The city lights faded behind him as Nate sprinted across the open highway. The moon cast a silver glow over the empty landscape, but something about the night felt wrong. Antrasite stirred within him, whispering in his mind.
"Something is coming."
Nate didn't have time to process the warning before a force slammed into him from above.
He barely had a second to react before he was sent crashing into the ground, skidding across the asphalt. Pain shot through his ribs as he struggled to his feet, breathing heavily.
A figure emerged from the darkness.
He was just like Antrasite—a towering shadow of power, but sharper, more refined. His aura pulsed with an overwhelming force, something darker, something... stronger.
The Hunter had arrived.
---
The Battle
Nate barely had time to brace himself before The Hunter vanished and reappeared behind him, delivering a devastating kick to his spine.
He flew forward, tumbling over the cracked pavement.
"He's fast—faster than me," Nate thought, rolling to his feet. He summoned his energy, but The Hunter was already on him again, grabbing him by the throat and slamming him into the ground.
"You're pathetic," The Hunter growled. His voice was deep, distorted—almost like Antrasite's, but more malicious. "You think you can protect this city?"
Nate struggled, summoning every ounce of his strength, but The Hunter simply tightened his grip.
"Antrasite... is nothing compared to me."
With that, The Hunter plunged his fist into Nate's side, sending a shockwave of pain through his body. Nate gasped, blood dripping from his mouth. His vision blurred as he hit the ground, his body screaming in agony.
For the first time since gaining his powers... he couldn't move.
The Hunter stood over him, watching coldly. Then, without another word, he turned and vanished into the shadows, leaving Nate to bleed out on the cold ground.
---
The Rescue
The sound of screeching tires broke through the night.
Henry skidded to a stop, jumping out of the van. His heart pounded as he saw Nate's broken body lying in the road, blood pooling beneath him.
"Hang in there, kid," Henry muttered, lifting Nate as carefully as he could. His suit was shredded, his breathing ragged. Henry had never seen him this bad.
The drive back to the hideout was a blur. As soon as they arrived, Henry rushed him to the med-bay, working frantically to stabilize him.
The Hunter had left a message without saying a word.
And Henry knew one thing for sure—this was only the beginning.