Chapter 117: The Shadowed Station
The moment Raizen stepped off the docking ramp, he felt it again—that presence. It was subtle, lingering at the edges of his senses, like someone was observing from the shadows. He didn't react outwardly, but his instincts sharpened.
Seraphina, walking beside him, murmured, "You feel it too."
He gave a slight nod. "Yeah."
The station's corridors were dimly lit, lined with flickering neon signs in multiple alien languages. The crowd was a mix of mercenaries, smugglers, and traders, all moving with purpose, most barely sparing Raizen's crew a glance.
Liana's voice came through his earpiece. "I've hacked into the station's local net. The meeting point is on the lower levels, a restricted zone. You're gonna have to find a way in."
Joran cracked his knuckles. "Or we just make one."
Raizen smirked. "Let's try subtlety first."
A Hidden Threat
They made their way deeper into the station, weaving through the crowd. Kain had taken point, eyes scanning for threats, while Joran stayed close to Seraphina, watching their backs.
As they turned a corner, Raizen's Draconic bloodline flared, a sudden spike of energy making his pulse quicken.
Then—
A figure moved in the shadows.
Raizen reacted instantly, sidestepping as a knife slashed through the air where he had just been. Before his attacker could retreat, he caught their wrist, twisting them into the wall.
A hood fell back, revealing a masked woman with silver eyes, her expression unreadable.
Seraphina's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"
The woman didn't resist. Instead, she smirked. "You're walking into a trap."
Raizen didn't let go. "Whose?"
Her silver eyes gleamed. "The same people who sent those ships after you."
Liana's voice came through the comms, urgent. "Raizen, I just got an alert—security forces are mobilizing toward your position."
Joran swore. "So much for subtlety."
Raizen sighed. "Guess we're doing this the fun way."
The alarms blared through the station, and the chase was on.