The room was dim, the hum of the overhead lights the only sound. A figure stepped into the center of the command room, his movements deliberate.
?: Alright, guys. I'm here.
A general perked up immediately.
General Kael Draven: S, you're here. Good.
The figure's gaze snapped to him.
?: Wait. From now on, I don't want you calling me S. I'm Sky. Got it?
General Kael Draven: Hah. We'll call you whatever we want.
The director cleared his throat, raising a hand to calm the tension.
Director Halden Krowe: Everyone, calm down.
Sky's eyes shifted to the general, unwavering. The other general opened his mouth to protest, but the director's sharp gesture cut him off.
Director Halden Krowe: That's enough.
Sky finally turned his attention to the director.
Sky: So… what do you want?
Director Halden Krowe: We've had a situation. A Veyrix anomaly was detected near the outskirts of the city.
Sky's eyebrow arched.
Sky: A Veyrix…?
Director Halden Krowe: Yes. It was moving in a disturbing pattern—chasing something. We sent Void to investigate, but he reported only seeing one Veyrix and two humans camping nearby.
Sky's expression hardened.
Sky: Two humans? In a Veyrix danger zone? That doesn't make sense. Why would it chase regular humans?
The generals exchanged uneasy glances.
Director Halden Krowe: Void didn't think they were hybrids, so he let them live.
Sky's jaw tightened.
Sky: He ignored them? That man is… incompetent.
A brief silence fell over the room, Sky's gaze sharp and unyielding.
Sky: So… what do you want me to do about it?
One of the generals rose from his seat.
General Kael Draven: We want you to find them. Capture them. Bring them here alive for testing. If they're not human, we can't let them go. If not…
Sky's gaze narrowed.
Sky: We can't let them go? I understand.
Sky stood up, about to leave.
Director Halden Krowe: Wait. You won't be alone. We'll send a small squad with you.
Sky smirked faintly.
Sky: Regular soldiers, no battle suits, right?
Director Halden Krowe: Correct. If they die, it won't be your responsibility.
Sky nodded once.
Sky: True. Fine. Let's get this over with.
Nightfall in the City
The streets were quiet, almost empty. The smell of smoke, food, and decay filled the alleys.
Nick shivered, pulling his coat tighter around his thin frame.
Nick: Ugh… it's colder here than in the woods.
Bat wrinkled his nose.
Bat: And it smells worse.
Nick sniffed the air.
Nick: Nah… it's not that bad.
Bat gave him a skeptical look. They huddled near a pile of discarded boxes, trying to make themselves comfortable.
Suddenly—a rustling.
A massive rat darted from the shadows, sinking its teeth into Nick's arm.
Nick: What the—?!
The wound closed almost instantly, the skin knitting itself back together. Nick looked down in shock, his arm already healed.
But when Nick wanted to show Bat, he realized that Bat was already asleep.
The rat disappeared back into the darkness, leaving only the echo of its tiny claws on the pavement.
Nick rubbed his arm, still staring at it in disbelief.
Nick: This… this is insane.