The streets of Ikoyi were quieter than usual, the usual Lagos chaos replaced with an eerie tension. Streetlights flickered as shadowy figures darted between alleyways, moving with unnatural speed. Elijah's heart thumped in his chest.
"They're here," Lara whispered, her eyes scanning the streets.
Elijah felt it too—a pulse of darkness that made the hair on his arms stand on end. His golden Resonance hummed in response, alive and eager.
A possessed man lunged at a child, eyes black and hollow. Instinct took over. Elijah thrust his hands forward, and a wave of golden light shot out, sending the Demo crashing backward into a wall.
Civilians screamed, running for cover. Obinna ducked behind a car, yelling, "Careful, man! You almost flattened the street!"
"I—" Elijah began, then stopped, chest heaving. The energy didn't surge uncontrollably this time. It obeyed him.
Maya stepped forward, calm but sharp. "Good. That's control… but don't let it tempt you. You saved them, yes—but one misstep, and even you could be the danger."
Elijah's gaze swept the streets. The darkness pulsed, waiting. If this is only the beginning… how many more shadows will I face before I'm ready to save her?
The city thrummed beneath him, oblivious to the invisible war waging in its streets. Elijah clenched his fists, golden light flickering at his fingertips. I won't fail. Not again.