Purt Death Of

Tony arrived at the edge of Purt, crouching low behind a pile of broken stone. Smoke filled the air, mixing with the metallic scent of burning machinery and scorched earth. His heart pounded in his chest, but his mind stayed sharp.

Togo's voice crackled in his ear. "You have a very low chance of surviving against even one Cyber Human. You will not win against seven."

Tony glanced around, seeing the towering figures of the Cyber Humans marching through the village, dragging screaming villagers in chains like animals.

"Why didn't you tell me this back at the village?" Tony whispered.

"There was no point." Togo's response was flat, almost cold.

Tony took a deep breath, leaped into the air, and landed hard on one of the Cyber Humans, slamming his fist into the metal skull. "Let that woman go!"

The Cyber Human barely flinched. He grabbed Tony and tossed him across the dirt like a rag doll. Tony coughed, spitting blood as he hit the ground.

The Cyber Human stepped forward, his mechanical eyes glowing red. "How dare you touch me, fleshling."

Behind him, six more Cyber Humans approached, energy cores pulsing with light. Togo's voice chimed in. "Life saved: 1. Four more lives to save to unlock a new power."

Tony groaned, pushing himself up. "Why are you burning this village? Why chain these people like animals?"

The lead Cyber Human, R14, stepped forward. "Because we were sent here by the System."

Tony's fists clenched. "System? All I hear is 'System'! What is the System? Why did it send you?"

R14 laughed, the sound harsh and grating. "Why should I tell you anything, dead man?"

Tony raised his fists. "Because I'm going to kill you."

R14's laughter grew louder. "Boys — kill this wannabe hero."

The Cyber Humans charged. They were fast — faster than Tony could follow. Before he could react, a blast slammed into his side, sending him skidding across the ground. A fist smashed into his gut, and a boot slammed into his back. Blood pooled in his mouth as his vision blurred.

He hit the dirt, coughing violently. R14 stood over him, his cybernetic hand shifting into a cannon. "Goodbye, hero."

A blinding blast of energy fired straight at Tony.

But before it could hit, a figure wearing dark clothes appeared from nowhere. The girl punched R14's arm aside, redirecting the blast into the sky. With surprising strength, she grabbed Tony, slinging him over her shoulder like a bag of rice, and ran.

A few hours later, Tony woke up, his head pounding. He was lying on a makeshift bed inside a dimly lit underground room. His body still ached, but his wounds were healed.

"Where am I? Who are you?" Tony groaned.

The girl sat nearby, leaning against the wall, her arms crossed. Her dark eyes studied him with amusement. "No 'thank you for saving your life'?"

Tony forced himself to sit up. "Thank you. But seriously — who are you?"

"Name's Aria." She stood up, pacing. "This is my house. We're close to Purt, but underground where the Cyber freaks can't see us."

Tony's mind caught up. "Togo, what happened?"

Togo's voice was dry. "What happened is you got your ass kicked, hero."

Tony sighed. "Figures."

Aria stepped closer, eyeing his suit. "Your suit… it's not Cyber Tech, is it?"

Tony frowned. "How do you know?"

Aria smirked. "Because I tried to steal it while you were passed out."

Tony blinked. "Wow. Thanks for the honesty."

Aria shrugged. "I don't do charity. The only reason you're alive is because I wanted that suit."

Tony stood up, rolling his sore shoulders. "Well, sorry to disappoint you, but the suit's staying with me. Besides, I have a village to save."

Togo's voice chimed in. "You're fully healed. No injuries remain."

Aria stepped in front of the exit, blocking his path. "Are you seriously going back out there? Are you actually that stupid? They're hunting you now."

Tony's eyes narrowed. "So I should just leave those people to die?"

Aria's smirk faded. "Why do you care so much?"

Tony's voice softened. "Because they deserve to live."

Aria's expression darkened. "Deserve? What makes you so sure anyone deserves anything? Life is just something you can kill, control, or enslave. That's all it's ever been."

Tony shook his head. "I don't have time for this."

Aria leaned against the wall, her smile cold. "I know how to save that village — if you give me a shot at taking your suit."

Tony turned to Togo. "What are the chances she could actually steal it?"

Togo's response was instant. "0.0000000000000000001%."

Tony grinned. "Good enough for me. Fine, Aria — you get one try."

Aria laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Relax, hero. I've got a better plan anyway."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "What plan?"

Aria's smile sharpened. "I can hack into Cyber Tech's systems. Control their sensors, blind them, make their targeting systems go haywire."

Tony's eyes lit up with hope. "That could work!"

Aria's voice dropped. "And if you let me, I can make them tear each other apart."

Tony's smile vanished. "No killing."

Aria groaned. "Ugh, you're one of those 'no-kill' heroes. Fine. No killing — for now."

Tony turned to Togo. "How many people are left in the village?"

Togo's voice was heavy. "There were 4,000 people in Purt. The Cyber Humans have already slaughtered 3,600."

Tony clenched his fists so hard they shook. "That leaves only 400 left."

He took a deep breath, steadying himself. "They're monsters."

Aria watched him, a strange flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "Let's see if you're strong enough to fight monsters without becoming one."