The roar of the helicopter was like a thunderclap, exploding over the narrow alleys. The searchlight beam, cold and merciless like a blade, was locked tightly onto the fleeing figures of Kai and Linor. Dragged along by Linor, Kai stumbled over discarded gears and rusted metal plates scattered across the ground. The rough surface tore through the soles of his canvas shoes, sharp pain shooting up from his feet, yet he didn't even have the breath to cry out.
Behind them, the footsteps of the Thorne Group's bodyguards were closing in, mixed with the chilling click of steam rifles being cocked. Each sound struck Kai's heart like a hammer.
"Their bullets are specially made—mixed with magic-suppressing powder!" Linor shouted between breaths, her voice still steady. "If you're hit, you'll lose all strength and be left at their mercy!"
Gritting his teeth, Kai forced himself to keep up. He glanced back and saw several men in black suits charging out of the alley entrance, steam rifles gleaming coldly, barrels aimed straight at them.
Bang!
A shot rang out. The bullet grazed past Kai's ear and slammed into a sheet-metal wall, spraying sparks. His scalp went numb with fear, and he instinctively sped up, his heart pounding as if it would burst from his chest.
"This way!" Linor yanked him sharply into an even narrower alley. At the end stood a tightly locked iron door, rust crawling over its surface, clearly abandoned for years. Linor released Kai, drew the longsword from her back, and pointed the tip at the lock.
A flash of silver. The lock snapped cleanly.
She kicked the door open and dragged Kai inside.
Beyond it lay an abandoned steam machinery factory. The vast hall was in ruins—enormous gears and transmission shafts stood rusted and silent in the center, like slumbering giants. Moonlight filtered through the shattered roof, casting fragmented shadows that lent the desolate place an eerie atmosphere.
They ducked behind a massive transmission shaft, gasping for air. The helicopter's roar gradually faded, as if it had lost their trail. Leaning against the cold metal, Kai felt his legs turn heavy as lead. He looked down at the pocket watch in his hand—the star core fragment embedded within still emitted a soft blue glow, gentle yet strangely reassuring.
"Why are they so determined to capture me?" Kai rasped. "Just because of this fragment?"
Linor sheathed her sword and leaned against the shaft. Her ice-blue eyes glimmered in the moonlight."Victor wants to gather all the star core fragments and shatter the barrier between the two worlds," she said quietly. "The fragments stabilize that barrier. Once all seven are assembled, it can be completely broken. Then his steam legions can march straight in and conquer the Aurora Continent."
"Conquer Aurora?" Kai stared. "Has he lost his mind? People in Everlight City can't even accept magic, let alone rule a magical world."
"Victor isn't mad—he's ambitious," Linor replied, hatred lacing her voice. "His ancestors planned the Starfall Event. They believe magic is obsolete, that steam technology is the future. They want technology to completely replace magic."
Kai fell silent. Images of Victor from the news surfaced in his mind—the impeccably dressed man with a gentle smile, always preaching the greatness of steam technology and a brighter future for Everlight City. Who could have imagined such terrifying ambition beneath that façade?
Just then, a faint click echoed through the factory.
Kai and Linor stiffened and turned toward the sound. From the shadows, several men in black suits emerged slowly. Steam rifles gleamed in their hands, silver masks hiding their expressions.
"So we were still found," Linor said coldly, drawing her sword again and stepping in front of Kai.
Kai's heart sank. He looked at the bodyguards, then at the pocket watch in his hand, suddenly recalling the moment his wrench had been enchanted. He clenched his teeth and pulled the now-polished wrench from his pocket.
"Human. Elf."One of the bodyguards spoke, his voice hoarse and distorted."Hand over the star core fragment. Lord Victor may spare your lives."
"Dream on." Linor sneered and lunged forward.
Silver swordlight flashed as she clashed with them. Agile as a hunting panther, she wove through the enemies, her blade carving dazzling arcs that forced them back again and again.
But there were too many. Soon Linor was surrounded. A steam rifle swept past her arm, carving a deep gash. Blood poured out instantly.
Seeing this, Kai's chest tightened. He knew he couldn't keep hiding.
He took a deep breath, raised the wrench, and pressed the pocket watch tightly against it. He didn't know what he was doing—only following instinct.
The moment metal touched metal, the star core fragment erupted in blinding blue light. A surge of power flooded out, rushing through the wrench and into Kai's body. Strength filled him to the brim. Blue light flickered in his eyes, and the wrench in his hand grew scorching hot.
"This is…" Kai murmured.
He could feel it—a strange resonance between himself, the wrench, and the star core.
The bodyguards noticed the change. Two of them broke away and charged toward him."Grab the kid!"
They raised their rifles and fired.
Bang! Bang!
Bullets screamed toward Kai. His heart leapt into his throat. Instinctively, he swung the wrench.
A brilliant blue flash burst forth, forming a solid energy barrier in front of him. The bullets struck it and were instantly deflected.
The two bodyguards froze, stunned.
Kai froze too, staring at the glowing barrier, disbelief flooding his mind.
"Star core resonance…" Linor exclaimed, delight flickering in her voice as she seized the chance to stab a sword through one guard's shoulder."Kai! Use the wrench! The star core's power can counter their steam rifles!"
Snapping back to himself, Kai charged forward. Blue light danced around the wrench as his steps grew impossibly light. He swung with all his strength, smashing straight into a steam rifle.
Crack!
The weapon shattered. Before the guard could react, Kai kicked him to the ground.
The second guard turned to flee—but Kai was already on him. The wrench, blazing with blue light, slammed into the man's back. A scream rang out as he spat blood and collapsed unconscious.
Linor finished off the remaining enemies and walked over, clutching her wounded arm. She looked at the glowing wrench in Kai's hand, admiration flashing in her ice-blue eyes.
"I didn't expect you to trigger star core resonance," she said. "It means your compatibility with the fragment is extremely high."
The energy slowly faded. Kai panted, looking down at the wrench."What exactly is star core resonance?" he asked.
"It's when—"
Before Linor could finish, the ground shook violently. A searing red light flared from deep within the factory, illuminating the entire ruin.
They exchanged a wary glance.
"What's that?" Kai asked uneasily.
Linor's expression darkened as she stared toward the glow."Bad news. A steam furnace. They've set up a steam furnace here—they're planning to burn us alive."
As she spoke, a wave of scorching heat rushed toward them, thick with the stench of sulfur. From the depths of the factory, a towering pillar of fire erupted, crimson flames roaring like a raging dragon as it surged in their direction.