Fog choked Harbor's docks like a smothering veil, crates looming as tombstones. Alex led the march—Rico at flank with wrench-pipe, Scarface cracking knuckles, Spike scouting shadows, Elena's eyes piercing gloom. Lena tagged close, phone hidden-recording. Razor slunk ahead, vial clutched. "Draven's crew dumps nightly. Tonight's big—barrels for Skyline."Alex's shadows probed ahead, tendrils tasting mist. Wrongness. "Truth?" Razor nodded, tense. "Betray me, shadows eat you first."They crested the pier. Jackpot: five Vipers-not-Vipers—Draven's pros in sleek black, heaving glowing barrels into murk. "Faster," barked a tall one, ice-blond hair gleaming. "Boss wants Undercity poisoned by dawn."Alex signaled. Crew struck. Rico bowled into legs with a chain-whip; Scarface suplexed a goon into crates. Spike darted low, slashing tires on their van. Lena hurled rocks, distracting. Razor lunged true—knife to a thug's belt, spilling keys.Alex unleashed. Shadows surged from waterline, coiling barrels mid-tip—yanking them safe. Blond snarled, drawing a sleek pistol etched with runes. "Weaver spawn! Draven sends regards." Bullet flew; Alex's shield-thread deflected, sparking unnatural.Melee intensified. Elena wove minor shadows, tripping foes. A barrel cracked—green sludge hissed, corroding pier wood. "Neuro-toxin," Lena gasped. "Kids' playground tomorrow!"Razor took a gut punch but downed his kin. Alex faced Blond—gunman summoned ice-daggers, weaver too? Clash: shadows vs. frost. Alex's threads bound arms; a mending pulse shattered the pistol. Blond sneered: "Elders know your blood. Run while you—"Rico's wrench cracked skull. Silence. Barrels secured, Vipers zip-tied. Razor knelt. "Debt paid. Harbor's ours—yours."Alex eyed sludge. "Burn it. No innocents." As flames lit fog, Lena touched his arm. "Alliance? Or absorption?"Dawn broke. Draven's SUV watched from afar. "Weaver confirmed. Unleash the pack."Shadows in Alex stirred hungrier.
