WAR IN THE SHADOWS

Liam's silver eyes fell on the newcomer.

The first Hunter was already down, attempting to get up from where he had been flung into the wall. But this one — this second Hunter — was different. Stronger. More composed. And the glowing crystal in their hand was a danger.

"That's no ordinary artifact," Noctis said. "Be careful."

Liam didn't need the warning. He felt the pressure in the air, the difference in the energy around him. His instincts screamed to go first—to strike before this Hunter had the chance to unleash whatever power she had.

Before he could move, however, the Hunter spoke.

"You shouldn't have picked this fight, boy," they said, voice smooth and confident. "The first was just a test. I am the executioner."

Liam exhaled sharply. "Funny," he said, allowing the shadows to come around his hands. "Because I was just thinking the same thing."

The second Hunter didn't flinch. Instead, they pulverized the crystal in their palm.

Dark energy exploded through the air.

The Hunter's Trump Card

A shockwave spread outward, warping the shadows around them. Liam sensed it immediately — his bond with the dark was frayed, as if some thread that bound him to Noctis had been cut.

For the first time ever since receiving his powers, the shadows were slow, not responding.

He gritted his teeth. "What… the hell did you do?"

The Hunter smirked. "Did you really think we weren't going to come prepared?"

Liam's fists balled and his thoughts began to whirl. He could still feel the shadows, but they weren't roaming as freely. It was as if they were… resisting his will.

"That artifact," Noctis hissed, "it severs our bond. We must act swiftly."

The Hunter moved—in a flash of movement, they were already in front of him, a dagger's edge aimed for his throat.

Liam barely dodged. He turned to the side, shadows skimming around his feet as he attempted to phase away —

Nothing.

His ability failed.

The Hunter seized the opportunity, driving their knee into Liam's ribs. He was blown backwards, pain exploding through his side as he crashed into the concrete wall behind him.

Liam wheezed, unable to speak. They had weakened him.

And it was working.

Liam forced himself to stand. His ribs hurt, and his mouth tasted of iron.

The second Hunter approached him, cool, like they'd won already.

"You depend on that power too much," they said. "Without it, you're just another lost soul waiting to be reaped."

Pain threaded through Liam's voice, but he laughed. "You believe I need my powers to kill you?

The Hunter's smirk faltered a little.

Liam took that as his opportunity.

He didn't feel it, moving, closing the distance quickly. His fist lunged out, targeting the Hunter's jaw.

The Hunter ducked—but not quickly enough. Liam's knuckles brushed their chin, sending them stumbling back a step.

It wasn't much.

But it was enough.

Liam's foot came up and kicked the Hunter's wrist, dislodging their dagger. Thinking no more, he lunged forward, caught the plunging blade —

And drove it into their chest.

The Hunter turned at the last moment, dodging a killing blow. The dagger sank into their shoulder instead, blood welling.

Liam didn't stop.

He rolled with his momentum, driving his elbow into their ribs. The Hunter faltered, a glimmer of shock in their face.

"You think I can only fight shadows?" Liam growled. "Bad assumption."

The Hunter smiled despite the pain. "Good. I thought that would be interesting."

Then—they countered.

A burst of energy jolted from their body, sending Liam flying.

Before he could regain his balance, the Hunter was upon him, grabbing him by the collar and smashing him into the wall.

The air was knocked from Liam's lungs with a wheeze.

"I'll give you credit," the Hunter said in a low voice, pushing a knee into his chest to keep him pinned. "Most Shadowborn are more dependent on their power than you are. But you? "You struggle like a man accustomed to hurt."

Liam glared. "You have no idea."

With whatever remaining strength he had, he thrust his head forward.

His forehead smashed into the Hunter's nose.

Crack.

The Hunter staggered back, snarling in agony.

Liam seized the opportunity to get away, rolling away across the ground, putting space between them. His body was screaming, his energy all but gone.

But he wasn't done yet.

"Liam," Noctis' voice sliced through the din. "The strength of the artifact is waning. Our connection is returning."

Liam's breath hitched. Finally.

The shadows swirling about him changed — slowly, at first, then surging to life.

The Hunter dabbed blood from their jaw, eyeing Liam warily. "Sounds like your electricity is coming back."

Liam grinned and flexed his fingers as the blackness wrapped around his arms. "Yeah," he said. "Which means I win."

This time, when Liam stepped, the darkness stepped with him.

He faded, and suddenly materialised behind the Hunter.

The Hunter was barely able to react before shadows wrapped around their limbs, yanking them backwards.

Liam did not allow them to slip away.

He thrust his fist into their stomach. Hard.

The Hunter gagged on air, their body folding at the strike.

Liam spun, allowing his motion to carry him into a sharp kick to their ribs that sent them sliding down the pavement.

They tried to rise—

But the shadows weighed them down.

Liam advanced, and his eyes burned like liquid silver.

"You said I was just another lost soul? he murmured.

He bent low, holding the Hunter's throat.

"You were wrong."

The Hunter fought, but Liam clamped down harder, blackness flooding into their skin — sapping their strength, their energy, their will to fight.

Their body shook, their breath coming in ragged gulps.

And then — just as Liam was about to deliver their finishing blow — a piercing whistle pierced the air.

Liam's instincts screamed.

He pivoted in time to catch a glint of silver hurtling toward him.

A knife.

It was too late to dodge.

The blade sank deep into his shoulder.

Liam let out a gasp and staggered backward as new pain exploded in him.

He looked up—

And the third Hunter was at the end of the alley.

They were different. They were cloaked in darkness, their very presence a hurricane ready to bust its banks.

And in that hand was a second crystal, one that coursed with an energy Liam recognized immediately.

Noctis' voice turned sharp. "That crystal… it can even kill us.

Liam's pulse pounded.

This fight wasn't over.

It was just getting started.