The city felt colder that night.
Not just the air—but the silence, the shadows, the way every dark corner seemed to be watching.
Adrian walked beside Kai, his hands tucked into his hoodie, trying to ignore the faint pulsing of the mark on his wrist.
"Where are we going?" Adrian asked quietly.
Kai didn't slow down.
"To them."
Adrian sighed. "You keep saying that like it's comforting."
Kai glanced at him briefly.
"It's not meant to be."
They turned into a narrow alley.
Dark. Empty.
Too quiet.
Adrian felt it instantly.
"…Kai."
"I know."
The shadows along the walls began to shift.
But this time—
They weren't chaotic.
They were controlled.
Precise.
Figures stepped out from the darkness.
One.
Two.
Three.
Five in total.
All dressed in dark, fitted clothing, their faces partially hidden. Each of them carried a different weapon—blades, chains, and something that looked like glowing talismans.
Adrian's heart dropped.
"…Those are the shadow hunters?"
Kai stepped slightly in front of him.
"Yes."
One of the figures moved forward.
A tall man with silver hair and sharp eyes.
His gaze locked onto Adrian immediately.
And then—
He smiled.
But there was no warmth in it.
"So," the man said calmly, "this is the marked one."
Adrian swallowed.
"Uh… hi?"
The man ignored him.
Instead, his attention shifted to Kai.
"You've been busy."
Kai's voice remained cold.
"Step aside, Riven."
So… that was his name.
Riven chuckled softly.
"You know I can't do that."
His eyes flicked back to Adrian's wrist.
"The mark is active."
Adrian instinctively hid his hand behind his back.
"Can you not stare like that?"
Riven's smile widened slightly.
"Interesting. He still thinks he has a choice."
Adrian frowned.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Before anyone could respond—
One of the other hunters moved suddenly.
Too fast.
A chain shot forward—
And wrapped around Adrian's arm.
"Hey—!"
The moment it touched his skin, the mark flared violently.
Adrian screamed.
"AH—!"
Dark energy burst outward.
The chain snapped instantly.
The hunter stumbled back.
Kai's shadows surged forward defensively.
"Don't touch him," Kai warned.
Riven raised a hand slightly.
The other hunters stopped.
"…So it reacts like that," Riven murmured.
Adrian dropped to one knee, breathing heavily.
"It… hurts…"
Kai knelt beside him.
"I told you," he said quietly, his voice tense. "Don't let anyone near the mark."
Adrian clenched his jaw.
"Yeah… I noticed…"
Riven stepped closer again.
Slow.
Careful this time.
"You came to us for a reason," he said.
Kai stood up, placing himself between Riven and Adrian.
"He needs help."
Riven tilted his head.
"And you think we give that freely?"
Kai didn't hesitate.
"I'm asking."
Silence fell over the alley.
The other hunters watched closely.
Then—
Riven laughed.
"Still the same," he said. "Straight to the point."
His expression shifted slightly.
More serious now.
"We don't help marked ones."
Adrian's chest tightened.
"…I figured."
Kai didn't move.
"Then listen carefully," he said. "If you don't help him, the Harbingers will take him."
Riven's eyes narrowed slightly.
"That's not our problem."
Adrian felt something twist in his chest.
So that's it…
Kai's voice hardened.
"It will be when the Void fully awakens through him."
That made them pause.
Every single one of them.
Riven's smile faded.
"…Explain."
Kai didn't look away.
"He's not just marked. He's a core."
The words hit the air like a shockwave.
The hunters tensed immediately.
Adrian blinked.
"…A what?"
Riven's expression turned serious.
Dangerously serious.
"You're sure?"
Kai nodded.
"I've seen it."
Silence.
Then—
Riven exhaled slowly.
"Well… that changes things."
Adrian didn't like the sound of that.
"Changes things how?"
Riven looked at him.
This time—
There was no amusement in his eyes.
Only calculation.
"It means," he said calmly,
"you're either the greatest threat we've ever seen…"
Adrian's heart pounded.
"…or the only chance we have to stop what's coming."
Adrian froze.
"…Stop what?"
Riven stepped closer.
Close enough that Adrian could feel the pressure of his presence.
"The Void doesn't mark people randomly," he said.
"It marks catalysts."
Adrian swallowed.
"…And me?"
Riven's voice dropped.
"You're the trigger."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Kai's hand rested lightly on Adrian's shoulder.
Grounding him.
"You said there might be a way to remove the mark," Kai said.
Riven glanced at him.
"…There is."
Adrian's eyes lit up slightly.
"Really?!"
Riven held his gaze.
"But it comes with a cost."
Adrian's hope faltered.
"…What kind of cost?"
Riven didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he turned and began walking away.
"Come with us," he said.
"If you want to live… and if you want answers."
The other hunters stepped aside, clearing a path.
Adrian hesitated.
Then looked at Kai.
"…Do we trust them?"
Kai's grip on his shoulder tightened slightly.
"No."
Adrian blinked.
"Then why go?"
Kai's eyes met his.
"Because we don't have a choice."
Adrian let out a slow breath.
"…Right."
He stood up.
The mark on his wrist pulsed faintly again.
But this time—
It felt different.
Like it was reacting to something ahead.
Something waiting.
Adrian glanced at the hunters.
Then back at Kai.
"…Let's go."
Kai nodded.
And together—
They stepped into the darkness.
Not knowing what was waiting for them on the other side.
But knowing one thing for certain—
Everything was about to change.