NXT_MARVEL

In a city where shadows hold more power than light, Detective Marcus Trent is drawn into a web of deceit, manipulation, and a chilling game that threatens to unravel everything he knows. When he receives an anonymous message promising disaster, Marcus finds himself chasing a series of cryptic clues that lead him to a mysterious figure known only as The Shadow—a mastermind pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

The clues are sinister: coordinates, encrypted messages, and cryptic warnings, all leading Marcus to a chilling truth—someone is always one step ahead. As the puzzle pieces fall into place, Marcus discovers that the game is more than just about tracking a criminal. It’s a countdown to a terrifying revelation—the endgame has already begun.

As the stakes rise and more lives are threatened, Marcus is forced to confront his own demons and question the trust he places in his colleagues. With no allies, no clear path forward, and the shadow of the mastermind looming closer, Marcus must navigate a treacherous maze of false identities, hidden motives, and twisted alliances.

The question is no longer just who is behind the chaos, but how far will they go before Marcus becomes the next pawn in a game where no one wins?

The Silent Veil: Code of Shadows

Marcus Trent's heart raced as the countdown ticked on the screen. He forced his mind to stay clear, but the questions kept hitting him like a sledgehammer. Who was this woman? Why had she been chosen? And why was every step he took playing into someone else's plan?

He checked the coordinates again. Abandoned industrial park. The exact same location. But he knew this was no coincidence. The message was precise. The clock was ticking.

He grabbed his gun and keys, bolting from the apartment. As he tore through the streets, his phone buzzed again. Another message.

"You're fast, Detective. But is fast enough?" Attached was a photo — the woman, her wrists bound, tears streaming down her face. Behind her, the clock was at 02:30.

The industrial park was a skeletal graveyard of rusting metal and broken glass. The wind whispered through the hollow buildings. Marcus kept low, his eyes scanning every shadow. He followed the coordinates, his steps echoing too loud in the emptiness.

He found the building — a massive, crumbling warehouse. The door stood ajar, creaking softly as it swung in the wind. He slipped inside.

The darkness was suffocating. The air smelled of oil and decay. And then — a sound. Faint. A muffled sob.

He moved toward it, every nerve on fire. He turned a corner — and stopped cold.

The woman was there. Tied to a chair, the clock at her feet.

He moved toward her, but his gut screamed trap. He scanned the room. No one. But the feeling of being watched was undeniable.

"It's okay," he whispered, kneeling to untie her hands. "I'm here to help."

"No," she whimpered. "It's — it's a—"

Monitors flickered on every surface, showing live feeds — his apartment, his office, the street outside. Someone had been watching him. Every move. Every second.

A voice filled the room. Distorted. Calm.

"Well done, Detective. But this was never about saving her. It's about saving you."

The woman screamed. And the monitors went black.

The building shook with a low, mechanical rumble.

"Run!" Marcus shouted, dragging the woman to her feet.

They sprinted through the darkness, the rumble growing louder. The exit loomed ahead — and then the voice spoke one last time.

They hit the ground outside just as the world behind them exploded in fire and steel.

The Edge of the Knife