Huff... Huff... The sound of heavy breathing echoed in the still night air.

  Reporting to HQ: A blight on the run. Requesting permission?

  There was a crackle, then the voice of HQ, cool and urgent.

  HQ (man’s voice): Status?

  Reporting Officer (eyes scanning the horizon, his grip tightening on his weapon): It’s a fire blight. Gender’s unidentifiable. Cloaked in flames and smoke. It's stronger than anything we’ve encountered.

  HQ: Capture if possible. If not, you know the procedure.

  Reporting Officer: Understood. Team, prepare for capture. Keep your distance, surround it outside the city. Make it think we’ve retreated.

  Team (in unison, voices sharp): Roger.

  The officer’s mind raced as he watched the fire blight streak across the rooftops. Let’s see how long you can run, monster...

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Ha... I can hear you mongrels loud and clear.”

  The fire blight, raced across the city, it's form engulfed in flames. It's body was a shimmering silhouette of heat and smoke, yet the fire didn’t touch the buildings around her, defying logic. Every rooftop was untouched, every structure left standing as if the flames obeyed her alone.

  A voice crackled through a nearby led screen, filled with static.

  “It’s been years since we’ve seen a blight in the flesh. Is this a sign of war? Keep watching MDYtv for updates.”

  It slowed just a moment, the faintest of pauses in her fiery trail, before a familiar voice pierced the air, sharp with concern through it's comm.

  “Nys, what the hell are you doing in the city?!”

  The fire blight’s movements faltered briefly at the sound of her name. Her form flickered as if the flames themselves were confused by the moment.

  “Relax,” Nys’s voice rumbled, thick with smoke and heat. “I didn’t want this either. Must be those brothers' plan.”

  The girl’s voice, now urgent, crackled through Nys's comms.

  “Get out of there. Now.”

  “I will. I’m coming home once I reach somewhere safe.” The promise hung in the air, uncertain but firm.

  “Alright, be safe.” The girl’s tone softened, filled with a quiet concern. Then, the comms cut off, leaving only the sound of the storm and Nys’s steady breathing.

  The rain pelted down, but Nys's fire remained fierce, unyielding against the storm.

  Suddenly, Nys reached the edge of a building. Her feet skidded on the rooftop as she took a breath, then leapt into the night.

  The forces, having been waiting in the shadows, revealed themselves. Weapons aimed, eyes wide with surprise—but they were too slow. The air around Nys shifted, the temperature rising, warping the space around her. She shot upwards like a comet, flames trailing in her wake, her body transforming into a searing fireball as she ascended.

  One soldier, staring up in disbelief, muttered under his breath.

  “Shit. It can fly.”

  The fire blight rose higher, leaving the soldiers behind in stunned silence. They scrambled to react, but it was already too late.

  Reporting to HQ: It flew away, sir. This blight… it anticipated our every move. We lost it. Heading back to base.

  HQ (cold, dispassionate): Report back to base immediately. Await further orders.