The rooftop figure dropped.
Kael barely moved in time. The cloaked shape landed where he'd stood, the ground cracking beneath its boots. Rei was faster. Her blade came down in an arc, aiming for the Veinhunter's neck.
It caught the strike mid-swing. One hand.
A hook-blade lashed from its other arm, forcing her to leap back. Sparks flew as the curved edge tore into the stone. Kael drew his weapon, a short sword barely sharpened, and gripped it like it might actually help.
The Veinhunter turned toward him. No words. Just a slow tilt of the head, studying.
Then it moved.
Faster than Kael expected. Too fast. The hook-blade spun toward him. He ducked, barely. It sliced past his ear, carving air like a scythe. He swung his sword, wild and desperate. It clanged against metal. The recoil nearly ripped it from his hands.
Rei lunged again, this time from behind. Her blade found flesh, carving a thin line across the figure's back. It didn't scream. It didn't flinch. It spun with inhuman speed, caught her wrist mid-motion, and slammed her into the wall.
Kael charged it from behind. No technique. Just rage. His sword struck the Veinhunter's arm. The metal sparked. Useless. The figure turned, blade raised.
He fell backward on instinct. The curved weapon missed his throat by inches.
He rolled, stumbled to his feet, and backed away. The Core pulsed faintly in his chest but offered no guidance, no power. He was on his own.
The Veinhunter advanced slowly now. Deliberate. Enjoying the fear.
Rei groaned from where she lay. Blood ran from her mouth. Her blade was out of reach.
Kael stepped forward, heart pounding.
"Come on," he muttered. "Come on then."
The Veinhunter leapt.
Kael moved without thinking. He dropped low, swiped at the knees. The strike connected. Barely. The figure stumbled but recovered instantly. The hook-blade came down.
Kael grabbed a broken plank from the ground and blocked the blow. The wood shattered. Splinters flew. A shard pierced his arm. He screamed and kicked out wildly.
His foot struck the Veinhunter's chest. It staggered back a step.
Rei had her blade again. She crawled behind the figure, eyes full of fire. She moved to strike.
The Veinhunter turned too fast.
It raised its hook and drove it down.
Kael screamed, "No!"
He dove. Not to fight. To tackle.
His shoulder slammed into the Veinhunter's legs. The impact caught it off balance. Rei rolled away just in time.
The three of them collapsed in a heap.
Kael hit the ground hard. The figure twisted, its blade slicing the dirt beside his head.
Rei was on her knees, her knife in her hand. She stabbed upward, into the Veinhunter's side. Again. Again. The blade hit something soft. Blood sprayed.
The Veinhunter roared. Not words. A sound like metal scraping bone.
Kael grabbed a chunk of stone and swung it into its mask. Once. Twice.
It reeled.
Rei kicked it backward.
The Veinhunter staggered and collapsed into the dust.
For a long moment, no one moved.
Then the figure began to rise again.
"No no no no," Kael gasped. He grabbed his sword, lifted it with both shaking hands.
The Veinhunter stood, wobbling.
Rei threw her knife. It struck the exposed part of its leg. Not deep. But enough.
The figure stumbled.
Kael moved. Blind panic guided him. He rammed the sword forward, screaming. The blade struck the wounded leg. The Veinhunter collapsed again.
Kael didn't wait. He grabbed Rei by the arm.
"Run," he said, breath ragged.
They did.
Through broken arches. Over rubble. Past the statue of the hollow-eyed man.
Kael didn't look back. He didn't want to know if it was still following.
They collapsed behind a broken wall several blocks away. Kael's hands were shaking, his chest burning. Rei leaned against the stone, blood on her face and in her hair.
They were silent for a long time.
Then Kael whispered, "What the hell was that?"
Rei spat blood. "A scout. Light armor. Not even a top-grade."
"That was a light one?"
She nodded. "The stronger ones won't miss."
Kael looked at the blood on his hands. "I didn't win. We didn't win. We just…"
"Survived," she said. "And barely."
He stared at her. "You've fought them before."
She didn't answer.
Kael stood, pacing now. "I thought the Core would do something. Anything."
"You think it cares?" she said, voice sharp. "That it's some hero's weapon waiting to awaken?"
"I don't know what it is."
Rei looked up at him, eyes dark. "Then maybe it's time we talk about it."
Kael sat, still panting. "You know more than you've told me."
"I know a few things," she said. "But this… you're carrying something rare. And loud. The kind of Core that doesn't stay hidden. The kind that attracts monsters. And hunters."
Kael nodded slowly. "Then teach me. Or I die next time."
Rei glanced toward the rooftops. The sun was starting to fade.
"We'll rest tonight," she said. "Then I'll show you what you've really stolen."