The rain hammered down on the streets of Lumina Prime, pooling in the cracks of its grimy pavement. Neon signs flickered overhead, their glow casting a sickly rainbow over the crowded alleys. Humans, elves, orcs, and creatures of myth jostled for space in the chaotic sprawl of the cyberpunk city. Skyscrapers loomed like dark sentinels, their windows lined with holographic ads promising everything from cybernetic upgrades to enchanted potions.
A muscle car roared through the slick streets, its matte-black exterior shimmering under the neon haze. Inside, Axe Zain gripped the wheel with one hand, the other adjusting the volume on the hard rap blasting through the speakers.
"You think we'll make it in time?" Tone Core asked from the passenger seat, casually loading a magazine into his custom handgun.
Axe smirked, his green eyes gleaming in the rearview mirror. "I didn't soup up this ride for nothing. Hold on."
He slammed the accelerator, and the car fishtailed before straightening out, weaving expertly between traffic. Behind them, two UIPD cruisers followed, their sirens piercing the din of the city.
"Backup's slow as hell," Tone muttered, shaking his head.
"They're not me," Axe replied with a shrug.
The police chatter crackled over their comms. "Suspects sighted in Harmony Square. Troll gang, possibly armed. Proceed with caution."
Tone scoffed. "Bro said 'caution.'"
Axe grinned and floored the gas.
The car screeched to a halt at the edge of Harmony Square, just as the suspects made their move. A massive troll smashed through a jewelry store window, snatching an armful of enchanted gems. His gang—a chaotic mix of goblins and dark elves—spread out, tossing smoke bombs to disorient the crowd.
"Game time," Axe said, throwing the car into park.
The team spilled out of the car with practiced precision. Summer Love darted for high ground, her rifle slung across her back as she vaulted onto a nearby balcony for a vantage point. Alia Heart adjusted her fingerless gloves, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.
"Let's do this quick," she said. "I got a manicure in an hour."
Dice Stallion hopped out last, adjusting his jacket and cracking his knuckles. "A manicure? For what? You punch goblins and slime balls for a livin', girl."
The troll growled as Axe approached, drawing his pistol.
"This doesn't have to end with you face down in the dirt," Axe called out. "But, you know, it'd make my day."
The troll roared, hurling a stolen gem at Axe with crushing force. Axe ducked, and the gem shattered against the side of his car. He froze, staring at the dent and scratch on the pristine matte-black finish.
"Oh, now it's personal," Axe muttered, diving forward and firing a stun round into the troll's chest. The massive creature stumbled and collapsed with a thud.
Nearby, Alia and Dice tag-teamed the goblins. Dice tripped one with a sweeping kick, while Alia snatched its satchel, dodging a swipe of its claws.
"Nice!" Dice said, grinning.
"I know," Alia shot back, tossing the satchel aside without breaking stride.
On the balcony, Summer tracked the dark elves with her scope. One of them was scaling a fire escape, likely to provide cover fire.
"Shoulda covered that thin booty first," she murmured with a smirk, firing a tranquilizer dart. The elf yelped before tumbling back down.
By the time the UIPD cruisers arrived, the chaos was over. The troll lay unconscious, bound with glowing cuffs, while the rest of the gang sat in a grumbling heap under the watchful eyes of the squad.
"That's how you do it," Axe said, dusting off his jacket.
Back at UIPD headquarters, the team filed into the Chief's office.
Chief Marlowe stood behind his desk, his hulking frame made even more imposing by the cybernetic enhancements gleaming under his uniform. His steely gaze swept over the confiscated evidence laid out on the table.
"You stirred up a hornet's nest," he growled, tapping a glowing vial with one thick finger. "This points directly to Malchior Blackthorn."
"The warlock kingpin?" Tone asked. "The guy running the underground black market, right?"
Marlowe nodded grimly. "We've just intercepted intel that he's been hired for his biggest job yet, by President Draven Voltaire himself."
Axe leaned casually against the wall, his trademark smirk intact. "Let me guess, it's not delivering flowers."
Marlowe's glare silenced him. "The target is Princess Elaria of the Elven Kingdom. Her heart is a rare magical artifact. If Blackthorn succeeds, Voltaire could amass enough power to control every dark creature in the system."
The room fell silent.
"You've been assigned to protect the princess," Marlowe continued. "She's arriving at the royal embassy tomorrow. You'll be her security detail. This mission cannot fail."
Axe groaned. "Babysitting? Seriously?"
Tone raised a hand in protest. "Nah, man, this ain't what I signed up for!"
"Protecting royalty?" Dice said with a grin. "Fancy. Does this come with a pay raise?"
"Dice!" the rest of the team snapped in unison.
Marlowe's lips twitched in what might have been a smirk. "Only if you survive. And if you do, I promise you all a well-deserved vacation."
Axe pushed off the wall, his excitement returning. "So where's this damsel in distress?"
Alia shot him a sharp look. "Boy, you don't even care."
Tone clapped Axe on the back. "Hey, vacation's a vacation."
Alia whirled on Tone. "Put your hands on me again and see what happens."
"Girl, you trippin'," Tone muttered, backing away.
Marlowe's eyes narrowed as he glanced at the team. "She's doomed," he muttered under his breath.