The alley was dark, suffocated by thick shadows and the cold bite of the night. Only the glimmer of the moonlight caught the stray dog's as it walked beside him. Its calm presence was odd given the situation.
It knew better than to dismiss a warning from instincts- but tonight, It was tired, bruised, and yearning for peace.
Suddenly, the dog's fur bristled. It let out a guttural growl that was far deeper than He'd expected.
Paritraan: "Hey, what-?"
Anahata's voice buzzed urgently in my ear.
Anahata: "Incoming! Two men-front shadow!"
From the darkness, two figures in black suits materialized as if summoned by the night itself. There faces were cold, devoid of emotion, and their presence made his skin crawl.
Dog: (whispering) "Run".
The word was faint, almost inaudible, but it stopped him in his tracks.
Paritraan: (gritting teeth) "Not a chance."
The first man lunged forward. Paritraan dodged, countering with a strike to his ribs, but it was like hitting a wall. Pain shot through Paritraan's arm. Anahata activated a plasma shield around his hand.
Anahata: "Careful, they're enhanced-"
Before Anahata could finish, the second man landed a crushing blow to Paritraan's chest.
He stumbled back, coughing. Blood filled his mouth, but he didn't have time to react as they advanced relentlessly. Their attacks were precise and brutal, each punch sending shockwaves through his body.
Paritraan: (gasping) "Anahata…any ideas?"
Anahata: "yeah, stop getting hit!"
Paritraan tried everything – dodging, counterattacks, even channeling Anahata's defensive tech- but they were too fast, too strong. His body screamed in agony as they beat him down.
The dog, despite its trembling form, let out a fierce bark and launched itself at the men.
Its body shimmered in the moonlight, transforming mid-leap. Fur hardened, claws elongated, and its eyes glowed with an otherworldly light. It looked like a ferocious beast born of nightmares.
Paritraan: (whispering in awe) "what the…?"
The dog fought with raw fury, tearing into the men with claws and fangs. For a moment, it seemed like it could win. But then-
Bang!
A gunshot echoed through the alley.
The dog yelped, its body convulsing before collapsing to the ground. Blood pooled beneath it, dark and thick.
Paritraan: "No!"
Rage consumed Paritraan. He didn't care about any injuries anymore. Charged at the men, fists swinging wildly. They met his attacks with brutal efficiency, each driving him further into the ground.
He didn't care.
They'd killed the only creature that had stood by him.
His vision blurred with tears and blood, but he kept fighting until his body couldn't move.
One of the men grabbed him by the collar, lifting him off the ground.
Man in black: "Weak."
His voice was devoid of emotion, like a judge delivering a final verdict. They dropped him to the ground, his body limp and broken.
In the distance, the sound of police sirens pierced the night. The men exchanged a glance before disappearing into the shadows as swiftly as they'd appeared.
Paritraan: (whispering) "coward…"
He forced himself to his feet, pain wracking every inch of his body. Stumbling over to the dog's lifeless form, He knelt down, his hands trembling.
Paritraan: "I…I'm sorry."
Tears streamed down his face mixing with the blood. He wanted to scream, to tear the world apart for what had happened. But he couldn't…
With every ounce of strength he had left, he dragged himself away from the scene, the weight of failure heavy on his shoulders.
The door creaked as Paritraan stumbled inside. Blood dripped onto the floor, staining the tiles. Paritraan barely made it to the mirror before collapsing against the sink.
His reflection was unrecognizable. Swollen eyes, split lips, bruises darkening his face, and blood soaking every inch of his clothes. His Mask, once sturdy and gleaming, was now shattered and bent, barely clinging to his face.
Paritraan: (whispering) "You let it happen…you let it die."
Anger bubbled up inside him. He removed the mask off and threw it across the room. It clanged against the wall, landing in a heap.
Paritraan: "it's your fault!"
He clenched his fist, his knuckles white with fury. Without thinking, He punched the mirror. The glass shattered, shards cutting into his skin. Blood dripped from his hand, but he didn't care.
Paritraan: (whispering) "You were weak…and it paid the price."
The weight of guilt crushed him. He sank to the floor, broken in more ways than one.
The image of the dog, brave and loyal to the end, burned into his mind.
Paritraan: (whispering) "I…I'll never let this happen again."
Never…