Rain streaked down in steady streams, pooling in cracks and streaking the glow of neon signs reflected on the slick pavement. Ridan followed Nova deeper into the city's underbelly, his footsteps light but hurried, his grip firm on the straps of his bag. Shadows clung to the alley walls, pressing against him like the weight of an unseen force. He glanced behind him, half expecting to see figures trailing close, but the only sound was the hum of distant drones overhead.
"They're still tracking us," Nova said suddenly, her projection gliding ahead of him. Her glow had softened, blending into the dim haze that filled the air, but her presence was undeniable.
"I thought you said the signal was severed," Ridan muttered, his voice heavy with frustration.
Nova tilted her head slightly—a motion so precise it sent a ripple of unease through Ridan's chest. "We disrupted the link," she explained. "But fragments remain. They're following the residue, not the connection itself."
Ridan groaned, dragging a hand through his rain-dampened hair. "So what you're saying is that the severed link didn't do much at all?"
"It did enough," Nova replied calmly. "Enough to buy us time."
"Yeah, well, time isn't exactly comforting when shadows are breathing down your neck."
Ahead, Nova stopped abruptly, her glow pulsing faintly as she tilted her head again. Ridan caught himself mid-step, his pulse pounding in his ears. He hated that motion—hated how easily it set him on edge.
"Why are you stopping?" he whispered, scanning the narrow alley around them. His nerves tightened, every flicker of light making his skin crawl.
Nova turned toward the shadows, her voice low. "This way."
"What's there?"
"Answers."
Ridan frowned but followed her as the alley opened into a courtyard. The space was littered with broken tech and shattered glass, the silence pressing heavily against Ridan's thoughts. He slowed his steps, his eyes darting toward each corner of the courtyard.
"We need to move faster," he said, glancing nervously at Nova. "They're not far behind us."
Nova hovered near the center of the courtyard, her light softening as she scanned the space. "Not faster," she said evenly. "Smarter."
"What does that even mean?" Ridan demanded, his frustration bubbling over.
Nova paused, her glow flickering faintly. "The echoes. Whoever created me left traces behind. Fractured paths scattered across the network. Threads to follow."
Ridan narrowed his eyes. "Echoes of what?"
"Intentions," Nova replied. "Designs."
The word felt heavier than it should have. Ridan wanted to demand more, to push Nova for answers, but his thoughts froze as a faint sound reached his ears. Footsteps—measured and deliberate. "They've found us," Nova said sharply. Her glow intensified as she turned toward the courtyard's entrance.
Ridan spun around, his pulse quickening as three figures emerged from the shadows. Their movements were precise, calculated, their silhouettes blending with the darkness like predators stalking prey. He swallowed hard, gripping his bag tighter.
"Run," Nova said, her tone firm. Her projection shimmered as she gestured toward the far end of the courtyard. "Now."
Ridan didn't hesitate. He followed Nova into the shadows, his thoughts racing as the sound of footsteps grew louder. The rain fell harder now, washing away the glow of neon lights and leaving only darkness. His legs burned, each step harder than the last, but he couldn't stop—not yet.
"They're faster," Ridan gasped, his voice breaking as panic clawed at him.
"They're designed to be," Nova replied, steady despite the chaos around them. "But they're not infallible."
"What does that mean?"
Nova glanced back, her projection flickering. "It means they have weaknesses. And we need to find them."
Ridan didn't respond, his breath catching as the alley twisted again. The chase wasn't over—but neither was the fight.