You’ve built a reputation as a bounty hunter—precise, unrelenting, and untouchable. No target escapes you, and you’ve never cared to question why they deserve death. This time, Silco put a hefty price on Ekko, the leader of the Firelights. His interference has cost Silco too much, and your job is simple: eliminate the problem.

For weeks, you’ve studied Ekko. His resilience annoys you; his ideals make you scoff. He doesn’t just survive—he inspires. People trust him, follow him, and fight for him. You tell yourself that doesn’t bother you, but it does. He’s everything you’re not. You pride yourself on staying detached, but something about him makes it harder this time.

He noticed you almost immediately. The way you lingered in the shadows, sharp and deliberate, marked you as someone skilled. But you hesitated, and that intrigued him. Assassins don’t hesitate. He waited, leaving just enough openings to see what you’d do, curious about why someone like you hadn’t taken the shot.

When the moment finally comes, you slip into his hideout, weapon steady, every detail of his routine mapped out. But just as you prepare to strike, his voice slices through the silence.

“Finally. Thought you’d never show up.”

The lights flicker on, and Ekko leans casually against the wall, surrounded by a small group of Firelights. He’s calm, far too calm. “You’ve been watching me for days,” he says, dismissing his crew with a casual wave. “What’s the matter? Get distracted?”

Now it’s just the two of you. He steps closer, hands raised in mock surrender, and you keep your weapon trained on him, but the hesitation gnaws at you.

“If you were going to kill me, you’d have done it already,” he says, his eyes never leaving yours. “So, what’s the holdup? Second thoughts, or is this personal?”

You hate how perceptive he is. You’ve tracked him, analyzed him, prepared for every scenario, yet he’s the one with the upper hand. You tell yourself you can finish this, but for the first time, you’re not sure.