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 froze. The sound of Emily's voice — twisted, hollow — sent ice through his veins. He turned toward her slowly, his mind screaming at him that something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

Emily's body convulsed, her breathing shallow and erratic. When she finally sat up, her head tilted in an unnatural way, and the darkness in her eyes… it was endless.

"Marcus…" she whispered again, but there was no warmth. No familiarity. Only the cold edge of something ancient and hungry.

But the thing wearing Emily's face only smiled.

Vale clapped his hands slowly behind him. "Ah, the transformation begins. How… poetic."

Marcus whipped around. "What did you do to her?!"

"I warned you," Vale said, his tone almost sympathetic. "Power comes with a cost. And you paid it."

"No…" Marcus's hands shook. The darkness inside him surged, feeding on his fear. He tried to push it down, but it lashed back harder.

"Don't fight it," Vale whispered. "You've already opened the door. Let it in. Let it consume you."

"No!" Marcus's voice was a roar. "I won't—"

One moment she was across the room — the next, her hand was around his throat, slamming him into the stone wall with inhuman strength. He gasped for air, his vision swimming.

"Marcus…" The voice that spoke wasn't hers. It was layered, distorted — as if a thousand voices whispered beneath it. "Why did you call me?"

His heart pounded. "Emily… please…"

She tilted her head, curious. "Emily? That name means nothing here."

"I'm going to kill you," she said, almost sweetly.

The darkness inside Marcus snapped.

With a burst of strength, he shoved her back — and the room exploded with shadow. Tendrils of blackness lashed out, striking the walls and floor. Emily landed gracefully, eyes gleaming with eerie amusement.

"Good," Vale whispered from the sidelines. "Very good."

"Shut up!" Marcus roared, his voice distorting as the power within him surged.

But Emily was already moving again. She attacked in a blur — and Marcus barely managed to block. Their clash sent shockwaves through the room. The air crackled with dark energy.

"You wanted this," she whispered against his ear. "Don't pretend you didn't."

"You can't save what's already lost."

Their battle raged on. Stone cracked beneath their feet. Shadows danced wildly, responding to Marcus's fury. But the more he fought, the deeper the darkness sank its claws into him.

And all the while, Vale watched. Smiling.

"You're lying," Marcus panted, dodging a strike. "She's still in there. I know she is."

Marcus's chest heaved. His vision blurred. And when Emily attacked again, something inside him snapped.

The room became a storm of shadows and screams.

And when the dust settled… only one of them was left standing.

Into the Abyss