Bleak buff

Kai pressed his back against the cold brick wall, his breathing steady but focused. He had been tailing Ava through the winding alleyways behind the circus grounds, but now, as he peeked around the corner, she was gone.

"Huh… where did she—"

A sudden heatwave rushed toward him. Kai barely had time to react, dropping low and rolling across the pavement. He felt the warmth graze his skin as he drew a knife, flipping it in his grip just in time to block another incoming blade. Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal.

Ava smirked, her golden eyes glowing with amusement. "I see you haven't lost your reflexes, Kai."

Kai let out a breath, smirking back. "And you haven't lost your thing for flames, Ava."

Ava lunged, twisting her knife toward him, but Kai dodged and kicked upward, his boot knocking her hand aside. The weapon slipped from her grip, but she quickly recovered, flipping backward and summoning another flicker of fire in her palm.

"Still stuck in this cycle of fighting, huh?" Kai asked, eyeing her circus outfit. "And… circusing? That's new."

Ava chuckled, twirling her knife between her fingers. "It's what I love. And I have plenty of trophies and awards."

Kai sidestepped as a burst of fire blazed past him. He landed gracefully, dusting off his coat. "Looks like our top fighter decided to take on some extracurricular activities."

Ava let out a dark chuckle. "Taking down targets for the leader is far more rewarding. And a lot more fun."

She stopped for a moment, tilting her head slightly. "But I doubt you came here just to chat about my circus tricks… though sparring with you is as fun as the good old days."

Kai held her gaze, his expression unreadable. "I wanted to speak with Morgan. Too bad I arrived just in time to see him fall. Was that an order from the leader?"

Ava's smirk didn't waver. "My only role is to handle problems, and in this case, he became one."

She sighed, tapping her chin as if bored. "What did you want to see him for, anyway?"

Kai slid his knife back into his pocket and crossed his arms. "I needed to know if Mei was still alive… or maybe in their custody." He glanced to the side briefly, then added, "But Lila is just as important in my mission. I wanted to make sure Morgan didn't harm her here… before I'm ready to deal with her myself."

Ava's lips curled into a dark smile. "Oh."

Meanwhile, Lila walked alone, glancing over her shoulder. Something felt off. The eerie silence of the empty street made her uneasy.

She came to a sudden stop, listening.

Nothing.

Just as she exhaled in relief, a firm hand covered her mouth. Her eyes widened in shock.

She struggled, but a sharp sting to her neck sent a wave of dizziness through her body.

Before she could react, her world faded to black.