Chapter 7

The tunnel's air crackled with lingering static, dust swirling in thick clouds as the aftershocks of Kellan's shockwave and Lira's electric surge faded into a suffocating silence.

Dax and Soren lay crumpled amidst the debris, their bodies motionless except for the shallow rise and fall of their breath. The acrid stench of burnt ozone and blood mixed with the damp rot of the underground, clogging Elena's throat as she staggered to her feet.

Her burnt hand trembled, the pain a dull throb beneath her rising fury.

She faced Kellan and Lira, her good eye blazing.

"What the hell was that?"

Her voice cut through the hush, a sharp demand that cracked like a whip against the tunnel walls.

Kellan's grin stretched wider, his glowing fists flexing, throwing jagged shadows against the stone.

"A wake-up call, Voss."

He took a step forward, his presence monolithic, his confidence smothering the space.

"You're done."

Beside him, Lira giggled, the sound high and sharp, like sparking wires snapping in rapid succession.

Electricity crackled at her fingertips as she twirled them lazily in the air.

"Surprise! We're not your buddies anymore."

Ryn had already moved, his body a coiled spring, instinct pushing him to step in front of Mira.

His usual relaxed stance was gone, replaced with something razor-sharp.

His amber eyes burned, locked onto Kellan and Lira, his voice low and lethal.

"You traitors—what's this about?"

Kellan's laughter boomed, bouncing off the damp stone walls.

"Traitors? Nah, Ryn. Survivors."

His fists pulsed, heat waves distorting the air around him.

"We joined the winning side—supervillains pay better."

Elena's scarred face twisted.

The betrayal sank deep, colder than ice.

"You sold us out? After everything?"

Lira tilted her head, her jittery energy now thrumming with malicious glee.

"Oh, Elena, your plan was so good—hit the boss, free the prisoners. We just tweaked it a little."

She gestured toward Dax and Soren, their unconscious forms sprawled among the rubble.

Her voice dripped mockery.

"Step one: take down the strongest. Worked like a charm!"

Mira's small hands balled into fists, shadows rippling at her feet like living creatures.

Her high voice snapped through the air like a whip.

"You're dead, Kellan. I'll rip you apart."

Kellan chuckled, his towering frame making Mira look impossibly small.

"Cute, kid. What're you gonna do—bite me like you did him?"

Lira's giggle was shrill.

"Look at her! Darkshadow? More like Darkshrimp—tiny and useless!"

Elena's jaw clenched, fury twisting through her.

Her burnt hand curled into a tight fist.

"We trusted you!"

Kellan shrugged, unfazed.

His tone was casual, cold.

"Survival, Voss. You'd do the same if you were smart."

Ryn's voice cut through like a blade.

"You betrayed us for a paycheck? Pathetic."

Lira smirked, her goggles flashing as she twitched her fingers, sending small arcs of electricity dancing between them.

"Not just a paycheck—power. The villains run this world now, and we're on top."

Mira nudged Ryn's elbow, her pout twisting into a scowl.

"Told you we shouldn't have come. They're trash."

Kellan's sneer returned.

His fists blazed brighter.

"Should've stayed home, kids. Now you're dead—thanks to Elena's big idea."

Elena's breath hitched.

Rage. Guilt.

She forced herself to breathe, to focus, to push away the self-doubt gnawing at the edges of her resolve.

"You'll pay for this."

Lira clapped her hands together, grinning.

"Oh, we won't! You will—tunnel's surrounded, courtesy of our new friends."

Kellan gave her a sharp nod.

"Call 'em in. Let's finish this."

Lira lifted her fingers to her lips—

And let out a piercing whistle.

The sound shrieked, bouncing off the tunnel walls like a siren call.

Mira winced, scowling.

"Stop that! It's annoying!"

Lira grinned wider, whistling again.

"What's wrong, kid? Too shrill for you?"

The tunnel remained silent.

No footsteps. No answering calls.

Nothing.

Kellan's grin faltered.

His fists dimmed slightly.

"Where the hell are they?"

Ryn's lips curled into a mocking smile.

His voice was light, taunting.

"What's that? Whistling for ghosts?"

Lira's smirk wavered.

Her fingers twitched.

She whistled again.

Still nothing.

The silence stretched, pressing in like a suffocating weight.

Kellan's irritation morphed into unease.

His fists blazed hotter.

"They're supposed to be here—two dozen, ready to swarm!"

Mira's smirk returned.

She exchanged a glance with Ryn.

His grin widened.

His voice dropped to a low purr.

"Waiting for someone, big guy?"

Kellan's teeth clenched.

"You little punks think this is funny? You're dead anyway!"

Ryn winked at Mira.

"Show 'em."

Mira snapped her fingers.

The tunnel shook.

Then—

A roar from above.

The mouth of the tunnel exploded, sending rubble and bodies raining down.

Lifeless figures in villain gear collapsed in a grotesque heap.

The stench of blood and rot hit hard.

Elena staggered back, her good eye widening.

Kellan's face drained of color.

His fists dimmed, the heat flickering.

Lira's goggles sparked.

Her hands trembled.

"What—what the hell?"

Ryn's grin turned savage.

His voice was smooth, electric.

"You wanted a trap? Looks like we set a better one."

Mira giggled, high and eerie.

Shadows curled around her, writhing like living creatures.

Her black gown melted away, shifting into a sleek, dark hero suit.

She grew taller, as tall as Ryn.

Her dark eyes gleamed with menace.

Ryn's jacket flared—then burst into flames.

His molten hands flexed, lava dripping from his fingertips.

The tunnel's dim light danced across his fiery form.

His voice crackled with heat.

"Miss us?"

Kellan stumbled back.

Fear etched into his face.

Lira's knees buckled.

Elena's breath caught.

"Darkshadow… Fireboy…"

Mira's shadows writhed, alive.

Her voice was a silky, deadly promise.

"Told you I'd kill you, meathead. Still want to laugh?"

Kellan choked on his breath.

Lira's fingers twitched uselessly.

The dead bodies kept piling.

The tunnel became a graveyard.

Ryn's flames blazed higher.

Mira's shadows grew darker.

And Kellan and Lira realized too late—

They were fked.