The city swallowed Daniella whole as she stepped out of the subway.
Cold rain.
White streetlights.
A sky hanging too low.
She pulled her hood over her head and quickened her pace.
"Another shitty day…" she muttered.
Then—
Pain.
Sharp. Sudden. Violent.
She gasped and clutched her right hand.
This wasn't normal.
It wasn't a cramp.
It felt like something was hitting her from the inside, trying to break out.
"H-Hey—calm down… what the hell is—"
Light burst between her fingers.
Not a reflection.
Not imagination.
Real. Blinding. Alive.
The streetlamp above her exploded.
BANG!
Glass rained down in a shower of sparks.
Daniella screamed and jumped back, heart slamming against her ribs.
"No—no no no—what did I just do?!"
Her hand was glowing.
Faint. Flickering. Burning.
She looked around wildly.
Empty street.
No screams.
No witnesses.
Except—
Someone stood at the mouth of a narrow alley.
A boy.
Half-hidden by shadows.
He didn't move.
Didn't react.
His eyes were fixed on her—too calm, too focused.
As if he understood exactly what had just happened.
Daniella took a step back.
"What?" she snapped. "You want a picture or something?"
He stepped forward.
His movements were silent. Controlled.
"You shouldn't have let that show."
His voice was low. Steady. Dangerous.
"If anyone from Helios saw you… you're already dead."
Her stomach tightened.
"Helios?" she scoffed, nerves creeping in. "You talking about a brand or something?"
Before he could answer—
A siren howled in the distance.
Not police.
Higher. Sharper.
A sound that dug into her bones and made her teeth ache.
The boy's face drained of color.
"…Too late."
"Too late for what?" Daniella demanded.
"They're coming."
"Who is they?!"
"Helios." He stepped closer. "They detected your power. They'll hunt you."
Her breath caught.
"Hunt me? I didn't do anything!"
"You blew up a streetlight with your bare hand," he said flatly. "You think that counts as nothing?"
The siren grew louder.
Closer.
Daniella's throat tightened.
"O-Okay…" she whispered. "Then what do we do?"
He grabbed her burning hand.
Heat surged instantly.
He cursed and let go, flexing his fingers.
"Fuck…" His eyes widened. "You're a Lymen."
"A what?!"
"Not here." He seized her wrist. "Move."
She jerked back. "Hey! I don't know you!"
He stopped abruptly and locked his gaze onto hers.
"If I let go, they'll catch you. And erase you."
A pause.
"You wanna die tonight?"
Fear slid down her spine.
"…No."
"Then run."
They sprinted.
Rain lashed against her face as the sirens multiplied behind them.
Drones rose silently into the sky, their cold lights sweeping across buildings.
Her lungs burned.
"Why me?!" she cried.
"Because you have power."
"I don't want it!"
"Doesn't matter."
A drone swooped overhead.
A blue beam snapped downward.
> TARGET ACQUIRED.
LYMEN — CLASSIFIED.
Daniella screamed.
The boy yanked her close.
"Get down!"
He slammed his palm against the ground.
His shadow exploded outward.
It stretched, twisted, rose like a living wave of darkness—and swallowed her whole.
The blue beam struck.
Nothing happened.
Silence.
Daniella stared, shaking.
"What…" she whispered. "What are you?"
The boy exhaled sharply.
"Void."
He glanced at her.
"Lymen and Void… we're bound."
The drone powered up again.
"Move!" he growled. "Run!"
They fled deeper into the streets.
Her light leaked out in wild flashes, uncontrollable.
"It burns!" she sobbed.
"Your power's awakening—hold on!"
"Hold on to what?!"
"The old factory!" he shouted. "Former HQ. You'll be safe there!"
An explosion rocked the street behind them.
The drone fired.
Daniella stumbled.
"I can't—!"
He stopped, grabbed her face, forcing her to look at him.
"Look at me."
Their eyes locked.
"I won't let them take you," he said quietly. "I promise."
Something steadied inside her.
They darted into a final alley.
One last turn.
Rusty gates.
A decaying factory loomed before them.
He shoved the door open and dragged her inside.
The door slammed shut.
The sirens faded.
Daniella slid to the floor, shaking.
"Tell me this is a joke…" she whispered.
The boy closed his eyes.
"…Welcome to the war."
Outside, drones arrived seconds too late.