Kain adjusted the combat knife strapped to his thigh, his mind racing through the possibilities. The plan was reckless—breach the Central Node, erase his execution order, and expose the Cipher Lords.
But before that, he had to survive.
And E-07 was already hunting him.
The Wraith led him through a series of hidden passages beneath the city. Their pace was swift, urgent. Every second counted.
"We need to reach the safehouse before nightfall," The Wraith muttered. "That's our only chance to—"
They stopped.
Kain felt it too.
A presence. Watching. Waiting.
The shadows ahead shifted, and a low, distorted voice echoed through the corridor.
"You trained me better than this, K-03."
Kain's blood ran cold.
E-07 had found them.
---
A Fight Against His Own Shadow
A figure stepped forward, their face hidden behind a high-tech mask. The voice was calm, measured—just like he had taught them.
"You knew I'd come," E-07 said. "So why run?"
Kain's fingers twitched toward his holster. "Because I don't have time for this."
E-07 tilted their head. "Then I'll make it quick."
They moved.
Kain barely dodged the first strike—a blade aimed straight for his heart.
He countered, twisting to slash at E-07's side, but they were already gone. A blur of motion, a whisper of steel. This was the problem with training the best.
They became too damn good.
The Wraith pulled out a compact pistol, but Kain barked, "Don't!"
This wasn't just a fight.
This was a test.
E-07 was assessing his movements, predicting his responses, forcing him into a pattern. If he played this wrong, they'd read him like a book.
His only chance was to break the rhythm.
---
The Breaking Point
Kain lunged, but not at E-07.
Instead, he grabbed The Wraith and threw them backward.
E-07's blade struck—but missed its mark.
The assassin hesitated, just for a split second. That was enough.
Kain twisted, slamming his elbow into their ribs. E-07 staggered back, and Kain followed up with a brutal kick to the knee.
The assassin collapsed against the wall.
For the first time, they faltered.
A single, whispered breath. "You really are desperate."
Kain clenched his jaw. "You don't have to do this. The Cipher Lords are using you—just like they used me."
E-07 tilted their head. "I know."
A small beep echoed through the corridor.
Kain's stomach dropped.
A remote tracker.
E-07 had already called in reinforcements.
They hadn't come to kill him.
They had come to stall him.
---
Nowhere Left to Run
The Wraith grabbed Kain's arm. "We have to move. Now!"
Heavy footsteps echoed in the distance. More operatives—Cipher Lords' enforcers.
Kain locked eyes with E-07. "You knew I'd escape."
E-07's voice was quiet. "I was counting on it."
Then, before Kain could react, E-07 vanished into the darkness.
The trap was set. The hunt had begun.
And Kain was officially out of time.