(PH 2)
"Capture them."!!!!!
command didn't just echo it settled into the corridor like a verdict for half a second, everything froze.
"THUD… THUD… THUD…"
Hunters moved not rushing,not panicking.
their armored boots struck the ground in perfect rhythm, each step measured, controlled like they had already calculated the outcome of this fight.
The metallic plates of their suits shifted with each movement, producing a low mechanical friction that crawled along the walls of the corridor.air itself felt tighter,
Heavier Eli stepped forward. Slowly.
Positioning himself between them… and Anie.
His breathing was steady but not normal.earlier hit on his shoulder had done more damage than he showed. a dull burning sensation spread from the impact point, crawling down his arm like static under his skin.
Still he didn't step back,
"Stay close to me," quietly,not even looking at her.
"If they attack… they'll aim for me first."
Anie nodded.But she wasn't fully listening.her eyes were fixed on him
that moment when he jumped in front of her.when he took that hit.That wasn't strategy.That wasn't calculation that was a choice.Her heartbeat began to rise again.
Fast,,,,too fast.
Why…?
She didn't understand it,fear was there
yes.But something else had slipped in with it.something unfamiliar something dangerous.
"MOVE!" a,hunter suddenly broke formation.
"ZAP!"
A streak of blue energy tore through the air.Eli reacted instantly he pivoted sideways.The bolt grazed past him and slammed into the floor behind.
"CRACK!"
Fragments exploded outward.before the dust even settled Eli moved.
"WHOOSH!"
He surged forward, closing the distance in a blink.
His fist drove straight into the Hunter's chest plate.
"THUD!"
The impact forced the Hunter backward, his balance collapsing for a split second.That was enough Eli grabbed his arm twisted,
"CRACK!"
The weapon slipped from the Hunter's grip and clattered across the floor.
But,this time, the Hunters didn't panic.
They adapted immediately.Three of them shifted positions surrounding,
synchronizing.
"ZAP! ZAP! ZAP!"
Three energy bolts fired at once not random.Calculated trajectories cutting off escape angles.Eli's eyes sharpened
he dodged the first twisted past the second,but.
"THUD!"
fourth Hunter had already moved behind him.the strike landed hard against his back.the force pushed him forward, breaking his rhythm.
"Eli!"
Anie's voice cracked.
Her hands trembled violently now.the air around her fingers began to distort again,subtle at first.like heat waves
then stronger,unstable.
Eli turned his head slightly even in that moment he noticed.He shook his head.
"No."
"Not now." His voice was firm.
The warning wasn't just about the fight.
It was about her.about what was building inside her.the Hunterst ightened the circle closer.
Step by step their helmets glowed faintly, scanning, analyzing.
At the far end of the corridor R-07 hadn't moved.Until now.
"Interesting…" voice was calm, observing.
"A Called… fighting with trained precision."
"THUD." he stepped forward,one step.
"THUD."
Another.
Each one heavier than the last.the Hunters immediately cleared a path.
No hesitation,no delay,Eli straightened
his gaze locked onto him.
"That's the leader…" he muttered under his breath.
R-07 stopped a few meters away his helmet tilted slightly studying.
"You're resisting more than expected," he said.
"You picked the wrong hunt."Eli smirked faintly,a pause.
Silence stretched tight between them.
Then,R-07 moved.
"WHOOSH!"
Not a step,not a run he vanished forward.Eli reacted but not fast enough.
"THUD!"
The punch slammed into his chest.
Not just force precision.
Impact traveled through his entire body.
Eli was thrown backward, his feet barely catching balance before he hit the wall.Anie's eyes widened.
That speed that wasn't normal not even close.Eli pushed himself forward again.
This time careful,focused he attacked.
Fast,direct their movements collided.
"CRACK! THUD! WHAM!"
Blow after blow strike after strike.
Each impact echoed violently through the corridor.shockwaves rippled through the air with every collision. Hunters didn't interfere.
Didn't move they knew this wasn't their fight anymore.This was something else.R-07 blocked a strike caught Eli's wrist mid-motion,twisted
Trying to slam him into the wall.
Eli turned his body at the last second
Breaking the angle but,
"THUD!"
R-07's knee drove into his side.Eli's body hit the wall hard.Dust fell from the cracks behind him.Anie felt it again that surge.
Fear,Anger,Helplessness.
"Stop…"
Her voice was barely a whisper.but the air responded It shifted.R-07 noticed instantly.his head turned slowly toward her.
"There it is…"
"That's what we came for."
Eli forced himself up again breathing heavier now.he stepped in front of her.
again.
"Stay away from her."
R-07 let out a quiet chuckle.
"That's not possible."
"Prepare containment." he raised his hand slightly.
Hunters moved instantly devices activated.
"WHIIIIIIIIIN "
A sharp, rising frequency filled the corridor. A grid-like distortion began forming in the air she gasped.
A sudden pressure crushed down on her chest.
Her power.....
Reacted,violently Eli saw it.he understood immediately.he lowered his voice.
"Anie…" there was no hesitation now.
"You can't hold it back anymore."
She looked at him only him.In that moment she realized something.
He was going to protect her again.
No matter what her heart pounded harder.not just fear anymore something deeper.Something she couldn't name.
"Enough."
R-07 stepped forward again.the Hunters surged in.the containment field intensified.the air began to vibrate violently.Like it was about to tear apart.
Eli stepped forward placing himself between everything and her.
"This is your last warning."
"Submit."
wind roared through the corridor. Energy spiraled uncontrollably.Anie's eyes began to glow.R-07 watched satisfied .
"Good."
"Now…" he said quietly,a pause.a slight tilt of his head.
"Let's begin the real test."
The pressure spiked,the air screamed
and something inside Ani,
finally started to break free...