The ruins of Ghoran trembled under the pressure of boots and roaring winds as Squad Umbra advanced through the hollowed tunnels beneath the city. Kaizen marched in silence, his fists clenched, mind still spiraling around the truths he had seen—visions of fire, pain, and something darker lurking within his veins.
Cavros, at the front, barked orders, his voice echoing off the stone walls. "Sweep left. Secure the southern shaft. Kaizen, take rear watch with Mira and Tenzo."
Kaizen nodded, his eyes scanning the jagged walls. Ayaka wasn't here. Her absence sat like a weight on his chest.
Just then, a low rumble rolled through the tunnel. The temperature dropped.
"Movement, northwest!" shouted Mira.
Before they could react, the wall exploded. Dust and debris blinded their vision as a massive Bist tore through the stone—its body fused with metal-like armor, claws like sabers.
"AMBUSH!"
The squad scattered as the Bist lunged. Mira tried to dodge, but the beast's claw tore through her side. Her scream was blood-curdling.
"MIRAAAA!"
Kaizen reached for her, but another Bist erupted from the ground behind Tenzo.
"Behind you!" someone screamed.
Too late. The Bist crushed Tenzo's skull against the wall with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed across Kaizen's face.
"FALL BACK!" Cavros yelled, blades slicing through flesh as he tried to cover the retreat. "Regroup near Shaft Delta!"
Kaizen stood frozen, vision blurring, the world twisting into madness. Screams. Blood. Death.
Then it happened.
His veins ignited with searing heat. The air warped around him. Fire danced across his skin like a living thing.
His eyes blazed red.
"No… not now..."
Another Bist pounced toward him, jaws wide.
Kaizen roared and exploded into motion. Flames erupted from his hands as he smashed his fist into the creature's chest. The Bist shrieked, its body imploding in a burst of burning light.
Squad members who saw him froze—watching in terror as Kaizen ripped through the Bist with an unnatural fury.
"He's... one of them…" someone whispered.
Before Kaizen could react, three more Bists surged forward.
But then—
A flash of light. A figure cloaked in obsidian shadow leapt between Kaizen and the attackers.
A Bist. But different.
Her form was sleek, her body covered in runes that glowed dim blue. Her movements were fluid, almost human.
She blocked a strike meant for Kaizen and hurled the enemy away. Then turned to him.
"Run. You're not ready yet."
Kaizen's breath caught in his throat. This Bist… wasn't attacking him.
"Who... who are you?"
But before she could answer, spikes of corrupted stone shot from the ceiling. One pierced her shoulder. Another grazed her leg. She cried out, staggering back.
Kaizen moved to help, but Cavros grabbed him. "MOVE! She's stalling for you. We regroup now!"
The squad pulled him back as the tunnel began to collapse. The last thing Kaizen saw was the mysterious Bist kneeling in pain, eyes meeting his with urgency—and sorrow.
Then everything went black.
---
They emerged near the surface, battered and bruised. Only six of the twelve members had survived.
Cavros looked at Kaizen, blood smeared on his armor. "You saved us... but what the hell are you?"
Kaizen didn't answer.
He was staring at the tunnel.
Staring at the place where she had fallen.
And somewhere deep inside him, something whispered:
> "Find her… Before they do."