Chapter 6

The tunnel pulsed with thick, uneasy silence as Ryn pulled Mira aside, his voice low but firm, cutting through the damp air.

"Mira, we were superheroes once. You can't just erase that—saving people, being the good guys, that's who we are."

Mira's tiny frame stiffened.

Her black gown swished as she crossed her arms, her high voice sharp as glass.

"Were, Ryn. Past tense. Look around—this world's a corpse."

Ryn gestured to the cracked walls, the debris crunching underfoot.

"Yeah, it's bad. But we've got a chance to fix it. To move on."

Mira's dark eyes flashed.

Her pout twisted into a scowl.

"Move on? After everything?"

Her fists clenched.

"You're dreaming if you think these losers can change anything."

Ryn's jaw tightened, but his voice stayed steady.

"Our motive's always been the same—protect the innocent. That hasn't changed, even if we have."

Mira stomped a foot, the sharp sound echoing off the wet stone.

"We saw it on the way here—ruins, bodies, chaos. There's nothing left to save!"

He stepped closer, his casual air fraying.

"Maybe not everything. But something. Someone. We can't just hide forever."

Mira's glare held, then softened into stubborn defiance.

"Fine. Fight if you want, hero. I'm not. I'm going home."

Ryn's patience snapped, his voice rising.

"Go, then! I'm done arguing—I'm joining them."

He turned sharply, boots splashing as he strode back toward Elena and the others, leaving Mira in the shadows.

For a moment, she just watched him go.

Then, with a huff, she bolted after him, leaping onto his back like a feral cat, her teeth sinking into his neck.

Ryn yelled, stumbling forward as pain flared.

"Dammit, Mira!" he growled, shaking her off.

But a grin tugged at his lips.

"Knew you couldn't resist."

She landed lightly, brushing her gown, her pout returning.

"Shut up. I'm not letting you die without me."

Elena and the others watched in stunned silence.

Then—

Kellan snorted.

Leaning against the wall, his broad frame shook with quiet laughter.

"What's this? A lovers' spat or a circus act?"

Lira clapped, giggling.

"I like her. She's got spunk—tiny, but spunk."

Soren's smirk widened.

"Biting? That's one way to keep him in line."

Dax said nothing, his hooded gaze tracking Mira's pout.

A flicker of curiosity—something close to amusement.

Ryn rubbed his neck, wincing, then faced Elena, his tone shifting to business.

"Alright, we're in—both of us. What's your plan?"

Elena straightened.

Her burnt hand flexed, relief washing over her scarred face.

"Good. We've got a shot now."

She stepped closer, her cloak rustling, her good eye glinting with resolve.

"First move: we take down the local boss. Here. Now."

Kellan's arms uncrossed.

His interest piqued.

"Straight to the head? Bold."

Elena nodded.

"He's still building power. We hit him fast, free his prisoners."

Lira tilted her head, her jittery energy buzzing.

"Prisoners? You think there's heroes left alive?"

"Hopefully," Elena said.

She glanced at them all.

"If we get comrades back, they can help us take the surrounding zones. Then the city."

Soren's blade stilled.

Her frost-kissed hair caught the light.

"Rough plan. But it's a start. I like the guts of it."

Dax murmured, his hood dipping.

"Small steps. Could work if we're smart."

Ryn crossed his arms.

His casual stance returning.

"So, we're talking stealth—silent takedown, no alerts?"

Elena nodded sharply.

"Exactly. We can't let the other areas know. One whisper, and we're swarmed."

Mira huffed.

"Great. Sneaking around with you clowns. Sounds like a disaster."

Kellan grinned, his scarred fists flexing.

"Keep whining, kid. I'll enjoy watching you trip over that dress."

Shadows curled at Mira's fingertips, her glare sharp.

But Ryn waved her down.

"Focus, Mira. Plan's solid."

Lira clapped, bouncing.

"Ooh, a quiet strike! Like assassins in the dark!"

Soren rolled her eyes, but her smirk lingered.

"Less cheering, more thinking. We need details—where, when, how."

Elena crouched, tracing a rough map in the dust.

"The boss holes up in an old factory, edge of town. Guards, maybe a dozen. Him at the core."

Dax leaned in, his voice low.

"Prisoners likely underground—basement cells. I can sense if they're alive."

Kellan cracked his knuckles.

His growl eager.

"Good. I'll smash the grunts—silent, of course."

Mira snorted, crossing her arms.

"Silent? You? That'll be a miracle."

Ryn shot her a look, then turned to Elena.

"We'll scout first. Mira's shadows can cloak us."

Elena's good eye gleamed.

"Perfect. We move tomorrow night—full dark."

Lira bounced on her toes.

"Tomorrow? Oh, I can't wait! Sneaky sneaky!"

Soren sheathed her blade.

"Fine. But if it goes south, I'm not dying for this."

The group nodded.

For the first time, they had a goal.

A reason to fight.

Elena exhaled, her burnt hand relaxing.

"Rest up. We'll need it."

Ryn clapped Mira's shoulder, his grin returning.

"See? Told you it'd be worth it."

She swatted his hand away, muttering, "Still think you're an idiot."

But the spark in her eyes softened.

Kellan stretched, his shadow looming.

"Better not screw this up, Fireboy. I'm counting on a fight."

Lira darted around him.

"And I'm counting on winning! We're heroes again!"

Dax murmured, "Maybe. Let's not jinx it."

The tunnel's gloom seemed lighter, the steady drip of water almost rhythmic.

Then—

A sudden roar.

A shockwave ripped through the tunnel.

Kellan grinned wildly, his fists glowing with raw energy.

"It's time!"

Before anyone could react, he unleashed a blast.

Stone cracked. Dust exploded. The tunnel trembled.

Soren's eyes widened.

"What the hell—?!"

Lira flashed forward, her hands crackling.

"Surprise!"

Electric arcs slammed into Dax and Soren.

Dax was flung back, his hood torn away, crashing against the wall.

Unconscious before he hit the ground.

Soren staggered, her blade clattering as she collapsed, her frost-kissed hair spread in the rubble.

Elena lunged forward, her burnt hand outstretched.

"Kellan! Lira! What are you doing?!"

Ryn tackled Mira back, shielding her as rubble rained down.

His casual air gone.

"Are they insane?!"

Mira's shadows flared, her high voice shrill.

"Told you—this is a disaster!"