The formation broke.
For a moment—just a moment—the pressure eased.
Adrian stood at the center of the shattered circle, shadows still coiled around his arm, steady… controlled.
But not calm.
Never calm.
The Harbingers didn't retreat.
They shifted.
Repositioned.
Watching.
Waiting.
"…That's not normal," Adrian muttered.
Kai stepped up beside him instantly.
"No. It's not."
Riven's voice came through the comms, sharp and urgent.
"They're not attacking directly anymore. Stay alert—something's off."
Adrian's chest tightened.
Something's coming.
Then—
A sound.
Faint.
Weak.
"…help…"
Adrian froze.
"…Did you hear that?"
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"…Yeah."
The sound came again.
"…please…"
From inside one of the buildings.
Adrian turned toward it immediately.
"There are still people here."
Kai grabbed his arm.
"Wait."
Adrian looked at him.
"…We don't have time to wait."
Kai's voice hardened.
"That's exactly why we need to think."
But Adrian was already shaking his head.
"No. I'm not leaving them."
The mark pulsed.
Agreeing.
Urging.
Kai noticed.
"…Adrian."
But Adrian pulled his arm free.
"I'll be fine."
Kai's grip tightened again.
"You don't know that."
Adrian met his eyes.
"…Then come with me."
Silence.
A second.
Two.
Then—
Kai exhaled.
"…Fine."
Riven's voice cut in.
"What are you doing?"
Adrian didn't hesitate.
"Civilians inside the building."
A pause.
Then—
"Damn it," Riven muttered. "Move fast. We'll hold the perimeter."
---
Inside the Building
The door creaked open.
Darkness greeted them.
Thick.
Heavy.
Wrong.
Adrian stepped inside first.
The moment he crossed the threshold—
The mark flared.
"…This is a trap."
Kai nodded.
"I know."
Behind them—
The door slammed shut.
Locked.
The shadows inside shifted.
Alive.
Adrian's breath slowed.
"…Too late now."
The faint voice echoed again.
"…help…"
From upstairs.
Adrian moved.
Fast.
Kai followed close behind.
Each step creaked.
Each shadow stretched unnaturally along the walls.
"…Stay close," Kai said.
Adrian nodded.
"I can feel them."
The deeper they went—
The stronger the pull became.
The mark burned.
"…They're not just outside…"
Kai's voice lowered.
"They're inside too."
They reached the second floor.
A door at the end of the hallway stood slightly open.
The voice came from there.
Weak.
Desperate.
"…please…"
Adrian didn't hesitate.
He pushed the door open.
---
The Trap Revealed
A child sat in the corner.
Alone.
Shaking.
Crying.
Adrian's heart dropped.
"…Hey…"
He stepped forward slowly.
"It's okay. We're here to help—"
"Adrian. Stop."
Kai's voice was sharp.
Adrian frowned.
"…What?"
Kai's eyes locked onto the child.
"…Look closer."
Adrian turned back.
The child looked up.
Tear-filled eyes.
Shaking hands.
"…please…"
Something—
Felt wrong.
Too wrong.
The mark pulsed violently.
Adrian's breath caught.
"…No…"
The child's expression changed.
The tears stopped.
The fear vanished.
And slowly—
It smiled.
"…You came."
The room exploded into darkness.
"Move!" Kai shouted.
The "child" dissolved—
Reforming into a Harbinger.
Stronger than the others.
Larger.
Its presence filled the entire room.
Adrian stumbled back.
"…It tricked us."
Kai stepped forward instantly.
"Stay behind me."
The Harbinger tilted its head.
"…You chose them… over safety…"
Adrian clenched his fists.
"…You used them."
"…We used your weakness…"
The shadows surged around the creature.
"…Your humanity…"
Adrian's chest tightened.
Kai's voice cut through.
"Don't listen to it."
But the Harbinger continued.
"…You cannot save both…"
Adrian froze.
"…What?"
The walls shifted.
The shadows split—
Revealing more figures.
Real ones.
Civilians.
Trapped.
Bound by darkness.
Barely conscious.
"…They will die…" the Harbinger whispered.
"…unless you accept us…"
Adrian's breath shook.
"…No…"
"…Or fight… and lose them…"
Kai stepped forward.
"This is manipulation."
But Adrian's eyes were locked on the civilians.
"…They're real…"
Kai's voice hardened.
"And so is the trap."
The Harbinger spread its arms.
"…Choose…"
The mark burned.
The voice returned.
Stronger than ever.
"…Save them…"
"…Take the power…"
"…You can protect them all…"
Adrian's hands trembled.
"I…"
Kai grabbed his shoulder.
"Adrian. Listen to me."
Adrian didn't look at him.
"…If I don't do anything…"
Kai's grip tightened.
"You'll lose yourself."
Adrian's voice cracked.
"…But if I don't… they'll die."
Silence.
The Harbinger smiled.
"…Yes…"
Kai stepped in front of him.
"Look at me."
Adrian hesitated.
Slowly—
He did.
Kai's eyes were steady.
Firm.
"You don't need that power to protect people."
Adrian shook his head.
"…Not fast enough."
Kai didn't flinch.
"Then trust me."
Adrian's chest tightened.
"…What?"
Kai's voice dropped.
"I'll handle the Harbinger."
A pause.
"You save them."
Adrian blinked.
"…That's risky."
Kai's lips curved faintly.
"When is it not?"
The Harbinger laughed softly.
"…You cannot defeat me…"
Kai stepped forward.
"We'll see."
Adrian clenched his fists.
The mark pulsed.
Calling him.
Tempting him.
"…Just take it…"
He shut his eyes.
"No."
The shadows around him steadied.
"I'm not doing it your way."
The Harbinger's smile faded.
Kai moved.
Fast.
His shadows clashed against the creature's.
The room shook violently.
Adrian turned.
Toward the civilians.
"…I've got you."
The shadows wrapped around his arms—
Careful this time.
Precise.
Not destructive.
He moved quickly.
Breaking the bindings.
One by one.
The civilians collapsed—but alive.
"…Almost there…"
Behind him—
The battle raged.
Explosions of shadow and force.
Kai was holding it.
But not easily.
The Harbinger roared.
"…You chose weakness!"
Adrian didn't turn.
"…No."
Last civilian freed.
He stood up.
His voice steady.
"I chose myself."
The shadows responded.
Calm.
Controlled.
Strong.
Kai glanced back briefly.
"…Good."
Together—
They turned.
Facing the Harbinger.
This time—
Not alone.