The fire clung to Kain's armor like hungry oil. It licked across his chestplate and shoulders, but the Exo Knight suit absorbed the impact. Temperatures peaked in the upper HUD—searing, but non-critical. He didn't flinch.
He stepped forward through the flames.
The boy who had thrown the molotov stumbled back, eyes wide in horror.
Before he could run, something lunged at him from the side—a blur of scale and teeth.
Kain moved faster.
His gauntlet caught the beast mid-leap by the throat. Hydraulic servos screamed. The monster thrashed, claws raking against the composite alloy. Kain's grip tightened until bones cracked like splinters.
Then—snap.
He threw the corpse aside.
The boy was on the ground, frozen. Kain looked down at him, then turned his visor toward the street behind.
Don't say anything
He raised his rifle again and continued.
...
Elsewhere in the burning village...
