The first missile screamed through the sky like a burning arrow.
For a fraction of a second, everything inside the Northwatch base froze. The red alarm lights flashed across the walls, but no one moved.
Then—
"MOVE!" Lucas shouted.
The missile hit.
A massive explosion tore through the outer wall. Metal twisted, glass shattered, and a wave of heat blasted across the room.
Arin was thrown backward.
His head slammed against the floor.
For a moment, all he could hear was a sharp ringing in his ears.
Dust filled the air.
Sparks fell from the ceiling like glowing rain.
"What the heck is happening?!" Arin coughed, pushing himself up.
Maya grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet.
"They're attacking," she said.
"No kidding!"
Another explosion hit, closer this time.
The front of the warehouse collapsed completely.
Through the fire and smoke, dark figures began walking forward.
Kraven's soldiers.
They moved slowly, confidently—like they already knew they were going to win.
Arin felt his chest tighten.
"Yeah… I don't like those guys."
Lucas rushed past them toward a control panel.
"All units, defensive positions!" he shouted. "Hold them at the entrance!"
Agents grabbed weapons and took cover.
Blue energy blasts shot across the room as they opened fire.
Kraven's soldiers responded instantly.
Red blasts cut through the air.
The warehouse turned into chaos.
Arin ducked behind a metal crate.
"This is insane!" he yelled.
A blast struck the crate, shaking it violently.
Arin flinched.
"I am definitely not built for this!"
Maya crouched beside him and handed him a small device.
"Take this."
Arin looked at it.
"What is it?"
"A pulse shield. Press the button if something tries to hit you."
"Something like a laser?!"
"Yes."
"Great. That's very comforting."
Another explosion shook the building.
The roof began cracking.
Chunks of metal fell to the ground.
Lucas slid beside them.
"You two need to leave," he said.
"Leave?" Arin snapped. "They're everywhere!"
"Exactly," Lucas said. "Which means they'll focus on you."
Arin shook his head.
"No, I'm not running while you—"
A blast exploded right behind him.
Arin jumped.
"…Okay, I might run."
Maya grabbed his sleeve.
"There's an exit tunnel. North side."
Lucas nodded.
"I'll hold them off."
Arin stared at him.
"You're just staying here?"
Lucas gave a small, tired smile.
"That's my job."
Gunfire echoed around them.
Agents shouted.
The base was falling apart.
Maya pulled Arin forward.
"Now!"
They ran.
Through smoke-filled corridors and flickering lights.
Past injured agents.
Past collapsing walls.
Arin's lungs burned.
His heart pounded like it would explode.
"This is insane!" he gasped. "Why are they doing all this for me?!"
"Because you're not normal," Maya replied.
"I keep hearing that, but nobody explains anything!"
Another explosion rocked the hallway.
Arin stumbled.
Pain shot through his chest.
He stopped suddenly.
"…Wait."
Maya turned.
"What is it?"
Arin pressed his hand against his chest.
"I… I don't know."
Something felt strange.
Not outside.
Inside.
A warm feeling spread through his chest.
Slow at first.
Then stronger.
Like something waking up.
Maya's eyes narrowed.
"Arin…?"
A faint golden glow appeared beneath his skin.
Arin looked down.
"What the—?!"
The light pulsed.
Brighter.
Stronger.
Then—
A blast shot toward them from the end of the corridor.
There was no time to move.
Arin reacted without thinking.
He raised his hand.
The golden light exploded outward.
A wave of energy burst from his body.
The blast hit it—
And disappeared instantly.
Silence filled the hallway.
Arin stood frozen.
His hand still glowing faintly.
"…What just happened?"
Maya stared at him.
"That was the Santa Protocol."
Arin blinked.
"I did that?!"
"Yes."
"I didn't even try!"
"You didn't need to," she said. "It activated itself."
Arin looked at his hand again.
The glow slowly faded.
"This is seriously not normal."
Maya nodded.
"No. It isn't."
Another explosion echoed behind them.
They didn't have time.
"Come on," she said.
They reached a large metal door.
Maya pressed her hand against a scanner.
The door slid open.
Cold air rushed inside.
A narrow tunnel stretched into darkness.
"This leads out," she said.
Arin hesitated.
"What about the others?"
Maya didn't answer immediately.
Then she said quietly,
"They knew the risk."
Arin clenched his fists.
He looked back at the burning base.
At the people fighting for him.
"…I don't even understand why they're helping me."
Maya looked at him.
"Because they believe you can save him."
Arin swallowed.
"Santa."
"Yes."
He took a deep breath.
"Then I guess I don't have a choice."
They stepped into the tunnel.
Behind them—
The base exploded.
A massive fireball lit up the night sky.
Outside, Kraven Black stood in the snow, watching calmly.
One of his soldiers approached him.
"Sir, the boy escaped."
Kraven didn't look surprised.
"Of course he did."
He turned slightly.
"But now we know something important."
"What is it?" the soldier asked.
Kraven smiled.
"The power has awakened."
He looked toward the burning ruins.
"And that means… he's ready."
Kraven's eyes darkened.
"Send the hunters."
"They won't stop running."
He paused.
"And this time… neither will we."
---
Deep inside the tunnel, Arin slowed down.
His breathing was heavy.
His body still felt strange.
Then suddenly—
That warm feeling returned.
Stronger than before.
Arin stopped.
"Maya…"
She turned.
"What?"
Arin looked ahead into the darkness.
"I think… something's wrong."
The warmth spread through his chest again.
Then—
A voice echoed in his mind.
Soft.
Distant.
"Find me…"
Arin's eyes widened.
"…Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Maya asked.
Arin shook his head slowly.
"…Nothing."
But deep inside…
He knew.
Someone had just spoken to him.
And the voice felt… familiar.
And the chapter ends with Arin realizing…
The connection has begun.