Rain hammered the alleyways as Frank and Morgan sprinted through the maze of ruined buildings behind the clinic. Neon signs flickered overhead, painting the puddles in shifting colors.Frank gasped, “Morgan, who in my family would betray me? I don’t even have a family.”“You have blood,” Morgan replied, not slowing down. “And blood remembers.”“That makes no sense!”“It will.”Frank slid behind a dumpster as a squad of armored soldiers spilled into the street behind them, their rifles glowing with purple energy. Morgan pressed Frank against the wall. “Quiet.”One of the soldiers scanned the alley with a handheld device. Another raised a comm: “Target’s pulse signature detected. Moving in.”Frank whispered, “Pulse signature? They can track my heartbeat now?!”Morgan grimaced. “They shouldn’t be able to. Which means”“More betrayal?”“Exactly.”The soldiers got closer. Frank mouthed, What do we do? Morgan pointed upward.Frank stared. “We’re climbing the fire escape?”“We’re jumping.”“

Frank staggered back from the speaker, heart pounding so loudly he could hear the blood in his ears. “No,” he whispered. “You’re lying.”The voice didn’t hesitate. “I wish I were.”Frank shook his head violently. “My father died before I was born.”“That is the story Morgan chose to give you.”“It’s the truth!”“No,” the voice murmured. “It’s the safest version of the truth.”Frank slammed his fist against the console. “Stop talking in riddles!”Static crackled through the speakers like heavy breathing.Then: “Frank… Darrius hunted your bloodline long before you were born. Telling the world your father died was the only way to keep you hidden.”“That doesn’t mean you are him,” Frank shot back.“I know. So let me prove it.”Frank paused, tension coiling in him like a drawn bow. “…And how are you going to do that?”“Say your full name.”Frank’s throat tightened. “You already know my name.”“Say it anyway.”Frank swallowed. “Frank Tarrow.”“Your real name, Frank.”Frank’s fingertips went

Frank shoved the rusted hatch upward, blinking against the sudden blast of cold night air. The city stretched out before him, a maze of high-rises, neon billboards, and streets glowing with the blue pulse of barrier lights.He climbed out onto the rooftop of an abandoned building. Wind whipped at his hair. Sirens wailed somewhere far below. But what froze Frank wasn’t the noise, It was the figure already waiting for him. A girl.Maybe sixteen. Maybe seventeen. Hard to tell. She crouched on the edge of the rooftop like a shadow given shape, dark jacket fluttering in the wind, hair braided tight along one side.She didn’t turn around when Frank climbed out. Frank whispered, “Um… hi?”No answer. He stepped closer carefully. “Are you Mirra?”The girl didn’t move. Frank frowned. “The, uh… voice in the speakers? My maybe-father? He said”She cut him off with a single word: “Don’t.”Frank blinked. “Don’t what?”“Don’t come any closer.”Her voice was steady, cold, almost eerily calm. Frank fr

The armored warrior crashed into the clearing like a meteor, scorching a black crater beneath its boots. Heat washed over Frank, forcing him backward until his spine hit a tree.Morgan didn’t move. He stood like a wall between Frank and the monster. The warrior’s helm tilted. “You cannot protect the boy.”Morgan raised his sword. “Try me.”Frank whispered, “Morgan… that thing is huge.”“Size isn’t everything,” Morgan murmured.“His spear is on fire.”“I noticed.”The warrior slammed its spear into the ground, sending a blast of flames across the clearing. Morgan shoved Frank behind a fallen log. “Stay down!”Frank ducked as flames roared over his head, searing bark and earth. The heat made his lungs burn. “Morgan!” Frank shouted, “You can’t fight fire with a sword!”“Watch me,” Morgan said, and charged.The warrior swung its spear. Morgan dodged under it, sparks flying as the spear sliced through trees like paper. Morgan countered with a slash at the creature’s leg, but his blade boun