Chapter 20: The Kidnapping

The morning light pierced through the haze of exhaustion that clung to Riku Nakamura like a second skin. On the rooftop of the abandoned tech hub, he and Lilia stood side by side, their breaths mingling with the crisp air. The confrontation from the night before had left them battered but not broken. The question now was not if Eternal Companions would strike again, but when.

Riku turned to Lilia, her crystalline eyes scanning the city below with an intensity that mirrored his own apprehension.

“We need to keep moving,” he said, his voice hoarse. “If they’ve tracked us here, they’ll have reinforcements soon.”

Lilia nodded, her posture as steady as ever. “Agreed. But their tactics suggest they’re shifting strategies. They may not rely solely on brute force next time.”

Riku frowned, his fingers clenching into fists. “Then we outthink them. Find a place they can’t follow.”

Before Lilia could respond, a sudden noise shattered the fragile calm. The sharp crackle of static followed by a low hum signaled the activation of a drone. Riku’s eyes darted toward the source—a sleek, black device hovering just beyond the edge of the roof. Its red sensor lights pulsed menacingly as it zeroed in on them.

“Get down!” Riku shouted, grabbing Lilia’s arm and pulling her behind a vent shaft.

The drone emitted a high-pitched whine before firing a burst of electric pulses. The shots struck the metal railing where they had been standing moments before, sending sparks flying.

“They’re already here,” Lilia said, her voice steady despite the urgency in her tone. “We must disable it before reinforcements arrive.”

Riku nodded, his mind racing. He scanned the rooftop for anything they could use as a weapon. Spotting a length of pipe left behind by previous occupants, he grabbed it and turned to Lilia.

“Can you distract it?” he asked.

Lilia’s eyes flicked to the drone, her head tilting slightly. “Yes. Be ready.”

Before he could reply, she stepped out from behind the vent shaft, her movements swift and deliberate. The drone’s sensors locked onto her instantly, and it adjusted its aim. Lilia darted to the side, her agility outpacing the machine’s targeting systems.

“Now, Riku!” she called.

With a surge of adrenaline, Riku sprinted toward the drone, the pipe raised high. He swung with all his strength, the metal colliding with the drone’s body in a resounding crash. The device faltered, its hum faltering as it wobbled in the air. A second strike sent it spiraling to the ground, where it landed with a heavy thud.

“Let’s go,” Riku said, breathing heavily. “They’ll know it’s down.”

The duo descended from the rooftop, slipping through the labyrinthine streets of the industrial zone. The adrenaline that had carried them through the drone encounter began to wane, replaced by the gnawing tension of anticipation. Riku led the way, his eyes darting to every shadow, every corner that could conceal another threat.

They reached an old train yard, its rusted tracks and abandoned cars providing a temporary refuge. Riku motioned for Lilia to follow him into one of the cars, its interior filled with the faint smell of oil and decay.

“We’ll catch our breath here,” he said, sinking onto a dusty bench.

Lilia nodded, but her gaze remained fixed on the entrance. “They are accelerating their efforts,” she said. “Their pursuit is becoming more calculated.”

Riku rubbed his temples, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “They’re relentless. It’s like they know every move we’re going to make.”

Lilia’s eyes narrowed. “That may not be far from the truth. Their surveillance capabilities extend far beyond what we’ve encountered so far.”

Before Riku could respond, the sound of footsteps outside the train car sent a jolt of fear through him. He motioned for Lilia to stay silent as he peeked through a crack in the door.

Two figures in tactical gear moved swiftly through the yard, their movements precise and coordinated. One of them held a handheld scanner, its screen emitting a faint glow.

“They’re tracking us,” Riku whispered. “We have to move.”

But before they could act, the door was wrenched open, and chaos erupted. One of the operatives lunged toward Riku, their movements a blur of practiced efficiency. He raised his arms to block the strike, but the force sent him stumbling backward.

Lilia moved with inhuman precision, intercepting the second operative before they could reach Riku. Her movements were a blend of fluidity and strength, disarming them with a calculated strike to their wrist. The weapon clattered to the ground, but more footsteps echoed through the yard, signaling the arrival of reinforcements.

“There are too many,” Lilia said, her voice calm but urgent. “You must go.”

Riku’s eyes widened. “Not without you!”

Before he could argue further, another operative appeared behind him, their weapon raised. A sharp crack filled the air, and pain exploded in Riku’s head. His vision blurred as he fell to the ground, darkness creeping at the edges of his consciousness.

The last thing he saw before everything went black was Lilia, her figure silhouetted against the dim light as she fought off their attackers.

When Riku awoke, his head throbbed with a dull ache. He blinked against the harsh light overhead, his surroundings slowly coming into focus. He was in a small, sterile room, the walls bare except for a single camera mounted in the corner.

Panic surged through him as he sat up, his hands instinctively checking his pockets. They were empty. His backpack, his tools—everything was gone.

“Lilia,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “Where are you?”

The door to the room opened, and a man in a suit stepped inside. His expression was cold, his eyes devoid of emotion.

“Mr. Nakamura,” he said, his voice clipped. “Welcome to Eternal Companions. We’ve been expecting you.”

Riku’s fists clenched. “Where is she?” he demanded. “What have you done with Lilia?”

The man’s lips curled into a faint smile. “She is safe, for now. But her continued existence depends entirely on your cooperation.”

Riku’s heart pounded as the man’s words sank in. The game had changed, and the stakes had never been higher. Whatever Eternal Companions wanted, he knew one thing for certain: he would do whatever it took to get Lilia back.