The night was silent, but danger moved through it like a shadow.
Kayden's steps echoed against the empty streets as he carried the bag of flour. His arm throbbed where the sigil glowed faintly beneath his sleeve. Every pulse felt like a warning—someone was nearby, watching, waiting. He didn't know who had attacked his parents, but his instincts screamed that the threat was far from over.
The air was thick with tension. Streetlights flickered, throwing long shadows across the cracked pavement. Kayden's heartbeat matched the rhythm of the glowing mark on his arm. It wasn't just a warning—it was an instinct, a lifeline he couldn't ignore.
When he reached the hospital, nurses and doctors moved quickly, ushering his parents inside. Their arms bore marks from the ropes, the bruises evident, but they were alive. Relief washed over Kayden for a moment, only to be replaced by a surge of frustration. He wanted answers. He wanted justice.
Hours passed as the medical staff worked to patch up his parents. The sigil on his arm pulsed relentlessly, almost as if it could sense the lingering threat. Kayden's mind raced, connecting memories—Ragna, the Vex Crew, the strange figure watching him days ago. He didn't yet know the full picture, but he knew danger wasn't gone.
Finally, the doctors allowed him to take his parents home. Kayden supported them carefully, his eyes scanning every corner, every shadow. Every alleyway, every flickering streetlight seemed suspicious. His muscles tensed with each step. The sigil on his arm pulsed sharply again, warning him of something unseen, something close.
---
Kayden needed information. Someone had to know who attacked his home. He thought of Eren—the boy he had saved, now his friend. Eren knew the campus, the social web of students, and might have heard rumors about the gang that could target him or his family.
He found Eren near the school entrance, eyes wide and nervous. "Kayden… I heard what happened at your house," Eren said quietly. "Are you okay? Did… did you see who did it?"
"No," Kayden replied, jaw tight. "But I will. And when I do, they'll regret it."
Eren swallowed hard. "Be careful. The ones who attacked… they're not ordinary. They have connections. You might not know how dangerous this is yet."
Kayden's fists clenched. "I don't care. I don't like anyone causing harm to people. I won't run."
Eren's expression softened, worry etched across his face. "Then you have to be smart. Don't underestimate them."
The sigil pulsed again, hot and insistent on Kayden's arm. He flexed it unconsciously, watching shadows shift at the edges of his vision. Figures lingered, unseen, but he could feel them. The sigil reacted before his eyes could detect the threat.
---
Night deepened, wrapping the streets in black. Kayden's mind raced with strategies, questions, and possibilities. Whoever had attacked his home had done it intentionally—they wanted to send a message. And from the pulse of the sigil, Kayden could tell this was only the beginning.
He remembered Ragna's face, the smug confidence, the hints of a larger organization behind the gang. There had to be someone higher up, someone controlling these attacks. His instincts told him it wasn't just the Vex Crew—there was something more dangerous. Something calculating.
Kayden felt his fists tighten again as a memory from the previous day flashed in his mind. Liora's warning: "They're dangerous. Don't underestimate them." He had brushed it off, confident in his abilities. Now, the weight of her words settled heavily on him.
The sigil flared suddenly, a sharp burst of heat up his arm. He looked down. Its glow had intensified, swirling almost like it was alive. A faint hum seemed to echo from it, vibrating against his skin. It wasn't just a mark—it was warning him, guiding him, preparing him for something.
Somewhere in the distance, footsteps echoed. Kayden's heart raced, matching the sigil's pulsing. The streets seemed empty, yet the shadows told a different story. He slowed, scanning the alleyways, the rooftops, the dark corners of the street.
"Show yourself!" he yelled into the night, his voice echoing off the walls.
Nothing.
But the sigil pulsed harder, and Kayden knew he wasn't alone. He flexed his arm again, the faint glow now steady, almost like a heartbeat. Someone—or something—was nearby, tracking him.
---
Kayden and Eren spent the rest of the night discussing possibilities. They retraced the events from the last few days, piecing together what little information they had.
"Think about it," Eren whispered. "Who benefits from targeting your family? From sending a warning like this?"
Kayden clenched his teeth. "I don't know yet. But whoever did it… they'll pay. I won't let them get away with this."
Eren nodded, impressed by Kayden's determination but worried for his safety. "Just… don't let your anger blind you. Be smart. Watch for traps. You don't know who you're dealing with yet."
Kayden didn't answer immediately. His eyes flicked to the shadows. The sigil pulsed again, faster, stronger. He felt its energy like a heartbeat running along his veins.
Something was coming. Something bigger than the Vex Crew. And for the first time, Kayden realized that the danger wasn't just around him—it was watching him, waiting for the right moment to strike.
"I'll find you," Kayden whispered into the night. "And when I do… you'll regret underestimating me."
The sigil on his arm glowed brighter, responding to his resolve. It was almost as if it understood him, feeding on his determination, preparing him for the storm that was only beginning.
In the shadows, unseen eyes followed every move. A plan was unfolding, and Kayden was at the center of it.
The game had only just begun