Location: Underground Tunnel – Escape Route B
A siren blared through the crumbling passageways. Red lights flickered. Concrete dust fell from the ceilings as boots thundered behind them.
Vashti sprinted ahead, leading Shabd, Miafel, and an injured Vivek through the maze-like tunnels.
"We're almost out!" Vashti shouted over the chaos.
But then—they heard it.
Metal clanking. Robotic hums. A squad of enhanced agents. These weren't normal soldiers.
They were the Neurolocked.
Strapped with emotion-suppressants, pain inhibitors, and speed enhancers.
Shabd's jaw tightened. "They're sending prototypes now."
Vashti cracked her knuckles. "Then let's break them before they make more."
---
The Battle Begins
The first agent lunged at Shabd—faster than humanly possible. But Shabd ducked, slammed his elbow into the agent's ribs, then twisted and drove his knee into the man's neck. Sparks flew from the implant.
Vashti screamed and launched herself into another attacker, grabbing a loose pipe. She bashed it across his head, again and again, until the mechanical eye flickered out.
"Why do they always go for the boys first?" she muttered. "Equal rights, my fists!"
A third agent grabbed her from behind, choking her.
Shabd saw her struggling—rage flared in his chest.
He snatched a broken rebar and threw it like a spear—piercing the attacker's thigh.
Vashti coughed and turned, punching the guy with a growl. "Nice shot."
"Imagined it was your ex this time," Shabd smirked.
---
Back-to-Back
They stood in the center of the tunnel—four more agents surrounding them now.
Vashti whispered, "We're outnumbered."
Shabd smirked. "But they're outmatched."
And they attacked.
It was brutal. Raw. Beautiful.
Every strike was personal. Every dodge a memory. Every cut a vow they'd survive this.
Vashti jumped off a wall, heel-kicking an enemy in the face. Shabd used his belt like a whip, yanking a weapon out of another's hand before flipping him over.
A fight between fire and calm. Between fury and control. Between Vashti and Shabd… and everything that tried to break them.
---
Only Two Agents Left
One pulled out a syringe—aimed at Vivek.
Vashti's eyes went red. "No one touches my father!"
She didn't just punch him. She tackled him through a wall, the sound of crashing echoing like thunder. Dust clouded the air.
The final agent turned to flee.
Shabd ran—leapt—and crashed into him mid-run, slamming him unconscious.
---
Silence. Then…
"Everyone okay?" Vashti asked, wiping blood from her brow.
Miafel nodded. "Barely. But yes."
Vivek gave a weak thumbs-up again. Shabd looked at Vashti, panting.
She grinned. "Still think I'm 'unstable'?"
He smiled, bruised and breathless. "No. I think you're unbeatable."
--