No Safe Place

The broken ruins of the Echo Facility stood silent under the crushed skies.

Above, black clouds gathered, twisting unnaturally as if pulled by something deep underground.

Kaela stumbled forward, pressing a hand against the jagged gash across her side.

Her breath came in short, painful bursts.

Behind her, Riven limped heavily, one arm slung uselessly against his chest.

Arin coughed, blood trickling down his chin.

Even Veyne, usually a fortress of cold strength, leaned slightly on his damaged glaive.

They were alive — but barely.

And they weren't alone.

Signals Across the World

Unseen by them, the signal from the broken Hollowborn had already been broadcast.

Gangs began gathering in the wastelands, hearing whispers of a "new power" awakening.

Old corporations, desperate to regain their former strength, sent mercenaries to search the ruins.

Corrupted soldiers — those once loyal to the world's broken governments — marched again under black flags.

Even ancient cults hidden in the ruins began to chant strange prayers to the "Returning God."

The fall of Echo was not just an accident.

It was the start of another war.

And Kaela, Riven, Arin, and Veyne — children of a forgotten generation — were caught at its center.

Chased by Death

As they limped through the cracked city streets, something stalked them.

Kaela glanced over her shoulder.

Her heart skipped.

Shadows — moving too fast — too unnaturally.

They were being hunted.

Arin muttered, "We don't have the firepower to fight again..."

"We don't have a choice," Veyne said grimly, adjusting his weapon.

From the mist, figures emerged.

Black-robed scavengers with broken tech fused to their bodies — half-machine, half-flesh.

Eyes glowing green.

Weapons crackling.

They weren't mercenaries.

They weren't soldiers.

They were Harvesters — beings who fed on the remnants of war itself.

A Desperate Fight

The Harvesters rushed forward with chilling speed.

Kaela cried out, slashing at the first attacker, but her blade felt heavy.

Slower than usual.

Riven ducked under a swinging blade, driving his dagger into the enemy's throat —

— but another tackled him from behind.

Arin and Veyne fought back-to-back, plasma bolts sizzling through the fog.

They fought desperately, but they were wounded, tired — their strength fading with every second.

When All Seemed Lost

Just when the tide was about to crush them —

— a thunderous boom echoed through the city streets.

A Harvester exploded into smoking pieces.

From the rooftops, masked figures descended, their armor glinting.

Unknown warriors — neither enemy nor clear ally — intervened.

The newcomers fought with brutal precision, pushing back the Harvesters.

Within minutes, the attackers scattered into the mist.

Kaela dropped to one knee, gasping.

Riven clutched his bleeding side.

Arin leaned heavily on his gun.

One of the masked rescuers stepped forward.

Voice distorted but clear:

"You want to live? Follow us. There's no safety left in this city."