Chasing Shadows

Chapter Thirty-Six: Fall into the Void

SKIP TIME: TWO MONTHS

The night sky stretched like an infinite canvas of black above them, the stars obscured by a thick blanket of clouds. Ethan’s breath came in short, rapid bursts as he raced up the stairwell, his footsteps echoing in the narrow space. Asher was only a few steps ahead, his jaw clenched and his eyes blazing with determination.

They were chasing a ghost—one that had taunted them, evaded them, and lured them into this rundown high-rise building in the heart of the city’s forgotten district. The air was thick with the stench of mildew and dust, and each creaking floorboard beneath their feet threatened to give way at any moment.

“Keep going!” Asher barked over his shoulder. “He’s close. I can feel it.”

Ethan nodded, his gaze hardening as they burst through another door, emerging onto the top floor. The chill of the night air hit him like a slap to the face, but he didn’t falter. He could sense it too—the unmistakable presence of Zane lurking just beyond their reach.

They made their way through the darkened space, their eyes adjusting to the faint light that trickled in through the grime-covered windows. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the soft hum of the city below and their labored breathing.

Then, they saw him.

Zane stood near the far edge of the roof, his silhouette illuminated by the distant glow of the streetlights below. His posture was relaxed, one hand casually resting in his pocket while the other idly twirled a blade formed of pure shadow. That same maddeningly confident smirk played on his lips, as if he’d been expecting them all along.

“Hey there, heroes,” Zane drawled, his voice a soft purr that sent a shiver down Ethan’s spine. “Took you long enough.”

Asher’s eyes narrowed, his muscles coiled like a spring ready to unleash. “End of the line, Zane!” Asher growled, his voice a low rumble of restrained fury. He took a step forward, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. “There’s nowhere left to run.”

But Zane just smiled—an infuriatingly calm, almost tender expression that made Ethan’s skin prickle with both anger and… something else. Something he couldn’t quite name.

“Oh, I don’t plan on running,” Zane replied softly, his gaze drifting lazily over Asher before settling on Ethan. His eyes darkened with something deeper, something almost possessive. “I’ve been waiting for you two.”

Asher scoffed, but Ethan stayed silent, his heart stuttering as Zane’s eyes seemed to drink him in, the shadow manipulator’s attention lingering on him like a physical touch.

Ignoring the taunt, Asher stepped forward, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “This ends here.”

In a flash, he lunged forward, his speed and power creating a gust of wind that sent dust and debris swirling around them. But Zane didn’t move. He simply stepped back, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling calmness as he watched Asher approach.

Asher’s hand shot out, reaching for Zane’s throat—only to grasp at empty air. Zane melted into the shadows, his form dissipating like smoke before reappearing a few feet away, still wearing that infuriating grin.

“Almost had me there,” Zane taunted, wagging a finger at Asher. “But you know how this goes, Titan. You can’t catch what you can’t see.”

Ethan’s gaze darted between them, his mind racing. Something about this whole situation felt off. Zane wasn’t just toying with them—he was stalling. Deliberately. But why?

“Don’t listen to him, Asher!” Ethan called out, taking a step closer. “He’s up to something. We need to get out of here.”

But Asher didn’t back down. He pressed forward, his voice low and dangerous. “I’m done playing games, Zane.”