Xiyan stood at the edge of the rooftop, her breath shallow as the wind swept across the city. The crimson glow of the setting sun cast long shadows on the streets below. Every inch of her body was wired for the coming mission, her sniper rifle snug against her chest, hidden by the dark jacket she wore. Her eyes scanned the area with intense precision—every movement in the crowd, every flicker of light in the windows. She was waiting for the signal.
Qiao Zeyan's voice came through her earpiece. His tone was tight, but there was no mistaking the urgency.
"Xiyan, we've got a situation. The target's about to make a move. The countdown's at three minutes. Get in position, now."
Xiyan's fingers tightened around the rifle. Her instincts screamed at her, telling her that something was off. But there was no time for hesitation now. She shifted, sliding into position behind the barrier that concealed her from view, the city stretched out beneath her like a sprawling labyrinth of secrets.
Her heart raced, but she forced herself to focus. A cold calm washed over her as her mind sharpened, every detail falling into place. The target had to die. This was her chance to get closer to Hydra, to uncover the truth of what had happened to her family. She wouldn't waste it.
As the countdown ticked down, a figure appeared in her peripheral vision, casting a long shadow in the growing dusk. Xiyan froze, her eyes narrowing. The figure was a silhouette against the fading light, tall and lean. She recognized the posture, the slow, deliberate movements.
"You're getting too close to the truth, Xiyan," a voice whispered—low, almost imperceptible, like the wind itself. The shadow figure stepped closer, just out of the range of her rifle's sightline.
Xiyan's pulse quickened. She didn't need to look up to know who it was. The Shadow. The same person who had appeared in her dreams, whose whispers she couldn't escape.
Her hand twitched on the sniper's trigger. But she held herself in check. This figure had been lurking in the background for too long. She wasn't about to let him derail everything now.
"You're too late," Xiyan replied, her voice steady. "I've already made my choice. This ends tonight."
The Shadow chuckled softly, the sound unnerving in its quiet confidence. "You think you can erase everything? You think you can stop what's already in motion?"
Xiyan clenched her jaw. "I don't care about your games, Shadow. If you're not here to help me, then stay out of my way."
There was a moment of silence before the figure turned to leave, a laugh echoing through the air. "We'll see, Xiyan. We'll see…"
She didn't have time to dwell on the cryptic warning. Her target was still in motion.
As Xiyan's gaze locked back onto the target, her finger hovered over the trigger. The seconds stretched out, the world narrowing to the scope of her rifle. She could feel the weight of the decision—every mission, every shot, brought her closer to the truth, but it also pulled her further from her humanity.
The target's movements were swift, too swift. Xiyan's instincts screamed at her again. This wasn't part of the plan. Her fingers tightened around the trigger, ready to fire. But something shifted—another figure appeared, moving with speed and precision, intercepting her target.
She cursed under her breath. "Not now..."
The moment was gone.
Xiyan watched helplessly as the target and the new figure vanished into the night, disappearing into the maze of city streets. She was too late. Her shot had been ruined.
Her earpiece crackled again. It was Qiao Zeyan, but his voice was distant and tense. "Xiyan, don't move. You're being watched. There's someone else in the field, and they know you're here."
Xiyan's heart stopped. Her eyes darted around the rooftop, scanning the shadows.
"I'm not the one they're after," she muttered. Her voice was sharp, but a thread of doubt wove through it. "What the hell is going on?"
Before she could react, a sharp click sounded from behind her. Xiyan spun, only to find herself face-to-face with a barrel of a gun.
Her hand instinctively reached for her own weapon, but it was too late. The gun was already raised, the dark figure standing too close for comfort.
The figure was tall, their face hidden by a mask. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Xiyan's pulse thundered in her ears, and every muscle in her body was prepared to fight.
The figure spoke, their voice low and chilling. "You've been a thorn in Hydra's side for too long, Yan Xiyan. It's time you learn the consequences of your actions."
Xiyan's mind raced. Hydra's reach was deeper than she'd imagined, and this wasn't just some random operative. This was personal.
"Who sent you?" Xiyan demanded, her voice icy, unwavering.
The figure stepped closer, almost daring her to make a move. "It's not who sent me. It's who you are. You're walking a dangerous path. And if you keep going, you'll lose everything—your life, your past… even the people you think you're protecting."
Xiyan's eyes flickered for just a moment—an old memory resurfaced. But she quickly shut it down, focusing on the threat before her. She wasn't here to lose.
With a flick of her wrist, she pulled a small blade from her belt, the gleam of it catching the light as she prepared for the fight of her life.
"You're wrong," she whispered. "I've already lost everything. Now, I'm just taking it back."
The first strike came too quickly for her to dodge, and the figure's blow sent her reeling backward. But Xiyan didn't hesitate. She retaliated with precision, her blade flashing in the night as she slashed at the figure.
It was a fight of shadows—fast, silent, and deadly.
With each move, Xiyan could feel herself slipping further into the abyss. The line between friend and foe was blurring, and there was no guarantee she would emerge from this night unscathed.
But she couldn't stop now. She couldn't afford to.
As the fight raged on, the figure finally made a fatal mistake—underestimating Xiyan's resolve. With one swift strike, she disarmed them and pinned them to the ground.
"This isn't over," the figure growled, their mask slipping slightly to reveal an unsettling smile.
Xiyan's grip tightened. "No. But it will be soon."
With that, she stood, leaving the figure behind as she disappeared into the darkness, her mission far from over, but the next step closer than ever.