The city was quiet in the early morning hours, but Kael could feel the tension crawling along every alleyway, every rooftop, every streetlight. His encounter with the sentinel had left him drained, yet more alive than he had ever felt. Something in him had changed—something primal, something that hummed with the pulse of the Nexus itself.
Aria led him through the maze of side streets toward a nondescript warehouse at the edge of District 12. "You need backup," she said. Her tone was sharp, almost impatient. "The Null Order doesn't stop at scouts. They're testing you, yes, but now they're escalating. You'll need someone with experience in… human-level combat before you face their next wave."
Inside the warehouse, the space was dimly lit, metal beams casting long shadows over stacks of crates. A figure leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, a cigarette dangling from his lips. He had the look of someone who had seen too much, yet survived it all. Broad-shouldered, scarred, and with eyes like cold steel, he exuded a quiet menace.
"Ryken Holt," Aria introduced, "former mercenary, trained in infiltration and unconventional warfare. He doesn't trust Revenants—or anything supernatural—but he's the best you've got."
Ryken's eyes flicked to Kael, sharp and calculating. "So, you're the ghost they're whispering about," he said, voice low and gravelly. "Marked by some… network? Call it what you will. I don't care. I care about survival."
Kael nodded cautiously. The energy thrumming in his chest felt alive, aware, almost sentient, and he could sense Ryken's skepticism like a shield. "I don't expect you to trust me," Kael replied. "But I'll need you if we're going to survive what's coming."
Ryken exhaled smoke, studying Kael as if weighing him like a piece of equipment. "Survival, huh?" he said. "Fine. But remember this—nothing supernatural in this city gets a free pass. You kill it, or it kills us. No heroic speeches. No second chances."
Kael clenched his fists, understanding immediately: Ryken Holt would not coddle him, and he wouldn't wait for miracles. This was reality. Harsh, dangerous, and merciless. Exactly what Kael would need.