Ninja knelt amidst the shrieking alarms, the crimson light of the reactor casting him in shades of blood and shadow. His katana was embedded in the steel floor like a tombstone, its blade trembling faintly with the vibration of the ship's failing systems. He gripped the hilt tightly, as though the weapon were the only thing anchoring him to this crumbling reality.
The scorched outline of Aiden's form still marred the ground before him, a haunting, final reminder of the battle that had just claimed his closest friend. The acrid scent of burning circuits stung his nostrils, mixing with the metallic tang of blood in his mouth. His heartbeat was thunderous, yet slow, as if each beat dragged his soul deeper into despair.
"Aiden…" Ninja's voice was a whisper, raw and broken. He clenched his jaw, willing himself not to cry. But the grief was a tidal wave, surging up to choke him.
The sound of a footstep echoed behind him.
His head snapped up, the katana sliding free from the floor as he turned sharply. Emerging from the corridor was a figure, silhouetted against the flickering emergency lights. The man was clad in navy armor, his face obscured by a sleek, mirrored mask. A long, curved blade rested casually in his gloved hand, and the way he moved—calm, deliberate—was unnervingly confident.
"Who are you?" Ninja growled, rising to his feet. He positioned his katana in front of him, the tip aimed squarely at the stranger.
The man in navy cocked his head slightly, his voice smooth and cold. "A witness, perhaps. Or a judge. That depends on how you handle yourself." His mask gleamed, reflecting Ninja's battered form. "You're grieving. I can see it in the way you stand. And yet, here you are, still holding that blade. Admirable. But pointless."
"State your business," Ninja demanded, his tone razor-sharp.
The Merc laughed softly, the sound low and mocking. "Business? This isn't business. This is entertainment." He took another step forward, his sword sliding into a ready position. "Show me, Ninja. Show me if you're worth the price of all this death."
Before Ninja could respond, the Merc lunged. His blade flashed in the dim light, its arc precise and deadly. Ninja barely blocked in time, their swords colliding in a shower of sparks. The force of the blow reverberated through his arms, but he held firm.
"You talk too much," Ninja spat, shoving the Merc back and countering with a series of swift strikes. His katana became a blur, each movement honed by years of training. But the Merc moved like water, flowing around every attack with an ease that bordered on arrogance.
"You're quick," the Merc observed, parrying a strike aimed at his neck. "But you're sloppy. Grief dulls the mind, doesn't it?"
"Shut up!" Ninja roared, his movements growing more aggressive. He feinted to the right, then spun, bringing his blade down in a brutal arc. The Merc sidestepped at the last moment, his sword flicking out in a blur.
Pain exploded in Ninja's face. He stumbled back, his hand flying to his right eye as blood poured down his cheek. The Merc's blade had grazed him, leaving a jagged, diagonal wound.
"You're welcome," the Merc said coolly. "A reminder that sentimentality has no place on the battlefield."
Ninja's vision blurred, half of the world consumed by red. He clenched his teeth, forcing himself to focus through the searing pain. "You'll regret that," he growled, his voice a low snarl.
The Merc chuckled, his stance relaxing slightly. "I doubt it. But I've seen enough for now." He twirled his blade, stepping back toward the reactor's elevated platform. "You're not ready to face me—not yet. But soon, Ninja. Soon, you'll be worth my time."
A swirling blue portal materialized behind him, its edges crackling with energy. The Merc stepped onto the platform and turned back, his expression unreadable behind the mask. "Grieve for your friend, if you must. But don't forget—grief is a chain. If you don't break it, it will drag you into the abyss."
With that, he stepped into the portal and vanished, leaving Ninja alone once more.
—-
For a moment, Ninja stood frozen, his chest heaving as the adrenaline coursing through him began to wane. He lowered his katana, his fingers brushing against the wound on his face. The pain was sharp, but it was nothing compared to the ache in his chest.
The Merc's words lingered, like the echoes of a distant storm. Was he right? Was grief chaining him, blinding him to the fight ahead? Ninja clenched his fists, forcing the doubt aside. No. His grief wasn't a weakness—it was his fuel. He had failed Aiden, but he wouldn't fail the others.
The ship trembled violently beneath his feet, a deep groan echoing through the structure. The reactor's alarms screamed louder, warning of imminent catastrophe. Ninja turned and sprinted down the corridor, his boots pounding against the floor as he raced to find the others.
—-
"Ninja!" a voice called out, cutting through the chaos.
He skidded to a halt, spotting Jean and Captain Max staggering toward him. Jean's face was pale, his wide eyes filled with terror, while Max leaned heavily on him, blood staining his uniform. The sight of them—alive—sent a wave of relief crashing over Ninja.
"You're hurt!" Jean exclaimed, his gaze locking on the blood streaming down Ninja's face.
"I'm fine," Ninja said quickly, brushing off the concern. "What about you two?"
"The reactor's going critical," Max rasped, his voice strained. "We have minutes—if that."
Jean looked back down the corridor, his expression conflicted. "What about Jayden and the others? They might still be—"
"There's no one left," Max said grimly. "We're the last. Now move!"
Jean hesitated, his fists clenching. "No… Jayden can't be—"
"Jean!" Ninja barked, grabbing his arm. "We don't have time! If you want to honor them, we have to survive. Let's go!"
Jean's breath hitched, but he nodded reluctantly. Together, they hurried through the crumbling ship, the walls groaning as the Skeld began to tear itself apart.
—-
They reached the escape pod bay just as a massive explosion rocked the ship. Ninja shoved Max and Jean inside, climbing in after them and slamming the door shut. His hands flew over the controls, initiating the launch sequence.
The pod's engines roared to life, and seconds later, they were hurtling away from the Skeld. Ninja watched through the viewport as the ship that had been their home was consumed by fire. The explosion lit up the void, a final, blinding burst of light before the darkness swallowed it whole.
Inside the pod, silence reigned. Max leaned back, his eyes closed, his breathing shallow. Jean sat with his head in his hands, his shoulders shaking. Ninja stared out into the endless expanse of space, his chest heavy with the weight of what they had lost.
He reached up, his fingers brushing against the fresh wound on his face. The Merc's words echoed once more: *Break the chain.*
Ninja closed his eyes. He didn't know if he could. But he knew one thing—he wouldn't stop fighting. For Aiden. For Jayden. For everyone they had lost.
The battle was far from over.