Jake's POV
After hours of flying across skies toward Malona...
I finally arrived.
At the edge of the city stood the infamous Perimeter Nexus Gate—PNG-9. A scanning system so advanced, it reads you on a quantum level. DNA, neural patterns, emotional intent, even traces of time manipulation.
You don't just "enter" Malona.
But they didn't account for me.
"Mary, pave way."
My AI companion flickered awake. Within seconds, she hacked through their security.
We were in.
Thirty minutes later, I reached the outer edge of Malona's First Base. Pressing a hidden command on my hoverbike, it lifted me silently to the rooftop of a nearby corporate building.
I scanned the entire base using SpectraLynx-VX, a device capable of deep structural, behavioral, and gravitational scanning.
They were waiting.
Of course they were.
A smirk tugged at my lips. "Showtime."
Midnight.
I dropped down, fully cloaked in my glowing blue slime suit.
A guard noticed.
"UNKNOWN IS HERE!!"
Too late.
One punch, then two. He crumpled. I zigzagged through blaster fire and vanished into the shadows. My target? The control room—where the KYNEX, the second Syntari piece, was kept.
I was close.
But I wasn't alone.
They sent the big guns.
The elite squad: The Disciples.
Noir – the machine girl.
Mr. James – hacker of the night.
Elickan – the sniper with steel nerves.
Mylo & Nylana – the blade twins.
Seven others, just as trained.
Two sword users rushed at me first.
I waited.
I analyzed.
They were stalling—for a sneak attack.
Noir lunged.
I dodged.
She missed.
I landed a precise punch and knocked her unconscious.
The rest followed, but I wasn't there to lose.
One by one, they dropped.
Until only Mr. James stood.
"Where is the KYNEX?!"
He stayed silent.
One final hit. He was out cold.
System Log: KYNEX
✔️ Found✔️ Copied❌ Deleted from their database
I bagged it and ran.
Getting out was harder than getting in.
But I didn't leave until every last pursuer was on the ground behind me.
Malona wouldn't forget tonight.
And me?
"Time to lay low."
Author's POV
Jake—UNKNOWN—invaded Malona and escaped with the KYNEX. In three hours.
A whole nation shook.
The President called an emergency council.
The Disciples? Woke up tied and beaten.
"Lock them up. Beat them every two hours. Until I say stop," the president commanded.
Malona was broken.
But Jake wasn't done.
Elena's POV – Weekend Home Break
Friday. We returned to our family estate in Erold. Grandpa greeted us warmly. Took us horse racing on Saturday.
It was... okay.
Would've been better if Jake was with me.
Sunday morning, we left for the main Hollandes mansion. Laz was already there. I ignored him.
Inside, I found guests.
An old man, woman... and John.
That annoying guy from school.
I went straight to my room, showered, and flopped on my bed.
News alert pinged.
"Malona Infiltrated by UNKNOWN. KYNEX Stolen."
I smiled.
He did it.
He really did it.
Fearless. Silent. Invisible.
Jake... or whoever you are... I hope you're safe.
Laz's POV
I had plans for the weekend. Elena, a trip, maybe something fun.
But my boss called me in.
Not to talk.
To beat me.
"Why haven't you caught UNKNOWN?"
As if I even had a lead.
He wants me to find someone who barely leaves a trace.
And now, I'm under punishment.
I'm bruised. But I'm still thinking about Elena.
Not out of love.
Out of power.
If I make her mine, I get access to her fortune. Her family's empire.
So yes, Jake pisses me off.
Because she talks about him.
Always.
"I'll crush him if I ever find him."
Sunday, I waited at the mansion gates.
She came home.
I smiled.
The game continues.
Author's Note
Jake's taking down cities, one Syntari piece at a time.
Elena's torn between obsession and curiosity.
Laz is getting more twisted by the day.
And the final Syntari piece—NYROZ—still waits in the shadows.
💥 What happens next?
💬 Drop your thoughts below, and see you in Chapter 20: The Final Key