her wings brushing the air between them.
"Careful…" she murmured, voice soft, amused."You're overdoing it for her, aren't you?"
Kael didn't look at her.
Didn't need to.
His grip tightened on Stormfang.
Storm aura pulsed.
Then—
Quiet.
Low.
Possessive.
"She's mine."
Just loud enough.
Just sharp enough.
Then he moved again—
Intercepting another attack aimed at Elaris.
Like nothing else mattered.