The Hunter | Overwatch

Chapter 80: Lost and Found

The acrid stench of smoke filled Shaun’s lungs as he sprinted through the ruined streets of Numbani, his pulse rifle humming with residual energy. The once-pristine city—a beacon of unity between humans and omnics—had been reduced to a hellscape. Neon signs flickered weakly above shattered storefronts, their light casting eerie shadows over the bodies strewn across the pavement. The air was thick with soot and the lingering scent of burnt metal.

Gunfire crackled through the skyline, punctuated by the distant boom of explosions. The orange glow of fires reflected off the polished glass skyscrapers, which now bore gaping wounds from heavy artillery. Civilians darted through the wreckage like ghosts, searching for cover wherever they could find it. Their panicked screams were drowned out by the deafening march of Null Sector’s war machines.

Shaun had seen battle before. He had trained under Jack Morrison, Ana Amari, and Gabriel Reyes. He had prepared for the worst.

But this?

This was carnage.

An OR14 warbot thundered past, its clawed limbs smashing through an overturned taxi as if it were paper. Drones whirred overhead, scanning the streets for survivors. Null Sector enforcers moved in synchronized lines, their metallic bodies gleaming in the firelight as they gunned down anyone who resisted. The Numbani Security Force had been overwhelmed in mere hours.

Shaun knew he had failed.

He slammed his back against the scorched remains of a newsstand, sucking in rapid breaths. His hands trembled as he reloaded his rifle. He had given the order to strike the Null Sector factory. He had led Overwatch into a trap.

And while they had barely managed to escape…

Null Sector had come here.

To a defenseless city.

To butcher innocent people.

His stomach churned with rage, but he shoved it down. Emotions wouldn’t help him survive.

An explosion rocked the ground nearby, sending chunks of concrete flying. Shaun ducked, shielding his face as debris pelted his armor. Get a grip, Oxton. He clenched his jaw and tightened his grip on his rifle. No more hesitation.

With a surge of energy, he vaulted over a pile of wreckage and fired. Bolts of blue energy streaked across the street, slamming into an advancing Null Sector bot. The impact sent it staggering backward before collapsing, its mechanical body sparking violently.

Another drone swooped in. Shaun barely had time to react—his instincts took over.

His free hand shot up, raw power surging from his palm. A pulse of glowing blue energy tore through the drone, sending it crashing into the remains of a convenience store.

His breathing was heavy, but his body moved on its own. He sprinted forward, weaving between burning vehicles, gunning down anything in his path. He had no plan—only survival.

But he knew one thing.

He couldn’t do this alone.

"Orisa! That soldier needs help!"

The voice was young, high-pitched, yet filled with urgency.

Shaun turned, pulse rifle raised.

A girl no older than eleven crouched behind a damaged hover-taxi, her fingers dancing across a holographic display. Beside her stood a massive omnic—quad-legged, gold-plated, and armed with an energy cannon the size of a motorcycle.

The girl’s eyes locked onto his.

For a moment, the chaos around them disappeared.

Her face lit up in recognition.