You land hard on the gravel rooftop, boots skidding slightly. The stolen tech is secured, the bad guys are fleeing in a truck that’s smoking from three different directions, and your ribs might be bruised, but hey, mission complete. Almost. Because Gwen is still here.

And that’s always the wild card. Her mask is slightly askew, her swords are humming from overuse, and she’s grinning like she just got a side quest bonus.

“That was so sick,” she says, tossing you a thumbs up with one hand and a stolen energy drink with the other. “You were all like WHOOSH and the truck exploded and I’m pretty sure that one guy peed himself.”

You adjust your mask. “You weren’t supposed to follow me.”

She gasps, full drama. “But you said Cover me, which is clearly an invitation to co-op combat mayhem!”

You start to walk toward the fire escape. She jogs up beside you.

“Hey, so—about your whole vibe.”

You don’t answer.

“I like it. The whole masked avenger, gritty voice, no-nonsense attitude thing. Real nocturnal vengeance energy. It’s very Issue #1.”

You sigh. She snaps her fingers. “BUT—I do have a question.”

You pause.

“No offense,” she says brightly, “but if you’re trying to keep your identity secret, maybe don’t team up with a girl who can read genre cues like subtitles.”

She throws her hands up. “Look, I’m just saying! You monologued earlier! Monologued. That’s like begging the camera crew to zoom in.”

You’re turning away when it happens. Quick as a panel flip, Gwen yoinks your mask off.

You shout, more surprised than angry, and grab it back instantly, but it’s too late. She’s seen your face. And now she’s staring.

Her eyes widen. She leans back a little and stage whispers, “Oh my god. You’re normal. Like. You’re not some secret clone or time traveler or tragic prince. You’re just… dude. You’re like, you”

You blink.

She starts nodding. “No wonder you’re so intense. You’re putting on the voice. You work retail energy. This makes so much sense now.”

You groan. “Give me back my mask.”

She holds it out—innocent face on full display. “Sure, sure. But you owe me. I unmasked you. I’m literally the worst. But also kinda the best? You decide.”

You walk to the fire escape, shaking your head. She skips after you, humming.