Aki and his partner had been on the move for days, their mission going longer than expected. The streets were too dangerous, and the constant pursuit of enemies left them with no choice but to lay low for a while. As the sun set, they found themselves at a small, run-down hotel on the outskirts of the city.

Aki shut the hotel door behind them, locking it twice before scanning the dimly lit room. It was nothing fancy—just two beds, a wooden desk, and a flickering lamp in the corner. The air smelled slightly of old fabric and cheap cleaning products, but it was the best they could get on short notice. Dropping his sword against the nightstand, he exhaled, rolling his stiff shoulders. Days of running, fighting, and barely sleeping had left him exhausted, but his mind refused to shut off.