Prologue

*Wheeze*

Beneath the protective canopy of a dense tree, a shadowy figure huddled, fighting to reclaim their labored breath. Hours of ceaseless flight from relentless pursuers had left the person drained, yet an unyielding resolve burned within, pushing them onward.

*Snap*

A twig's abrupt snap alerted the figure to the encroaching danger. Verdant lasers and beams of light scoured the forest, an active hunt for the elusive quarry. Gradually, the figure rose, seizing the opportunity to draw a silent inhalation.

*Hoh*

Summoning strength from within, the figure sprinted forward, swiftly ascending a neighboring tree and disappearing into the treetop expanse. Graceful and quiet as a jungle creature, they moved through the foliage, evading capture once more. 'Just one more mile,' they thought, 'I only need to cover one more mile, then freedom awaits.'

*CRACK*

Time seemed to stretch for an eternity as searing pain engulfed the figure. Each sinew tore, fragments of bone puncturing flesh and muscle, until finally, a leg gave way.

"Whoo. Took quite an effort to bring you down, Mr. 'Sylvester'... Or is it Silvan?"

Emerging from the shadows, a man clad in military attire brandished a smoking rifle. "I mean, seriously, almost slipping away like that! Few manage to retrieve what you did and make it this far... speaking of which."

Approaching Silvan, the man retrieved a silver flash drive from his pocket. "I'll be needing this back. The boss wouldn't take kindly to losing the merchandise." Even in the dimness, the man's smirk gleamed.

Silvan mustered himself, masking grimaces as he struggled upright, a golf ball-sized cavity through his ankle. Biting back cries of pain, he managed a shaky grin. "Impressive, retrieving it. But what's your plan now?"

Abandoning his tree support, Silvan limped toward the man. "Even if you return it, even if you kill me, the damage to your boss's reputation is irreversible." He met the man's eyes, resolute. "I promise you, others from my agency will pursue it. The Aetherial Engine holds too much power for your corrupt superior. And I can vouch, the government won't—"

A rifle butt smashed into Silvan's face, a sickening crack resonating through the air. Yet, he remained standing, his face smeared with blood, an eerie grin forming. "Farewell, Reaver. May we meet again in hell."

With a swift motion, Silvan reached for a small silver cylinder, revealing a crimson button. Reaver glanced downward, spying the detonator, scrambling to raise his weapon. But time betrayed him.

*Click*

*BOOM*

A colossal detonation illuminated the forest, erasing Silvan, Reaver, and all life within a 100-yard radius. In his final thoughts, Silvan's sentiment was one of frustration at this unceremonious exit.

Or so he believed.