The night had become a storm of fire, steel, and shattered stone. The rooftop groaned, cracked, and finally gave way beneath them, sending chunks of masonry plummeting into the abyss below. Lilith's pulse thundered in her chest as she leapt, fire trailing from her fingertips, the wind clawing at her body, threatening to rip her off balance. Beside her, Kazuki mirrored her movements, blade poised, every muscle coiled in anticipation. The hunter followed with terrifying grace, moving through the chaos as if the storm itself bent around him.
The city lights far below twinkled like distant stars swallowed by darkness, a cruel reminder of how far the drop would be if they faltered. Lilith's mind raced, memories clawing to the surface. The hunter's words from before echoed in her ears: Do you remember the blood oath? The promises you buried centuries ago? Every heartbeat pressed the past against her chest, mixing rage, fear, and a pulse of forbidden desire she refused to name.
