Chapter 48 — "Lightning Breaks"
(Act 2 — Aldecaldo Camp / Wraith Ambush)
The first sign of trouble wasn't a shot — it was the silence.
The Aldecaldo camp, alive with music and the hum of bikes, fell quiet as the outer scouts came barreling in.
"Wraiths. They're coming."
Panam stood beside Alaric near the Basilisk, her body tensed, hand instinctively reaching for his.
Saul barked orders, but his voice blurred behind the System's whisper in Alaric's head:
[System Alert — Scenario Triggered: Ambush — Defend the Aldecaldo Camp]
Alaric smirked, rolling his neck.
"Let them come."
---
The Wraiths hit like a desert storm — wild, violent, unorganized.
Alaric moved like a shadow between them. One shotgun blast split a ganger in half; his monowire sliced another's rifle clean from his hands.
Behind him, Panam's rifle sang in controlled bursts. They fought in sync — instinctively covering each other, moving as one.
At one point, she shouted over the gunfire.
"Don't get killed!"
Alaric flashed a grin.
"Wouldn't dream of it — you'd miss me too much."
Her answering smirk was sharp… until a Wraith lunged at her blind side.
Alaric spun, grabbing the attacker by the throat and slamming him into the side of a truck.
Panam's eyes met his, wide for a second.
"Thanks."
He leaned in, voice a low growl.
"Gotta protect what's mine."
---
When the dust settled, the Wraiths were in pieces — those who survived ran.
The Aldecaldos whooped in victory.
Saul gave Alaric a nod of hard-earned respect.
"You're one hell of a fighter, Merc."
Panam stayed by his side long after the cheering died down. She didn't say much… just kept glancing his way.
---
Later that night, outside her tent, she spoke.
"You didn't have to fight with us."
Alaric shrugged.
"Yeah. But you're worth it."
Panam's gaze softened… and this time, she didn't fight when he kissed her — slow, claiming, deliberate.
---
[System Feedback — Emotional Metrics Updated]
Panam Palmer
[Affection +50] — Protected during battle
[Trust +40] — Fighting beside her
[Attraction +45] — Post-battle kiss and open declaration