The tunnels stretched ahead, dark and silent, as the team moved fast, weapons ready.
Hellion's facility was in ruins behind them, but Ryo knew the fight wasn't over.
Because now?
They were hunted.
The Escape Route
Serra's cybernetic eye flickered, scanning ahead. "Exit's about two clicks north. If we keep moving, we're clear."
Vos didn't lower his rifle. "No way Hellion lets us walk out of here."
Karin smirked. "Then we shoot our way out."
Krieg rolled his shoulders. "I like her thinking."
Ryo didn't answer.
Because the system had just pinged.
> [ALERT: HELLION BLACK-OPS TEAMS DEPLOYED.]
[REINFORCEMENTS ETA: 4 MINUTES.]
The Ambush
The tunnel suddenly flickered with red lights.
Hissing sounds. Vents bursting open.
Then—figures dropped from above.
Black-armored soldiers. No insignias. No sound.
Hellion's Black-Ops Executioners.
> "Ohhh, rookie. You pissed off the big boys now."
Ryo moved first.
The First Kill
A soldier lunged, blade flashing.
Ryo caught his wrist—twisted.
CRACK.
Then he ripped the blade free and buried it into the soldier's chest.
Another fired—
Vos sniped him mid-shot.
Krieg grabbed one by the throat and slammed him into the wall, cracking his helmet.
Serra and Karin moved in sync, cutting down two more.
The fight was fast, brutal.
And then—it was over.
The last Executioner twitched on the floor.
Ryo exhaled. "Keep moving."
The Shadow That Watched
They ran.
But before Ryo left—he felt it.
A presence.
Watching.
Waiting.
He turned back—but the corridor was empty.
Then the system pinged.
> [WARNING: UNKNOWN ENTITY OBSERVING.]
[DESIGNATION: REAPER.]
Ryo's stomach tightened.
The Reaper was still watching.
And that meant the real fight?
Hadn't even begun.