The enforcers recovered first.
"Target is hostile!" one shouted. "Kill him—NOW!"
Energy rounds tore through the alley.
Kael moved.
Not fast.
Wrong.
Reality slipped.
The world stuttered—and Kael was suddenly behind them.
His heart slammed against his ribs.
NULL STEP — ACTIVATED
SYNC RATE: 12%
"What—?!"
Kael grabbed the nearest enforcer by the collar and slammed him into the wall.
The wall didn't crack.
It collapsed.
The man screamed once—then went silent.
Kael froze.
His hands were shaking.
I killed him.
A sharp pain stabbed into his skull.
FIRST TERMINATION REGISTERED
PSYCHOLOGICAL LOAD: ACCEPTABLE
The second enforcer opened fire.
Kael raised his arm on instinct.
The bullets bent.
Not stopped.
Redirected.
They slammed back into the shooter.
Blood hit Kael's face—warm, real.
The last enforcer ran.
Bad choice.
Kael chased.
Each step felt heavier, like the city itself was pushing back.
SYNC RATE: 21%
WARNING: NEURAL STRAIN DETECTED
He caught the enforcer at the alley exit.
The man turned, begging now.
"Please—don't—you don't understand—"
Kael did.
He understood perfectly.
He remembered rain.
He remembered screams.
He remembered being nothing.
Kael's fist went through the man's chest.
The system went quiet.
Rain resumed falling.
Kael stood there, breathing hard, surrounded by bodies.
Sirens wailed in the distance.
OBSIDIAN DIRECTIVE ALERTED
HUNTER UNITS DEPLOYING
Kael looked up at the glowing city.
For the first time…
It looked afraid.
He wiped blood from his face.
"Come," he whispered.
"I'm done running."