The night had fallen fully, and the house was cloaked in shadow. Outside, the trees swayed lightly in the breeze, but Ash felt the tension tighten in her chest, a familiar edge from countless battles with Seraph. She moved silently through the living room, checking the feeds for the hundredth time, while Haru monitored the perimeter sensors.
"Something's moving," Ash whispered, her finger pointing to a faint silhouette on the back camera. The figure crouched near the fence, deliberate and calculated.
Haru tensed, sliding the knife from his boot. "They're testing us again," he murmured. "Not a scout this time—someone's willing to take a risk."
Ash's hands trembled slightly as adrenaline coursed through her veins. "If they get inside…" Her voice trailed, unspoken fear hanging in the air.
"They won't," Haru said, eyes sharp, scanning the feeds. "We're ready."
The silhouette moved closer, stepping into the faint glow of the garden light. Ash and Haru exchanged a quick glance. They both knew this was the first real probe—a Seraph operative sent not just to watch, but to pressure, intimidate, maybe even infiltrate.
Ash tightened her grip on the metal rod by the door. "We need to split. I'll cover the back; you cover the front."
Haru nodded. "Agreed. Stay sharp."
Ash moved silently toward the back, each step calculated, her senses tuned to every sound. The operative froze as soon as she appeared in view, assessing, calculating. A low hum of their tech gear betrayed their presence.
"You shouldn't be here," the operative hissed, voice distorted by a mask.
"And yet, here we are," Ash replied, swinging the rod in a practiced arc. The operative dodged quickly, moving with precision and training that mirrored Ash's own instincts.
Haru moved from the front, appearing at the hallway corner, blade ready. "Cut them off!" he shouted, his voice low but commanding.
The operative hesitated, calculating escape routes, but Ash and Haru worked seamlessly together. Each step, each movement, was mirrored and complemented. Ash drove the operative toward a dead-end, while Haru closed the exit.
"You don't get in," Ash said, breath steady despite her racing pulse.
The operative lunged, faster than Ash anticipated. She barely blocked the attack with the metal rod, spinning to keep her momentum. Haru intercepted, slashing with his knife to the operative's side. They stumbled back, trying to regain balance.
Ash pressed forward, using the rod to push the operative toward a corner of the room. "Enough games," she said, voice firm. "This is our home."
Haru joined, eyes steely. "You won't touch anyone here."
The operative, recognizing the coordinated assault, made a desperate attempt to flee—but Ash anticipated it, swinging the rod to trip their movement. They collapsed onto the floor, struggling briefly, and Ash pressed the advantage, pinning them against the wall.
Haru leaned down, keeping the operative restrained. "Stay still. This ends now."
Breathing heavily, Ash stepped back, surveying the room. "We did it. But… there are more. This was just one."
Haru's jaw tightened. "Then we prepare. This won't be the last attempt. We set traps, reinforce everything, and make sure no one else gets this far."
Ash glanced toward Ayin's room, the sleeping figure a stark reminder of what they were protecting. "She can't know. Not yet. We can't risk her thinking she's safe when this is only the beginning."
Haru placed a hand on her shoulder. "Then we keep her safe, and we fight the shadows together."
Ash nodded, determination hardening. "We're ready. Let them come. We'll stop them."
Outside, the night stretched long, shadows moving stealthily at the edges of the property. Ash and Haru knew Seraph would not rest, and neither would they.
And though the house seemed quiet now, the first breach had shown them a truth they could not ignore: the remnants of Seraph were watching, waiting, and planning their next move.