( PH 2)
"Capture them."
moment R-07's voice echoed through the corridor,the silence shattered.
"ZAP! ZAP! ZAP!"
Energy rifles lit up at once.
Blue streaks of light tore through the air,
rushing toward where Eli and Anie stood.Eli didn't hesitate for even a second.
He lunged forward,grabbing Anie's hand and pulling her down.
"DOWN!"
"CRACK!"
An energy bolt shot past just above their heads and slammed into the wall.
Concrete burst apart,
fragments scattering across the floor,
lights in the corridor flickered for a moment.Hunters had already formed a perimeter.they were no longer just three,eight.
Their footsteps advanced in unison.the metallic sound of their armor echoed through the corridor.Anie's breathing grew rapid.her chest rose and fell uncontrollably.between her fingers,
the air began to stir again.
But this time it was unstable...
"Anie."
Eli called softly,
his eyes still fixed on the Hunters.
"Control your breathing.the more you fear,the more unstable it becomes."
she nodded.But her hands were trembling harder now.
"I… I can't,"
At that moment,
a sharp electronic voice crackled through a Hunter's communicator.
"All units respond immediately."One Hunter turned slightly.
"Incident confirmed in Astra City Academic Sector."
"Possible anomalous energy detected."
"Reinforcement units moving in."
"Great…",Eli exhaled slowly he glanced at Anie.
"The whole city will be on alert now."
"City…?" she frowned, confused.
Eli stayed silent for a moment.then he said,
"Hunters don't usually operate this openly in smaller cities."
He looked out through the window.
In the distance,neon lights reflected against heavy rain clouds.
"But…" let out a breath..
"…this is Astra City."
Hunters raised their rifles again.
"Final warning."
"Submit immediately."
next second Eli moved again.
"WHOOSH!"
He dashed forward,
grabbing the first Hunter and slamming him to the ground.
"CRASH!"
He seized another
and hurled him into the wall.But this time the others were ready.
"ZAP!"
An energy bolt shot straight toward Eli's side.he turned, trying to evade but
"THUD!" blast struck his shoulder
he was thrown backward.
"Eli!"
Anie screamed.for a moment,it felt like her heart had shattered.Eli dropped to one knee.smoke rose from his shoulder but he stood up again.
"I'm fine,"
but she knew that wasn't true.
hunters saw their chance one of them aimed directly at Anie.
"Target vulnerable fire."!!!!!
Anie froze energy bolt rushed toward her.
"CRACK!" ,Eli jumped in front of her.
blast hit his back he stood there shielding her corridor fell silent for a moment.Anie's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Why…?"
"…You would've died.", he exhaled and said it simply,
As if it meant nothing but to Anie it meant everything.inside her chest,
her heart pounded violently.
Was it fear…?...,or something else
she couldn't understand. hunters advanced again.their footsteps grew heavier.
"Enough…" she whispered...,
air in the corridor suddenly grew dense.
Papers lifted off the ground.
windows began to tremble violently.
"WHOOOOOOM!"
air twisted into a storm hunters were pushed back.one slammed into the wall.another lost grip of his rifle.
"Anie…"
There was a hint of surprise in his voice.at the same time heavy footsteps echoed from the far end of the corridor.
hunters immediately stepped aside.
R-07 walked forward.
He scanned the surroundings.broken walls,fallen hunters. air still swirling with energy.then he looked at Anie and Eli.
And said slowly,
"Interesting."
"Two Called." Eli met his gaze.
"You've started the wrong hunt."
"No" R-07 smiled,"This is only the beginning."
wind surged again through the corridor.
the power inside Anie rose even higher.
But,her eyes drifted, just for a moment,
toward Eli.
he was still standing in front of her.
protecting her.something shifted inside her.she understood something but couldn't put it into words.R-07 raised his hand.Hunters readied themselves again.
He said calmly,,
"Don't kill them.Capture them.".....