Trapped. Cornered like prey with Koda clinging to my arm and Todoroki's fire casting long, menacing shadows across the walls.

The second figure stepped closer, their movements deliberate. Unlike the first, they didn't speak. They didn't need to. The malice radiating off them was enough to make my stomach churn.

"Midoriya," Todoroki said, his voice low but urgent, "can you run if I cover you?"

Run? And leave him to fight two of these psychopaths alone? Not happening.

"Not without you," I shot back, my eyes flicking between the two attackers. "We stick together."

The first figure laughed again, the sound as sharp as broken glass. "How touching. But none of you are leaving here alive."

Koda whimpered behind me, burying his face in his hands. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't mean—"

"Hey!" I snapped, grabbing his shoulder and forcing him to look at me. "Snap out of it. You want to survive? Then fight for it. No one's coming to save you this time."

The words were harsher than I intended, but they did the trick. Koda's trembling slowed, and he gave me the faintest nod.

"Good," I said, my voice softening. "Now stay close to me."

The second figure lunged, and Todoroki reacted instantly, a wave of ice shooting toward them. They dodged, but it was enough to buy us a split second.

"Move!" Todoroki barked.

I didn't need to be told twice. I yanked Koda to his feet, dragging him down the hallway as Todoroki held the attackers at bay.

But the first figure wasn't letting us go that easily. They broke away from Todoroki's flames, sprinting after us with terrifying speed.

"Midoriya, behind you!" Todoroki shouted.

I turned just in time to see the figure closing the distance, a blade glinting in their hand.

Acting on pure instinct, I grabbed the nearest object—a fire extinguisher—and swung it with all my strength.

The blade missed me by inches, and the extinguisher connected with a sickening thud. The figure stumbled, but not for long.

"You're feisty," they hissed, recovering quickly. "But that won't save you."

Todoroki appeared out of nowhere, his flames roaring to life as he blasted the figure back. "I said, move!"

I didn't argue this time. Koda and I bolted, my mind racing as we rounded a corner.

This wasn't random. This wasn't just a League hit.

They were here for Koda.

We reached the back stairwell, and I slammed the door shut behind us, bracing it with my shoulder.

"Koda," I panted, gripping his shoulders. "Why? Why are they after you? What haven't you told us?"

He shook his head, tears streaming down his face. "I don't know! They... they said I was important, that they needed me for something, but I don't know why!"

"Think!" I pressed, my voice desperate. "You have to know something!"

"I don't!" he sobbed. "I don't—"

The door rattled, and my heart nearly stopped. They were here.

Todoroki skidded around the corner, his chest heaving. "We need to go. Now."

But there was nowhere left to go.

The sound of footsteps echoed above us, and I realized with a sinking feeling that the second figure had cut us off.

We were surrounded.

Koda grabbed my sleeve, his voice trembling. "Midoriya... I'm so sorry."

Before I could respond, the door burst open, and the first figure stepped inside, their blade gleaming in the dim light.

"Game over," they said, their voice dripping with cruel satisfaction.

But I wasn't done yet.

If they wanted a fight, I was damn well going to give them one.