Rain fell in sheets. It turned the streets of Neo Ashford into mirrors. Reflections of neon signs shattered on the wet asphalt. The air smelled of ozone and wet concrete.
Kaito ran.
His boots splashed through puddles. His breath came in short, sharp bursts. The bandage on his hand throbbed. Akira's burn was not fully healed. It pulled when he clenched his fist.
Left. Kuro's voice was urgent. It went left. Into the alley behind the bookstore.
Kaito turned. He skidded on the wet ground. He caught himself against a brick wall.
The entity stood at the end of the alley. It was large. Seven feet tall. Its skin looked like cracked porcelain. Blue light leaked from the fissures. Claws dragged on the ground, sparking against the stone.
A Marked class. Stronger than a Wanderer. Smarter than a Drifter. It had hunted before.
It turned. Its face was blank. No eyes. No mouth. Just cracks.
It shrieked. The sound shattered a nearby window. Glass rained down.
