The black-armored assassin didn't wait.
He lunged, his blade cutting a scar into the night air itself.
Akira dodged—not just with speed, but with style. She spun, her coat flaring, landing lightly on a nearby streetlamp before springing again. The world slowed for her now—every flicker of movement sharp and clear.
"You're faster than I thought," he said, voice calm even as they both blurred across the skyline.
She smirked over her shoulder. "You haven't even seen me try."
Rooftops blurred beneath her feet. She leapt an entire street in one bound, boots smashing into a billboard as she launched herself forward again. The assassin kept pace—barely.
Below, the mercenary who had stayed behind earlier jumped into a black motorcycle, roaring to life. His eyes met hers briefly as he swerved into the chase, cutting through traffic like a knife.
Akira decided to play.
She dropped from the rooftops mid-leap, landing on the back of a moving truck before springing onto the bike, her hands gripping his shoulders.
"Miss me?" she whispered in his ear.
He nearly lost control. "You—"
Her nails traced his jawline before she shoved him off—gently enough that he landed rolling, not dead. She took the bike, revving it so hard the back tire screamed.
The assassin landed on the truck behind her, sprinting forward at inhuman speed.
"Try to keep up," she called, weaving between cars at 200 miles per hour.
The city lights became streaks. The night air roared in her ears. She could feel the power thrumming in her veins, every motion effortless, every heartbeat a drum of adrenaline.
Ahead, a massive Sentinel—easily three stories tall—dropped into the middle of the freeway, blocking her path.
Perfect.
She stood on the moving bike, let it barrel forward riderless, and at the last second, launched herself high into the air. Her talons flashed as she came down, driving through the Sentinel's chest in one clean strike.
Metal screamed. Sparks rained. The machine collapsed in a heap of twitching limbs.
When she landed, the assassin was already there, blade at her throat.
"You're done running," he said.
She tilted her head, lips curling. "Who said I was running?"
Then she vanished—reappearing behind him, her breath hot against his ear.
"Maybe I'm hunting you."
His eyes widened for the first time.
🔥 Cliffhanger: The assassin realizes Akira's not just keeping up—she's outpacing him, and she's toying with him like prey. But what's hunting who might flip in the next heartbeat…