Jackie barely had time to breathe before the first creature lunged.
It moved like a nightmare—half-human, half-beast, with a jaw unhinged too far, limbs too long, dragging claws that sparked against the concrete as it charged.
The cloaked man stepped forward, faster than her eyes could follow. With one smooth motion, he drew a curved blade from his back and slashed through the creature. It hit the ground in two smoldering halves.
But more were coming.
Dozens more.
Jackie backed away instinctively. Her breath caught in her throat as she felt the heat return—like it was building up inside her chest again, clawing to get out.
"You said we fight," she growled, forcing herself to stand her ground. "Then show me how."
He turned his head slightly, just enough to speak without looking back. "You already know."
One of the Unmade leapt toward her. She didn't think—she reacted.
With a roar, Jackie raised her arm and flames burst from her palm, blasting the creature mid-air. It shrieked, burning as it slammed into a crumbling street sign and went limp.
Her heart pounded.
I just did that.
Another came from the side. She spun, dodging awkwardly, claws scraping the ground as she stumbled. Her balance was different now—more like a predator than a person.
"Stop hesitating!" the man barked. "Feel. Don't think."
Two more creatures circled her. One swiped at her leg; she jumped—higher than she should've been able to. She landed hard, but her body absorbed the impact like it was nothing. Her tail lashed out on instinct, knocking the closest creature off its feet.
Her lips curled back in a snarl.
"Okay," she whispered. "Let's see what you bastards got."
The next minutes were chaos—flashes of claws, flame, and roars. Jackie fought with clumsy rage, but each movement came easier. She stopped trying to remember how to move. She let go. Let her new instincts take over.
And when she finally stood among the smoldering remains of the last creature, breath ragged and smoke curling from her fingertips—she didn't feel fear.
She felt alive.
The cloaked man approached slowly, sheathing his sword.
"You're not fully awakened yet," he said. "But it's beginning."
Jackie wiped soot from her face, then looked at her shaking hands. "What are those things?"
"The Unmade," he replied. "People… once. Those who were touched by dragonfire but couldn't bear it."
Her stomach turned. "So that could've been me?"
He nodded grimly. "Most are consumed. Their bodies twist. Their minds break. You survived. You adapted."
Jackie looked around at the destruction, at the bodies of what used to be human. "How many are there?"
"Too many."
A silence hung between them.
Then he spoke again, quietly.
"You've taken your first step. But this world will demand more. Much more."
Jackie turned to him, eyes glowing faintly.
"Then teach me. Because if this is what I am now… I'm not going down without a fight."
The man stared at her for a long moment.
Then, for the first time, he smiled.