The next day dragged.
Caden moved through school like he was half-asleep. Teachers noticed. Friends noticed. Even Eli, across the room, could tell something was off.
By the time the final bell rang, Caden didn't stay to talk.
He went straight home.
And straight to the bunker.
Eli already had footage pulled up.
Multiple screens flickered with slowed-down clips from the courthouse fight, angles enhanced, heat signatures highlighted.
"Hey," Eli said, not looking away. "I ran the footage."
Caden stepped closer.
"What'd you find?"
Eli zoomed in on a single frame—the moment the demon-tech brute was shot.
"The shooter… movement pattern, weapon signature… it matches STF combat style."
Caden froze.
"…Oh."
He ran a hand through his hair.
"You think they caught on?"
Eli gave him a look.
"Caden… you're not just dealing with gangs anymore."
He leaned back in his chair.
"You're about to be dealing with the STF."
Caden exhaled slowly.
"Well… that doesn't change anything."
Eli frowned.
"It should."
"They still have hostages," Caden said firmly. "And there's still a bounty on me."
Eli shook his head.
"This isn't smart. You're going to get yourself killed if you don't start thinking ahead."
Caden grabbed his helmet.
"I'll be fine."
Eli sighed.
"…I'll prep the Night Skimmer."
Across the galaxy, inside the STF HQ,
The hangar buzzed with activity.
Ian adjusted his gear while Renn Varos checked his weapons.
Ian smirked.
"This is going to be fun."
Renn glanced at him.
"Fun?"
"Yeah," Ian said casually. "Feels like scouting for college."
Renn chuckled.
"…For an elite combat unit."
They stepped into their vehicle and lifted off.
Graven Hollow.
Night had fallen again.
Ian and Renn landed quietly on a distant rooftop overlooking the city.
Smoke drifted through the streets below.
Then,
A sleek silhouette dropped from the sky.
Caden's Night Skimmer.
He landed on a nearby building and jumped out.
Ian's eyes sharpened.
"…Bingo."
Renn pulled out a small device.
"Tracker?"
Ian nodded.
"Place it on the vehicle. He can't detect it."
Renn moved instantly.
"Already on it."
Moments later, they followed from the shadows.
They watched as Caden slipped into the abandoned courthouse again.
Inside, He moved fast. Efficient. Silent.
Freeing civilians. Disarming enemies. Never staying in one place too long.
Renn observed carefully.
"He's clean."
Ian nodded slightly.
"Better than I expected."
Outside,
Heavily armored gang vehicles rolled into position, surrounding the building.
Renn glanced at Ian.
"Do we step in?"
Ian shook his head.
"Not yet."
His eyes stayed locked on Caden.
"Let's see what he does."
The vehicles burst through the courthouse walls.
Caden reacted instantly.
He sprinted forward, leapt onto one of the vehicles, ripped open the driver-side door, and threw the driver out mid, motion.
Then he took control.
The vehicle roared through the debris, slamming into gang members and scattering the rest.
Renn smirked.
"He uses his environment well."
Ian's voice stayed calm.
"That's exactly what we need."
Then,
A massive semi-truck exploded through the building.
The ground shook.
The back doors flew open.
A demon stepped out.
Larger. Stronger.
This one wasn't just tech-enhanced.
This was something else.
Caden dropped a smoke bomb.
The room filled instantly.
The demon charged through it,
And struck.
Caden was hit before he could fully react, thrown hard into the rubble.
Renn turned sharply.
"Sir,"
Ian didn't hesitate this time.
"Go."
The two moved.
Fast.
Precise.
They entered the courthouse like ghosts.
Renn cut down armed thugs before they could even react.
Ian moved straight for the demon,
One clean strike.
One decisive blow.
The fight was over almost instantly.
Dust settled.
Caden pushed himself up slowly, coughing.
Then he saw them.
Two figures standing in front of him.
Calm.
Untouched.
Watching.
Renn Varos.
And,
The Sixth Great.
Caden's instincts kicked in.
He ran.
But Renn was faster.
In seconds, he closed the distance, grabbed Caden, and pinned him effortlessly.
"No need to run," Renn said calmly.
He walked him back toward Ian.
Ian studied Caden for a moment.
Not as an enemy.
Not as a threat.
But as something else.
"We've been watching you," Ian said.
"Everything you've done over the past few days."
Caden stayed silent. Ian stepped closer. "We're not here to stop you." A small pause.
Then,
"We're here to offer you something."
Caden looked up.
Ian's voice stayed steady.
"A place in the STF."
Renn added quietly,
"And help building something new inside the Galactic Empire."
Ian held his gaze.
"A new division."
The city burned behind them.
And for the first time,
Caden wasn't just being hunted.
He was being chosen.