It was a rainy evening when Liam first saw her. Drenched and desperate, she ran through the alleyways of Technoville, her eyes wide with fear. Behind her, three masked figures chased her, their voices cold and threatening.
"Stop running, girl! You can't escape!"
Liam, returning from campus, saw the chaos. His instinct activated. "Syra, analyze the situation."
"Three hostile pursuers, one target—female, approximately your age. Threat level: Moderate."
Liam's eyes narrowed. "Combat Genius, activate."
His body surged with energy. Sprinting forward, he intercepted the masked men just as they cornered the girl.
"Leave her alone," Liam's voice was calm but firm.
One of the men laughed. "Mind your own business, kid."
But in an instant, Liam moved—a blur of strikes, precise and unstoppable. The first man was down in seconds, the second stumbled back in shock, and the third tried to pull a weapon, but Liam disarmed him effortlessly.
The girl stared in awe, her silver eyes wide. "Who… who are you?"
"A friend," Liam replied, reaching out. "Come with me."
Hesitant but desperate, she took his hand. They ran through the rain-soaked streets until they reached his apartment.
Inside, she finally spoke. "Thank you."
"I'm Liam," he introduced. "And you are?"
"Ava," she whispered. "And I… I'm in a lot of trouble."
Liam sat beside her. "Tell me."
Ava hesitated. "My family… they're powerful. I was supposed to inherit a secret—an artifact that grants unimaginable power. But others want it. They killed my parents and are now after me."
Liam's mind raced. "An artifact? What kind?"
Ava's silver eyes shimmered. "A system core. Similar to yours."
Liam's heart skipped a beat. "You know about Syra?"
"I know more than you think," Ava whispered. "But I can't stay here. They'll find me."
"They won't," Liam assured. "Not while I'm here."
But even as he spoke, Syra's voice echoed. "Liam, multiple hostile signatures detected approaching your location."
Liam's fists clenched. "They followed us."
Ava's fear returned. "We have to run."
Liam smiled, his eyes fierce. "No. This time, we fight."
The door shook as a voice called out. "Give us the girl, and we'll spare you!"
Liam stood before the door, his eyes glowing with focus. "Syra, activate Combat Genius and Strategic Analysis."
"Activated."
The door burst open, and shadows flooded the room. But Liam was ready.
The battle that followed was a blur of movement—Liam's strikes precise, his strategy flawless. Ava, despite her fear, revealed her own skill, her movements swift and sharp, her silver eyes glowing with hidden power.
Together, they fought side by side, an unstoppable team.
When the last attacker fell, Ava collapsed to her knees. "You saved me… but why?"
"Because I know what it's like to be hunted," Liam whispered.
Ava looked up, tears in her eyes. "Can I… stay with you? Just for a while?"
Liam smiled. "You can stay as long as you need."
From that night on, Ava became a part of Liam's life. She was more than just a friend—she was an ally, a mystery, and perhaps, something more.
But the danger was far from over. The shadowy organization watching Liam now had a new target—both of them.