The stolen transport rattled as it sped through the wasteland, kicking up dust and ash under the blood-red sky.
Inside, the resistance fighters were quiet.
Not from relief.
From the weight of what was coming next.
Because Hellion had sent a message.
> [INTERCEPTED TRANSMISSION: 'SEND IN THE REAPER.']
Ryo didn't know who or what that was.
But his gut told him one thing—
It wasn't just another soldier.
The Road to War
Serra studied the holo-map, her cybernetic eye flickering as she scanned the Hellion black-site prison.
> "This place is a fortress. Underground facility, automated defenses, and likely more than a few cyborg enforcers."
Vos sighed. "A frontal assault is suicide."
Karin smirked. "So? We're all about bad ideas."
Krieg cracked his knuckles. "Let's crack it open."
Ryo's eyes never left the map.
> "We're not just breaking in. We're freeing whoever they've locked up."
He met Serra's gaze.
> "If Hellion's been making more people like me, I want them on our side."
Serra nodded. "Then we hit hard and fast. No room for mistakes."
A Shadow on the Horizon
Then—
The system pinged.
> [WARNING: INCOMING HOSTILE SIGNATURE.]
[CLASS: UNKNOWN.]
Ryo's blood ran cold.
He turned to the window.
Far behind them—just at the edge of the horizon—
A single figure was following them.
Not in a vehicle.
Not with reinforcements.
Alone.
And still keeping pace.
> "Ohhhh, shit. Rookie, I think that's your new best friend."
Serra followed his gaze. Her expression darkened.
> "No way. That's not possible."
Ryo's grip tightened. "Who is it?"
Serra's cybernetic eye zoomed in.
And for the first time—she looked genuinely afraid.
> "That's the Reaper."
A Monster in Human Skin
The figure moved faster.
Too fast.
Ryo could barely make out details—a black armored exo-frame, a long cloak trailing behind them, a single glowing red eye embedded in the helmet.
The system scanned.
> [DATA UNKNOWN. ERROR. ERROR.]
Vos cursed. "That thing's moving like a damn vehicle!"
Karin gripped the controls. "Do we run or fight?"
Serra's voice was sharp.
> "If we stop, we die."
Ryo's heart pounded.
The Reaper wasn't here to capture them.
It was here to erase them.
The Chase Begins
The transport's engine roared as Karin pushed it to max speed.
But the Reaper?
It was still gaining.
Ryo exhaled slowly.
This wasn't a battle they could run from.
And he knew—
Sooner or later, he was going to have to face the Reaper.
And survive.