The air inside the abandoned warehouse was thick with dust and tension. K's fingers curled into a fist as he tried to process everything the chase, 712's piercing gaze, and the artifact now bound to him like a second skin. His heart was still pounding, adrenaline making his hands shake. James moved swiftly, securing the doors with a metal beam before activating hidden mechanisms that sent barriers clicking into place.
"She's relentless," James muttered. "If she found us this fast, she'll find us again."
Daw whirred, scanning the surroundings. "Confirmed. Multiple heat signatures approaching from the east. Estimated time until engagement: four minutes."
K exhaled sharply. "Great. So we run again?"
James shook his head. "No. This time, we fight."
K blinked. "Fight? You expect me to take on a group of trained assassins? I barely survived running away."
James smirked slightly. "You don't have to win. You just have to hold your ground long enough."
He reached into his coat, pulling out a small device. With a flick, it expanded into a sleek baton, humming with energy. "I'll handle 712. You focus on the ones coming after you."
K hesitated, then looked down at the gauntlet. It had chosen him, whatever that meant. Maybe it was time to stop running and start fighting back.
"Daw, any weak points in the structure?" K asked, straightening up.
The drone beeped. "South wall is partially collapsed. Could create a tactical bottleneck."
James grinned. "Good thinking. We funnel them, control their movement. Let's give them a welcome they won't forget."
K felt a nervous excitement creeping in. He was about to fight for his life—but for the first time, he wasn't alone.
The First Strike
The moment the first explosion rocked the building, K knew their time had run out. A section of the east wall blew inward, metal shards spraying like shrapnel. K ducked, shielding his face as smoke and dust filled the air. Through the haze, dark figures emerged, their silhouettes blending with the swirling debris.
"Engaging hostiles," Daw reported, its mechanical body shifting into a defensive position beside K.
James was already moving. He dashed forward, his baton a blur as he struck down the first operative. The weapon crackled with energy, sending the enemy sprawling to the ground, convulsing. Without missing a beat, James turned, blocking an incoming strike with precision.
K swallowed hard, forcing his body into action. A figure lunged at him, a blade glinting in the dim light. Instinct took over,he raised his left arm, and the gauntlet reacted. A pulse of energy burst forth, colliding with the attacker and sending them crashing into a pile of crates.
"Whoa," K muttered, staring at his own hand in disbelief.
"No time to be amazed, kid," James called over the chaos. "Keep moving!"
More figures swarmed through the broken entryway. 712 stepped in last, her presence commanding. She moved with deadly grace, eyes locked onto James.
"You never learn," she said coolly, drawing twin daggers from her belt. "This fight is pointless."
James tilted his head slightly. "Then why are you still here?"
She smirked before vanishing in a blur of motion. James barely had time to react before she was on him, their weapons clashing in a flurry of strikes too fast for K to follow.
Holding the Line
K had no time to watch James's battle. Two more operatives were charging straight at him. He braced himself, willing the gauntlet to respond. As the first attacker lunged, the artifact pulsed, and a shimmering barrier flared to life. The enemy's strike rebounded, throwing them off balance. K seized the opportunity and swung his fist forward. The energy-enhanced punch sent the operative flying.
The second attacker hesitated just long enough for Daw to strike. The drone fired a focused energy blast, hitting the enemy square in the chest. They collapsed, unconscious.
"Status?" K asked, breathing hard.
"Enemies regrouping," Daw reported. "More inbound."
K turned toward James just in time to see him barely evade a lethal slash from 712's dagger. She was fast—too fast. Every move James made, she countered with terrifying precision.
K knew they wouldn't win this if something didn't change.
He glanced toward the weakened south wall. An idea formed. "Daw, scan structural integrity. Can we bring it down?"
Daw beeped. "Possible. Controlled detonation required."
K clenched his jaw. "Do it."
The drone whizzed away as K ran toward James. "We need to go, now!"
James didn't take his eyes off 712 but nodded slightly. "On my mark."
712 smirked. "Running away again?"
James didn't answer. Instead, he pivoted sharply and kicked a crate at her, forcing her to dodge. "Now, K!"
K raised his gauntlet. "Daw, fire!"
A pulse of blue light shot from the drone, striking the weakened wall. A second later, it gave way, sending a massive chunk of debris tumbling into the battlefield. Dust and rubble filled the space, separating them from 712 and her operatives.
James grabbed K's arm, dragging him toward the exit. "Move!"
They sprinted into the alley, the night air hitting them like a shock. Behind them, 712's enraged voice echoed through the ruins.
"This isn't over!"
A Temporary Refuge
They didn't stop running until they reached the far end of the district. James finally slowed, leaning against a crumbling wall to catch his breath. K doubled over, hands on his knees.
"Well," K panted, "that… went great."
James chuckled, though there was little humor in it. "You held your own."
K looked down at his gauntlet, flexing his fingers. "I don't even know what this thing is really capable of."
James sighed. "You will. But for now, we need to stay ahead of them."
Daw hovered between them. "Immediate pursuit unlikely. We have a temporary window."
K looked at James. "What now?"
James glanced toward the city skyline, his expression unreadable. "Now, we prepare for the next fight."
K swallowed hard, realizing that this wasn't just about survival anymore. He was in the middle of something much bigger than himself. And for better or worse, there was no turning back.