Adam moved lightly through the trees, each step careful and deliberate. Overhead, thick clouds drifted across the sky, dimming the moonlight and darkening the world around him. The soft chorus of insects filled the air, blending with the rustling leaves as he breathed slowly, steadying his nerves.
In the distance, he spotted three buildings illuminated by harsh, artificial lights—proof that this place was far from abandoned. A tall, battered fence enclosed the area, and beyond it, a gate entrance was barely visible. A makeshift watchtower stood nearby, its floodlights washing the road in glaring brightness.
No sneaking through the front, Adam thought grimly.
Behind him, Arnold and Tia crouched low, mirroring his movements. Adam kept his body low as he scanned the perimeter, noting the lazy, uncoordinated patrols wandering about. Their sloppiness was a small mercy.
A tap on his shoulder. He turned—Arnold pointed toward a far corner of the fence, where the trees leaned heavily against the metal, casting deep shadows.
Adam nodded.
Good call.
The three of them crept toward the shadowed spot. They waited for almost an hour, making sure to stay hidden and avoid being spotted, when they saw a commotion on the other side of the base.
Looks like the raid team is here, Adam thought
Reaching the fence, Adam pressed his hand against it. It was thick—too tough for his knife to cut through.
But I can break it apart, he thought, narrowing his eyes.
He gestured for Arnold and Tia to step back. Gripping the fence with both hands, he focused his strength, pulling the metal apart with slow, grinding force. Sweat beaded on his brow as the wires strained and groaned under the pressure. Red marks flared across his palms, but they quickly faded, his body healing almost instantly.
Almost there, he thought, bracing himself. With one final pull, the metal gave way, creating a gap wide enough for them to slip through.
Breathing hard, Adam crouched and moved through the opening, with Arnold and Tia following close behind.
They huddled behind a pile of rubble just inside the perimeter, eyes locked on the three buildings ahead. The moon remained hidden behind the clouds, giving them precious cover.
"Which one should we hit first?" Adam whispered, his voice barely above a breath.
Tia stayed silent, nerves tightening her posture. Arnold rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "The nearest. I can guarantee I can jump the fence with one person if we need to escape fast."
Adam nodded, agreeing with the hidden meaning in his words.
I can handle myself if things go bad, he reminded himself.
He looked at Tia, meeting her anxious gaze.
"Let's get started."
Tia took a deep breath, resolve hardening her eyes.
"Yes."
Beside them, a massive white tiger materialized, its fur gleaming like snow even with the moonlight clouded. Muscles rippled beneath its coat as it stood tall and regal. It turned to Tia, who stepped forward and gently rubbed its face.
"Tiggy, I need you to follow Adam's commands. No trouble, okay?"
The tiger turned its head toward Adam, its golden eyes gleaming with pride—and a hint of disdain. It growled lowly, as if reluctantly agreeing. Adam scratched his cheek, uneasy.
I hope this thing doesn't cause too much trouble.
He exhaled, steadying himself. "Let's move."
He turned to Tia and Arnold. "Stay here for now. Just make sure Tiggy doesn't stray too far from your Ability's range. Tiggy—follow me."
Adam rushed toward the nearest rectangular building, its scorched facade suggesting it once served as the factory's main office. He tested the doorknob.
Unlocked.
He slipped inside—then froze.
Wait. Tiggy's too big. He won't fit through—
Before the thought could finish, Tiggy melded into the wall like liquid shadow, travelling the walls like a moving painting. Then reappearing inside as if coming into existence.
Adam's jaw dropped.
What the hell?
He looked back at Arnold and Tia. They were just as stunned, with mouths open.
Tia didn't know?
Shaking off the surprise, Adam gave Tiggy a silent nod. The tiger only met his gaze with arrogant calm.
He crept through the halls—quiet, empty. He passed windows and broken furniture, catching glimpses of Viper men outside forming a firing line at the factory gates.
So they're expecting a fight.
Room by room, Adam searched. The first floor was lined with makeshift beds, scattered clothes, half-eaten meals. A resting area. He motioned for Tiggy to follow, then climbed to the second floor. More rooms. Stockpiled rations. Crates of ammunition.
Storage.
On the third floor, Adam finally heard voices. He crouched and peeked around the corner.
Three men.
Two were talking near the window, glancing nervously outside. The third sat still, sniper rifle aimed out the window, ready.
No one had spotted him yet.
Adam looked back at Tiggy and pointed toward the two men. Then he pointed to himself, then the sniper.
Tiggy snorted in response. No verbal confirmation, but it understood.
Adam crept closer to the sniper, dagger in hand.
Remember the training. Aim for the neck. Move fast. And cover the mouth.
He lunged. The sniper noticed too late.
Adam clamped a hand over his mouth, the other slashing across the throat in one clean motion. He held on as the man thrashed, then went limp.
Silence.
Adam stared down at the body, then at his blood-stained hand.
I just killed someone.
He couldn't look away from the corpse.
I...
A sudden shove slammed into his shoulder, knocking him back. Tiggy stood beside him, gaze sharp and unimpressed. There was no sympathy in those golden eyes—only disdain at his weakness.
Mockery.
Adam clenched his jaw. Then, with a sharp slap to his own cheek, he snapped out of it.
No more hesitation.
He rose, eyes hardened.
"Thank you."
The white tiger ignored him, continuing its proud bearing.
Adam glanced at the two bodies Tiggy had taken down—both sprawled on the floor like crumpled paper.
That damn tiger's way too rough.
He and Tiggy continued sweeping the third floor. Aside from one room that resembled a meeting area—equipped with a dusty TV, a radio, and a clutter of unfamiliar machines—there was nothing useful. No sign of the kidnapped victims.
Damn. I should've told Tiggy to spare one of them...
He frowned.
Wait, would it even understand me if I did?
Cursing under his breath, Adam turned and rushed back to the ground floor, eager to regroup with Tia and Arnold.
"They're not there," he said as he approached. "No sign of the victims."
Tia fidgeted nervously while Arnold looked out toward the remaining buildings.
"Same plan," Arnold said. "We hit the nearest one."
They turned their eyes toward the looming structure ahead—a massive warehouse, likely the old production line before the fire.
They crept closer, careful not to draw attention. Tia temporarily deactivated her Ability, allowing Tiggy to vanish. The tiger was far too conspicuous in the open.
They took cover behind a collapsed section of wall just outside the warehouse. As they scanned the area, Tia suddenly tapped Adam's shoulder. He turned—and followed her pointing finger.
Up near one of the side railings, tucked in shadow, sat a lone guard. Perched on a rusted barrel, he stared out toward the distant noise coming from the factory entrance.
Adam squinted.
I can't reach him from here... Can't risk using a gun either. Too loud—and I still suck at aiming.
He let out a quiet sigh, frustrated. Barely two weeks of training and already feeling out of his depth.
Arnold studied the angle and offered an idea. "Tia, can you command Tiggy to slip into its painting form—start from the ground, move up the wall, and ambush him from behind?"
Tia nodded quickly. "I-I'll try!"
Tia quickly activated her Ability, summoning Tiggy once more. The massive white tiger emerged with a low growl, its golden eyes flicking toward her.
She reached out, gently touching his head. "Tiggy, I need you to do that thing again—sneak into the ground and hit the bad guy, okay?"
Tiggy let out a soft, grumbling huff before sinking into the earth, its body flattening and shifting into a painted form across the dirt. It slithered forward like liquid shadow, cutting across the open ground and reaching the warehouse wall in the blink of an eye.
The painted tiger began to climb, flowing up the side of the building like a living mural. The guard perched on the railing blinked, confused by the sudden image forming before him.
He barely had time to react—just enough to jump down from the barrel in alarm—before a massive paw burst from the wall.
The blow struck him square on the head, slamming him into the metal railing with a sickening clang. The man collapsed, unconscious. Probably.
"Yes!" Tia whispered, pumping her fist in quiet triumph.
Arnold and Adam nodded in approval, impressed.
"I'm going in."
Without another word, Adam dashed toward the warehouse.