Chapter 17: When Predators Collide
The air twisted violently.
The Hunter stood at the center of the cracked courtyard, dark energy gathering around its body.
---
"Elimination protocol—"
---
It stopped.
---
Mid-sentence.
---
Emily frowned.
"…Why did it stop?"
---
Daniel's expression changed instantly.
---
"Because…" he said quietly,
"…we're not the only ones here anymore."
---
A cold chill ran down Emily's spine.
---
The light around them dimmed.
---
Not naturally.
---
Something was swallowing it.
---
Zara's smirk disappeared.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
---
A familiar presence crept into the space.
Slow.
Heavy.
Unnatural.
---
Emily's breath caught.
---
"No…" she whispered.
---
Behind the Hunter—
---
The shadow appeared.
---
Not faint this time.
Not flickering.
---
Clear.
Solid.
---
Watching.
---
The Eater.
---
The Hunter turned slowly.
---
For the first time—
---
it wasn't focused on them.
---
"…Unknown entity detected."
---
Its voice glitched slightly.
---
"Data… unavailable."
---
The Eater tilted its head.
---
Almost curious.
---
…You interfere…
---
Its voice echoed directly in Emily's mind.
---
Stronger than before.
---
Closer.
---
Daniel stepped forward immediately.
"Don't listen to it."
---
But Emily couldn't look away.
---
Because this time—
---
it wasn't just watching her.
---
It was watching the Hunter.
---
Two predators.
---
One space.
---
Zara exhaled slowly.
"…This is new."
---
The Hunter raised its arm—
energy gathering rapidly.
---
"Threat assessment updated."
---
A pause.
---
"Primary target… shifted."
---
Emily's eyes widened.
---
"…It's targeting the Eater?"
---
Daniel nodded slowly.
"…Looks like it."
---
Zara cracked her knuckles.
"Well… let them fight."
---
But Daniel shook his head immediately.
"No."
---
"Why not?" she snapped.
---
"Because if one of them wins…" he said,
"…we're next."
---
Silence.
---
That made sense.
---
Too much sense.
---
The Eater stepped forward.
---
Slow.
Unbothered.
---
Like it didn't see the Hunter as a threat.
---
…Artificial… construct… it murmured in Emily's mind.
---
The Hunter responded instantly—
launching forward.
---
Fast.
---
Faster than before.
---
It struck—
---
But this time—
---
It passed through.
---
Like hitting smoke.
---
The Eater didn't move.
---
Didn't react.
---
…I am not… for you…
---
Then—
---
It moved.
---
Not fast.
---
Not aggressive.
---
But absolute.
---
Its hand lifted slightly—
---
And the Hunter froze mid-motion.
---
Completely.
---
"…What?" Zara whispered.
---
Even Daniel's eyes widened slightly.
---
The Hunter struggled—
its body glitching—
---
"System override… failing…"
---
The Eater tilted its head again.
---
…You mimic… but do not understand…
---
Then—
---
With a simple motion—
---
It pushed.
---
No force.
No impact.
---
And yet—
---
The Hunter was thrown across the courtyard—
---
slamming into the ground harder than before.
---
Cracks spread everywhere.
---
Silence.
---
Emily's heart pounded.
---
"That thing…" she whispered.
"…It's stronger."
---
Daniel didn't respond.
But his expression said enough.
---
Yes.
---
The Hunter rose again—
damaged this time.
---
But still active.
---
"Re-evaluating…"
---
The Eater slowly turned its attention—
---
Back to Emily.
---
Her breath stopped.
---
…You are close…
---
The words sent a chill through her entire body.
---
Close… to what?
---
"Emily," Daniel said sharply. "Don't engage it."
---
Too late.
---
Because the Eater stepped closer.
---
And this time—
---
It reached out.
---
Not to attack.
---
But to touch.
---
Her.
---
…Soon…
---
Emily froze.
---
But before it could reach her—
---
The Hunter roared—
launching itself back into the fight.
---
"Target priority restored!"
---
It charged—
this time aiming for both of them.
---
Zara stepped forward instantly.
"Okay, that's enough of this."
---
Daniel moved too.
"Emily, stay focused!"
---
But Emily couldn't move.
---
Her mind echoed with one word.
---
Soon.
---
And somehow—
---
That felt worse than everything else.