Fifteen years later, Cloverden, Dylon.
It was a bright morning. The sun shone warmly over the city, and the clear sky promised a perfect day. Still, despite the weather perfect for vacations, the streets of the Cloverden buzzed with the usual activity. People moved with purpose, commuting to work or attending to their daily routines, while towering skyscrapers and sleek, silver drones hovered in the distance.
Among them, two teenage boys strolled down the sidewalk toward the subway station.
One kept his hands tucked into his jacket pockets, his gaze a little distant, more interested in his thoughts than the busy surroundings. His intense dark blue eyes occasionally flickered toward the holographic ads lining the street, but he barely registered the flashing lights or the messages.
Beside him, Leo Behemoth, a slim boy with copper-black hair kept talking. "Did you finish your science assignment, Draven?" asked Leo.
Draven was a little taller than Leo, with a slim- athletic build, dark black hair and fair in complexion. He nodded to his friend. "Yeah. Why?"
Leo was everything Draven wasn't—outgoing, confident, and with a loud, magnetic personality that made him the center of attention wherever he went.
"No reason, just making sure you're ready for Mr. Benet's interrogation."
They both chuckled as they walked, but Draven's laughter was cut short when someone brushed past him, bumping his shoulder.
He turned, catching a glimpse of a figure in a black hoodie with long trousers and white sneakers, face obscured by a cap.
"You okay?" Leo asked.
Draven nodded. The stranger, muttered a quick apology, their voice low and hurried, before disappearing into the crowd.
Leo watched them go. "What a weird guy! Hit you and barely said a word."
Draven shrugged. "Actually, that wasn't a guy. It was a girl."
Leo looked puzzled. "How do you know that?"
Draven explained, "She was wearing a black bracelet with a rose emblem on her right waist, her shoulders were too narrow for a guy that tall, and she wore a famous perfume brand that my sister likes."
"Man, you noticed all that in, what, two seconds? Impressive!" Leo said, grinning with admiration. But Draven simply shrugged his shoulders.
As they continued toward the subway, another figure approached, this time stopping directly in front of them. The newcomer, about six feet tall with a muscular build, wore a red Cloverden High hoodie over a white long sleeve and jeans with deck shoes.
His fair tan skin and straightened black hair gave him an approachable yet confident look, which matched to his Amber like eyes.
"Good morning, fellas," he greeted with a relaxed wave. "Saw that bump just now—everything good?"
Leo brightened, recognizing him. "Wait, you're the guy who transferred last week on the sports scholarship, right?"
Draven raised an eyebrow. "You know him, Leo?"
Leo laughed. "Kind of. I saw him at practice."
The boy extended his hand. "I'm Seth Harper. Nice to meet you both."
Leo shook his hand. "I'm Leo, and this is Draven. You play football?"
"Yeah, trying out for the A team," Seth replied.
Leo grinned. "I'm on the B team. Good to know we've got someone solid on board."
Draven observed Seth carefully. His intuition hinted at a strong-willed nature, yet he seemed easygoing—a blend of warmth and intensity. It was rare for Draven to feel intrigued by someone at first glance.
"See you around," Seth said, giving them a wave as he walked off.
As Seth disappeared down the street, Draven couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter might be more than just a chance meeting. Leo, on the other hand, seemed thrilled.
"That guy's got confidence," Leo said, nudging Draven. "I bet he's gonna fit right in."
"Yeah," Draven murmured, his thoughts lingering. Something about Seth's presence stayed with him, like a puzzle waiting to be solved.
***
As Draven and Leo disappeared into the subway entrance, Seth lingered at the corner, watching them until they were out of sight. Then, he stepped into the shadows of a nearby alley, tapping his earpiece. A familiar voice crackled to life on the other end.
"Hey! Early bird today, huh, Seth?" The girl's voice was casual and playful. "What's the urgency?"
"Not my idea to start the day this early, Yun," he replied with a smirk. "But I thought I might have stumbled onto something interesting. Feels... unusual. Thought it couldn't be a paranom or a Para-Beast."
"Seriously?" Yun's tone sharpened with curiosity. "What'd you find? A trace?"
"Not quite," Seth replied, his playful tone fading. "It's... a person. Strong scent of blood. Just can't tell where it's coming from yet—wait, hang on."
"What is it? Did you find something?" Yun asked, her voice tense over the line.
"It just got interesting." The smirk returned to his face. "I'll fill you in later; don't want to be absent on the first week of school, right?"
He disconnected the call, still glancing down at the alley's floor, where he had found an empty blood packet. After checking the label, he tossed it back onto the ground, his eyes narrowing as he considered the implications.
"This is gonna be interesting," he muttered, turning back toward the street.
But from across the road, on the rooftop of a three-story building, a shadowy figure in a black hood watched Seth intently. Morning sunlight caught on a bracelet around their wrist, the rose emblem glinting in the light.
***
Draven and Leo finally reached the subway platform, joining the usual crowd of commuters heading into the city. They found a quiet corner near the back, where they could talk without interruption. Draven leaned against the tiled wall, hands in his jacket pockets, scanning the crowd absently. Leo, on the other hand, seemed brimming with energy.
"You know, I swear that new guy, Seth, has some kind of aura. People just notice him," Leo said, adjusting his backpack. "I mean, not in a bad way. But there's just… something different."
"Different, sure," Draven replied, nodding slightly. "He seems like the kind of guy who already has everything figured out."
Leo chuckled. "Yeah, totally! I bet he's the type who leads even when he doesn't try to. Still… he seemed interested in us, didn't he?"
"Guess so," Draven murmured, keeping his gaze on the crowd ahead. Something felt off. Maybe it was the stranger they'd run into earlier, or maybe Seth's oddly casual introduction. It wasn't exactly unusual to make friends in a new school—but with Seth, it felt intentional, like he'd had a reason to seek them out.
"Maybe he just wants to be friends," Leo said, as if reading Draven's mind. "Maybe he thought we looked interesting too. I mean, it's not like Cloverden is known for being a hotspot of excitement."
Draven smirked, glancing at Leo. "Maybe for you, Mr. B-Team Football Star."
Leo laughed, clapping Draven on the shoulder. "Oh, please. You're the mysterious one. People notice that, you know it. "
The subway car finally arrived, its brakes screeching. The boys boarded, squeezing between a few other passengers. As the doors shut and the train lurched forward, Draven felt his thoughts drifting. What was it about this morning? Maybe it was nothing—just his anxiety stacked up together.
But then his gaze fell on the corner of the subway car, where the overhead light flickered slightly. He spotted a reflection in the window across from them: a black-hooded figure seated near the doors, eyes hidden under a cap, and on their wrist… the faint gleam of a bracelet, adorned with a rose emblem.
Draven blinked, but when he looked again, the figure was gone.
"Did you see that?" he muttered to Leo, eyes widening.
Leo looked at him, puzzled. "See what?"
Draven shook his head. Maybe he was imagining things. But something told him that today was only the beginning.
The school day unfolded like any other. Cloverden High's walls were painted in red and white, with interactive displays lining the hallways. Instead of old-fashioned bulletin boards, these digital screens displayed announcements, reminders, and virtual clubs that students could join with a single tap. Even the desks in the classrooms were fitted with holo-screens, where students could pull up textbooks, take quizzes, and occasionally play the odd game if they were quick enough to hide it from the teacher.
Draven found the environment strange at times. Although he'd grown up in this age of technology, he often felt he'd prefer the simplicity of a regular notebook and pencil. Leo, however, thrived in this setting, and today was no different. Leo wasn't the most stellar student academically, usually earning Cs and the occasional B, but his easygoing charm made him popular among students, especially those interested in sports.
Their first class was biology, and as usual, Leo was enthusiastically immersed in their lab assignment, which today involved using a digital interface to virtually dissect and analyze ecosystems. Draven watched as Leo worked, his friend's natural curiosity and excitement practically radiating. Leo was in his element here, always quick to volunteer answers, ask questions, and keep his teammates on task. Draven, on the other hand, was more of an observer. He took his time, noting details others might miss, which gave him an edge when the assignment required unique insights.
"Draven, this is too quiet. Even for you. " Leo whispered halfway through, elbowing him lightly. "What's going on in that mind of yours?"
"Just thinking," Draven replied with a smirk, rolling his eyes. "Maybe I'm just waiting for you to catch up."
"Yeah, right." Leo laughed, flashing Draven a grin. "Just admit it. My ecosystem model is superior."
As biology ended, the school's soft chime system pulsed, signaling the transition to their next class. In the hallway, they crossed paths with Diana Speerow, leader of the archery team and one of the top students in physics. Friendly but serious, Diana gave them a polite nod before moving on without stopping to talk. Draven couldn't help but admire her focus, even if she seemed uninterested in them beyond casual greetings.
The day moved forward in a steady rhythm. In history, they dove into post-war global alliances, with holograms projecting interactive maps of continents redivided after World War III. Draven noted the names of countries and organizations that hadn't existed just two decades ago. His attention drifted when the teacher mentioned UNESCO's vital role in the post-war world, reminding him of a familiar story from his childhood about the global effort to rebuild.
During lunch, Leo was all energy, eagerly discussing their upcoming football practice that evening and the possibility of a big game in a few weeks. "Cloverden High's actually got a shot this year! I heard Coach was looking at new tech for our training. Full-body sensors, maybe even exosuits for speed work!" Leo's eyes sparkled at the thought of high-tech sports gear.
As they finished their meals, Bob Tomer—a notorious bully in their class—strolled by and gave Draven and Leo a taunting look. He leaned over their table for a moment, muttering something under his breath about the "B-team" as he eyed Leo, bitter with jealousy of course but as Leo was about to say something with an impatient roll of his eyes, Draven pulled Leo along and left before a confrontation could start.
"Let him be," Draven said quietly. "He's not worth it."
The afternoon passed in more or less the same rhythm, classes blending into one another. Draven drifted through advanced physics and literature, and by the time the final bell rang, he felt like he'd absorbed more than enough for one day.
As they made their way out of the building, Leo was still chatting excitedly about the day's events, mentioning classmates, assignments, and rumors that had circulated through the school. Draven listened, quietly observing the mix of people hurrying by, each in their own world.
They stopped at the school gates, "Sophie told me to visit our shop in the evening," Leo said, looking at Draven.
Sophie was Leo's older sister and the manager of a supermarket their family owned. She also happened to be friends with Draven's sister, Gina.
Leo slapped his friend on the shoulder. "Catch you tomorrow?"
"Yeah," Draven nodded. "Good luck at practice."
Leo flashed a thumbs-up. "Thanks, man! And hey—maybe we could watch a movie or something. I've got some great ones from time before the war."
Draven gave a dismissive wave. "I'll think about it," he replied, knowing full well he wouldn't. Listening to Leo talk about old movies was one thing; watching them was another.
Leo laughed and turned, heading down the road. Draven watched him go, then stuffed his hands in his pockets and began the walk home, his thoughts still lingering on the morning's events.
Draven took the usual path to his house after getting off the subway. As he walked, the events replayed in his mind, especially the mysterious girl in the black hoodie and Seth's unexpected appearance. The day had felt strange, almost charged with some underlying tension he couldn't explain.
"Man, it sure is quiet today!" Draven murmured to himself, glancing around. To his surprise, the usually busy streets of Cloverden were completely empty. He continued walking, feeling a light breeze against his face, as he searched for any signs of life. Then, suddenly, he bumped into someone. A quick burst of sounds erupted around him—a shout, the blaring of a car horn—but as he turned to look, there was no one in sight. The street was silent and empty.
Then, a chill swept over him. The temperature dropped sharply, enough to make him shiver—but only for an instant. As quickly as it had come, the cold vanished, and in the blink of an eye, the streets filled with people and cars once again, as if they'd appeared out of thin air.
Draven stopped in his tracks, heart pounding as he tried to make sense of what had just happened. Had anyone else noticed? But the faces around him showed no signs of surprise, each person hurrying along as if nothing unusual had occurred.
"What… was that?" he muttered, trying to shake the strange, nagging feeling that settled in his gut. He told himself it was probably nothing, just his imagination getting carried away. But he was rarely thrown off by anything, let alone his own thoughts.
Finally, he reached his neighborhood, where a sense of normalcy settled over him again. Rows of houses with neatly kept lawns lined the street, each one a mirror of the last, but with its own distinct quirks. He spotted Mrs. Katherine, the elderly woman two houses down, carefully watering her beloved rose bushes. She noticed Draven and waved warmly.
"Good afternoon, Draven! How's school going?"
"It's going well, Mrs. Katherine. Just the usual," he replied with a polite nod, though his thoughts were still racing. He noticed something odd, though: she didn't have her pet parrot, Pole, with her today. She never came outside without that bird.
"Where's Pole, Mrs. Katherine?" he asked, glancing around.
"Oh, he went out flying this morning as usual, but he hasn't come back yet," she said, a slight frown crossing her face.
That was strange. As far as Draven knew, Pole was a friendly bird who never stayed out for long. "Maybe he found a pretty girl parrot—that's why he's late," Draven joked, hoping to ease her worries.
She chuckled. "He'd better have! Or he's going to get an earful when he gets home!"
Draven laughed along with her, then waved goodbye and continued on, finally reaching his own house—a modest three-story place with a charming garden filled with flowers his sister loved. He stepped inside, tossed his bag onto the floor, and sank onto the couch, trying to relax. But despite the comfort of home, his mind was still buzzing with questions.
Normally, he was good at keeping his emotions in check, always cautious, always composed. But something about today's events was gnawing at him, and he felt an odd sense of urgency he couldn't ignore.
"Just what is going on lately?" he muttered to himself.
He tried to dismiss it all as coincidence, but his intuition told him otherwise. The day's events felt significant, almost like a warning. Today had been anything but ordinary, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was happening behind the scenes.
Draven stretched out to the nearby stool and picked up his remote controller ring, sliding it onto his index finger before turning on the TV. He swiped his finger through the air to change channels, but after a few tries without finding anything interesting, he settled on the news. The reporter was delivering the local headlines:
{ "THERE HAVE BEEN SOME UNUSUAL INCIDENTS IN CITIES NEAR CLOVERDEN. REPORTS AND WITNESSES CLAIM A SERIES OF DISTURBING MISS-" }
Draven stood up from the couch, ignoring the broadcast. "Better get a shower before it gets too late," he murmured, glancing at the clock display in the corner of the TV.
As he walked away, the news continued in the background, the reporter's voice tense.
{ "POLICE NOW SUSPECT THESE MURDERS ARE CONNECTED TO A RASH OF RECENT MISSING PERSONS CASES." }
Behind the reporter were blurred photos of the victims discovered by the Cloverden Police Department (CPD), all showing signs of severe injuries, likely from a sharp weapon.
Draven made his way upstairs to his room on the second floor.
His home was simple but cozy, with an open-plan living room that flowed into the kitchen, divided by a half-wall. Upstairs, there was a small study room, a bathroom, and Draven's bedroom. The third floor held two more bedrooms and a bathroom; one belonged to his sister, Gina, though she was away for work, leaving Draven alone in the house.
Draven took a quick shower, washing away the day's fatigue, and changed into a pair of blue pajama pants and a comfortable black shirt printed with a white crescent moon. Settling at his desk, he glanced at the essay he had to finish by tomorrow. Writing long essays was something he always found tedious. With a sigh, he picked up his touch pen and began to type on his tablet, holographic displays flickering to life beside him, showing references from related sources.
After about thirty minutes of writing, he stretched and rose from his chair, feeling the need for a break. The holographic displays and study lamp turned off automatically as he walked away. He opened a side door from his room, leading out to the balcony, and clapped twice as he left. Instantly, the lights in his room dimmed and switched off, syncing with his steps as he stepped outside.
The cityscape sprawled before Draven, a shimmering tapestry of lights from street lamps, homes, and towering buildings, giving Cloverden the appearance of a world dusted with glitter. He leaned against the balcony railing, letting the cool breeze wash over him, savoring the rare moment of tranquility as he gazed at the city lights. Despite everything strange about today, right now, there was a peacefulness that helped to ease his mind.
His eyes roamed across the familiar sights, taking in every detail with a mix of appreciation and curiosity. The distant hum of traffic, the soft glow of holo-billboards projecting their ads, and even the occasional drone that hovered by added to the distinct character of Cloverden.
But then, a loud metallic clang shattered the calm, followed by a harsh scraping noise. Draven snapped out of his thoughts, his gaze darting to the street below. A streetlamp had crashed onto the sidewalk, sparking at its base. The light flickered, casting erratic shadows over the nearby houses and trees.
Among the shadows cast by the flickering streetlamp, Draven glimpsed the form of a massive creature, moving with surprising speed and agility. The thing was large—almost too large to be any animal he recognized—and yet, it moved with the sleek, fluid motion of a predator. In a flash, it sprinted down the street, its hulking frame blending into the darkness as if it were part of the night itself. Draven's heart raced, his eyes fixed on the strange scene unfolding below.
But what truly startled him was the smaller figure chasing after it. A person—dressed in dark clothing, barely distinguishable in the dim light—moved with an intensity and purpose that suggested this wasn't a random encounter. The figure seemed focused, relentless, following the creature's path with unwavering determination.
Draven gripped the balcony rail, unable to tear his gaze away. The figure chasing the creature leapt skillfully onto a nearby wall, showing an agility that was almost superhuman. In one swift motion, they threw something—a small object that gleamed in the dim light—straight at the creature. The object struck its target, and the beast recoiled, emitting a deep, guttural growl. Whatever the figure had thrown seemed to injure it, and it clearly wasn't happy.
The creature skidded to a halt and turned sharply to face its pursuer. One of its massive, clawed forelimbs began to glow with an eerie purple light, pulsing with energy. Draven's eyes widened as he saw it raise the glowing claw, slashing it through the air. In an instant, four streaks of purple energy shot forth, cutting through the darkness like bladed lightning aimed at the person who had dared to challenge it.
Draven watched in stunned silence, his heart pounding, Draven felt a surge of adrenaline course through him—not fear, but something closer to fascination. He kept his eyes wide and unblinking, barely daring to breathe as he watched the scene unfold below. The streaks of purple energy sliced through the street lamps and wall, leaving jagged, smoldering cuts as though they'd been nothing more than paper.
The figure leapt from the wall at the last possible second, narrowly avoiding the deadly slashes. Draven ducked behind the railing instinctively, heart pounding as he stole quick glances over the edge, his mind racing with questions.
"What the hell?!" he muttered to himself. "What is that thing? And who's that person? Are they… even still alive?" He searched the darkness, straining to see if the figure had survived the assault.
As the dust began to settle, Draven cautiously peered over the railing, his gaze fixed on the scene below. The creature, massive and imposing, stood in the middle of the road, sniffing the air with a slow, deliberate motion. Its posture was tense, as though it sensed something close by yet unseen.
The person who had been chasing it was nowhere to be found. In their place lay a scattered mess of crumbled stone and twisted metal, remnants of the walls and street lamps that had been caught in the creature's furious attack. Now and then, faint purple flames flickered to life on the debris, briefly illuminating the surroundings before fading out, leaving a smoky haze behind.
Draven's mind raced as he took in the destruction. The surreal scene felt like a dream, yet every broken stone and smoldering ember told him it was all too real.
The beast let out a thunderous, agonizing roar that echoed through the street, sending a chill down Draven's spine. In a swift motion, it turned away from the destruction and darted into the night, vanishing into the shadows. Draven stayed crouched on the balcony for another minute, his heart pounding as he waited to ensure the coast was clear.
Once he felt certain the creature was gone, he bolted down the stairs to the first floor, snatching his smartphone from the charger. He made his way to the front door, hand poised to unlock it, but hesitated, casting a glance back toward the kitchen.
"What am I doing?" he muttered under his breath. "Am I really about to chase down something that dangerous?"
The thought didn't stop him, though. Draven turned and went back into the kitchen, grabbing a steel knife and a small flame-thrower lighter from the drawer. "Guess I'll have to make do with these."
Taking a steadying breath, he stepped out of the house and ran toward the street, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of the creature or its mysterious pursuer.
The street was strewn with debris—damaged streetlights toppled across the road, chunks of concrete walls scattered like a battlefield. Draven leapt over them with ease, relying on his natural agility and the acrobatics he'd trained, as he made his way to the spot where the mysterious figure had vanished. A few flickering purple flames dotted the ground, casting an eerie, shifting light, though they barely illuminated the scene.
As he moved to turn on his phone's flashlight, Draven stopped, realizing that he could already see far better in the dark than usual. "Didn't know I could see this well in the dark," he murmured, a mix of curiosity and excitement sparking within him.
He continued scanning the area, looking for any trace of the stranger. That's when he noticed something strange—the purple flames weren't burning on anything flammable. They flickered across pieces of stone and metal as if they were feeding on the very material itself.
Kneeling beside one of the flames, Draven took a closer look. The stone it burned on seemed to be slowly disintegrating, each flicker of flame eating away at it. "Is this flame... consuming the particles of whatever it touches?" he whispered in awe. "Doesn't matter if it's flammable or not..."
The thought sent a shiver down his spine. If this strange energy had touched a living being, they'd be in serious trouble—and ordinary methods wouldn't be enough to save them.
Draven kept searching and finally spotted the figure lying on the ground, a short distance away from the crumbled wall. They appeared to be pinned beneath a fallen street lamp, their body still and bruised. As he cautiously approached, he could see they were unconscious, their chest rising and falling with faint, labored breaths.
It looked like they had taken the brunt of the impact when the lamp fell, leaving them in a vulnerable, barely-conscious state.
Draven crouched down beside the unconscious figure,his heart racing, his gaze landing on a familiar bracelet on their right wrist. His heart skipped a beat as he took in the details: the black hoodie, black jeans, and dark sports shoes. A black mask covered the lower half of their face, leaving only their striking, ruby-like eyes barely visible under the slightly open eye lids.
"It's her," Draven muttered, his voice barely a whisper. His breath caught in his throat, his pulse quickening, but he forced himself to focus. He needed to think clearly. The mysterious girl from earlier in the day, now lying here in front of him, looked far more vulnerable than she had when she had bumped into him and vanished.
" What does this mean? Why had she been here? Draven hesitated for a moment, standing still, unsure of whether back off or not.
The chaos of the encounter, the flash of the purple energy, the strange creature—it all felt like too much to process at once. His mind worked quickly, analyzing every detail, every possibility.
" Should I help her? What if the creature comes back? " His instincts told him to be cautious, but something else—a strange sense of responsibility and curiosity —pulled him closer to the girl.
His eyes darted around, looking for signs of movement, but the streets remained deadly quiet. Slowly, carefully, he reached out and gently moved the fallen street lamp off her. His hands were steady, but his mind raced, wondering if he was making the right choice.
The weight of the lamp wasn't enough to trap her for long. She probably hit her head when she dropped.
"Is she hurt badly?" Draven pushed away the rush of thoughts and focused on the task at hand.
The girl was unconscious, her breathing shallow—but she was alive, thankfully.
As he shifted the lamp away, he noticed a faint warmth radiating from her skin. The left side of her belly had a sharp cut, blood seeping through her clothes.
Draven carefully turned the unconscious girl onto her side, aiming his phone's flashlight over her wound. The cut was deeper than a typical scrape, but the bleeding seemed to have slowed. Rolling up her hoodie just enough to expose the wound, he squinted, spotting small glass shards embedded in the torn skin.
"Must've been from the street lamp," he murmured, gingerly picking out the larger pieces. "I need to cover this and get her somewhere safe to treat it."
Grabbing his knife, he sliced a strip from his own shirt, then used his lighter to sterilize it as best he could. Working quickly, he removed most of the glass, then wrapped the cloth strip snugly around her waist to cover the wound. As he tied the makeshift bandage, he noticed her veins starting to turn a faint blue beneath her skin.
A chill shot down his spine. The strange discoloration fueled a sense of urgency he could barely control.
Draven's calm composure began to waver as he saw the blood vessels around the wound turning blue. He took a step back, gripping his phone tightly, he didn'thave much time.
"What's happening to her?" he muttered, unable to take his eyes off her skin, which was turning pale along with spreading blue vains. His logical mind tried to piece it together, it could be the blood loss; or it was some thing beyond his understanding happening to her body.
He knelt down again, forcing himself to focus. "Stay calm," he whispered to himself, pressing his hand over the makeshift bandage to check her pulse, which felt weak but even.
"This… it can't be normal." He quickly scanned their surroundings, debating his next move. He carefully lifted the girl into his arms, feeling the slight weight of her slumped form as he stood.
"Let's get you somewhere safe," he whispered, and without looking back, he walked in the direction of his house.
But before he could reach the front gate, a low growl echoed behind him, sending a chill down his spine. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as he turned, hoping it wasn't the worst-case scenario. But there it was, looming in the shadows.
The creature from before stood a few meters away—a massive saber-toothed beast with dagger-like fangs and claws. Its thick, brown fur was streaked with black stripes, giving it a fierce, almost ancient appearance. Draven felt his body go numb as he took in its full size; it was easily ten feet tall, its crystal-like yellow eyes glowing with an unsettling intensity.
The saber-toothed beast let out a thunderous roar, crouching, ready to pounce. Draven quickly turned off his phone's flashlight, trying to steady his breath as fear surged through him.
He glanced down at the unconscious girl in his arms, her face pale under the moonlight. In that instant, something clicked in his mind. All the fear and confusion faded away, replaced by a resolute calm. He had a duty to protect her, and he wasn't about to back down.
Draven spun around and sprinted toward the gate, but the beast was faster, pouncing ahead and landing directly in his path. Just what he'd expected. Without hesitation, he whipped out his flame-thrower lighter, aiming it straight at the creature's face. Flames licked at its nose, catching in its fur and sparking a small blaze.
The saber-toothed beast roared, pawing furiously at its burning snout, thrashing as the flames bit into its coat. It smashed against Draven's gate with a force that blended the metal and crumbled part of the wall. Not wasting a second, Draven took off in the opposite direction, his legs moving as fast as they could carry him.
As he ran, he felt a slight movement from the unconscious girl. Glancing down, he noticed her eyelids fluttering as she started to regain consciousness. Quickly, Draven slipped into a narrow alley between two large buildings and carefully set her down.
He listened for any sign of the beast, holding his breath, but only silence filled the space. Just as he turned his attention back to her, the girl suddenly sprang to life. She shifted forward, unexpectedly colliding with him. Before Draven could react, she sat up, disoriented but alert, and, as if instinctively, shoved him away. The force sent him sprawling backward onto the ground, her strength startling him despite her injured state.
"Who the hell are you?! And why were you putting your hands on me?" she demanded, her tone sharp and accusing, with a rough edge that hinted at her strong-willed nature.
Draven hesitated, uncertain of how much to explain. He took a breath and decided to start from the beginning. As he recounted witnessing her confrontation with the beast and the chaotic attack that followed, her fists clenched, a mix of frustration and anger flashing in her eyes. Draven continued, carefully guiding her through each moment up to their current situation.
As Draven finished his explanation, they both caught the sound of claws tapping lightly on the street, followed by the sharp, smoky scent of burnt meat and fur. Draven's mind raced.
"Can you fight?" he asked the girl.
She gave him a sharp look, her expression laced with irritation. "What do you think I was doing with that beast—playing tag?" she shot back, rolling her eyes.
"Just checking, since you're injured," Draven replied, unphased. "But it sounds like you're up for action...because I've got a plan. And I'm pretty sure you're not going to like it."
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