The sky above New Echelon was still—thick with clouds that looked ready to burst.
You stood at the top of the old watchtower with Ada, overlooking the city.
She leaned against the railing, silent, her eyes following the trails of distant transports.
"They're not kids anymore," she said softly.
You nodded. "No. And neither are we."
Below, in the depths of the safehouse, Lia sat beside the white-eyed child—ECO—while Kairo adjusted his gear, tension in every motion.
"She's dangerous," Kairo said. "Not because she's a threat. But because she feels familiar. Like... she belongs with us."
Lia didn't answer at first. She just kept watching ECO's slow, rhythmic breathing.
Finally, she whispered, "That's what scares me."
He looked up. "You think she's ours?"
"I think she's everyone's," Lia said. "Zeyren built her as a key. But she's still just a child. And I won't let them use her."
Kairo sat beside her. "Then we protect her."
Back above, Ada turned to you. "Zeyren's not sending Nova alone. He knows our team's too strong."
You smirked. "Then he'll send someone for me."
Ada's gaze sharpened. "Be careful. If it's Seris, she'll try to break you before she fights you."
"She can try."
You pulled your jacket tight and checked your comm.
Down below, a soft ping rang in Kairo's earpiece.
"They're here," he said.
Split Paths.
Scene A – Safehouse interior
Nova phased through the walls again, flickering like a dying star.
This time, Ada was ready. She met Nova mid-blink with a shockwave burst, sending the assassin tumbling into the debris.
"You don't get to take what's not yours," Ada snapped.
Kairo flanked from the side, driving Nova toward Lia—who stood firm, eyes locked.
Nova grinned. "Oh, family bonding. How sweet."
Then she flicked her hand—and dropped a pulse grenade straight at ECO.
Lia moved like lightning—grabbing the child and hurling a barrier shield between them just as the grenade detonated.
Smoke. Silence. Then Lia's voice through the dust:
"You messed with the wrong family."
They moved as one—Ada from the left, Kairo from the right, Lia from center—three storms converging.
Scene B – Rooftop, opposite district
You landed like thunder on the rooftop, facing off with a new threat.
Grimm—the half-dead juggernaut, armor plated, arms like cybernetic wrecking balls. Red optics burning through his visor.
"Zeyren sends his regards," he growled, cracking his knuckles. "You'll make good scrap."
You cracked your neck.
"I'm not the one who's going to break."