Nolan's breath hitched. His voice was low, flickering with dread."Alya… those aren't guards. They're Nexus Hunters."
Alya's brow furrowed. "Who?"
He didn't even look at her. His eyes were locked on the six figures.
"The hunting creatures who hunt people like us."
A deep voice cracked the silence like lightning through steel.
"Clever brat."
The one in silver plating stepped forward. Platinum jaw glinting under the cold light. "So you know who we are. Doesn't matter. You're getting executed anyway.
"His voice was a low growl, like gravel grinding through blood.
He gestured to the collapsed man behind them.
"This jerk you were dealing with? Already screwed. One bullet. Now you two—next."
Alya stepped back, voice sharp with fear.
"Wait, this wasn't our plan—it was Deadsmoke's idea! We're just delivering—"
"Run."
Nolan's voice sliced through her panic.
In a blink, Alya grabbed the package, bolted into motion, Mou right on her heels.
CRACK.A shot fired—one of the Hunters, a towering four-armed Zurax, snarled and fired again.
THUNK.
The bullet slammed into Nolan's arm. He grunted but didn't fall.
Alya skidded to a stop, turning. "NOLAN!"
He staggered. "Go! Alya"
"Screw the package!" she snapped, hurling it down. She charged back, dragging Nolan up by his uninjured arm.
Platinum Jaw raised his weapon. Target: Nolan.
He didn't get the shot off.
CHOMP. Mou clamped onto his leg, metal fangs digging deep.
The Hunter snarled and kicked—Mou flew back, crashing into a crate—but the opening was all they needed.
They vanished.
Back in the bloodlit corridor, Platinum Jaw wiped blood from his shin and hissed. He opened a private comm and growled into it.
"Deadsmoke."
A moment of silence. Then static. Deadsmoke's voice crackled through—greasy and shaken. "Did… something go wrong?"
Platinum Jaw's rage pulsed through every syllable."Your rats failed. Do I put a bullet in your mouth, or will you give me what I want?"
He paused. "Give me the girl—with that yellow fire in her eyes—for my nights. The lavender-eyed brat? I'll sell those eyes across five systems. And that damn dog? I want to cut it up myself."
Deadsmoke swallowed audibly."…We deal. Spare me—I'll deliver them. You get the package."
Platinum Jaw grinned beneath his mask. "Pleasure doing business."
Call ended.
Elsewhere – Velrian Outskirts. Abandoned Power Hub.
The hideout was barely a room. Pipes hissed. Concrete dripped. Safe enough for now.
Alya hovered over Nolan, eyes wide with worry. His arm bled through the fabric.
He gave a soft hiss and tore the sleeve off, revealing a half-melted bullet deflector underneath. He flung it aside with a crooked grin.
"Relax. Took the hit like a pro."
She didn't smile. She punched his shoulder—hard.
"You idiot! You let me think you were dying!"
"Bit dramatic, even for you," he teased.
From the corner, Mou snorted—clearly unbothered.
Nolan leaned back with a sigh. "That package had a tracker. I spotted it. That's why I told you to run."
Alya blinked, then dropped beside him, arms wrapping around his shoulders.
Warmth.
Before Nolan could speak, she muttered,
"Don't. Just shut up for once and let this be real."
He stayed quiet. Just the sound of heartbeats and breathing.
But far away—Deadsmoke's goons and gamblers were already on the hunt. Like hounds in heat, scouring every street corner for the girl with fire in her eyes, the boy with violet flames behind his calm… and the dog that bites Nexus Hunters...