CHAPTER 4
232 Words
CHAPTER FOUR
A violent surge erupted from him, forming a dome of spiraling energy. The shockwave knocked every guard and Arbiter off their feet. Dust filled the air. Ruins collapsed.
When the fog cleared, Kael stood alone — panting, trembling, terrified.
He didn’t wait to see how many were still conscious.
He ran.
Through the scrap district.
Through the alleyways.
Through streets where people screamed at the sight of him.
The bracelets of every Ranked citizen glitched whenever he passed. Some people collapsed. Others cursed him. Some prayed.
He didn’t stop.
Not until he crashed into someone in a narrow alley.
A girl.
She grabbed his arm before he fell. Her emerald eyes scanned him quickly, sharply.
“You’re the one who broke the Hierarchy signal,” she whispered. Not afraid — curious.
Kael’s breath caught. “Who… who are you?”
She smirked faintly.
“My name is Lyra. And if you want to live, Rankless… you need to come with me.”
Kael hesitated. “Why should I trust you?”
“Because,” she said, tightening her grip on his wrist,
“the whole Dominion is hunting you — and I’m the only one who knows how to hide you.”
She leaned close, voice low and urgent.
“And because you’re not the first one the Hierarchy has tried to control… but you might be the last.”
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