The battle was over, but the weight of it still clung to Nate like a second skin. His body ached from the fight, his energy drained from channeling Antrasite's full power. As he stood amidst the wreckage, the night air thick with smoke and debris, he could feel the city watching.
From the shadows, people emerged—cautious, hesitant. Some whispered his name.
"The Host."
The title felt heavier than ever now.
Henry approached, the ancient lamp still glowing faintly in his hands. "We did it," he said, though his voice carried a hint of unease. "He's sealed."
Nate nodded, but something gnawed at him. The Hunter had been more than just a powerful foe—he had been a force of nature, a being who had claimed to be eternal. Could something like that truly be contained forever?
As if reading his thoughts, Antrasite's voice slithered into his mind.
"This is only a temporary victory, Nate. He will return... They always do."
Nate clenched his fists. He wouldn't let that happen. Not again.
A City in Fear
As dawn began to break, news of The Hunter's defeat spread like wildfire. The city, which had once looked at Nate with skepticism, now viewed him with both awe and fear.
News reports played footage of the battle on every screen. A journalist stood outside a crumbling building, microphone in hand.
"Last night, The Host—Coast City's masked vigilante—engaged in a battle unlike anything we've ever seen. Witnesses claim his power is beyond human. The question remains: is he our savior... or something far more dangerous?"
Nate frowned at the broadcast. He had done what was right, yet doubt still clouded the air. Would they ever see him as one of them?
"Don't let it get to you," Henry said, flipping off the TV. "The city needs time."
But time wasn't something they had.
The Rising Threat
Later that night, as Nate recovered in the hideout, Henry worked tirelessly in his lab, analyzing everything they had learned about The Hunter. The origins of his power, the connection between jinns and the dark energy, and most importantly—the prison that had once held him.
Catraz.
"The gates of hell…" Henry muttered under his breath, scrolling through old texts. His expression darkened.
Nate, now fully awake, leaned against the doorframe. "What is it?"
Henry hesitated before looking up. "If The Hunter escaped from Catraz, then that means…"
Nate's stomach twisted. "He wasn't the only one."
The realization settled between them like a storm cloud.
The fight wasn't over.
It was just beginning.