The Gaze of the Syndicate

Zak stood there, blocking Kai's path in the flooded alley, a shadow whose intentions—threat or ally—remained unclear. This wasn't a casual encounter. His posture was that of someone who'd spent the whole night watching the street, eyes sharp, speech short, always ready to be two steps ahead of any lie.

Kai took a breath, trying not to show how much he was trembling. The core burned in his chest, a mix of heat and tingling. Each beat felt like an alarm for every resonant nearby.

Zak glanced at Kai's hand, still stained with dried blood and blue dust under his nails.

"I saw you almost fall a moment ago. In that state, you're going to end up dead at the next corner."

He wasn't being friendly. Just stating a fact, like someone who's seen too many people vanish without a trace.

"The Syndicate is watching your steps, you know? It's not just paranoia. Those sensors out there don't go off for nothing."

Kai kept his gaze down, struggling to hide pain and exhaustion.

"I'm not doing anything wrong. I just need to take care of some things for my sister. That's all."

Zak moved in slowly, leaning his shoulder against the damp wall but never fully blocking an escape route. The alley reeked of rain, garbage, and the metallic scent of blue moss. The air was heavy.

"Don't lie. The Syndicate saw you going in and out of the Nexus at odd hours, carrying too much energy for someone that sick and beat up." Zak shot him a sideways look, sizing him up from head to toe. "They say your core shines differently. And you know that attracts the wrong kind of attention."

Kai zipped up his jacket, trying to hide any sign of the core, but it felt pointless. It was as if he had a target on his chest.

"It's nobody's business, Zak. I just want to stay out of trouble."

Zak ignored it.

"Wanting peace in Solarius is like asking for silence in a war. Nobody buys it. And besides, the Syndicate isn't here to screw you over. They're here to prevent a bigger problem, like a corrupted collector snapping and taking half the neighborhood with him."

He leaned in, voice lower.

"We've been hearing rumors about anomalous creatures, people disappearing inside the Nexuses, and… well, you're not the only one acting strange."

A drone passed low, blue light slicing the puddles. Zak didn't even blink, only grew more attentive.

"Want a tip? The Syndicate is after anyone who looks out of place. If I were you, I'd take help before you actually need it."

Kai felt a chill. Zero whispered, dry and sharp: "Warning: possible trap. Cooperation not recommended."

Kai met Zak's eyes, searching for something real.

"What kind of help?"

Zak smirked, a smile that never meant just one thing.

"Protection. Information. Maybe a doctor… if you share what you know. The Syndicate loves a well-kept secret."

Kai hesitated. All he could think about was Lina, the pain, the fear of being a target for everyone.

"I don't have anything to say. I didn't see anything."

Zak didn't move, but his tone softened, almost friendly.

"Lying to me is pointless. I've known you a long time. All I'm saying is, if someone goes down, they'll pull you first. And if they find out you brought new energy out of the Nexus… they'll come after you. I can make sure at least your sister stays out of it. But only if you come clean."

The mention of Lina made Kai swallow hard. He shook his head, looking away.

"No. I don't want to get involved. I don't want you or the Syndicate near my family."

Zak was silent, didn't press."Brave. Or stupid."

He shrugged but stayed by Kai's side as they walked through the wet streets of Solarius, now with only a light drizzle. Surveillance disguised as company. Every step, Zak watched everything: the cameras on posts, Syndicate agents on slow motorbikes, sensors flashing red at certain doors.

Now and then, Zak muttered information, half to himself, half testing Kai.

"They say a corrupted collector was hunted down last night. The Syndicate found him turned inside out, half machine, half monster. Do you believe in that kind of thing, Kai?"

Kai just shook his head, but the echo of that sentence spun in his mind. Zero cut in:"Syndicate has intensified operations against unstable resonants. High risk of detection. Recommend withdrawal and continuous monitoring."

As they walked, Kai felt every eye on him. The alleys narrowed. Every corner had someone standing, watching. The sense of being surrounded grew with every block. Zero, now insistent, marked every agent."Attention. Two observers to the left. Possible Syndicate backup."

Nobody moved without a reason. Nobody smiled. Even old residents locked up early. Kai saw a mother dragging her child away, crossing the street to avoid him and Zak. The fear was tangible, mixed with fog and dead light.

At Kai's building, more Syndicate agents waited, hooded, eyes shining behind visors. Their gaze lingered longer on Kai than on Zak. The feeling of being boxed in was real.

At the door, Zak leaned against the frame.

"If you change your mind, come find me. Better a deal than ending up like the others."

Kai just nodded, pushing the door open. Lina opened it first, already worried.

"You took too long, Kai. And you… what are you doing here, Zak?"

Zak gave her a polite half-smile.

"Just brought your brother home safe. Keep an eye on him. He's worse off than he looks."

Kai closed the door, locking it. Lina didn't wait—already firing questions.

"You're shaking. And that guy, what does he want?"

Kai dropped his backpack, avoiding her eyes.

"Nothing. He just came to talk Syndicate nonsense. Nothing important."

Lina crossed her arms, irritated.

"You look pale, Kai. And what if it's your core? We should look for a real doctor."

Kai shook his head, exhausted.

"No doctor will help if they find out what's in my chest, Lina. It's better this way."

Silence fell heavy. Outside, rain and sirens still echoed. Lina, softer:"I'm afraid of losing you, Kai. You've never been this shut off. If you won't do it for yourself, do it for me…"

Kai had no answer. He just sat on the bed, staring at the dark street. The neighborhood felt smaller, tighter, full of hooded figures. Sensors flashed at alley corners. Every shadow stretched, walls closing in.

Zero, cold: "Siege detected. Imminent need to flee. Recommend immediate preparation for evacuation. Survival at risk if you stay."

Kai froze, watching the red lights blink outside. His heart pounded, the core burning with fear. Everything pointed to one thing: if they stayed, they wouldn't survive.

Even then, the noise outside didn't subside. Voices rose in the hallway, heavy footsteps on stairs, someone knocking on doors. Lina pressed her face to the window, searching the fog.

"They're not leaving, Kai. Why won't they just let us be?"

Kai had no answer. The core spun, alert to every noise, every movement. A siren wailed close. A flash of light crossed the room, shadows dancing on the ceiling. Everything felt colder. Zero cut the silence:

"Strategic escape recommended. Prepare emergency bag. Route options: three. All high risk."

Lina saw the desperation in Kai's eyes and sat next to him, taking his hand.

"I don't want to leave. This is all we have. Please, just tell me everything's going to be okay, even if it's a lie."

Kai squeezed her hand, feeling the weight of every word left unsaid. He wanted to promise safety, but he couldn't promise even that to himself.

Zero again: "Time running out. Agents approaching the perimeter. Imminent detection."

Kai stood up, taking one last look outside. The streets, once familiar, were hostile now. Almost all lights were off, but shadows moved fast in the alleys. The sensor at the corner turned solid red, beeping. Imminent invasion.

Lina's voice trembled behind him.

"If we have to run, just tell me. Don't leave me behind, Kai."

He looked at her, fear in his eyes.

"Never. I promise."

Zero finished, relentless: "Survival depends on immediate escape. Evasion plan: active."

Kai knew. There was no other choice. The siege was set. Every misstep could be their last.