The rain was lighter tonight, but the air felt heavier.
Kaien stood on the broken highway overlooking the ruins of Sector 5 — another "abandoned zone," or so the government told the public.
But from here, he could see the hidden lights, faint glows where survivors lived, unseen and unwanted by the city above.
"Your target is codenamed Ghost. Former intelligence operative. Sigil unknown. Kill on sight. No witnesses."
Kaien lowered his comm, fingers brushing the black Key of Power mark. It had grown larger, dark lines crawling toward his collarbone.
He felt the stolen fire of Ashborn still burning inside him, a weight beneath his skin.
Kaien moved through the wreckage — silent, precise.
Sector 5 had been bombed to rubble years ago. The government claimed it was an accident. Kaien knew better now.
Every shadow seemed to whisper to him as he passed.
He found Ghost at the edge of the old train yard, standing among rusted tracks and shattered cars.
A tall figure in a torn coat, a mask hiding his face. His sigil — a swirling silver mark — pulsed faintly across his throat.
Ghost didn't move as Kaien approached.
"I've been waiting for you," the masked man said. His voice was calm, almost kind.
"You kill so many of us. Do you even wonder why we run?"
Kaien said nothing, drawing power into his sigil. Black energy coiled around his hand.
"You could leave," Ghost continued. "I know what you are. I know what you've done. But I also know what they'll do to you in the end."
Kaien's gaze hardened.
"You don't know me."
"I know enough. I know you were never given a choice. Just like me."
Ghost's sigil flared, and the air shimmered for an instant, Kaien's senses twisted. It was like the world shifted.
An illusion? No — something deeper.
Kaien surged forward, the Key Sigil's power lashing out.
The silver glow dimmed as Kaien gripped Ghost's arm. Ghost shuddered, the sigil's power flooding into Kaien's mark.
But Ghost didn't fight.
He let it happen.
"Go ahead," Ghost said softly. "Take it all. But it won't change what's coming. You'll see the truth soon enough."
Kaien's blade ended it swiftly.
Later, standing in the rain, Kaien reported in.
"Target down. Sigil stripped. No witnesses."
"Understood. Return. There's another mission waiting."
Kaien lowered his comm.
But inside, the stolen power felt wrong — heavy, cold, like a curse.
And in the distance, beyond the ruined Sector 5, he saw the lights of Central Command shining like the eyes of a predator.