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

The storm of shadows settled, leaving the room cloaked in an eerie stillness. Marcus stood at the center, his chest heaving, his body trembling from exhaustion — and something far worse. The darkness still pulsed through his veins, alive and hungry.

At his feet, Emily lay motionless.

"No…" His voice cracked. His knees buckled as he collapsed beside her, shaking her shoulders gently. "Emily… wake up… please…"

The weight of what he had done crashed down on him like an avalanche. His hands — the same hands that had fought to protect her — were now stained with the aftermath of his own power.

"You knew this was inevitable," Vale's voice cut through the haze like a knife.

Marcus's head snapped up, his eyes burning. "Shut your mouth!"

But Vale only smiled — calm, composed, as if the entire battle had been nothing more than entertainment. "Why deny the truth? You embraced the darkness, Marcus. And this… this is the price."

"I didn't want this," Marcus whispered, his voice breaking. "I wanted to save her."

Vale tilted his head, eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "Save her? Or save yourself from the fear of losing her?"

The words hit like a physical blow.

"Face it," Vale continued softly, stepping closer. "You were never her savior. You were her downfall."

The darkness inside Marcus stirred violently, feeding on his pain and rage. But before he could lash out, a faint sound froze him in place.

Marcus's heart leaped. He turned back to Emily just as her fingers twitched.

"Emily?" His voice was barely a whisper.

Her eyes fluttered open — but what looked back at him wasn't the girl he knew. The warmth, the light… it was gone. What remained was cold, distant, and unfamiliar.

"Marcus…" she whispered, and though the voice was hers, there was something wrong in its tone.

He reached for her — but she flinched away.

The words sliced through him like a blade.

"Emily, it's me," he said desperately. "Please… it's me."

But her eyes — those eyes he had loved — were filled with fear.

"What… what did you do to me?" she whispered.

Before he could answer, Vale clapped his hands slowly. "Ah, the reunion. How… bittersweet."

"Shut up!" Marcus roared, the darkness flaring violently.

But Emily's fear only grew. "Stay away from me!" she cried, scrambling back against the wall.

Marcus froze, the pain in her voice cutting deeper than any wound.

"Don't you see?" Vale said softly, stepping forward. "She knows what you are now. And she'll never trust you again."

"No…" Marcus shook his head, his vision blurring. "Emily, I—"

And in that moment, the darkness finally won.

Marcus staggered to his feet, his head pounding. "If this is what you wanted, Vale…" he whispered, his voice trembling with rage, "then you've got it."

Shadows erupted around him, filling the room with a suffocating pressure. The air grew thick and cold.

Vale's smile widened. "Yes… show me what you've become."

The room exploded in chaos — and the battle for his soul began.

The Price of Power