The tunnel was cold.
Not just "winter cold."
Not just "I forgot my jacket" cold.
This was the kind of cold that made Arin question every life decision that led him here.
He walked beside Maya, shivering slightly.
"Okay," he said, rubbing his arms, "I officially hate tunnels now."
Maya didn't look back.
"It's temporary."
"Yeah, well, so is my patience."
They kept walking.
The tunnel stretched endlessly ahead, lit only by dim emergency lights that flickered every few seconds.
Drip.
Drip.
Water echoed somewhere in the distance.
Arin looked around nervously.
"This place looks like the perfect setup for something to jump out and attack us."
"Nothing is going to jump out," Maya said calmly.
Right on cue—
A loud metallic clang echoed behind them.
Arin jumped.
"OKAY, SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY GOING TO JUMP OUT!"
Maya sighed.
"That was just the tunnel shifting."
"Yeah, that's exactly what someone says before something attacks."
They kept moving.
Arin kicked a small rock.
"So let me get this straight," he said. "Santa is real, he got kidnapped, secret agents exist, flying killer robots are a thing, and now I apparently have some weird glowing power?"
"Yes."
"And you expect me to just accept all of this like it's normal?"
"Yes."
Arin shook his head.
"This is not how a normal week is supposed to go."
They walked in silence for a few seconds.
Then Arin spoke again.
"…Also, can we talk about how I almost died like five times tonight?"
"You didn't die," Maya said.
"Yeah, but it felt very close."
Another drip echoed.
Arin looked up.
"…Is this tunnel going to collapse?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Like… actually sure?"
Maya stopped walking.
She turned slowly and stared at him.
Arin raised his hands.
"Okay, okay. I'll stop asking questions."
They continued walking.
After a few minutes, Arin sighed loudly.
"I'm bored."
Maya blinked.
"You're bored?"
"Yes. We're walking in a dark tunnel after escaping an explosion. There's nothing to do."
Maya stared at him like she was trying to understand how his brain worked.
"You were just being chased by armed soldiers."
"Yeah, and now I'm walking in a tunnel. It's a downgrade."
Maya shook her head and kept walking.
Arin smirked slightly.
"See? You don't even have a comeback."
"I'm choosing to ignore you."
"Wow. That hurts."
They walked a bit further.
Then suddenly—
Arin stopped.
"Wait."
Maya turned.
"What now?"
Arin pointed ahead.
"Is that light?"
Far in the distance, a faint glow could be seen.
Maya nodded.
"That's the exit."
Arin sighed in relief.
"Finally. I was starting to think we'd live in this tunnel forever."
They moved faster now.
But as they got closer—
Arin's chest began to feel warm again.
He slowed down.
"…Not again."
Maya noticed immediately.
"What is it?"
"That feeling," Arin said. "It's back."
The warmth spread through his chest.
Stronger than before.
Then—
The voice returned.
"Closer…"
Arin froze.
His eyes widened.
"Maya…"
"What?"
"I hear it again."
Maya's expression changed.
"What does it say?"
Arin hesitated.
"…It says we're close."
Maya looked toward the tunnel exit.
Her face grew serious.
"That's not good."
"Why not?!"
"Because that means—"
Suddenly—
The ground shook.
A loud explosion echoed from the tunnel exit.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
Arin jumped back.
"WHAT WAS THAT?!"
Maya grabbed his arm.
"They found us."
The exit collapsed partially, blocking the way.
Through the smoke and debris…
Figures appeared.
Kraven's hunters.
Arin stared in disbelief.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
One of the hunters stepped forward.
Tall. Silent. Masked.
Definitely not friendly.
Arin sighed.
"Do these guys ever take a break?"
The hunter raised his weapon.
Maya pulled Arin back.
"Stay behind me."
Arin looked at her.
"Yeah, because that worked so well last time."
The hunter fired.
A blast shot toward them.
Arin reacted instantly.
The golden light burst from his chest again.
The blast vanished before it could hit them.
The hunters paused.
For the first time—
They hesitated.
Arin blinked.
"…Wait."
He looked at his hands.
Then at Maya.
"…Did I just scare them?"
Maya nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Arin stood up straighter.
A small grin appeared on his face.
"Okay… that's new."
The hunters adjusted their stance.
More of them stepped forward.
Maya whispered,
"Don't get confident. There are too many."
Arin looked at them.
Then back at Maya.
"Yeah… I noticed that."
He took a deep breath.
"…So what's the plan?"
Maya didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she said quietly,
"Run."
Arin nodded.
"Good plan. I like that plan."
They turned and ran back into the tunnel.
Behind them, the hunters gave chase.
Fast.
Silent.
Deadly.
Arin sprinted as fast as he could.
"This is becoming a pattern!" he shouted.
"Yes," Maya said.
"I don't like this pattern!"
The tunnel echoed with footsteps.
The chase had started again.
But this time—
Arin wasn't just running.
He could feel the power inside him growing.
Changing.
Watching.
Waiting.
And somewhere deep in the darkness ahead…
Something was calling him.
And the chapter ends with Arin realizing…
Running might not be enough anymore.