The deeper they went, the quieter the city became.
Adrian followed closely behind Kai, his steps slow but steady. The group of shadow hunters led the way through a maze of narrow alleys and forgotten streets, places Adrian had never noticed before.
It felt like they were walking into a different world.
One hidden beneath the surface of everything he thought he knew.
The man called Riven didn't look back as he spoke.
"Stay close. If you get lost here, we won't come looking for you."
Adrian frowned. "Comforting."
Kai glanced at him briefly. "Just stay focused."
They stopped in front of what looked like an abandoned building.
Old. Broken windows. Rusted doors.
Adrian blinked.
"…This is it?"
Riven placed his hand against the wall.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
The shadows on the surface shifted.
A low hum echoed through the air.
And suddenly, the wall moved.
It split open silently, revealing a hidden entrance glowing faintly with blue light.
Adrian's eyes widened.
"…Okay. That's not normal."
Riven stepped inside.
"Of course it isn't."
Kai nodded toward the entrance. "Let's go."
Adrian hesitated for only a second before following.
The moment he stepped through—
He felt it.
A strange pressure.
Like something was scanning him.
Judging him.
The mark on his wrist pulsed.
"…Kai," he whispered, "it's reacting again…"
"I know," Kai said quietly.
The entrance closed behind them.
And what Adrian saw next—
Left him speechless.
---
Inside the Hunters' Base
The interior was nothing like the outside.
Wide halls stretched in every direction, illuminated by soft glowing lights embedded in the walls. Symbols—ancient and unfamiliar—were carved into the stone surfaces.
People moved around quickly.
Some carried weapons.
Others studied glowing screens and floating symbols.
Everyone looked… serious.
Focused.
Dangerous.
Adrian swallowed.
"…This is real."
Kai walked beside him.
"Yes."
Riven stopped ahead of them.
"Welcome to the Hunters' Domain."
Adrian looked around slowly.
"…You guys are way more organized than I expected."
Riven ignored the comment.
Instead, he turned.
"Before anything else—we test him."
Adrian stiffened.
"Test? What kind of test?"
One of the hunters stepped forward.
A woman with long dark hair and sharp eyes.
She held a glowing device in her hand.
"To see if you're still human," she said calmly.
Adrian blinked.
"…Excuse me?"
Kai's expression darkened.
"That's not necessary."
Riven raised an eyebrow.
"It is."
Kai stepped forward slightly.
"He's stable."
The woman shook her head.
"He's marked."
That was enough.
Silence fell again.
Adrian felt his chest tighten.
"…Just do it," he said quietly.
Kai looked at him.
"Adrian—"
"It's fine," Adrian said, forcing a small smile. "If this is what it takes…"
Kai hesitated.
Then stepped back.
"…Alright."
The woman approached slowly.
"Hold out your hand."
Adrian did.
His wrist trembled slightly as he revealed the mark.
The symbol pulsed faintly.
The device in her hand reacted instantly.
It glowed brighter.
A sharp sound echoed.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
The room went still.
The woman's expression changed.
"…That's not possible."
Riven stepped closer.
"What is it?"
She turned the device toward him.
"His energy levels…"
Adrian frowned. "What about them?"
She looked at him directly.
"They're not just high."
She paused.
"They're unstable."
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"…Explain."
The woman hesitated.
Then said it clearly.
"He's not just connected to the Void."
Adrian's heart skipped.
"…Then what?"
Her voice dropped.
"He's merging with it."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Adrian felt the ground shift beneath him.
"Merging…?"
Kai stepped forward instantly.
"That's impossible."
The woman shook her head slowly.
"Not with that mark."
Adrian's breathing quickened.
"What happens if… it keeps merging?"
No one answered.
That scared him more than anything.
Riven finally spoke.
"…You lose yourself."
Adrian froze.
"What?"
Riven's gaze was steady.
"You stop being human."
The words hit hard.
Too hard.
Adrian clenched his fists.
"No."
Kai stepped closer to him.
"That won't happen."
Adrian looked at him.
"You don't know that."
Kai didn't hesitate.
"I do."
Adrian's chest tightened.
"…How?"
Kai's voice was firm.
"Because I won't let it."
For a moment—
Adrian believed him.
But the mark on his wrist pulsed again.
Stronger this time.
As if it disagreed.
Riven turned away.
"We don't have time for this."
He gestured toward the deeper part of the base.
"Bring him."
Adrian blinked.
"Where?"
Riven didn't look back.
"To someone who knows more than we do."
Kai's expression shifted slightly.
"…You mean—"
Riven cut him off.
"Yes."
A pause.
Then—
"The Oracle."
Adrian frowned.
"…The what?"
Kai looked at him.
"She's the only one who might understand what's happening to you."
Adrian swallowed.
"And if she doesn't?"
Kai didn't answer.
Riven did.
"Then we prepare for the worst."
Adrian's stomach dropped.
"…And what's the worst?"
Riven finally looked back at him.
His eyes were cold.
Precise.
"Ending you… before the Void fully awakens."
Silence.
Adrian's heart pounded.
But strangely—
He didn't step back.
Didn't run.
Instead, he took a breath.
"…Then let's find your Oracle."
Kai looked at him.
Surprised.
Then—
He nodded.
And together—
They moved deeper into the Hunters' Domain.
Toward answers.
Toward danger.
Toward a truth Adrian wasn't sure he was ready to face.