Smoke still hung heavy in the air, curling through shattered windows like dark spirits. The floor was littered with bullet casings, blood, and the torn remains of maps from the earlier briefing.
Muzi crouched low behind a metal filing cabinet, his stolen pistol still warm in his hand. His breath came slow, steady — the system's boost keeping him sharp.
> [Spiritual Flow: 12% active]
[Bangani Thread Strengthening – Target: Sphilile]
Across the hall, Sphilile was pinned behind an overturned chair, reloading. Her hands shook — but her eyes, those storm-grey eyes, were locked onto Muzi.
He nodded once.
She nodded back.
Without a word, Muzi surged forward, taking two quick shots — one assailant dropped. Banele shouted from the far side of the hall, "Fallback route! Storage corridor!"
Gunfire flared again. One of the gang members screamed — then silence.
Muzi skidded across the debris, grabbing Sphilile by the arm and pulling her up. "With me!"
They dashed through the ruined hallway, smoke trailing behind them. Muffled voices echoed from outside the compound — the attackers were regrouping.
Banele appeared in the corridor, eyes wild but focused. "There's a back way. Old sewer gate. We use it now, or we die here."
They moved — fast.
Down the maintenance stairs, past crates of expired supplies and rusted tools. Muzi could feel the danger pressing in, but inside, something strange was happening.
> [Bangani Thread Strengthened – Connection: Sphilile | Level: Subtle Pull → Steady Echo]
[Trait Gained: Protective Instinct]
[Spiritual Flow Surge: +5%]
"Maphanga," Muzi whispered in his mind. "What's happening?"
> "True power responds not to rage… but to purpose. You are beginning to understand."
They burst into the underground passage. The old sewer gate loomed ahead — heavy, rusted. Banele kicked it open with a grunt, motioning them through.
Behind them, more gunfire. Footsteps. Voices. Flashlights sweeping the stairwell.
They ran.
---
Outside, the air was cold. Night had fallen completely now. Muzi, Sphilile, and Banele staggered out from behind an abandoned garage behind the compound. Sirens howled in the distance — someone had definitely called the cops, or worse, the other gang.
They crouched in silence, catching their breath.
"Who were they?" Sphilile finally asked. "That wasn't just a rival crew. They were trained."
Muzi didn't answer. His thoughts were elsewhere. The system was humming like a heartbeat.
> [New Objective: Investigate Ambush Origins – Reward Tier: Unknown]
[Optional: Interrogate captured enemy if possible]
Banele looked between them. "We're not safe here. We split up. Muzi — take Sphilile and lay low. I'll meet you in two days at the junkyard south of Lavumisa."
Muzi nodded.
As Banele slipped into the shadows, Muzi looked at Sphilile. She clutched her pistol tight, jaw clenched — but her eyes met his, unwavering.
They weren't just comrades anymore.
> [Bangani Status Updated: Trust Forming – Emotional Link Detected]
He didn't say anything. He just started walking, and she followed.
---