The city was drowning in its own darkness. Neon lights buzzed and flickered, casting jagged shadows on rain-drenched streets. Max Slade stood on the rooftop of a dilapidated building, looking out over the sprawling urban sprawl. His trench coat flapped in the cold night wind, and his eyes scanned the horizon with the wary gaze of a man who'd seen too much. Beside him, Vivian's presence was a steady reminder that he wasn't alone in this fight, even if the weight of the city's corruption seemed like a solitary burden.
Vivian's voice cut through the silence, low and determined. "We've taken down Cartwright's operation, but the city's still teeming with his remnants. They're like cockroaches, Max. Crush one, and a dozen more scuttle out of the shadows."
Max took a drag from his cigarette, the ember casting a brief, warm glow on his rugged features. "We need to find the source, Vivian. Cartwright was just one head of the hydra. We need to sever them all."
