Chapter 118: The Pursuit
Raizen and his team bolted through the station, weaving between startled civilians and traders as the blaring alarms filled the corridors. Behind them, heavy boots pounded against metal flooring—security forces were in fast pursuit, weapons at the ready.
Liana's voice crackled through their comms. "There's an access tunnel ahead! It should lead to the lower levels!"
Raizen barely had time to acknowledge before Kain raised his rifle, firing a suppressive shot down the hallway to slow their pursuers. Sparks flew as plasma rounds impacted walls and pipes, forcing security to take cover.
Joran grinned. "That'll buy us a few seconds."
Seraphina wasn't as amused. "Not enough. We need to move."
The silver-eyed woman, still running beside them, smirked. "Good. I was hoping you'd pick the hard way."
Raizen glanced at her. "You still haven't told me who you are."
She ducked as a stray shot blasted past them. "Maybe after we don't die."
Desperate Maneuvers
They reached the tunnel entrance—a rusted metal hatch sealed with an electronic lock. Liana spoke through the comms again, voice urgent. "I can override it, but I need twenty seconds."
Joran turned, cracking his knuckles. "We don't have twenty seconds."
Raizen activated his Draconic Aura, golden energy flaring around him. "Then we hold them off."
Kain dropped to one knee, lining up his rifle. "I'll cover the left flank."
Seraphina stepped beside Raizen, her violet eyes glowing faintly. "Let's make this quick."
The first wave of security forces rounded the corner—armed, armored, and aggressive.
Raizen didn't hesitate. He moved first.
A blur of motion, his Crimson Fang Energy Blade igniting in a searing arc. His first strike sliced through the lead guard's weapon, rendering it useless before a swift kick sent the man sprawling.
Seraphina followed with precision strikes, her movements fluid and efficient as she disarmed two guards in a matter of seconds.
Kain's rifle hummed as he took down another with a pinpoint shot to the knee. Joran, on the other hand, just barreled into them like a wrecking ball, slamming one guard into a wall before tossing another aside.
Liana's voice cut through. "Done! Hatch is open—go, go, go!"
Into the Depths
Raizen and his team slipped into the tunnel, sealing the hatch behind them just as more guards arrived. The moment the lock engaged, muffled shouts echoed from the other side, fists pounding uselessly against reinforced metal.
Breathing heavily, Raizen turned to the silver-eyed woman. "Now… you talk."
She smirked, leaning against the wall. "Name's Selara. And if you want to survive this station, you'll want to stick with me."
Joran scoffed. "Why? You set us up?"
Selara shook her head. "No, but the people hunting you? They don't care if they burn this whole place to the ground just to kill you."
Raizen exhaled. "Who sent them?"
Her silver eyes glowed faintly. "A faction that doesn't want the Draconic bloodline to rise again."
Silence filled the tunnel as that truth settled in.
Seraphina's gaze darkened. "Then we need to move. Now."
Raizen smirked. He had their attention. Now, it was time to make his next move.