Hunted in the Shadows

Chapter 28 – Hunted in the Shadows

Kael-X turned sharply toward the voice, his body instinctively preparing for another fight. The exhaustion in his muscles begged for a break, but his mind sharpened, pushing through the fatigue. Helios gritted his teeth, gripping his sword tightly, while the shadow beast let out a low, guttural growl.

A figure stepped forward from the darkness.

Dressed in tactical gear, their face was hidden beneath a reinforced mask with glowing red lenses. Their posture was calm, controlled—a trained hunter.

"Kael-X," the figure spoke again, voice distorted through a voice modulator. "You've caused quite a mess."

Kael-X remained silent, assessing. The presence of Compound-X was faint, but he could feel it. Whoever this was, they had enhancements.

Helios stepped forward. "Who the hell are you?"

The figure tilted their head slightly. "I could ask the same."

Then, in a blink, they moved.

Fast.

Helios barely had time to react before the hunter lunged forward, drawing a dagger coated in a strange, glowing substance. Kael-X caught the movement and intercepted, blocking with his forearm. The impact sent a shockwave through his bones.

The hunter was strong.

Kael-X countered with a punch, but the figure dodged, twisting their body with unnatural agility. Helios swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming to take advantage of the hunter's movement. But the attacker flipped backward, evading effortlessly.

"Damn," Helios muttered. "This one's different."

The shadow beast reacted, leaping forward to strike.

The hunter didn't even flinch.

With a swift motion, they pulled out a small cylindrical device and tossed it toward the ground. The moment it landed, it emitted a pulse of bright energy—the shadow beast recoiled, screeching as its form flickered, weakened.

Kael-X's eyes widened.

"They're prepared for us."

The hunter lunged again, this time targeting Kael-X directly. They struck with precision, aiming for weak points, forcing Kael-X to stay on the defensive.

For the first time in a while, he felt like prey.

Helios tried to interfere, but a second figure emerged from the shadows—another hunter, equally fast, equally deadly.

"We can't fight here," Helios gritted out. "We're still too exposed."

Kael-X blocked another strike, feeling his body strain. If he were fully rested, this fight would be different.

But right now…

"We need to run," Kael-X muttered.

Helios's eyes widened. "What?"

Kael-X grabbed his arm and shoved him back. "Go. Now."

Helios hesitated, then gritted his teeth and sprinted toward the forest. The shadow beast, still weakened, followed.

Kael-X turned back to the hunter.

"I'll be seeing you soon," he muttered.

Then, with a burst of speed, he took off.

The hunters didn't chase.

They just stood there, watching.

And then one of them spoke into a hidden communicator.

"He's getting weaker," the hunter said. "Just as planned."

Kael-X moved swiftly through the dense forest, his enhanced senses picking up the distant hum of drones scanning the area. His breathing was steady, but the exhaustion was undeniable. He had been fighting since he arrived on Earth, and now, his body demanded rest.

Helios ran beside him, his grip tight on his sword. The shadow beast followed closely, its form flickering slightly from the earlier attack.

"We need a place to lay low," Helios muttered.

Kael-X nodded. His mind raced through possible options, but he had no safehouse, no allies, nowhere to turn.

For the first time in a long while, he realized—he was on the run.

The sound of choppers grew faint in the distance. News drones hovered high above the city, broadcasting live footage of the destruction left in Kael-X's wake. His image was everywhere now—a wanted figure, a threat to the world.

"We can't stay in the open," Helios said. "Those hunters… they weren't ordinary soldiers. They knew exactly how to counter you."

Kael-X exhaled sharply. It was true. Whoever those hunters were, they were trained, enhanced, and prepared for him.

But why?

And how did they know about Compound-X?

The group finally came across an abandoned warehouse near the outskirts of the city. The metal structure was rusted, windows shattered, but it was enough for now. Kael-X stepped inside, his movements slower than usual.

Helios scanned the area before finally sitting down. "We need to figure out our next move."

Kael-X didn't answer. He walked toward a dark corner of the warehouse and leaned against the wall, finally allowing his body to rest.

The shadow beast curled up nearby, its massive form blending into the darkness.

Helios sighed. "This isn't sustainable. You can't keep running like this."

Kael-X closed his eyes for a brief moment. "I don't plan to."

Silence filled the space, interrupted only by the distant hum of drones searching for them.

Helios sat back, staring at the ceiling. "You know, before all this, I never imagined I'd be running for my life alongside an alien enhanced by some mysterious substance."

Kael-X smirked slightly but said nothing.

A moment later, Helios' expression darkened. "We need answers. Who were those hunters? Who sent them? And more importantly… what's their real goal?"

Kael-X finally opened his eyes.

"They weren't trying to kill me," he said.

Helios frowned. "What?"

"They were testing me," Kael-X continued. "Every attack, every movement… they were gathering data. Studying me."

Helios' eyes widened. "Then that means—"

"They'll be back," Kael-X said simply.

Helios ran a hand through his hair. "Then we need to find them first."

Kael-X exhaled. He knew that rest wouldn't last long. A storm was coming. And this time, he needed to be ready for it.