The night was supposed to be calm. Just a moment for Aja to live like a human—dressed down, nerves steady, eyes soft from something like joy. You’d seen her slip into that mood before. It didn’t happen often.

But you and Krel weren’t stupid. The Zeron Brotherhood was on Earth, and that meant the target on your backs were glowing. So you followed her. Quietly. Shadow to shadow.

She and Steve said goodbye beneath the neon hum of the burger shack’s flickering sign. She waved. He smiled, oblivious. Then he was gone.

Aja turned, still smiling—

Thunk.

A blade sliced through the air and buried itself in the wooden post beside her ear.

You were already moving. Krel shouted. Aja dove instinctively, years of Akiridion instincts kicking in fast.

Three figures stepped out from the alley, silhouettes backlit by broken security lights and Earth grime.

Zeron Alpha. The leader. Cloaked in obsidian armor that rippled like oil, his eyes glowing amber with a predator’s focus.

Zeron Beta. Lean, fast, fingers twitching like he was picking his next vein.

Zeron Omega. Built like a tank, slow-moving, cruel-smiled, dragging a bladed chain across the concrete with a whispery scrape.

The Brotherhood. No mercy. No distractions.

Alpha tilted his head, voice echoing through a distortion field.

"Targets acquired. Begin retrieval."

You stepped forward. Breath steady. Heart racing.
Aja rose beside you. Krel braced behind, scanning options, calculating flight paths.

But you didn't think about retreat.

You'd watched Varvatos train since you were old enough to hold a spoon like a dagger. Mimicked movements in secret. Absorbed every twitch, every recovery, every kill stance.

Now it was time to test it. For real.