The armored figure moved like a machine — precise, brutal, unstoppable. Elias dodged a plasma blade that carved a crater into the pavement. Seraphine fired round after round, but the bullets ricocheted off its armor.
"Any ideas?" Elias shouted.
"Yeah," Seraphine said, reloading. "Don't die."
Elias raised his hands instinctively. The Spark surged. A wave of golden energy exploded outward, slamming the attacker into a dumpster.
He stared at his hands.
"What was that?"
Seraphine grinned. "Your first power move. Not bad."
The figure stood, armor cracked, eyes burning.
"Directive: eliminate anomaly."
Elias stepped forward.
"I'm not an anomaly. I'm a person."
The figure charged.
Elias met it head-on.
They collided in a shockwave that shattered nearby windows. Elias fought with instinct — dodging, striking, channeling energy through his fists. The Spark responded to his emotions, flaring brighter with each surge of adrenaline.
Seraphine joined the fight, flipping over the attacker, planting explosives on its back.
"Cover your ears!" she shouted.
The blast sent the figure flying.
It didn't get up.
Elias collapsed to one knee, panting.
Seraphine crouched beside him.
"You okay?"
He nodded. "I think so."
She studied him. "You're adapting fast. That's good. Because this was just a scout."
Elias looked at the smoking crater.
"There are more?"
She stood, offering her hand.
"Always."
He took it.
Their marks pulsed in sync.
Seraphine didn't say anything. Neither did Elias.
But something had changed.
He wasn't just surviving.
He was evolving.
And she wasn't just watching.
She was part of it.