COLD STEEL, BLEEDING HEARTS
The medical bag vanished, but the iron key was still in her hand—dull silver, flickering.
“Julian?” she called.
The green rain hissed, soaking the sand.
Again, “Julian! Are you there?”
A figure emerged from the mist—a man in a black coat, hooded, a red eye glowing underneath.
“Julian?” Hope surged. She stepped closer.
He pulled back his hood—Julian, but changed. Silver mask fused to his skin, left arm dark metal, a warrior now.
“I’m here, Maya,” he said, voice deep and metallic.