Reaching the upper levels of Stark Tower, Metis and Natasha found themselves facing more resistance. Chitauri soldiers had breached the building's higher floors, using the broken windows to enter.
"We're close," Natasha said, her breathing steady despite the climb. "Stark's lab should be two floors up."
A loud crash echoed from above. Metis looked up, just in time to see one of the Chitauri ships smash through a wall, debris raining down on them. He grabbed Natasha's arm and pulled her to the side just before a massive chunk of concrete slammed down where they'd been standing.
"Keep moving!" he yelled, already firing at the incoming Chitauri.
The narrow hallways became their battlefield. Metis moved quickly, firing at every Chitauri that crossed his path. Each kill fueled his system's progress, his level creeping higher. He could feel his abilities sharpening with every encounter. His vision was clearer, his reactions faster.
Chitauri Unit Defeated: +100 XP.
Level 7 Achieved.
Natasha was already ahead of him, her movements fluid and deadly. She fired her Widow's Bites, the electric blasts stunning several Chitauri soldiers before she put them down with her pistols.
"Don't fall behind!" she called back, ducking under another bolt of alien energy.
Metis caught up just as a Chitauri ship fired a massive energy blast into the building. The floor shook violently, throwing them both against a nearby wall.
"We need to get out of here!" Natasha shouted, already back on her feet. "That thing's coming down!"
Metis nodded, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the emergency exit. The ceiling above them cracked and groaned, debris raining down. They leaped through the door just as the entire floor collapsed, the ship above tearing through the building.
As they reached the rooftop, the city stretched out before them—a war zone. Chitauri ships filled the sky, energy blasts lighting up the skyline. Explosions erupted everywhere.
"There!" Natasha pointed toward a distant platform where Iron Man and Captain America were fighting off a squad of Chitauri. "We need to get to Stark."
Metis didn't hesitate. He sprinted toward the ledge, his mind already working through how they'd cross the gap between buildings. The next rooftop wasn't far, but the Chitauri ships circling above made it a death trap.
"Jump!" Natasha yelled, already leaping across the gap.
Metis followed, landing hard on the next rooftop just as a Chitauri ship swooped down, firing a barrage of energy bolts. He rolled out of the way, pulling Natasha to cover behind an air vent.
"We need to take that thing down," Natasha said, breathing hard but still focused.
Metis scanned the ship's trajectory. "I've got a plan. Cover me."
He dashed toward the edge of the roof, drawing the ship's attention. It turned, angling for another attack. Metis kept running, his system feeding him predictions on the ship's movements. When it fired, he dove to the side, avoiding the blast by inches. As the ship passed overhead, Natasha fired a precise shot, hitting its engine.
The ship sputtered and careened toward the rooftop. Metis leaped onto it as it passed, ripping open a panel and disabling its controls. The ship spiraled downward, crashing into the streets below.
He landed hard, rolling to absorb the impact. Natasha was already there, pulling him to his feet. "Nice work."
"Let's keep moving," he replied, the system still buzzing with incoming updates.
They sprinted across the rooftop, ready to join the Avengers in the final battle. The fight for New York was far from over.