The city lights blurred into streaks of blue and white as the transport bike roared through the narrow streets. Aria clung to Elias's back, her eyes darting to the shadows and flickering lights that zipped past. The hum of the Tribunal's drones grew louder, their spotlights sweeping the streets like giant eyes searching for prey.
Elias swerved sharply around a corner, the bike leaning at an angle that made Aria's stomach drop. "Hope you're not afraid of heights!" he shouted over his shoulder.
"Just drive!" she snapped, tightening her grip. "And watch out for the—"
He barely missed a street vendor's stall, sending a flurry of holographic fruits flying. Aria heard the vendor's annoyed shout as they sped past. "See?" Elias said, his voice full of fake cheer. "Told you this would be fun!"
Aria groaned, a mix of annoyance and adrenaline pumping through her. "You have a strange definition of fun."
Ahead of them, a drone banked hard, blocking their path. Its spotlight illuminated their faces, and Aria squinted against the harsh light. "Elias, we've got company!"
"Not for long," he said, grinning. He twisted the bike's handlebars, and they shot into a side alley, the bike's wheels skimming the narrow walls. The drone adjusted its course, following them, its scanner whirring as it locked onto their location.
Aria pulled out her stun device, its blue light flashing to life. "Keep it steady!"
Elias gave her a thumbs-up. "Sure thing. But, you know, if you miss, we're probably going to crash."
"Great pep talk," she muttered, leaning out just far enough to aim at the drone. Her heart pounded as she took the shot. A burst of blue energy shot forward, striking the drone's propulsion system. Sparks flew, and the drone wobbled, its spotlight flickering.
"Nice shot!" Elias said as the drone spun out of control and crashed into the side of a building, exploding in a shower of sparks.
"Thanks," she replied, a satisfied smile creeping onto her face. But her triumph was short-lived. Up ahead, more drones appeared, their searchlights converging like a swarm of angry fireflies.
Elias's face turned serious. "Looks like they called for backup."
Aria glanced over her shoulder, watching the drones close in. "They really don't like us, do they?"
"What can I say? I'm a charming guy." Elias flashed a grin, but his eyes remained sharp as he scanned for an escape route. "Hold on—we're going vertical."
Aria's eyes widened. "Wait, what?"
Elias gunned the engine, and the bike shot forward, aiming straight for a ramp leading to an elevated track. They launched into the air, the city falling away beneath them as they soared. For a moment, Aria felt weightless, the wind whipping through her hair. The rush of adrenaline was overwhelming.
The bike landed with a jolt, and she held on tight as they raced along the elevated track. Below, the city stretched out like a grid of neon veins, and the hum of the drones grew faint. For a moment, it felt like they had outmaneuvered them.
Aria exhaled, her grip loosening slightly. "We might actually make it."
But just as she said it, a drone shot up from below, its light locking onto them. Elias cursed under his breath. "They just don't quit, do they?"
"Got any more tricks up your sleeve?"
"Always." He nodded ahead. "See that tunnel?"
Aria squinted, spotting a narrow opening ahead. "You're not serious."
"Dead serious." He winked. "And don't worry—if this goes horribly wrong, I promise to tell you a joke first."
Despite herself, she laughed. "Deal."
The drone surged closer, its scanner whirring loudly as it prepared to fire. Elias pushed the bike to its limits, the engine roaring as they sped toward the tunnel entrance. Aria held her breath as they shot into the darkness, the drone hot on their trail.
Inside, the tunnel was a blur of steel and light, the walls narrow and unforgiving. The bike's headlights pierced the darkness, and Aria felt her pulse quicken as she saw how little room they had to maneuver. Elias ducked low, his hands steady on the handlebars.
"Just a little further," he muttered. "We'll lose them in here."
The drone's lights flashed behind them, and Aria felt a surge of heat as a blast of energy narrowly missed them. "They're gaining!"
Elias's face was set with determination. "Trust me."
The tunnel opened up ahead, revealing a split in the path—one side led to a sharp drop, while the other veered upward at a steep angle. Without hesitation, Elias took the upward path, the bike's wheels screeching as they climbed.
Aria glanced back. The drone followed, but its larger frame couldn't match their maneuverability. It wobbled, struggling to adjust, and clipped the edge of the tunnel wall. Sparks erupted, and the drone spun out, crashing into the tunnel with a loud explosion.
"Another one down," Elias said, his voice light with triumph. "I'm on a roll tonight."
Aria shook her head, her pulse still racing. "How many escape plans is that now?"
"This?" he said, glancing back with a grin. "This is a bonus plan. Didn't even make the original list."
She laughed, the tension easing just slightly. "Well, I have to admit, your bonus plans are pretty effective."
Elias slowed the bike as they emerged from the tunnel, pulling onto a quieter, elevated path that overlooked the city. The drones' hum faded into the distance, and for the first time in what felt like hours, the air was calm.
Aria exhaled, finally releasing the tight grip she had on his jacket. "Okay, I'll give you this one—you got us out of that mess."
Elias shrugged, pretending to be modest. "Eh, it's all in a day's work. And it helps to have a brilliant scientist as backup."
She rolled her eyes. "Don't get used to the compliments."
He laughed, slowing the bike to a stop. "Fair enough." He turned, his eyes meeting hers. "But seriously, good job back there. I mean it."
Aria felt a flicker of warmth but quickly pushed it aside. "Thanks. But we're not out of this yet."
Elias's expression turned serious again. "No, we're not. But we have some time before they regroup. We'll need to lay low for a bit, then head for the next anomaly site."
Aria nodded, feeling the weight of their mission settle over her once more. "Right. So where's this rendezvous point?"
Elias smirked, putting his helmet back on. "You'll see. And don't worry—it's a five-star spot."
"Why do I have a feeling you're overselling it?"
"Because I probably am." He winked. "But it'll be fun. I promise."
Aria sighed as she climbed back onto the bike. "Just keep driving."
As the bike sped off into the night, Aria felt the wind on her face, the city's lights stretching out before them like a vast ocean. Despite everything—the danger, the uncertainty—she couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement. Maybe, just maybe, working with Elias wasn't such a bad idea after all.
But she knew better than to get comfortable. There were still too many questions, and the Tribunal wasn't done hunting them yet.