The Calm Before the Storm

### Chapter 42: ""

(Scene)

The city skyline glistened as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow across the buildings. The group had managed to escape the chaos of the warehouse, but the victory felt incomplete. Victor Hale’s control center had been destroyed, but Rio knew deep down that it wasn’t the end. Hale would regroup, recalibrate, and come back stronger.

(Rio, driving, eyes on the road) "We hit him hard, but we didn’t take him down for good. Hale’s too smart for that. He’ll have contingencies."

(Erica, sitting beside him, deep in thought) "You’re right. He’s not the kind of person to leave everything in one place. That warehouse was just a small piece of the puzzle."

In the back seat, Ryuu was leaning against the window, exhaustion etched on his face. Kaori and Eren were in another car, following behind them as they sped toward their next safe house.

(Ryuu, voice low) "So what now? We just keep running?"