Dante Graves never liked running, but right now, it was his only option. He and Mira sprinted through the abandoned tunnels, the echoes of Dominion's enforcers close behind. The city above was still asleep, unaware that a war was being fought beneath its streets.
Mira tapped into her wrist device. "I've got a safehouse three blocks from here, but we need to shake them first."
Dante nodded, focusing his energy. He turned sharply, raising a hand. A telekinetic wave slammed into the tunnel ceiling, collapsing it behind them. Dust and debris filled the air as their pursuers were cut off—at least for now.
They emerged into the open air of the Lower District, a sector long forgotten by the government. Neon signs flickered overhead, and the streets were littered with scavengers, black-market dealers, and those who wanted nothing to do with Dominion. Mira led him through winding alleys until they reached a rusted door. She punched in a code, and it slid open.
Inside, the safehouse was stocked with weapons, surveillance gear, and stacks of stolen government data drives. Mira wasted no time booting up her system. "Alright, Graves. Time to tell me exactly what the hell is going on."
Dante exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Dominion wants me dead. I don't think it's just because I won't integrate. It's something deeper."
Mira frowned. "You think it has to do with your parents?"
He nodded. "I found their names in Dominion's classified files. They weren't just heroes. They were experiments. And whatever they were working on… I think it's the reason I'm different."
Mira pulled up a decrypted file from their stolen data. A series of old lab reports filled the screen. "Project Eclipse," she muttered. "Classified black-ops research on the manipulation of superhuman abilities. Your parents were part of the trials."
Dante leaned in. "What were they testing?"
Mira hesitated, then turned the screen toward him. "They were trying to create a power that couldn't be controlled. A countermeasure against their own system."
Dante's heart pounded. His parents hadn't just been victims of Dominion. They had been trying to stop it before it ever took full control. And now, Dominion saw him as the final loose end.
Before they could process the information, a red warning flashed across Mira's monitors. System Breach Detected.
A cold, synthetic voice filled the room: "Dante Graves. Surrender and be processed. Resistance is inefficient."
Mira grabbed her gun. "They found us."
Dante clenched his fists, energy crackling around him. He wasn't just running anymore.
It was time to fight back.