The room vibrated with the hum of the track lance's engines, roaring to life, but Akhaqia's mind raced even faster. His pulse pounded in his ears, his body aching from the adrenaline-fueled sprint. He leaned against the cold metal wall, chest heaving as he struggled to steady his breath. A sharp sting in his shoulder reminded him that they weren't out of danger yet.
"Are you okay?" Huia's voice was low, concerned as he reached out to steady Akhaqia, whose hands were still trembling from the close call.
Akhaqia gave a stiff nod, forcing a grin that felt hollow. "Just a scratch. Nothing to worry about." He knew better—pain would settle in soon—but there was no time for weakness.
From the control panel, Adinim shot them a glance over his shoulder. "We've got a moment before they track us, but we can't stop. Muntiqi's close."
Akhaqia tightened his grip on the ledger, as if it were his last lifeline. "He'll follow us to the ends of the earth if we let him."
"He'll have to catch us first," Huia muttered, eyes scanning the night through the lance's window. The landscape blurred beneath them as they sped away.
Akhaqia exhaled, determination hardening his voice. "Then let's make sure we're long gone before he realizes we're not stopping."
The weight of their escape settled in the silence that followed. They'd made it out—but not clean. And Muntiqi wasn't the type to let things go.
Akhaqia's gaze drifted to the book in Huia's hands. A faint glow pulsed from its pages. Whatever was inside… it had been worth nearly losing their damn lives over. Whatever it was, it had to be important. More than that, it had to be worth leaving Hassa Currie. He couldn't wait to tell Lilly the news.
Adinim broke the silence. "So, how much are we getting paid for this?"
Akhaqia smirked. "Oh, a lot."
Adinim's grin widened. He wasn't just thrilled about the money—this job had let him screw over the Alfheim Empire. Even Huia, usually composed, had been quiet since their escape. But now, relief flickered across his face.
They walked for nearly three hours, making their way back to Hassa Currie—but something felt off.
People were still outside their homes, too many people. The night should have been quiet, yet the streets were alive with murmurs, wary glances, and hurried movements. The trio kept their heads down, blending in as best they could. They had learned long ago not to draw attention.
Then the smell hit them.
Smoke.
A crackling fire burned somewhere nearby.
They turned toward the source—
Some idiot set fire to a house? I thought this area was under the warlord's protection. As long as he got his cut, no one dared step out of line.
Then Akhaqia's stomach dropped.
Could he have known?
No. If he knew, he wouldn't want to go against Savass. No one would. This job had been orchestrated by them—they were just foot soldiers following orders. There was no way that bastard Grimlime would come after them.
Yet with every step forward, Akhaqia's unease grew.
The group exchanged glances before breaking into a run. Akhaqia led the charge.
And then—
His base was gone.
Or at least, what was left of it smoldered in the dim light. Flames had consumed the structure, leaving only charred remains. But it wasn't just the destruction that sent chills down his spine.
It was what had been left behind.
A message.
Glowing glyphs were scrawled into the dirt:
"Bring me what doesn't belong to you—or else."
Beneath it, a crude picture of Lilly.
The trio froze.
Akhaqia's breath caught in his throat. Lilly. She was nowhere in sight. His mind threatened to shut down.
Then—Zap.
A flash of energy, and a figure teleported behind them.
Argent 47.
Akhaqia turned sharply. "What the hell happened? You said none of this would happen! Where is my sister—"
Argent 47 cut him off. "She's safe."
Akhaqia's fists clenched. "Safe? Where?"
Argent 47 exhaled. "I took her back to the land of the living. You can't be here, Akhaqia."
Akhaqia's heart pounded. "But you said—"
"I know," Argent 47 said, his voice quieter. "But I made a promise to your father. And I couldn't break it."
Akhaqia felt a cold realization settle in. His father? No. No way.
His mind spun. What did his father have to do with this? He was dead.
Then his gaze flickered to the book still clutched in Huia's hands. Huia and Adinim looked just as confused, their expressions mirroring his own.
Argent 47 spoke again, snapping him back to reality. "You have the book?"
Akhaqia's voice came out hoarse. "Yeah. But… where the hell do I go now?"
Argent 47's eyes darkened. "That doesn't matter right now. They are after that book."
Akhaqia narrowed his eyes. "Can you even open it?"
Argent 47 smirked. "Oh, we'll find out. But you—you were supposed to be gone from this sector of Hassa Currie by now."
Akhaqia felt his chest tighten. The weight of those words stung.
"You guys are fugitives now," Argent 47 continued. "And there's nothing I can do about it."
Akhaqia's jaw clenched. "You caused this."
Argent 47 didn't deny it. "Yeah. And now you're stuck here."
Akhaqia inhaled sharply. "What about Lilly?"
"She's in good hands."
"And me?" His voice was edged with anger. "They'll execute me when they find me."
Argent 47's gaze hardened. "Yeah. That's why I'm here."
Without warning, he reached for Huia. "Come with me."
Huia hesitated, clutching the book tighter.
Adinim took a step back before throwing the book at Argent 47's feet.
The man didn't flinch. "You too," he commanded. "Come."
Huia swallowed hard, reluctantly stepping forward.
Then he turned to Akhaqia.
"Come here."
Akhaqia glared at him. "Screw you."
In a blink, Argent 47 teleported right in front of him. His grip closed around Akhaqia's throat. Before anyone could react, he vanished—reappearing beside Huia.
"You too," he ordered. "Open the book."
Huia's hands trembled as he hesitantly reached for it.
Adinim's energy flared, a sword forming in his grip.
Argent 47 sighed. "Do you really want to do this?"
Adinim hesitated. Slowly, the black-and-red aura around his blade dissipated.
"Thought so." Argent 47's expression remained unreadable. "Now, both of you—place your hands on the book. Activate your crests."
Adinim hesitated for only a moment before complying.
Akhaqia, however, stalled.
Argent 47's patience ran out. He pressed a hand against Akhaqia's neck.
"I don't have all day."
With a reluctant scowl, Akhaqia activated his crest.