The underground hideout was dim and cold, walls lined with glowing runes that pulsed faintly. Kai and Aria stood face to face, the air thick with unspoken tension.
"You're not like I expected," Aria said, voice low.
Kai crossed his arms. "Neither are you. Assassin or not, you saved my life."
Her silver eyes flickered, almost amused. "Don't thank me yet. I have a job to do."
Before Kai could ask what that job was, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall. Shadows shifted figures emerging from the darkness.
"Looks like you brought company," Kai muttered.
Aria drew her blade, eyes sharp. "The Shroud never sleeps."
A brutal fight broke out. Kai unleashed his fledgling powers fire dancing along his fingertips, shadows bending to his will.
Together, they fought like a tempest: fierce, chaotic, and unyielding.
Amid the clash, Kai caught a glimpse of something unexpected a spark of warmth in Aria's gaze.
Enemies. Allies. Or something more complicated.
When the last foe fell, silence returned.
Aria looked at Kai, breathing hard. "We'll need each other if we're going to survive this."
Kai nodded, the weight of their shared battle settling between them.