Shadows on the Horizon

The tunnels stretched endlessly before them, a dark labyrinth of rusted metal and damp concrete.

X, Raven, and Kessler moved quickly, their footsteps echoing in the silence.

Behind them, Agent Z was recovering. He wasn't dead.

Not yet.

But X had finally seen something.

A weakness.

And that meant next time, he wouldn't just survive—he would win.

They reached an old maintenance exit, pushing through a rusted door that led into the cold night.

A storm was rolling in, thick clouds swallowing the city skyline.

Raven pressed a hand to her injured wrist. "So what now?"

X glanced at Kessler. "You said Mercer is in Prague. That means we need a way out of the city."

Kessler nodded quickly. "I have a contact. A smuggler. If we can reach the docks, he can get us out."

X narrowed his eyes. "Can we trust him?"

Kessler hesitated. "He values money more than loyalty. But that works in our favor."

Raven sighed. "Great. Another scumbag."

X checked his weapons—low ammo. No grenades left.

They needed to move fast.

As they hurried through the alleyways, X's instincts screamed a warning.

Something was wrong.

He turned—just in time to see a shadow move across the rooftops.

A sniper.

"DOWN!" X shouted.

BANG!

The bullet missed by inches, slamming into the brick wall beside them.

Raven and Kessler dove for cover as another shot rang out.

X gritted his teeth. They weren't just running anymore.

Echelon had sent more hunters.

A figure dropped down from above, landing with catlike precision.

She was tall, dressed in a sleek tactical suit, a sniper rifle slung over her back.

Her emerald-green eyes locked onto X.

Raven swore under her breath. "Oh, shit."

Kessler paled. "It's her."

X's jaw tightened. "Who?"

Kessler's voice shook. "Agent Widow."

A smirk played across the woman's lips as she drew two sleek pistols.

"Nice to finally meet you, X," she said smoothly. "I've heard so much about you."

She cocked her gun.

"Shall we dance?"