The silver tower in the distance shimmered under the sunlight, its sleek structure rising high above the landscape like a monument of progress. As Cipher walked toward Future City, more buildings began to appear on the horizon, each one glistening with massive glass windows that reflected the sky. It was a sight unlike anything he had ever seen.
His excitement grew with every step.
From what Axel had told him, Future City was the pinnacle of technological advancement, a place where science had surpassed the limits of imagination. The thought of experiencing a futuristic metropolis firsthand filled Cipher with anticipation.
But what he really wanted—more than the towering skyscrapers or the flying vehicles—was a hoverboard.
Out of everything that Future City had to offer, the idea of gliding through the air on a sleek, gravity-defying board resonated with him the most. If there was any chance he could get his hands on one, he wouldn't hesitate.
A grin spread across his face at the thought, but as he moved closer, something shattered the perfection of the scene.
A thick column of black smoke.
It rose ominously from one of the buildings, an ugly contrast against the gleaming city skyline. Cipher slowed his pace, eyes narrowing as he took in the scene.
Something wasn't right.
Future City looked like something straight out of a sci-fi movie—flying vehicles zipped through the sky, the streets were lined with towering structures made of metal and glass, but… there was something off.
Cipher's steps slowed as his excitement turned into suspicion.
Where was everyone?
For a city that was supposed to be bustling with life, the streets were disturbingly empty.
At first, Cipher hadn't noticed. He had been too busy marveling at the futuristic sights, but now that he was paying attention, he realized there were no pedestrians, no street vendors, no casual traffic. The only vehicles flying overhead were either law enforcement or medical transports—and that alone was unsettling.
His pulse quickened.
Picking up his pace, Cipher moved toward the city, the once-thrilling anticipation now replaced with a nagging sense of dread.
Half a mile out, he broke into a run.
The closer he got, the more unnatural the silence became.
By the time he reached the city's entrance, Cipher felt like he had stepped into a ghost town.
The streets were spotless, unnervingly so, as if no one had walked them in days. The polished metal and glass buildings still gleamed under the sunlight, but there was an emptiness to them, like hollow shells that had been abandoned in a hurry.
Cipher exhaled sharply, forcing himself to stay calm.
Then came the sirens.
Every so often, a medical vehicle or police cruiser would zip past him, breaking the eerie silence with their wailing alarms. Cipher's gaze followed each one, noticing a pattern. They were all heading in the same direction.
Something big had happened here.
And Cipher was going to find out what.
Adjusting his grip on the Twin Stars at his waist, he sprinted forward, weaving through the empty streets. The sound of his own footsteps echoed between the buildings, amplifying the sense of isolation.
Up ahead, another medical transport sped by.
Cipher didn't hesitate.
Lowering his stance, he pushed off the ground and shot forward. The wind rushed past his face as he pushed himself to keep up. To his surprise, he was actually able to match its speed.
"Wow, didn't realize I had gotten this fast! Guess all that training paid off."
He smirked, but the amusement was short-lived.
As he turned onto a side street, he froze.
The scene in front of him made his stomach drop.
The once pristine streets were now covered in debris. Shattered glass, scorched metal, and collapsed structures lined the road ahead. Medical personnel were rushing frantically between wounded civilians, their uniforms smeared with blood and soot.
Buildings that once stood tall and gleaming now bore deep scars—massive claw marks carved through the steel like paper. Some structures had entire sections missing, their interiors exposed to the open air like wounds left to fester.
Cipher's heart pounded in his chest.
He stepped forward, his boots crunching against broken glass.
A group of medics was huddled around a badly injured man, his body trembling as they worked to stabilize him. His white lab coat was stained red, his eyes darting around in panic.
Cipher swallowed hard.
"What the hell happened here?"
His gaze shifted to the center of the destruction—a massive gaping hole in one of the buildings, as if something had burst out from inside.
The black smoke that Cipher had seen from a distance wasn't from a fire—it was something else entirely. Something that still lingered in the air, coating the area in an almost tangible sense of fear.
Cipher's fingers tightened around his weapons.
Whatever had done this was still out there.
And he had a feeling it wasn't done yet.