The wind rushed across the broken testing sector.
Smoke still rose from the shattered traps.
Volt Stride stepped forward, her boots crunching glass underfoot.
She pointed at Izzo.
"Your plan… years in the making, right?" she said.
Izzo wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
His breathing was uneven. His arm was bruised from a trap.
"So what?" he spat.
Volt smiled.
"All that planning. All those fake hero records. Just to lose like this."
Izzo growled. "Don't kid me."
He stepped back slowly.
"You think catching me will stop it? The plan's already in motion."
Volt's eyes narrowed.
"After I catch you, we'll crush the rest."
"You won't catch me."
Izzo reached into his coat.
Volt's expression changed.
Her stance shifted. Her hand gripped the hilt at her back.
"What's that?"
Izzo pulled out a thick black syringe. The liquid inside swirled like fire and blood.
"This," he said, raising it with pride, "is the Flame God Cult's newest creation."
