Morning light crept slowly across the quiet road.
Nick stretched his arms as he sat up from the ground, letting out a long yawn.
Nick: Ugh… my back is killing me.
Beside him, Bat was already awake, sitting quietly with his elbows resting on his knees.
Nick rubbed his eyes and looked toward the distant skyline.
The city was still there.
Tall glass buildings reflected the sunlight across the water, shining like a field of mirrors.
Nick whistled softly.
Bat didn't respond.
Nick glanced at him.
Nick: And I'm starving.
Bat turned his head slightly.
Bat: That's all you think about.
Nick grinned.
Nick: Because food is important.
Bat said nothing.
The wind moved gently across the road.
Then—
Nick suddenly squinted up at the sky.
Nick: Hey… Bat.
Bat didn't look.
Nick pointed upward.
Nick: Look.
A tiny black shape was cutting across the sky.
Bat slowly lifted his head.
The small shape grew closer.
Wings flapped rapidly as the creature descended.
Within seconds—
The bat landed softly on Bat's shoulder.
Bat stayed completely still.
He turned his head slightly, staring directly into the creature's tiny eyes.
For several silent seconds, he didn't move.
Nick watched him impatiently.
Nick: Well?
Nick: What did it see?
Bat's gaze shifted toward the distant city again.
Then he stood up.
Bat: We can go.
Nick blinked.
Nick: Really?
Nick suddenly jumped to his feet.
Nick: YES!
Nick: Finally!
Bat started walking toward the road without reacting.
Nick quickly followed him, still smiling.
Nick: Dude, I swear, if the first thing we see in that city isn't food—
Bat: It's a city.
Bat: There's food.
Nick grinned wider.
Nick: Best news I've heard all week.
The two of them began walking toward the city.
Far away—
The glass towers waited.
Government Command Facility
A large steel door slid open with a low mechanical hum.
Inside the dimly lit command room, three men stood near a circular table filled with glowing holographic displays.
Director Halden Krowe stood at the center.
Beside him were Advisor Merek Solan and General Kael Draven.
They were waiting.
Suddenly—
WHOOSH.
A violent gust of wind blasted through the room.
Papers lifted from the table.
The lights flickered.
And a figure appeared in the empty chair.
Void leaned back casually.
Void: Sorry I'm late.
Director Halden Krowe didn't react.
Director Halden Krowe: You're not late at all, Void.
Void rested his chin on his hand.
Void: So.
Void: What's the emergency?
General Kael Draven crossed his arms.
General Kael Draven: Two unidentified individuals have been detected approaching the city.
Void sighed.
Void: And?
Advisor Merek Solan tapped the holographic display.
Two distant figures appeared on the screen.
Nick and Bat walking along the road.
Advisor Merek Solan: They've been traveling for four days.
Advisor Merek Solan: Yesterday, one of them released a bat into the air.
Void stared at the screen lazily.
Void: Okay.
Director Halden Krowe spoke calmly.
Director Halden Krowe: Then they sat down.
Void blinked once.
Void: …and?
General Kael Draven frowned.
General Kael Draven: They waited.
Void leaned back in the chair.
Void: Waiting for what?
Director Halden Krowe folded his hands.
Director Halden Krowe: That is exactly the question.
Silence filled the room.
Void rubbed his face.
Void: Let me get this straight.
Void: You called me here…
Void: Because two random guys threw a bat in the air?
No one answered.
Void stood up.
Void: Yeah.
Void: I'm not doing that.
General Kael Draven frowned.
General Kael Draven: Void—
Void waved his hand dismissively.
Void: If they're just normal humans, send the police.
Void: Or soldiers.
Void: I hunt monsters.
Director Halden Krowe said nothing.
Void stretched his arms.
Void: Call me when something interesting happens.
WHOOSH.
Another violent gust of wind blasted through the room.
Void disappeared.
Silence followed.
General Kael Draven slammed his fist lightly on the table.
General Kael Draven: He can't just ignore orders!
Director Halden Krowe suddenly raised his voice.
Director Halden Krowe: Silence!
The room froze.
Director Halden Krowe exhaled slowly.
Director Halden Krowe: He's right.
General Kael Draven blinked.
Director Halden Krowe turned toward the screen again.
Director Halden Krowe: We do not deploy Void for trivial matters.
Advisor Merek Solan adjusted his glasses.
Advisor Merek Solan: Then we send soldiers.
Director Halden Krowe shook his head.
Director Halden Krowe: I want one hybrid observing them.
General Kael Draven frowned.
General Kael Draven: You believe they might be dangerous?
Director Halden Krowe stared at the screen.
Director Halden Krowe: I believe they might not be human.
The room fell silent again.
Then General Kael Draven spoke quietly.
General Kael Draven: There is one option.
Director Halden Krowe looked at him.
General Kael Draven hesitated.
General Kael Draven: Project S.
Advisor Merek Solan looked uneasy.
Advisor Merek Solan: Are you sure?
General Kael Draven nodded slowly.
General Kael Draven: He is cautious.
General Kael Draven: But he is effective.
Director Halden Krowe looked between both men.
Then he spoke.
Director Halden Krowe: Wake him up.
The City
Nick's eyes widened as they entered the streets.
Nick: Whoa…
Massive buildings towered above them.
Cars sped through wide roads.
Crowds of people moved in every direction.
Nick spun around slowly.
Nick: Look at that car!
Nick: Bat, did you see that thing?
Bat was walking calmly beside him.
But several people were staring.
Bat noticed.
Bat: People keep looking at me.
Nick glanced at him.
Nick: Well…
Nick: It's not like you look normal.
Bat said nothing.
Nick suddenly froze.
Nick: FOOD!
He sprinted toward a nearby stall.
A man stood behind a large grill, cooking thick slices of meat over open flames.
Nick leaned over the counter.
Nick: Two!
Nick: Please!
The seller handed him two pieces of cooked meat.
Nick immediately started eating.
The man held out his hand.
?: Pay.
Nick froze.
Nick slowly looked up.
Nick: Uh…
Nick: I don't have money.
The meat seller's eyes widened.
?: WHAT?!
?: Then drop the food!
Nick clutched the meat protectively.
Nick: I can't!
Nick: I'm starving!
The seller slammed his hand on the counter.
?: Pay or drop it!
The argument quickly drew attention.
Then—
A calm voice spoke.
Girl: Don't worry.
Everyone turned.
A young woman stepped forward and handed the seller money.
Girl: I'll pay.
The seller took the money.
?: Hmph.
?: Fine.
He returned to his grill.
Nick blinked in surprise.
Nick: Uh… thank you.
Bat nodded slightly.
Bat: We appreciate it.
The girl smiled gently.
Girl: It's nothing.
Nick wiped his mouth.
Nick: I'm Nick.
Bat spoke next.
Bat: My name is Batista.
Nick choked.
Nick stared at him.
Nick: What kind of name is that?!
Bat shrugged.
Bat: Bat is the shortened version.
The girl laughed softly.
Girl: Nice to meet you both.
Bat nodded.
Bat: And your name?
The girl smiled.
Girl: My name is Maya.
Nick grinned.
Nick: Well, Maya, you just saved our lives.
Maya waved her hand casually.
Maya: Just helping. Sorry, I'm going to be late.
She turned and began walking away.
Nick waved.
Nick: Bye! Hope we see you again!
Bat watched her leave quietly.
Nick stretched happily.
Nick: What a nice girl.
Bat didn't respond.
On his shoulder—
The small bat twitched.
Bat's eyes followed Maya disappearing into the crowd
Bat: …Yeah.