The moment Vivi and Callum stepped into the abandoned subway tunnel, the air changed. It thickened, heavy with the scent of damp stone and something far worse—magic, raw and unfiltered, crackling like a live wire beneath her skin. Shadows stretched unnaturally, curling at the edges of her vision, and the distant hum of unseen voices set her nerves on edge.
System Notification: WARNING: You are entering a HOSTILE ZONE. Chance of survival: 38%. Recommendation: Turn around immediately.
Override? (Y/N)
Vivi scowled. "Oh, shut up." She jabbed the air in front of her as if that would silence the floating notification only she could see. Callum cast her a side glance, but if he noticed her random outburst, he didn't comment.
The tunnel yawned ahead, an abyss of shifting darkness. The weight of the city above them seemed to press down, as if the earth itself disapproved of their intrusion.
A soft whisper slithered along her ear. "Vivi…"
She whirled, dagger already in hand, but the space behind them was empty. Only the echo of her own breath filled the void.
System Notification: STATUS UPDATE: Fear response detected.
Heart rate: 98 BPM.
Reminder: Panicking reduces combat efficiency by 23%.
"Gee, thanks," she muttered, gripping her weapon tighter.
Callum placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch grounding. "You good?"
"Peachy."
They moved deeper. The walls, once lined with old transit maps and graffiti, had been scraped clean, the stone beneath etched with symbols Vivi knew all too well—binding sigils, protection wards, and warnings in a dozen forgotten tongues.
Then, ahead, voices. Low murmurs, the kind that spoke of secrets not meant for mortal ears.
System Notification: ENEMY DETECTED.
Number of hostiles: 6.
Threat Level: High.
Combat Tip: Aim for weak points.
Fun Fact: Most humans have 206 bones. Let's see how many remain intact!
Vivi nearly growled. "I hate this thing."
Callum didn't ask.
Instead, he pressed a finger to his lips, signaling silence. Together, they moved forward, hugging the tunnel's edge. As they crept closer, the dim flicker of torchlight outlined the figures ahead—cloaked figures, huddled around a rusted subway car, its doors pried open like the mouth of some great beast. Inside, something pulsed with a sickly blue glow.
The Veil.
Her breath hitched.
System Notification:
OBJECTIVE SIGHTED: THE VEIL.
New Status
Effect: Fate's Chosen.
Warning: This title is both a blessing and a curse. Good luck!
Vivi resisted the urge to slap herself in the face. "You've got to be kidding me."
Callum's grip on his weapon tightened. "We need a plan."
"No time," Vivi said. The energy in the air was shifting, the figures moving toward the artifact with purpose. Whatever they were planning, it was happening now.
Callum swore. "Fine. We hit hard and fast."
Vivi nodded, raising her daggers. The moment before the storm. The calm before chaos.
System Notification: BATTLE INITIATED!
Engagement Mode: Maximum Difficulty.
Tip: If you die, it will be extremely painful.
Vivi rolled her eyes. Then she lunged. She barely had time to breathe before the world around her erupted into chaos.
A deafening roar split the air as flames licked up the crumbling walls of the abandoned subway station. The acrid scent of burning metal filled her lungs, making her cough as she staggered backward. Shadows danced wildly across the cracked tile floor, flickering like living specters in the inferno's glow.
Callum was already in motion, his body a blur of muscle and fury as he yanked her behind him, shielding her from the incoming blast. A wave of heat crashed over them, scorching the edges of her coat and forcing her heart into a panicked staccato. Somewhere in the distance, screams rang out, swallowed by the roar of collapsing beams.
[WARNING: Critical Danger Detected]
[Combat Mode Activated]
[System Recalibrating… Error. Error. ERROR.]
"Are you serious?" Vivi snapped, batting away the neon-red alert flashing in her vision. The system had the worst timing imaginable.
Callum's eyes flicked to her. "What now?"
"The system's being a little bitch again," she growled, swiping at the invisible interface as if that would help. It didn't.
[Error Resolving… Estimated Fix Time: UNKNOWN.]
[Would You Like to File a Complaint? Y/N]
Vivi let out a near-hysterical laugh. "Oh, I'd like to file a complaint, alright! I'd like to file a goddamn restraining order against you, you malfunctioning piece of—"
A wall of dark energy shot past her, cutting off her rant. Callum snarled, his body shifting slightly as he positioned himself to intercept the next attack. The Black Circle had arrived.
Vivi forced herself to focus, shoving aside her frustration. The system might be a glorified parasite, but she didn't need it to tell her what was happening.
Across the station, a figure emerged from the smoke, their presence unmistakably predatory. A tall, hooded figure, draped in layers of enchanted fabric that shimmered with malevolent energy. Their voice was silk and venom, curling through the air like smoke.
"You're too late," the figure murmured. "The Veil belongs to us now."
[Hostile Identified: ???]
[Threat Level: EXTREME]
[Survival Rate: 7%]
"SEVEN PERCENT?" Vivi shouted at no one in particular. "What happened to the other ninety-three?"
[Recalculating… 6.5%]
"Oh, go to hell."
Callum's growl deepened, his entire form vibrating with the urge to strike. "Vivi, get ready."
"I was ready two death predictions ago," she muttered, gripping the enchanted daggers at her belt. A pulse of energy surged through her limbs as her instincts screamed at her to move. To fight. To survive.
The hooded figure raised a single, skeletal hand. The air thickened. Dark magic crackled between their fingers like lightning ready to strike.
[New Mission Generated: SURVIVE]
[Bonus Reward: Not Dying]
"Oh, well, thank you for that!" Vivi snarled, rolling her eyes even as she launched herself into battle.