The intense fight to escape the penthouse was chaotic. Elara and Takumi worked seamlessly, fending off the agents with precise movements and coordinated tactics. Takumi, with his sharp instincts, stayed close to Nobubaki, ensuring the boy didn't get overwhelmed. Elara's sharp eyes scanned the scene, her gun taking down soldiers with quick, calculated shots.
In stark contrast, Alexei stumbled through the fray, distracted and tipsy. A half-empty bottle dangled from his hand, his unsteady movements making it unclear whether he was part of the fight or simply trying to avoid it. He muttered curses in Russian as he weaved around the chaos, more focused on taking sips than contributing to their survival.
As they reached the rooftop, their escape plan fell apart. Soldiers were already waiting for them, rifles trained and forming a solid perimeter. A tall figure stepped forward, his presence commanding and confident.
"Elara," the man said, his tone dripping with familiarity. His voice was smooth yet threatening, carrying a weight that sent a chill through the group. "You've always had a way of getting yourself into trouble. I warned you this would happen."
Elara's eyes narrowed, her body tensing. "Kane," she spat, her voice icy. "Still playing the lapdog for the higher-ups, I see."
Kane smirked, unfazed by her insult. "And you're still running, Elara. Still dragging people into your mess."
As they spoke, Nobubaki's breathing grew labored. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and his vision blurred. He clutched his chest, struggling to stay on his feet. Takumi noticed immediately, his face hardening with concern.
"Nobubaki," Takumi said urgently, stepping closer. "What's happening?"
Nobubaki didn't respond. Instead, he let out a sharp gasp as an overwhelming surge of energy erupted from his body. A powerful shockwave rippled outward, forcing everyone—soldiers, Kane, even Elara and Takumi—to brace themselves against the force. The rooftop trembled, and cracks began to form in the concrete beneath their feet.
Takumi cursed under his breath. "This is bad. Supes will pick up on this energy. We need to move now."
Elara, her usual composure shaken, turned to Takumi. "We don't have time. He's going to get us all killed at this rate."
Nobubaki collapsed, unconscious. Takumi caught him before he hit the ground, his jaw tightening. "We're not leaving him."
Before they could regroup, the sound of rotors filled the air. A helicopter descended onto the rooftop, its spotlight blinding as it illuminated the group. The soldiers closed in, their weapons ready.
And then Alexei, who had been leaning against a wall sipping his bottle, straightened up. His unsteady demeanor vanished, replaced by a sharp focus. He tossed the bottle aside, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a sleek, tech-like glove.
He slid it onto his hand, the device glowing faintly as it activated. Alexei raised his hand toward the helicopter, and suddenly, the aircraft jerked violently. The pilot fought for control, but it was no use. The helicopter moved as though it were a toy in Alexei's grasp, tilting and spinning erratically.
Alexei smirked, his voice laced with amusement. "You want to play? Let's play."
He manipulated the helicopter with an almost lazy confidence, swinging it around to scatter the soldiers on the rooftop. The rotor blades came dangerously close to the edge, sending debris flying. The soldiers scrambled for cover, their formation breaking under the chaos.
Takumi, still holding Nobubaki, shot Alexei an incredulous look. "Took you long enough to do something useful."
Alexei shrugged, his smirk widening. "What can I say? I'm a man of timing."
Elara rolled her eyes but didn't waste time. "Keep them distracted. We need to find a way out."
As Alexei continued to toy with the helicopter, Takumi and Elara carried Nobubaki toward the far end of the rooftop, searching for an escape route. Kane's voice rang out, cutting through the chaos.
"You can't run forever, Elara!" he shouted, his calm facade finally cracking. "This ends tonight!"
Elara didn't look back, her focus on the task at hand. "We'll see about that," she muttered, determination blazing in her eyes.
The fight wasn't over, but with Alexei's tech glove in play and Takumi and Elara's quick thinking, they had a slim chance of turning the tide in their favor.
The scene opened with the steady hum of a car engine slicing through the quiet night. The dim glow of streetlights flickered past the windows, casting fleeting shadows inside the vehicle. Takumi gripped the steering wheel, his expression focused and unreadable, his eyes scanning the deserted road ahead. Beside him sat Elara, her posture relaxed but her sharp eyes occasionally darting to the rearview mirror, as though she expected trouble to follow them.
In the backseat, Nobubaki stirred awake. His head was cradled on Alexei's lap, and Alexei, who looked far too smug for someone in a life-or-death escape, absentmindedly toyed with the boy's hair as if he were a baby. When Nobubaki's eyes snapped open, panic shot through him, and he sat up abruptly, startling Alexei.
"Whoa!" Alexei exclaimed, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Easy, kid. No need to scream; I'm not your babysitter."
Nobubaki's wide eyes darted around the unfamiliar car. "Where am I?" he demanded, his voice shaky.
"China," Elara answered flatly, not bothering to turn around.
"China?!" Nobubaki echoed, his voice rising in disbelief. He pushed himself back against the seat, his breathing quickening as if trying to make sense of the impossibility.
The car rolled through a quiet neighborhood, its streets lined with modest, neatly kept homes. The area was serene, the kind of place where the air smelled faintly of flowers and damp earth, and the soft murmur of voices could be heard through open windows. Lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, illuminating pathways lined with cherry blossom trees, their petals fluttering to the ground like a delicate snowfall.
Yet, this neighborhood had its peculiarities. Here and there, people stood in small groups, casually showcasing their melics. A child floated a handful of glowing marbles in midair with a flick of his fingers, while a teenager sat on a rooftop, flames dancing lazily across his palms. An elderly man strolled by, trailing shimmering, crystalline structures that sprouted from the ground with every step. It was oddly tranquil, as if superpowers were no more extraordinary than everyday hobbies.
Nobubaki rubbed his temples, trying to piece things together. "Why are we in China?"
Takumi glanced at him briefly through the rearview mirror. "We're here for someone," he said simply, his voice even.
"Someone?" Nobubaki asked, looking between the three of them. "Who?"
"Our last team member," Elara said cryptically, her tone implying she wasn't about to explain further.
Nobubaki hesitated, his mind still racing. "Back there...when I passed out. Did I… did I do something?"
Takumi's hands tightened briefly on the steering wheel. "That energy surge—was that your melic?"
"I… don't know," Nobubaki admitted, frustration creeping into his voice. "It's a mystery to me too. I didn't even know I had one."
Elara's lips twitched into a faint smirk, though she remained silent.
As they continued down the quiet street, Alexei shifted in his seat, muttering under his breath. "I still don't get it," he said, running a hand through his hair. "I have the entire FBI database at my fingertips. Every file, every lead, every trick to find someone—and yet, they found me ."
He glanced sideways at Elara, his sharp blue eyes narrowing. "That doesn't sit right with me."
Elara's shoulders stiffened slightly, though she didn't turn around. "What's your point, Alexei?"
"My point," he said, leaning forward just enough for his words to drip with suspicion, "is that this whole thing has your handwriting all over it. You arranged it."
Elara didn't respond immediately, but when she did, it was with a sly, almost mischievous smile. "You think too much, Alexei."
He huffed, leaning back and crossing his arms, but his gaze lingered on her for a moment longer. Something wasn't adding up, and he wasn't about to let it go.
Nobubaki, still disoriented, glanced between them, sensing the tension. "Who is this person, anyway?" he asked cautiously.
"You'll see," Elara said, her cryptic tone returning. "Trust me, you'll like her."
Nobubaki began to become stressed and anxious wondering who this people were and who he was about to meet the thoughts began to flow in his head but for his vengeance he will do anything.