Chapter 13:Hunter's Mark

Dante's body ached like hell.

Every inch of him screamed in protest as he dragged himself through the dark streets, Zane limping beside him.

Neither of them spoke for a while.

There wasn't anything to say.

They had barely survived.

And next time?

They wouldn't be so lucky.

Dante exhaled sharply, his mind racing.

They needed a plan.

They needed more power.

And Dante knew exactly where to find it.

---

Zane grunted, wiping blood from his lip.

"That could've gone worse," he muttered.

Dante shot him a look. "We almost died."

Zane shrugged. "Yeah, but we didn't."

Dante shook his head. Moron.

Zane stretched his sore shoulder. "So? You got a plan?"

Dante smirked. "Maybe."

Zane stopped walking. "Maybe?"

Dante turned to him, his expression serious.

"I know someone."

Zane narrowed his eyes. "Who?"

Dante hesitated.

Then, finally—

"Alyssa."

Zane stared.

Then—

He burst out laughing.

Dante crossed his arms, waiting.

Zane clutched his stomach. "You—you're serious?"

Dante nodded.

Zane wiped a tear from his eye, still grinning. "Alyssa? That Alyssa? Your, little miss perfect since forever, cousin?"

Dante's jaw tightened.

"She's strong, Zane. And she actually cares about this kind of thing."

Zane's smirk faded slightly.

Dante continued, "Her Gift? It's rare. Not only that she has a knack for telling when people are hiding or when something just isn't right. That's how she's been picking up on the missing Gifted."

Zane crossed his arms. "And what? You think she's just gonna help us?"

Dante hesitated.

Alyssa was sharp. She had been too close to the truth for weeks now.

If he brought her in?

It could go very badly.

But if there was one thing Alyssa hated more than secrets—

It was injustice.

Dante clenched his fists.

"Give me a few days; I'll convince her."

Zane studied him, then sighed. "Fine. But if she figures out you've been lying to her?"

Dante's smirk returned. "Then we have bigger problems." the two then piled in Zane's car each looking forward to laying in their beds.

---

The next morning Dante's body still ached.

Every muscle screamed.

The encounter with Null had pushed him to his limits—and beyond.

For the first time, he had felt it.

The edge of his existence.

That terrifying moment when his stolen Gifts flickered out.

When he was nothing.

He would not let that happen again.

But if he wanted to win?

He needed more power.

And he knew exactly where to get it.

---

When Dante to school, Zane was waiting for him.

Dante barely made it through the school doors before Zane fell into step beside him.

Zane wasn't cocky today.

"You talk to Alyssa yet?" Dante didn't even look to Zane as he pulled his books out of his locker "Wow Mercer I didn't realize you cared so much about me" Dante smirked then looked to Zane.

He wasn't smirking.

He was serious.

"I'm serious Vasquez!" Zane looked around to make sure no one was listening "Don't play games with me, we don't know when Null will strike next..."

Dante could see the fear behind Zane's eyes, if it wasn't for the current reason behind said fear he'd be enjoying this moment.

Dante rubbed his temples " I said give me a few days didn't I? Rome wasn't built in a day". Zane looked at Dante confused "What does Rome have to do with any of this?" Dante rolled his eyes "Nothing, its just a saying Dumbass. Don't worry, I've got plans tonight but I'll talk to her tomorrow at lunch".

Zane took a slow breath, trying to control himself.

"You know, last night," he muttered. "With Null. You didn't just fight back."

Dante stayed quiet.

Zane's eyes narrowed.

"You resisted them."

Dante's pulse spiked.

Zane wasn't just suspicious anymore.

He was getting close.

Dante forced a smirk. "Maybe I'm just built different."

Zane didn't laugh.

Didn't blink.

Didn't look away.

"You're hiding something," Zane said. "And I'm going to find out what it is."

Dante shrugged. "Knock yourself out."

Zane clenched his jaw.

For a second, Dante thought he might attack him right there.

But then—

He let out a breath.

"Okay whatever, don't tell me what you're hiding, but you better tell me what Alyssa says as soon as you talk to her".

Zane then walked away.

Dante exhaled, rubbing his temples.

Zane was dangerous.

Not because of his power.

But because he was smart.

Dante had to move faster.

---

Choosing the Next Target

Dante leaned against the rooftop railing, staring at the city below.

He needed another Gift.

Something that would counter Null.

But what?

Zane's fire had been useless.

His lightning was too unstable.

His shadows couldn't keep up.

He needed something that would break through Null's power.

Then—

It hit him.

There was one ability that Null couldn't erase.

Something that was more defensive than offensive; Life Manipulation.

If Dante could heal instantly, he wouldn't have to fear Null's erasure.

And he knew exactly who had it.

---

Zane had mentioned once a Sophmore with a Life Gift.

Isaiah Kane.

A healer.

One of the strongest support Gifts that came from the Gift anomaly.

Dante had seen him before—working at a private clinic.

He could regrow limbs.

Repair nerves.

Cure incurable wounds.

And if Dante stole that ability—

He wouldn't just be stronger.

He'd be unstoppable.

---

That night, Dante took a page out of Null's book when getting ready.

Dante donned a mask, not anything fancy like Null's just a simple mask to conceal his identity. Dante then put his hood up and gloves on.

With Darkness at his heels he then headed to the rooftops looking for his prey.

---

He found Isaiah exactly where he expected him—walking home late.

Alone.

The clinic had just closed.

The streets were quiet.

Dante's pulse quickened.

He had done this before.

But something about this?

It felt different.

Isaiah wasn't a criminal.

Wasn't a threat.

But he had what Dante needed.

And in the end?

That was all that mattered.

Dante followed.

---

Isaiah turned onto a side street.

Dante moved faster.

One step. Then another.

The moment Isaiah sensed him—

Dante struck.

Shadows whipped forward, latching onto Isaiah's arms.

He barely had time to react before Dante was there, gripping his wrist.

And then—

The power transferred.

Isaiah gasped.

Dante's mind exploded with new sensations.

His cells hummed.

His bones strengthened.

He felt—

Unbreakable.

Isaiah collapsed to his knees.

His Gift was gone.

Dante staggered, overwhelmed.

This power—

It was alive.

He could feel his wounds from Null healing instantly.

For the first time—

He wasn't afraid.

---

Dante barely made it home before the headache hit.

His body rebelled.

Lightning. Shadows. Regeneration.

Too much.

Too fast.

His head throbbed.

His vision blurred.

But he wouldn't stop.

He couldn't.

Because now?

He was one step ahead of Null.

And nothing was going to stop him.

---

The next morning Dante dragged himself to school, exhaustion pressing down on him.

But the moment he stepped inside—

He felt it.

Something was wrong.

The air was heavy.

Students whispered in hushed voices.

Then—

A voice cut through the noise.

"Did you hear?"

Dante slowed.

"Isaiah Kane. He—he lost his Gift."

Dante's breath caught.

It was already spreading.

And worse?

Zane was staring at him.

Dante forced himself to walk.

To act normal.

But inside?

His mind raced.

Isaiah's loss wasn't just news.

It was a warning.

People were watching.

And if he wasn't careful—

They'd find out the truth.

---

Dante barely made it to his locker before Zane grabbed him.

His grip was tight.

Too tight.

"You were there, weren't you?" Zane muttered.

Dante forced a smirk. "Where?"

Zane's eyes burned.

"With Isaiah."

Dante shrugged. "What I do in my free time is none of your business".

Zane's jaw clenched.

Dante felt the heat in his hands.

Zane was angry.

Angrier than before.

"This isn't a game, Vasquez."

Dante's smirk faded.

Zane wasn't playing anymore.

He was close.

Too close.

And if Dante didn't act soon—

He might lose control of everything.

"Okay fine, yeah I was there. Happy? I thought I might be able to help if Null showed up. By the time I got there though I was too late...Null got to him".

Dante looked down trying to feign guilt, hoping Zane would fall for his lie.

Zane let go of Dante letting out a sigh "It's not your fault Vasquez, we couldn't take Null on even while we were together so of course you couldn't take him on alone".

Zane folded his arms "This why you need to talk to Alyssa at lunch; no excuses".

Dante let his shoulders droop rubbing his wrist, still feeling warm from Zane's heat and grip. "I know, I know, don't worry I promise I will. With Null's attacks getting more frequent we need to move fast".

Zane nodded to Dante then they both headed off to class.

---

As Dante walked to class, his phone buzzed.

A message.

From an unknown number.

He knew who it was before he even read it.

Null.

The text was short.

Simple.

"I know what you did."

Dante's stomach dropped.

Then—

Another message.

"You're not the only one hunting."

Dante's blood ran cold.

Because that meant only one thing.

Once again Dante wasn't the predator; he was the prey.

---

Dante shoved his phone into his pocket, mind spinning.

He had been careful.

Covered his tracks.

But if Null knew…

Who else did?

His pulse pounded.

They might come for him.

He had to get stronger. Not just with Gifts, but with allies as well.

Dante clenched his fists.

He wouldn't go back to being weak.

Wouldn't let himself be hunted.

If someone else wanted to play this game?

Then he'd win.

No matter who he had to take down.

---

During lunch Dante found Alyssa in the cafeteria, surrounded by her usual group.

She was talking fast, hands moving, her eyes sharp as she pieced things together.

Dante recognized the look.

She was on the hunt.

Dante took a deep breath and walked over.

The second she saw him, she narrowed her eyes. "You. Sit."

Dante smirked, sliding into the seat. "Miss me?"

Alyssa ignored him.

She leaned forward, whispering, "Counting Isiah Kane thats three more that disappeared just last night".

Dante pretended to be surprised. "Damn. That's bad."

Alyssa rolled her eyes. "Cut the act. Something's happening, and I know you're mixed up in it."

Dante kept his face blank. "No idea what you're talking about."

Alyssa studied him.

Dante forced his heartbeat to stay steady.

Then—

She sighed, rubbing her temples.

"Whatever. Look, I need help tracking this thing."

Dante stilled.

Alyssa needed help.

This was his opening.

He leaned in. "What if I told you I know where to start?"

Alyssa's eyes sharpened.

Dante smirked. "You in?"

Alyssa exhaled.

Then—

"Yeah. I'm in."

---

Alyssa took Zane and Dante to her house.

The second they stepped inside, Dante felt like he had walked into a conspiracy board.

Papers. Maps. Strings connecting photos.

Alyssa was obsessed.

Dante whistled. "You always been this crazy?"

Alyssa glared. "Shut up and listen."

She pointed to a list of names.

"All the missing Gifted. Strong. Skilled. Gone."

Zane crossed his arms. "And?"

Alyssa turned to them.

"I think they were targeted."

Dante feigned confusion. "By who?"

Alyssa's expression darkened.

"A hunter."

Zane frowned. "You mean like—"

Alyssa nodded.

"Someone's getting rid of elite Gifted".

Dante kept his face neutral.

Alyssa continued, "But not like a normal fight. These people are just disappearing."

Zane muttered, "That sounds a lot like Null."

Alyssa froze. "Null?"

Dante shot a glare at Zane.

Alyssa leaned in. "Tell me everything."

Dante hesitated.

Then—

He told most of the truth.

---

By the time Dante finished, Alyssa was pacing.

"This… This changes everything," she muttered.

Zane raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

Alyssa stopped.

Then—

She pointed at the board.

"The Gifted who vanished? They weren't random. They were picked."

Dante frowned. "Picked?"

Alyssa nodded.

"They all had something in common."

She turned to them.

"They weren't just strong."

Dante's blood ran cold.

"They were linked."

Zane stiffened. "Linked how?"

Alyssa took a slow breath.

Then—

She dropped the bombshell.

"They were all from the same project."

Dante's stomach twisted.

Zane tensed. "What project?"

Alyssa hesitated.

Then, softly—

"Codename Phoenix"

---

Dante knew that name.

Everyone did.

It was a myth.

A legend about a group of scientists who tried to combine compatible Gifts to achieve amplifed Gifts.

To make something more.

Something inhuman.

Dante swallowed hard. "That's not real."

Alyssa looked at him.

"It is."

Silence.

Zane muttered, "Bullshit."

Alyssa ignored him.

She pointed to an old document.

Faded. Redacted.

But still there.

Alyssa looked up.

"This is why Null is hunting."

Dante felt his pulse spike.

Alyssa's voice was quiet.

"They're erasing the remnants of the Codename Phoenix"

And just like that—

The game had changed.

---

Dante sat in silence, absorbing it all.

If Null was erasing Phoenix survivors…

Then that meant—

Dante tensed.

Zane noticed. "What?"

Dante exhaled.

"We need to find one."

Alyssa frowned. "Find one?"

Dante nodded.

"If Null is hunting them… then we need to beat them to it."

Zane scoffed. "Yeah? And where do we find a Phoenix survivor?"

Alyssa hesitated.

Then—

She grabbed a file.

Tossed it onto the table.

Dante picked it up.

And froze.

The name on the file?

Stacy Archer.

Dante's stomach dropped.

Alyssa's voice was quiet.

"She's next."

Dante's hands tightened.

For the first time—

The fight had become personal.

And this time?

Dante wasn't playing for power.

He was playing to win.

Dante looked from Zane to Alyssa "We need to head out immediately ".