Zed stumbles, his knees hitting the cracked pavement. His body is sluggish, his left arm useless after the last exchange. The enemy is regrouping, surrounding him like vultures sensing weakness. His vision is dimming, his mask's HUD flickering with error messages. He hears the sound of a blade slicing through the air, but before the final blow can land—

Shen appears.

With a blur of violet and steel, Battle Wolf Shen intercepts the attack, his sword meeting the strike with unshaken force. His mask’s visor glows a menacing blue as he stands protectively over Zed, his presence a shield against the coming storm.

Shen: "You're not dying here, Zed."

He moves with surgical precision, cutting through the nearest enemies in swift, calculated strikes. His form is unshaken, his stance never wavering. But there are too many of them. Shen knows it. Zed knows it. And yet, the wolf refuses to leave the fox behind.

Zed (Weakly): "You should run... I'm slowing you down."

Shen (Firmly): "And let them take you? Never."

Shen lifts Zed onto his back, adjusting his stance to carry the injured assassin while still holding his blade. More enemies advance, but Shen's grip tightens. His resolve is unbreakable. No matter the cost, he will protect Zed.

Shen (Softly): "Just hold on, brother. I’ll get us out of here."