The night stretched long, the city humming with restless energy. Every shadow seemed deeper, every sound sharper. Lucien led the way through the maze of alleys, his senses on edge.
The girl trailed behind, her hands tucked into her coat pockets, humming a tune that was wildly out of place amidst the silence.
"You ever take anything seriously?" Lucien muttered without turning.
She grinned. "I take plenty seriously. Like food. And sleep. And fashion. Just not your brooding."
Before he could respond, the ground beneath them shuddered. Cracks splintered across the pavement as a foul heat rose from below. Lucien's pistols were in his hands instantly, silver barrels glinting under the neon light.
A claw punched through the concrete, then another. The ground exploded in a spray of debris as a hulking demon dragged itself into the open. Its skin was cracked stone, molten veins glowing beneath. Its jaw split unnaturally wide, dripping fire with every breath.
"Lovely," the girl said, drawing her blade. "And here I thought tonight was going to be boring."
The demon roared, the sound rattling glass in nearby windows. Lucien fired—rounds cracking through the air, each strike sparking against the demon's molten hide. The beast staggered but didn't fall.
The girl dashed forward, blade igniting with a faint shimmer. She leapt high, striking down across its chest. A line of glowing silver burned across the monster's stone flesh, and it howled in fury.
Lucien moved in behind her, guns blazing in perfect rhythm with her strikes. They fought as though they had done this a thousand times—her wild, reckless spins and his precise, calculated shots blending seamlessly.
For a brief moment, their movements synced—his gunfire pinning the demon, her blade slashing its throat in a single elegant strike. The creature collapsed, flames sputtering out as its body crumbled into ash.
Rain hissed against the smoldering remains. The city fell quiet again.
The girl flipped her hair back and smirked. "You know, Vale… we make a pretty good team."
Lucien holstered his pistols, eyes narrowing at the ashes. "Don't get used to it."
She laughed, her voice light against the heavy night air. But deep inside, both of them knew—something had driven that demon out of hiding. And whatever it was, it was only just beginning.