A City of Shadows

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As Benji stumbled through the bustling streets of Tokyo, his heart still raced from their chaotic escape. The neon lights flickered around them, vibrant against the backdrop of their grim reality. He carried Tao on his back, each step a reminder of their losses and the burden of survival.

Mira and Daichi flanked him, their tattered robes and bare feet drawing curious stares from passersby—wide eyes filled with a mix of concern and bewilderment. Benji could feel the weight of those gazes, as if the city itself was judging them.

"Do you think he's gone?" Mira whispered, glancing nervously at the shadows around them.

Benji shook his head. "I don't know. We just need to keep moving."

The air was thick with tension, each rustle of leaves and snap of twigs echoing ominously. He couldn't shake the image of Nemesis from his mind—the powerful figure that had devastated their lives, now somewhere in the void but still haunting his thoughts.

"How far do you think we should go?" Daichi asked, his voice tense. "We can't keep wandering aimlessly."

Benji scanned their surroundings, spotting a glimmer of hope. "There's a place we can get help. Tao—he mentioned a building. I think it's called Oni."

"Oni?" Mira frowned. "What's that?"

"It's a superhero team in the area," Benji explained. "If we can get him there, they might be able to save him."

As they moved through the crowded streets, Benji's resolve grew. They navigated past clusters of people, the city alive with energy but starkly different from the chaos they had just escaped.

Suddenly, Tao stirred slightly, his breath ragged. "Benji..." he managed to croak, his voice barely audible.

"Hang in there, Tao," Benji replied, desperation creeping into his tone. "We're getting you help."

Tao's eyes flickered open for just a moment, his gaze unfocused. "Oni... building," he rasped before slumping against Benji once more.

"That's it!" Benji said, urgency flooding his veins. "Let's move!"

They pressed on, weaving through the throngs of pedestrians. As they neared a tall, imposing building marked with the word "Oni" in bold lettering, Benji felt a surge of hope. It was sleek and modern, with an air of strength that made him feel they might finally find refuge.

"Help!" Benji called out as they entered the lobby, his voice echoing off the marble walls. "We need help for our friend!"

A few people turned to look at them, and the atmosphere shifted—concern etched across their faces. A tall woman with striking blue hair approached, her demeanor commanding.

"What happened?" she asked, her voice steady.

"He's hurt—badly," Benji replied, desperation lacing his words. "We need—"

Before he could finish, Tao groaned, slipping further into unconsciousness. The woman motioned to her colleagues. "Get a stretcher! Now!"

As they carefully took Tao from Benji's back, he felt a flicker of relief. The heroes in the lobby moved swiftly, their expressions serious and focused.

Mira grasped Benji's arm tightly. "We found help."

But even as they breathed a sigh of relief, Benji couldn't shake the dread coiling in his stomach. Nemesis might still be lurking, waiting for the right moment to strike again.

With Tao being whisked away, Benji turned to Mira and Daichi. "We need a plan. Once they stabilize him, we need to prepare for what comes next."

Daichi nodded, his expression grave. "We have to be ready."

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